Redescription of Three 

Species of Corals from 

the Lockport Dolomite 

in New York

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY PROFESSIONAL PAPER 414-G
Redescription of Three 

Species of Corals from 

the Lockport Dolomite 

in New York

By WILLIAM A. OLIVER, JR.

SHORTER CONTRIBUTIONS TO GENERAL GEOLOGY

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY PROFESSIONAL PAPER 414-G

Descriptions of the syntypes of some 

corals named by James Hall, 1852

UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE. WASHINGTON : 1963
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR 

STEW ART L. UDALL, Secretary

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY 

Thomas B. Nolan, Director

For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office

Washington 25, D.C.
CONTENTS

Page 

Abstract. _ _________________________________________ G 1

Introduction. ---____--__-_-___.-_-_____-____-______- 1

Genus Diplophyllum Hall-__-_______--____-______-___ 1

Diplophyllum caespitosum HalL__________________ 2

Genus Palaeophyllum Billings-_______________________ 4

Page 

Palaeophyllum makicaule (Hall)_________-____-____--- G-5

Genus Cladopora HalL______________________________ 6

Cladopora seriata HalL__________________________ 6

References cited_-_ _________________________________ 6

Index-________________________---________--------- 9

ILLUSTRATIONS

PLATE 1. Diplophyllum caespitosum Hall.

2. Diplophyllum caespitosum Hall.

3. Diplophyllum caespitosum Hall.

[Plates follow index]

PLATE 4. Palaeophyllum multicaule (Hall). 

5. Cladopora seriata Hall.

SHORTER CONTRIBUTIONS TO GENERAL GEOLOGY

REDESCRIPTION OF THREE SPECIES OF CORALS FROM THE LOCKPORT

DOLOMITE IN NEW YORK

By WILLIAM A. OLIVER, JR.

ABSTRACT

Three species of rugose and tabulate corals that were originally described by Hall (1852), from the Silurian Lockport 

Dolomite at Lockport, N.Y., are redescribed. Two of the 

species, Dipl-ophylUtm caespitosum and Cladopora, seriata, are 

the type species of their respective genera. The type specimens 

of these and the third species, Palaeophyllum multicaule (Hall), 

have not previously been sectioned and the three species have 

been frequently misinterpreted in the literature.

INTRODUCTION

The three species here considered, Diplophyllum 

caespitosum, Syringoporal muUicautis, and Cladopora 

seriata., were originally described by Hall (1852) from 

the Lockport Dolomite of Silurian age at Lockport, 

N. Y. Subsequent descriptions of these species were not 

based on the syntype collections and Hall's specimens 

have not previously been sectioned.

D. caespitosum and C. seriata are the type species of 

Diplophyllum and Cladopora respectively, and knowledge of the Hall specimens is important in stabilizing 

the usage of these names. D. caespitosum and 8. ? 

multicaulis (here assigned to Palaeophyllum,} have at 

times been confused with the Devonian genus Acinophyllum (Synapt-ophyUvm of authors). Precise knowledge of these species is needed in studies of both 

Silurian and Devonian corals.

Thin sections of Hall's original specimens are here 

described and illustrated for the first time, and lectotypes are selected.

All specimens from the Hall type lots are in the 

collection of the American Museum of National History 

(AMNH). Additional topotype material of Diplophyllum caexpitosum is in the U.S. National Museum 

(TJSNM). I am indebted to Dr. Donald F. Squires of 

the American Museum and Dr. Richard S. Boardman 

of the National Museum for permission to section and 

redescribe the material.

Thin sections were prepared by William C. Pinckney, 

Jr. Photographs of exteriors are by R. H. McKinney; 

thin section photographs are by the author.

Order RTTGOSA 

Family ACERVTTLARIIDAE

Genus Diplophyllum Hall, 1852

1851. Diplophyllum Hall, p. 399.

1852. Diplophyllum Hall. Hall, p. 115.

1901. Diplophyllum Hall. Grabau, p. 139.

1906. [not] Diplophyllum Hall. Grabau and Shinier, p. 210.

1909. [not] Diplophyllum Hall. Grabau and Shinier, p. 73.

1931. Acervularia {Diplophyllum} Hall. Smith and Lang, p. 86.

1939. [not] Diplophyllum Soshkina, p. 39-40 (homonym).

1940. Diplophyllum Hall. Lang, Smith, and Thomas, p. 53. 

1944. [not] Diplophyllum Hall. Shimer and Shrock, p. 99. 

1956. Diplophyllum Hall. Hill, p. 277.

Type species. By monotypy, D. caespitosum Hall 

(1852, p. 116-117), "* * * lower part of the limestone 

of the Niagara group at Lockport * * *" (lower part 

of the Lockport Dolomite, Lockport, N.Y.).

Diagnosis. Compound rugose corals with a distinct 

inner wall of septal origin, separating the tabularium 

from a narrow, peripheral dissepimentarium. The 

tabulae are mostly complete; dissepiments are flat to 

gently arched, forming a single series in each space 

bounded by the inner and outer walls and two adjacent 

septa. Increase is commonly peripheral or lateral.

Remarks. Hall first described and illustrated the 

type species of Diplophyllum in 1852, although a generic diagnosis was published in 1851. He considered 

the division into inner and outer zones by the wall to 

be diagnostic, and he emphasized the differences between Diplophyllum and corals with a single peripheral row of normal dissepiments which may give 

the superficial appearance of a wall. Later, however, 

Hall (1859, p. 80) stated that Diplophyllum^ was 

"* * * probably identical with the genus Diphyphyllum * * * v to which many Silurian and Devonian 

corals with normal dissepiments were then assigned.

