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(From the Cana dian Journal for May, 186(>.) ^^HE Devonian Rocka of Canada West consist of portions of the iskany Sandstone, Schoharie Grit, Onondaga Limestone, Comi- ous Limestone, Hamilton, Portage, and Chemnng Groups. The . Titesils of the first of these formations are about to be published by ^ofessor Hall, in his forthcoming third volume of the Palceontology New York; and I shall therefore postpone the examination of ch as we have from that rock until after the appearance of that rk. Under the term Corniferous Limestone, as it will be used reafter throughout this paper, are included all those rocks which uld probably in the State of New York be divided into three oups, — the Schoharie Grit, Onondaga Limestone, and Corniferous imestone. At any rate, the two latter seem to be in Canada united y their palceontological characters. The Hamilton Shales we classify a separate formation immediately overlying the Corniferous Lime- Wone. The Portage and Chemung Groups are also distinct ; but I 4inail leave the examination of their fossils for some future occasion. • 1 1 • •• • • • • • • • • • • • 1 1 « . » » • j^vm^ • • • . • •• • • • • s 5 • « • fit • • -•;>', v THE DEVONIAN FOSSILS OF CANADA WEST. These rocks are, in Canada West, highly tbssiliferous, and in some places even densely crowded with the remains of extinct species of corals, encrinitei^ molhiscs, trilobites, and large fishes. The fofyift^^* however, are ftaj^the greater part in so imperfect a condition, that few of the specfes can oe well defined from the collections made thus far, and, on account of the scarcity of good specimens, many years must' elapse before anything approaching to a complete description of the whole fauna of the period can be produced. To accomplish this within a reasonable time, will require the co-operation of many Inc^f observers, each devoting his leisure hours to the minute examination of all the rocks in the neighbourhood of his residence, and each in- fluenced to do so by the desire of promoting the cultivation of tlw sciences in this Province. With a number of such men distributed throughout the fossiliferous regions of Canada, the work will advance i rapidly. Without rome voluntary assistance of this kind, the pro- gress must be extremely gradual, so difficult is it to procure good specimens of most of the species. Few are aware of the importance of long-continued researches in a single locality, or even in a single quarry. I devoted the greater part of the spare time of seven yeaw to the examination of an area of which all the exposed patches of rock, if put together, would not make a superficies of one square mile, and yet its treasures were not exhausted. Since I left, other* have entered the same field, and have been rewarded by the discovery of many interesting new facts. There are hundreds of such localities in Canada yet to be explored ; and T there were a good observer iu or near each of them, and if all would freely communicate the fi uj^ts of their labours, the combined results could not be other>7ise \an.^ important to science, and highly creditable to the country. In making collections, the mode of procedure is exceedingly] simple. All that is to be done is to examine the rocks, and if theyj contain fossils, collect them. The specimens should then be seat] where the species can be determined. Unless the observer publishes^ some account of his facts, or (in case he does not feel competent do so himself) communicates them to some other person who q«n,j and will give them publicity, the labour is lost. In the following and other articles to be published in this Journal hereafter, I intend to give figures and descriptions of many of our Devonian Fossils, and hope that they may be, to some extent, useful in assisting the local observer to name his specimens. That he can name all that he n»J SA> ^ ••• ••• • • •• • THE DEVONIAN FOSSILS OF CANADA WSST. 3 rl find, by comparing them with the figures and descriptions, I am well aware, from my own experience, is impossible. There are numerous Species concerning which the most experienced practical natnralisti wouW remain in doubt, although assisted in the examination by all the aids that can be drawn from extensive libraries of scientific works. Let no beginner, therefore, feel disappointed or discouraged should he fail to satisfy himself that he has succeeded in naming his specimens correctly from books. These papers will be of some service ; but I shall also be most happy to examine and