Grabau (1901, p. 139) followed Hall's earlier interpretation and used his illustrations, but later (Grabau 

and Shimer, 1906, p. 210; 1909, p. 73) followed Lambe's 

(1901, p. 158, pi. 13, fig. 3, a-b) erroneous description 

and illustration of the type species and suggested that 

Diplophyllum differed from Synaptophyllum (now

G-l
G-2 SHORTER CONTRIBUTIONS TO GENERAL GEOLOGY

Acinophyllum,} only in the lack of lateral connections 

between corallites.

Shinier and Shrock (1944, p. 99) followed Grabau 

and Shinier in erroneously diagnosing the genus.

Smith and Lang (1931, p. 86, 91-92) based their redescription of Diplophyllum on a topotype fragment 

from the U.S. National Museum (erroneously stated to 

be a piece of one of Hall's types). They correctly 

diagnosed the genus and one variety of the type species. 

However, Smith and Lang considered DiplopJiyllum 

to be a 'genomorph' of Acervularia, for all practical 

purposes placing Diplophyllum in synonymy with 

Acervularia.

Hill (1956, p. 2TT) followed Smith and Lang's diagnosis and used their illustrations but considered 

Diplophyllum as a genus distinct from Acervularia, included in the Acervulariidae. According to Hill, 

Acervularia differs in the possession of a zone of convex 

dissepiments outside of the zone of flat dissepiments.

The generic diagnosis of this paper is based primarily 

on the type species, but is broadened to include cerioid 

species as well. Smith and Lang included two species 

in Acervularia {Diplophyllum} in addition to D. caespitosum. One of these, Rhabdophyllum conglomeration 

Wedekind is a subcerioid Diplophyllum which differs 

from D. caespitosum in its irregular sagging tabulae 

and broader outer zone of flat dissepiments. The other, 

Acervularia luseuxrians var. breviseptata Weissermel, is 

a cerioid Diplophyllum with short septa and flat tabulae 

and dissepiments. Increase in the first species is intermural (lateral), but in the second, both intermural 

(lateral) and axial increase occurs. Both of these interpretations are based on the author's study of Smith 

and Lang's illustrations of material which they subjectively identified as the species indicated. Their 

illustrations demonstrate the existence of cerioid and 

phaceloid-subceriorid corals with the DiplophyHum 

structure in addition to the phaceloid type species.

Search of the literature indicates that D. caespitosum 

is the only North American species that can be assigned 

to Diplophyllum,. North American species other than 

the type, that have been previously assigned to Diplophyllum, are listed as follows with reassignments and 

references.

Diplophyllum. arundinaceum (Billings) Grabau and Shimer 

(1906, p. 212; 1909, p. 75) is the type species of SynaptophyUum as noted by McLaren (1959, p. 16-22).

DiplopJiyllum callawayensis Branson (1924, p. 50, text fig. 3, 

pi. 3, fig. 4) is probably a Disphyllum as indicated by 

Stumm, 1955, card 130.

Diplophyllum coralliferum Hall (1852, p. 322, pi. 72, fig. la, b, 

c) has never been redescribed. Examination of a topotype specimen (possibly Hall's holotype) indicates that 

this species is a stauriid with a single discontinuous row 

of normal dissepiments.

Diplophyllum integumentum (Barrett), Grabau (1910, p. 106, 

pi. 10, fig. 1; pi. 15, fig. 9-10; pi. 16, fig. 15, 17) was reassigned in part to Synaptophyllum grabaui by Fagerstrom (1961, p. 13). The balance of Grabau's material 

has normal dissepiments and may be a disphyllid.

Diplophyllum panicum (Rominger). Grabau and Shimer, (1906, 

p. 212, 1909, p. 75), is a Cylindrophllum as stated by 

Enters and Stumm (1949, p. 27).

Diplophyllum caespitosum Hall, 1852 

Plates 1-3

1851. DiplopJiyllum caespitosum Hall, p. 399 (nomen nudum?.

1852. Diplophyllum caespitosum Hall, p. 116-117, pi. 33, figs.

la-r.

1859. Diphyphyllum caespitosum (Hall). Hall, p. 80. 

1890. [?not] Diphyphyllum caespitosum (Hall). Foerste,

p. 343.

1899. [not] Diphyphyllum caespitosum (Hall). Lambe, p. 240. 

1901. [not] Diphyphyllum caespitosum (Hall). Lambe, p. 158,

pi. 13, fig. 3 a-b. 

1901. Diplophyllum caespitosum Hall. Grabau, p. 139-140,

fig. 33. 

1903. [?not] Diplophyllum, caespitosum Hall. Clarke and

Ruedemann, p. 25. 

1906. [not] Diplophyllum caespitosum Hall. Grabau and

Shimer, p. 211-212, fig. 117. 

1909. [not] Diplophyllum caespitosum Hall. Grabau and

Shimer, p. 74, fig. 117. 

1928. [not] Diphyphyllum caespitosum. (Hall). Twenhofel, p.

120. 

1931. Acervularia {Diplophyllum} caespitosa (Hall). Smith

and Lang, p. 91, pi. 2, fig. 6-10. 

1944. [not] Diplophyllum caespitosum Hall. Shimer and

Shrock, p. 99, pi. 32, fig. 11-12.

1956. Diplophyllum caespitosum Hall. Hill, p. 277, fig. 188, 

6a,b.

Diagnosis. Phaceloid Diplophyllum with peripheral or lateral increase. The internal structure consists 

of a wall separating an inner tabularium from an outer 

zone of flat or gently arched dissepiments. Normal 

dissepiments are rare.

External features. Corallum large and phaceloid 

with peripheral or lateral offsets occurring 1 to 3 or 

more at a time. Corallites cylindrical, as much as 8 

mm (average 5 to 6.2 mm) in diameter; length as much 

as 12 cm, or more. Offset development is irregular at 

varying distances. No examples of axial increase were 

seen. Corallite exteriors are smooth with fine longitudinal sephil grooves and wide gentle rugae. Calices 

are bowl shaped with a peripheral platform corresponding to the outer zone of flat dissepiments discussed 

below.

No complete colonies have been studied, but they 

were apparently of large size since fragments 12 by 15 

to 15 by 20 cm are in the Hall collection. Spacing of 

corallites within the colony varies; most specimens show 

crowding, owing to preservation. Average spacing 

was approximately one corallite diameter.
REDESCRrPTION OF THREE SPECIES OF CORALS G-3

Internal features, Septa are lamellar and radially 

arranged. The major septa are more or less uniform in 

length in the corallites of a given corallum, either extending almost to the axis or stopping just inside the 

inner wall. The minor septa stop just inside the inner 

wall and are not easily differentiated from the major 

ones in the coralla with short major septa. All septa 

are dilated peripherally where they are set in the 

fibrous-appearing tissue of the outer wall, and periaxially where even greater dilation helps form the inner 

wall. From the inner wall the long septa taper toward 

the axis.

The number of major septa ranges from 17 to 22 in 

cylindrical parts of corallites (diam 5.0 to 7.2 mm). 

Data in the following table include sections through 

the early expanding stages of growth as well.

Number of corallites studied. __ 

Number of major septa: AverDiameter in mm : Average - ...

AMNH 

1696:1

22 

18.3

16-20

5.1 

3. 4-6. 4

A

AMNH 

1696:2

13 

19.5

18-21

6.2 

4. 3-8. 1

B

Specimen J

AMNH 

1696:3

7 

17.3

14-19

4.9 

3. 3-6. 5

B

USNM 

139767

13 

18.3

15-21

5.1 

3.3-6.7

B

USNM 

10347-2

10 

20.1

18-22

6.2 

4. 8-7. 3

A

i AMNH 1696:1. Lectotypp, original of Hall figures 1m, p. 

AMNH 1696:2. Original of Hall figure Ik. 

AMNH 1696:3. Original of Hall figure lo. 

USNM 139767 and 10347-2. Topotypes.

The inner wall, mentioned above, is a prominent feature of both longitudinal and transverse sections. 

It is formed, in most colonies, by septal dilation, but 

in more attenuate specimens appears as a lateral extension of the septa rather than as a thickening.

Two general types of tabularia are developed within 

the inner wall. In colonies with long septa, the tabulae are closely spaced (8 to 12 per 10 mm) and arched 

with a broad often deep axial depression. In colonies 

with short septa, the tabulae are widely spaced (4 to 

10 per 10 mm), flat or gently arched, and commonly 

with a narrow axial notch or depression.

Outside the inner wall, the dissepimentarium is composed of a single row of flat or slightly arched dissepiments which are somewhat more closely spaced 

than the corresponding tabulae. A few normal dissepiments, convex toward the axis, have been observed 

(pi. 3, fig. 6).

Microstructure. All the specimens studied are preserved in dolomite and are more or less affected by 

recrystallization. Locally, however, structures that 

may be remnants of the original microstructure are preserved. These indicate a close similarity in origin of 

the septa and inner wall. In transverse section (pi. 3, 

fig. 5) the peripheral ends of the septa appear ball

shaped and set into a socket in the outer wall. The 

outer wall is preserved as small elongate crystals 

arranged at right angles to the surface of the wall, suggesting original fibers similarly oriented, as shown for 

Acervularia by Wang (1950, pi. 8, fig. 60a).

The septa and inner wall are composed of dense tissue 

with a stippled centerline. In transverse section there 

is no evidence of axially diverging fibers such as shown 

by Wang. In longitudinal section, however, the upward divergence in the inner wall region is shown in 

several specimens (pi. 1, fig. 6; pi. 2, figs. 4-5; compare 

Wang, 1950, pi. 8, fig. 60b).

It is concluded that the microstructure of Diplophyllum and Acervularia are similar and that the 

genera are closely related, as indicated by Smith and 

Lang (1931) and most subsequent workers.

Material studied. The above description is based on 

the lot of specimens described and illustrated by Hall 

(1852) (AMNH 1696) and additional topotype material in the U.S. National Museum (USNM 10347; 

illustrated specimens are renumbered USNM 139767 

and 139768). The Hall collection consists of 5 large 

fragments of colonies and several additional fragments 

of 1 or a few corallites. Available topotype material 

includes six medium- to large-sized fragments of 

colonies. Counts and measurements are from 65 corallites in 5 colonies.

Intercolony variation. Two distinct varieties are 

present in the collections. Variety A includes coralla 

with long major septa, extending nearly to the axis, 

and closely spaced tabulae (8 to 12 per 10 mm) that 

are arched with a broad axial depression. In the Hall 

collection three large fragments (originals of Hall's 

figs. 1m and p, 11 and r, and In) and most of the smaller 

fragments (originals of figs. Ig-h-i, le, and la and f) 

are of this type. The original of Hall's figures 1m and 

p is here designated lectotype. Four of the USNM 

topotypes belong to variety A also.

Variety B includes coralla with short major septa, 

barely entering the tabularium, and widely spaced tabulae (4-10 per 10 mm) that are flat or gently arched, 

commonly with a narrow axial notch. In the Hall 

collection, 2 large fragments (originals of figures Ik 

and lo) and 1 small one (original of fig. le) are of this 

type. Two large fragments from the USNM group 

and the specimen of Smith and Lang (1931) belong to 

variety B.