name (so far as I can) col- lections from any part of the Province, on condition that I shall be permitted to describe the new forms, and retain, for the Provincial Collection, a specimen of each species of which we have not already examples in the Museum. This would be beneficial to all parties, and greatly promote the advance of science in this country. I earnestly hope, that at least a few of those who reside in the vicinity of fossiliferous Devonian rocks in Canada West, may be induced to render me their assistance in this way. The specimens should be carefully wrapped up in paper and packed in a strong box, and sent to the Geological Survey at Montreal. Delicate fossils should be protected, by being placed in a separate box, otherwise they will be crushed by the others. When a fine fossil, such as a well preserved trilobite, encrinite, or othoceratite, is imbedded in a piece of stone, no attempt should be made to chisel it out. Unless the operation is performed by a most experienced hand, in nine cases out of ten the specimen will be greatly injured, if not totally destroyed. The lo- cality of each specimen should be given. I am purticularly desirous of procuring specimens of fossil shells which exhibit the inner sur- face, since it is from such that the characters of the genera can be best worked out. As soon as they are examined, the specimens will be sent back, free of expense. ZOOPHYTA. In a paper published in the Canadian Journal for March, 1859, I gave an account of forty-three species of corals from the Devonian rocks of Canada West. In the following article I shall describe eleven new species ; and there are from ten to fifteen others which must remain until better specimens can be procured. I think it pro- bable that altogether there are eighty species of corals in these rocks in Canada, and many of them were so prolific, thai the zoophyta THE DEVONIAN FOSSILS OF CANADA WEST. mu9t have constituted four-tifths in bulk of the whole fauna of the period. In England and in Germany, the grand coralline horizon of the Devonian era lies in the middle of the series. The faun." of the Corniferous Limestone and Hamilton Shales would therefore appear to be more nearly relateu to the middle than to the lower Devonian of Europe. Such is the position assigned to them in the third edition of Sir Roderick Murchison's noble work, Silicria, But if it can be shewn that the coralline beds of Canada include the Schoharie Grit of New York (as I strongly suspect they do), then this latter formation must also be added to the middle Devonian. On this latter point, however, I can give no positive opinion, as the fossils of the Schoharie Grit of New York are totally unknown to the scientific world . The following may be given as a table shewing approximj\tely the position of the different American sub-divisions of the Devonian system, as indicated by the evidence of the fossil corals : Old Red Sandstone, or Catskill Group Chemung Group Portage Group i I Upper Devonian. Genesee Slate TuUy Limestone Hamilton Group - Marcellus Shale ) ^^^^''^^^ Devonian. Corniferous Limestone Onondaga Limestone Schoharie Grit Cauda-galli Grit \ Lower Devonian. Oriskany Sandstone / It is important to observe, that in Gaspe we find some of the cha- racteristic fossils of the Oriskany Sandstone intermingled in the same beds with those of the Upper Pentamerus Limestone, and therefore it may be that when these Gaspd rocks are studied, we shall find it difficult to draw the line between the Lower Devonian and the Lower Helderberg. ^^ THB DEVONIAN FOSSILS OF CANADA WEST. Genus Striatopora. — (Hall.) Pig. 1. PiK.8 Pig. 8. Pig. 4. the upper figure « Pig. 1. Striatopora Linneanu, Pigs. 2, 3, 4. Trachypora elegantula.—'Pif(. 4 is a portion enlarged: longitudinal section. Generic characters. — " Ramose, ooralla solid ; stems composed of angular cells ; apertures of cells opening upon the surface into ex- panded angular cup-like depressions; interior of the cell rayed or striated, striee extending beyond the aperture of the cell."— (Hall. Paleontology of New York, vol. 2, page 156.) Striatopora Linneana. — N. Sp. Description.