In the studied collections, the two varieties are distinct and can be easily separated on the basis of septal 

length. Although there is some overlap in the observed 

range of tabulae spacing, the average or most common 

spacing in colonies or individuals falls into two classes, 

corresponding to the varieties.
G-4 SHORTER CONTRIBUTIONS TO GENERAL GEOLOGY

Although these might be considered as separate species it is doubtful that this could be supported by the 

material at hand or by additional collections from the 

same locality. The varieties cannot be differentiated 

on size characteristics, septal number, corallum form, 

or microstructure. Distribution in time and space 

might be different, but these factors are not known at 

present. In the absence of data on distribution the 

differences are here considered as varietal within a 

single species.

Remarks. Diplophyttum caespitosum was first described and illustrated by Hall in 1852, although a synopsis of his generic description was published in 1851. 

He emphasized the long septa of the species and interpreted the forms with short septa as due to recrystallization of the tabularium region. Most of Hall's types 

do have long septa and the lectotype is selected from 

this group. All Hall's material is from the lower part 

of the Lockport Dolomite at Lockport, N. Y.

Foerste (1890, p. 343-344) assigned specimens from 

several localities in Ohio to D. caespitosum, but his description suggests that he was not dealing with specimens of Diplophyllum.

Lambe (1899, p. 240; 1901, p. 158, pi. 13, fig. 3, a-b) 

described specimens from Anticosti Island as Diphyphyllum caespitosum' Hall that have normal dissepiments and are not congeneric with Hall's material.

Grabau's description (1901, p. 139-140, text fig. 33) 

is based on Hall and his illustrations are copies of Hall's 

figures 1m, 1, and o. There is no indication that Grabau 

studied any new material.

Clarke and Ruedemann (1903, p. 25-28) discussed 

the generic relationships and previous descriptions of 

the species, but their poorly preserved material from the 

Guelph Dolomite could belong to almost any phaceloid 

coral genus.

Grabau and Shimer (1906, p. 211-212, fig. 117; 1909, 

p. 74, fig. 117 and Twenhofel (1928, p. 120) based their 

diagnosis on the incorrect description of Lambe (1901), 

rather than on Hall even though Grabau (1901) had 

earlier correctly discussed the species.

Smith and Lang (1931, p. 91-92; pi. 2, figs. 6-10) 

were the first to add significantly to Hall's original 

study of D. caespitosum. Basing their description on 

a fragment from the U.S. National Museum topotype 

collection (erroneously cited as a piece of one of Hall's 

types), they diagnosed the genus and briefly described 

the short-septa variety (B) of the species. They interpreted DiplopliyTlum as a phaceloid "diphymorph" 

of Acervularia.

In spite of this excellent work, Shimer and Shrock 

(1944, p. 99, pi. 32, fig. 11-12) erroneously followed 

Lambe in their diagnosis of the genus and species.

Hill (1956, p. 277, fig. 188, 6), however, followed 

Smith and Lang and is correct in her generic diagnosis 

except with respect to septal length.

Significant observations on Diplophyttum caespitosum have been made only by Hall and by Smith and 

Lang. All their material and all the material in the 

present study is from the lower part of the Lockport 

Dolomite at Lockport, N.Y. Hall's material and the 

block from which the Smith and Lang fragment was 

presumably removed have been restudied. The sum 

total of work to date is the description of a comparatively small number of corallum fragments from the 

type locality. Study of additional material from other 

localities and stratigraphic levels is necessary for an 

adequate understanding of the species and its two 

varieties.

Family STAITBIIDAE 

Genus Falaeophyllum Billings

1858. PalaeophyUum Billings, p. 168.

1956. Pdlaeopliyllum Billings. Hill, p. 268.

1959. PalaeopliyUum Billings. Hill. p. 4.

Type species. PalaeophyHum rugosum Billings 

(1858, p. 168; Hill, 1959, pi. 1, fig. 6 a-b). Black 

River or Trenton (Middle Ordovician), Lake St. John, 

Little Discharge, Quebec, Canada (type data from Hill, 

1959, p. 4).

Diagnosis. Phacelo-cerioid coralla, with peripheral, 

nonparricidal increase; corallites with narrow peripheral stereozone and without dissepiments; major septa 

long, thin toward axis, without paliform lobes; minor 

septa short; tabulae thin, distant, commonly complete 

and with marked axial depression, peripheral edges of 

some downturned. (Hill, 1959, p. 4.)

Remarks. Hill's diagnosis was based on a restudy 

of the type specimens of P. rugosum Billings. She 

included P. thomi (Hall) in the genus after restudying 

its types, but pointed out that P. thomi was phaceloid 

and had more highly domed tabulae. The author's 

comparison of the types of P. thomi with those of 

Synngoporal multi-caul is Hall, described below, indicates that the two species are congeneric. Hall's 

species is assigned to Palaeophyllum on the basis of 

this relationship. No attempt has been made to further 

analyze the genus and the synonymy includes only references that are of use in this discussion.

Species of Palaeophyllum are best known from the 

Ordovician and the existence of Silurian species has been 

considered doubtful. Hill (1959, p. 9-10) reviewed 

North American occurrences including three Silurian 

species which are discussed below. More recently the
REDESCRIPTION OF THREE SPECIES OF CORALS G-5

author has seen specimens 'of Palaeophyllum, collected 

above Halysites and other Silurian corals, from the 

Fusselman Dolomite in New Mexico. P. multicaule 

(Hall) redescribed below, from the lower part of the 

Lockport Dolomite, at Lockport, N.Y., is the youngest 

species of Palaeophyllum, yet recognized.

Palaeophyllum multicaule (Hall), 1852

Plate 4, figures 1-7 

1852. Syrinffopora"! multicaulis Hall, p. 119, pi. 33, fig. 3 a-g.

Diagnosis. Phaceloid Palaeophyllum, with lateral 

increase. Corallite diameter is small; the outer wall is 

relatively thick; tabulae strongly arched with an axial 

notch.

External features. The coralla are phaceloid and of 

medium size. One incomplete specimen in the type lot 

(original of Hall, pi. 33, fig. 3a) measures 15 by 9 by 

5 cm. Increase is lateral at irregular intervals. Spacing of corallites varies but distances are commonly 2mm 

or less. Lateral supports are formed by epithecal expansions. Corallite diameters in the lectotype corallum 

range from 2.0 to 3.2 mm and average 2.8 mm in 20 

corallites measured. Other specimens in the type lot 

are comparable. External features consist of fine encircling grooves and occasional expansions for support. 

No longitudinal markings have been seen. Calice not 

known.

Internal features. The septa are radially arranged 

and lamellar. Major septa extend nearly to the axis 

and number 13 to 15 in the 20 measured corallites of 

the lectotype (14 septa in 16 of the corallites). Minor 

septa are short and not recognizable in parts of most 

individuals. The peripheral parts of all septa are 

dilated to form a septal stereozone 0.2-0.3 mm thick.

Tabulae are highly arched with a narrow axial depression or notch; they appear as smooth arches in 

slightly eccentric longitudinal sections. Tabulae are 

widely spaced, averaging 3 or 4 per 2 mm. There are 

no dissepiments.

The specimens studied are preserved in dolomite and 

microstructure is largely obscured. In transverse section some septa appear to show a fibrous pinnate 

arrangement.

Sections through neanic parts of individuals show 

short major septa that extend less than half the distance to the axis. With growth these lengthened and 

septa and wall thickened to the ephebic condition described above.

Material studied. The above description is based on 

1 small and 3 medium-sized fragments of coralla that 

comprise the type lot on which Hall based the species 

(AMNH 1695). The fragment that is the original of

Hall's figures 3b, c, and d is best preserved and is here 

chosen as lectotype. Most of the illustrated thin sections are from the lectotype.

Remarks. Many authors since 1852 have described 

specimens which they assigned to Hall's species without adequate knowledge of the species and without reexamination of the types. Preparation of a proper 

synonymy is beyond the scope of this paper as it would 

require reexamination of all this material. The following is believed to be a comprehensive listing of such 

descriptions. It is worth noting that Hall's description 

and illustrations are rather good. He describes and 

shows the configuration of septa and tabulae and mentions no dissepiments, although clearly differentiating 

between dissepiments and other structures in descriptions of other corals. The genera Eridophyllum, Diphyphyllum, and Synaptophyllum, as used by the 

following authors, all have dissepiments, indicating 

that Hall's description was misconstrued from the 

beginning.

1865. Eridophylltim vennori Billings, p. 431. Placed in D. multicaule by Lambe but Lambe's material is not conspecific 

with Hall's (see below).

1876. DiphypJiylhnn multicaule (Hall). Rominger, p. 122-123, 

pi. 45, fig. 3-4. This is described as having dissepiments 

("vesiculose plates") and if so is unrelated to P. 

multicaule.

1899. D. multicaule (Hall). Lambe, p. 241-242.

1901. D. multicaule (Hall). Lambe, p. 159, pi. 13, figs. 4, a-c. 

Lambe shows dissepiments in his diagrammatic illustrations, so this is not related to Hall's species.

1910. Synaptoptiyllum multicaule (Hall). Grabau, p. 105-106, 

pi. 12, fig. 6. Grabau described "hollow molds" which 

are probably not deteraninable.

1919. 8. multicaule (Hall). Williams, pi. 16, fig. 1. The illustration shows a phaceloid coral of unknown structure. 

Corallite diameter is large and the species is probably 

not the same as Hall's.

1939. 8. multioaule (Hall). Northrup, p. 143. Apparently based 

on Lambe's interpretation of the structure.

1939. Dipliyphylluni multicaule (Hall). Shrock and Twenhofel, 

p. 251. Not recognizable from the description.

1944. Synaptophyllum multicaule (Hall). Shinier and Shrock, 

p. 95, pi. 29, fig. 25-28. Based on Rominger and Lambe, 

and not on Hall's species.

Silurian species. Three North American species 

have previously been assigned to Palaeophyllum from 

rocks of Early Silurian age. These are discussed and 

compared with P. multicaule in the following paragraphs.

Columnaria (Palaeophyllum,} troedssoni Poulson 

(1941, p. 11-12, pi. 1, fig. 9-10)' from the Offley Island 

formation in North Greenland, has corallites with large 

diameter, comparatively thin walls, and more broadly 

arched tabulae than P. multicaule. The age is upper 

Llandovery, according to Poulson (p. 9) and Swartz 

and others (1942, chart).
G-6 SHORTER CONTRIBUTIONS TO GENERAL GEOLOGY

Palaeophyllum ivilliamsi Chadwick (in Williams, 

1919, p. 128-129, pi. 5, fig. 2) and P. umbellicrescens 

Chadwick (in Williams, 1919, p. 129) were both described from the Manitoulin dolomite, on Manitoulin 

Island, Ontario. The formation is of Early Silurian 

age (early Llandovery, according to Swartz and others, 

1942). Neither species was adequately described or illustrated. If properly asigned to Palaeophyllum, the 

first species has larger corallites and apparently more 

gently arched tabulae than P. multicaule. P. umbellicrescem differs from all the others in its mode of increase and corallum shape.

Order TABTTLATA

Family FAVOSITIDAE

Subfamily PACHYPORINAE

Genus Cladopora Hall

1851. Cladopora) Hall, p. 400.

1852. Cladopora Hall. Hall, p. 137.

1939. Cladopora Hall. Lecompte, p. 75-78.

1960. Cladopora Hall. Stumm, p. 133-134.

Type species. Cladopora seriata Hall, (1852, p. 137- 

138, pi. 38, fig. 1 a-m) by subsequent designation of 

Miller (1889, p. 178). Lockport Dolomite, Lockport, 

N.Y.

Diagnosis. "Dendroid, phaceloid, or reticulate 

corals, with corallites rising obliquely from median axes 

of stems. Corallite walls thin. Apertures circular to 

lunate. Mural pores irregularly scattered. No tabulae 

present." (Stumm, 1960, p. 134).

Remarks. The history and morphology of Cladopora have been discussed by Lecompte (1939) and 

Stumm (1960). The purpose of the present contribution is to provide illustrations of the type specimens of 

the type species, which have not been sectioned 

previously.

Gladopora seriata Hall 

Plate 5, figures 1 4

1852. Cladopora seriata Hall. p. 137-138, pi. 38, fig. 1 a-m. 

1960. C. seriata Hall. Stumm, p. 134-135, pi. 1, fig. 4-6.

Diagnosis. The corallum is ramose with cylindrical 

branches that average 2 mm in diameter. Branches are 

composed of corallites that are parallel near the axis, 

but which gradually diverge to intersect the surface of 

the branch at an angle of approximately 30°. Corallite lengths range from 2 to 3 mm. The corallites gradually expand toward the surface where diameters of 

0.4 to 0.5 mm are common. Apertures are lozenge 

shaped and restricted by wall dilation. Thickness -of 

walls at periphery varies from 0.15 to 0.2 mm. Mural 

pores are medium sized and rare. No tabulae or septal 

ridges are present.

Remarks. The above description is based partly on

Stumm (1960, p. 134) but is rewritten to fit more precisely the type specimens of Hall. Minor differences 

between Hall's syntypes and Stumm's hypotype are indicative of variation that can be described only on the 

basis of extensive suites of material from the same and 

other localities. The synonymy given above is incomplete.

Material studied. Hall's illustrations were based on 

5 fragments of coralla (AMNH 1679), ranging in size 

from 4 by 4 by 3 cm to 8 by 5 by 5 cm. The original of 

Hall's figures 11 and m is best preserved and is here 

chosen as lectotype. All the illustrated thin sections 

are from this specimen.

REFERENCES CITED

Billings, Elkanah, 1858, Report for the year 1857 of E. Billings, 

Esq., Palaeontologist, addressed to Sir. W. E. Logan, F.R.S., 

Director of the Geological Survey of Canada : Canada Geol. 

Survey, Kept. Prog, for 1857, p. 147-192.

 1865, Notice of some new genera and species of Palaeozoic

fossils: Canadian Naturalist and Geological Proc., new ser.,

V. 2, p. 425-432. 

Branson, E. B., 1924, The Devonian of Missouri: Missouri Bur.

Geology and Mines, ser. 2, v. 17, p. 1-129, pis. 1-31. 

Clarke, J. M., and Ruedemann, Rudolf, 1903, Guelph fauna in

the State of New York: New York State Mus. Mem. 5, 195

p., 21 pis. 

Ehlers, G. M., and Stumm, E. C., 1949, Corals of the Devonian

Traverse group of Michigan. Pt. II, Cylindrophyllum,

Depasophyllum, Disphyllum, Eridophyllum and Synaptophyllum: Michigan Univ., Mus. Paleontology, Contr., v. 8,

no. 3, p. 21-41, 8 pis. 

Fagerstrom, J. A., 1961, The fauna of the Middle Devonian

Formosa reef limestone of southwestern Ontario: Jour.

Paleontology, v. 35, p. 1-48, pis. 1-14. 

Foerste, A. F., 1890, Notes on Clinton group fossils, with special

reference to collections from Indiana, Tennessee and

Georgia: Boston Soc. Nat. History, Proc., v. 24, p. 263-355. 

Grabau, A. W., 1901, Guide to the geology and paleontology of

Niagara Falls and vicinity: Buffalo Soc. Nat. Sci. Bull. 7,

no. 1, 284 p.

 1910, Description of Monroe fossils: Michigan Geol. and

Biol. Survey Pub. 2, p. 87-214, pi. 8-32. 

Grabau, A. W. and Shinier, H. W., 1906, North American index

fossils (Pt. 1): Columbia Univ. School of Mines Quart., v.

27, p. 138-243.

 1909, North American index fossils; Invertebrates: New

York, v. 1, 853 p. 

Hall, James, 1851, New genera of fossil corals from the report

by James Hall, on the Paleontology of New York: Am. Jour.

Sci., ser. 2, v. 11, p. 398-^01.

 1852, Paleontology of New York, v. 2, containing descriptions of the organic remains of the lower middle division 

of the New York system: Albany, N.Y., C. Van Benthuysen, 

362 p., 84 pis.

 1859, Catalogue of the species of fossils described in volumes 1, 2. and 3 of the Palaeontology of New York: New 

York State Mus. Nat. History, Ann. Rept. 12, p. 63-87. 

Hill, Dorothy, 1956, Rugosa, in Moore, R. C., ed., Treatise on 

invertebrate paleontology, Pt. F-Coelenterata: Geol. Soc.
REDESCRIPTION OF THREE SPECIES OF CORALS G-7

America and Kansas Univ. Press, Lawrence, Kans., p.

233-324. 

Hill, Dorothy, 1959, Some Ordovician corals from New Mexico,

Arizona and Texas: New Mexico Bur. Mines Bull. 64, 22 p.,

pis. 1-2. 

Lambe, L. M., 1899, On some species of Canadian Palaeozoic

corals: Ottawa Naturalist, v. 12, p. 217-226, 237-258. 

 1901, A revision of the genera and species of Canadian

Palaeozoic corals, pt. 2: Canadian Palaeontology Contr. v.

4, pt. 2, p. 97-197, pis. 6-18. 

Lang, W. D., Smith, Stanley, and Thomas, H. D., 1940, Index of

Palaeozoic coral genera : London, British Mus. Nat. History,

231 p. 

Lecompte, Marius, 1939, Les tabules du Devonien moyen et

superieur du bord sud du bassin de Dinant: Mus. royale

histoire nat. Belgique, Mem. 90, 229 p., 23 pis. 

McLaren, D. J., 1959, A revision of the Devonian coral genus

Synaptophyllum Simpson: Canada Geol. Survey Bull. 48, p.

15-33, pis. 7-10. 

Miller, S. A., 1889, North American geology and palaeontology:

Cincinnati, Ohio, 664 p. 

Northrup, S. A., 1939, Paleontology and stratigraphy of the

Silurian rocks of the Port Daniel-Black Cape region, Gasp6:

Geol. Soc. America Spec. Paper 21, 302 p., 28 pis. 

Poulson, Christian, 1941, The Silurian faunas of North Greenland; II. The fauna of the Offley Island formation, pt. 1,

Coelenterata: Meddelelser om Gronland, v. 72, pt. 2, 28 p.,

6 pis. 

Rominger, Carl, 1876, Palaeontology, fossil corals: Michigan

Geol. Survey, v. 3, pt. 2,161 p., 55 pis. 

Shinier, H. W. and Shrock, R. R., 1944, Index fossils of North

America: New York, John Wiley and Sons, Iiic., 837 p., 

303 pis.

Shrock, R. R., and Twenhofel, W. H., 1939, Silurian fossils 

from northern Newfoundland: Jour. Paleontology, v. 13, p. 

241-266, pis. 27-29.

Smith, Stanley, and Lang, W. D., 1931, Silurian corals. The 

genera Xiplielasma, gen. nov., and Acervularia, Schweigger, 

with special reference to Tubiporites tubiriatus, Schlotheim, 

and Diplopliyllum caespitosum, Hall: Annals and Mag. Nat. 

History, ser. 10, v. 8, p. 83-94, pis. 2-3.

Soshkina, E. D., 1939, [Upper Devonian rugose corals of the 

Ural] : USSR Acad. Sci., Inst. Paleontology, v. 9, pt. 2, 88 p., 

14 pis.

Stumm, E. C., 1955, Type invertebrate fossils of North America 

(Devonian), Div. 1, Unit IF; Tetracoralla, Pt. C, Cards 

128-137: Philadelphia, Wagner Free Inst. Sci.

 1960, The type species- of the Paleozoic tabulate coral 

genera Cladopora and Coenites: Michigan Univ., Mus. 

Paleontology Contr., v. 15, no. 7, p. 133-138, 1 pi.

Swartz, C. K., and others, 1942, Correlation of the Silurian formations of North America : Geol. Soc. America Bull., v. 53, 

p. 533-538.

Twenhofel, W. H., 1928, Geology of Anticosti Island: Canada 

Geol. Survey Mem. 154, 481 p., 60 pi.

Wang, H. C., 1950, A revision of the Zoautharia Rugosa in the 

light of their minute skeletal structures: Royal Soc. London Philos. Trans., ser. B, no. 611, v. 234, p. 175-246, pi. 1-9.

Williams, M. Y., 1919, The Silurian geology and fauna of Ontario Peninsula and Manatoulin and adjacent islands: 

Canada Geol. Survey Mem. Ill, 195 p., 34 pi.

INDEX

[Italic numbers indicate descriptions]

Page 

Acervularia................................................................. G-2,3,4

{Diplophyllum}-...______________________________.. 1,2 

caespitosa............................................................. 2

luxurians breviseptata______________________________ 2 

Acervulariidae________________________.-_____ 1,2

Acinophyllum........................_____________________. 1,2

arundinaceum, Diplophyllum......................................______ 2

Black River____________ 

breviseptata, Acervularia luxurians.

4

caespitosa, Acervularia \Diplophyllum }___ ________-_____---- 2

caespitosum, Diphyphyllum-.................................................. 2,4

Diplophyllum.................................................... 1,2,4, pis. 1-3

callawayensis, Diplophyllum.-................................................. 2

Cladopora..................................................................... 1,6

seriata.....-................................................._____. 1,6, pi. 5

Columnoria (Palieophyllum) troedssoni . 

conglomeratum, Rhabdophyllum... ... ..

coralliferum, Diplophyllum _______ 

Corals, compound rugose _____ 

Cylindrophyllum _________

Devonian corals...__________________________..__ 1

Diphyphyllum..............._________________________ 1,5

caespitosum... ___________.______________..__. 2,4

multicaule... ___________________________________ 5

Diplophyllum............................................................... 1,2,3,4

arundinaceum......______.______-___________ 2

caespitosum...................................................... 1,2,4, pis. 1-3

callawayensis.............................................................. 2

coralliferum........................................._____.____ 2

intef/umentum________________________________ 2

panicum......................................................______. 2

(Diplophyllum}, Acervularia.............................__________ 1,2

Disphyllum................................................................... 2

Eridophyllum . 

vennori ....

Favositidae...___. 

Fusselman Dolomite.

grabaui, Synaptophyllum. 

Guelph Dolomite___

Halysites ...................

integumentum, Diplophyllum..

Page

Lockport Dolomite_______________________________ G-l, 4,5,6 

luxurians breviseptata, Acervularia............................................. 2

Manitoulin dolomite.-._____________________________- 6 

multicaule, Diphyphyllum.-........ 5

Palaeophyllum............................. 4, 5, 6, pi. 4

Synaptophyllum.......................................................... 5

multicaulis, Syringopora....................................................... 1,4, 5

Niagara Group..........

Offley Island Formation.

Pachyporinae . -- 6 

Palaeophyllum........................................ 1, 4, 5.6

multicaule___________________________ -.... 4, 5, 6, pi. 4

rugosum..-.....---------------....-_-.__--------------_.__-... 4

thomi- ---..--------.---______------ ------- 4

umbetticrescens....................___________-___ __-_-. 5,6

williamsi............................

(Palaeophyllum) troedssoni, Columnaria. 

panicum, Diplophyllum.................

Phacelo-cerioid coralla __-- 

Phaceloid Palaeophyllum...............

Rhabdophyllum conglomeratum. 

Rugosa. -- - 

rugosum, Palaeophyllum.......

seriata, Cladopora. 

Silurian corals.... 

Stauriid-_____

 1

______....._.__....___._ ... -. 1

----,___. ....... .__...._-_.-.-.-_-.-. 2

Stauriidae..____________________-.-_ 4

Synaptophyllum.................................. -. 1,2,5

grabaui................................................................... 2

multicaule... __________-______------------ - 5

Syringopora multicaulis....................................................... 1,4,5

Tabulate____-___________. 

thomi, Palaeophyllum...........--------

Trenton._____________.......

troedssoni, Columnaria (Palaeophyllum).

umbellicrescens, Palaeophyllum. 

vennori, Eridophyllum. ......

williamsi, Palaeophyllum.......

4

4

5

5,6

5

5

G-9

637744 O 62-

PLATES 1-5
PLATE 1

FIGURES 1-8. Diplophyllum caespitosum Hall (p. 2).

1. Top view of part of paratype (X 1) ; original of Hall, 1852, pi. 33, fig. Ik. AMNH 1696: 2.

2. Side view of part of lectotype (X 1) ; original of Hall, 1852, pi. 33, fig. 1m, and p. AMNH 1696:1.

3. Side view showing lateral increase (X 2) ; another part of lectotype corallum seen in fig. 2. AMNH 1696:1.

4. Side view showing lateral increase (X 2) ; paratype, original of Hall, 1852, pi. 33, fig. Ic. AMNH 1696: 7. 

5-6. Transverse thin section (X 10) and longitudinal thin section (X 5) of variety A corallite; topotype,

USNM 139768. 

7-8. Transverse thin section (X 1%) of variety B (USNM 139767, topotype) and variety A (AMNH 1696: 1,

lectotype) coralla.
GEOLOGICAL SURVEY PROFESSIONAL PAPER 414-G PLATE 1

DIPLOPHYLLUM CAESPITOSUM HALL
PLATE 2

FIGURES 1-5. Diplophyllum caespitosum Hall (p. 2). Lectotype, AMNH 1696: 1.

1-3. Transverse thin sections (X 10) of corallites with lateral buds. Variety A, with long septa (details of 

pl-1, fig. 8).

4. Longitudinal thin section of corallite (X 10).

5. Structure of inner wall in longitudinal thin section (X 50). Same corallite as in fig. 4.
GEOLOGICAL SURVEY PROFESSIONAL PAPER 414-G PLATE 2

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PLATE 3

FIGTJBES 1-6. Diplopliyllum caespitosum Hall (p. 2). Topotype, USNM 139767.

1-4. Transverse thin sections (X 10) of corallites. Variety B, with short septa. Figs. 1-3 are details of pi. 

1, fig. 7; fig. 4 is from the same thin section.

5. Detail (X 50) of fig. 2 showing the structure of the inner wall and septa and the outer wall.

6. Longitudinal thin section (X 4) of corallite from same corallum. Note wide-spaced tabulae and the normal 

dissepiment in the middle of the left side.
GEOLOGICAL SURVEY PROFESSIONAL PAPER 414-G PLATE 3

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DIPLOPHYLLUM CAESPITOSUM HALL
PLATE 4

FIGURES 1-7. Palaeophyllum multicaule (Hall) (p. 5).

1-3. Thin sections of lectotype (X 10), AMNH 1695:1. 1-2, transverse; 3, longitudinal.

4^6. Thin sections of paratype ( X 10), AMNH 1685. 4, transverse; 5-6, longitudinal.

7. Surface marking of three corallites (X 4). Paratype; original of Hall, 1852, pi. 33, fig. 3e.
GEOLOGICAL SURVEY PROFESSIONAL PAPER 414-G PLATE 4

PALAEOPHYLLUM MULTICAULE (HALL)
PLATE 5

FIGURES 1-4. Cladopora seriata Hall (p. 6) . Lectotype, AMNH 1679:1. 

1-3. Transverse and longitudinal thin sections (X 10). 

4. Lateral view of exterior (X 4).
GEOLOGICAL SURVEY PROFESSIONAL PAPER 414-G PLATE 5

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CLADOPORA SERIATA HALL