— Stems two or three lines in diameter, branching at an angle of from 75° to 80° ; cells variable in size, the greater number with the expanded mouth one line wide, and the circular cavity at the bottom from one-third to one-half of a line ; the smaller or younger cells, of all sizes, are somewhat uniforml^^^ distributed among the larger. In the perfeci specimens the mouths of the cells are every- where in contact with each other, the edges of the walls between them sharp, and the form more or less polygonal, generally five or six sided. In worn specimens the cells are more nearly circular, and the walls obtusely rounded on the edge. The striae in the cell mouths not observed. I have seen only two specimens of this species, and am unable, therefore, to state to what extent the stems may vary in thickness. In 8. rugosa (Hall),* Hamilton Group, Iowa, the cells are distant from each other nearly their own diameter, and the stem is branched at an angle of about 55° (iu the specimen figured). In S.flexuosa (Hall),t Niagara Group, (4ie tells are, upon an average, more than one line and a half wide, and many of them two lines. Our species, therefore, must be regarded as distinct from either. • Geology of Iowa. Vol. 1, Part 2. page 479, PI. 1, flff. 6. + Palaontology of New y'ork. Vol. 2. page 166, pi. 40 B, fig. la. f THE DEVONIAN FOSSILS OF CAJ4ADA WE3T. Locality and /oma^on.— Township of Bosanquet, lot 25, con. 5. Shalea of the Hamilton Group. Collectors. — A. Murray, J. Richardson. StRIATOPORA FORMOSA. — N. Sp. Deacription.— Stems from one line and a half to three lines in thickness ; cells of an uniform size or very nearly so, three -fourths of a line in width, opening out on the surface at an angle Oi* about 45° with the longitudinal axis of the stem, the cell mouths very gra- dually expanded, apparently fifteen fine obscure striae occupying the whole surface of the upper lip. This species differs from S. Linneana in having the cells smaller and of an uniform size. The cell mouths are as wide in stems, one and a half lines in thickness, as they are in the largest specimens seen. I have not ascertained the angle at which the stems bifurcate. In perfect specimens, where the cells are empty, on looking into them obliquely downwards, they are seen to become circular just below the edge of the lower lip, their diameter there being a little less than half the transverse width of the mouth. Locality and formation. — Corniferous Limestone, near Woodstock. Collector. — A. Murray. Genm Trachypora. — (Edwards and Haime.) Generic characters.— " CoraWum dendroid, the branches presenting calyces which are only slightly salient, and in which there are no ra- diating septa ; ccencnchyme very abundant, solid, and with the surface marked by strong, irregular, vermicular, and sub-echinulated strise." —(Edwards and Haimk. Pohjpiers Fossiles des Terrains PalcBo- goiques. Page 305.) The only species of this genus heretofore known, is T. Davidsoni (E. and H.), which occurs in the Devonian Rocks at Ferques, in France. TRACilYPORA EI.EGANTUIOA. N. Sp. {See Figt. 2, 8, 4.) Description.— Stems, (in the specimens examined) from two to two and a half lines in diameter, branching at an angle of about 75°. Cells arranged in four or five rows, parallel with the axis of the stem ; they are oval, about one line in length and two-thirds of a line wide, with an elevated margin at the sides, in general effuse above, rarely ■>f TH* DEVONIAN FOSSILS OF CANADA WF.ST. 7 effuse below. The space between the cells is marked with irregular, flexuous, broken striee, four or five in the width of one line ; the elevated margin at the sides of the cells exhibits from seven to nine short oblique ridges or tubercles. In the longitudinal rows, the cells are sometimes in contact with each other, and often separated, by distances equal to half their own length, or a little more. In T. Davidaoni, the cells are not arranged in linear series, and the striae are of a different form. Locality and formation. — Lot 26, con. 5, Bosanquet. Collectors.— -A.. Murray and J. Bichardson. Genua Alveolites. — (Lamarck.) The following three species appear to belong to this genus : Alveolites Roemer;. — N.Sp. Description. — Stems from two to three lines in diameter, usually cylindrical, but sometimes sub-palmate, branching. Cells trans- versely oval, about half a line wide and one-fourth of a hne in length ; in general distant from each other from half a line to two -thirds of a line in the longitudinal direction of the stem, and half that distance in the transverse direction. In some specimens the cells are not quite so distant as above si and it may be that these should coastitute a distinct species A> labiosa {Canadian Journal, March, 18.59), the cells, wbeu per are scarcely one-fourth of a line wide ; A. cryptodens {Loc cit), i. . upon the whole, a larger species, with the cells about a line distant. The stems appear to bifurcate at an angle of 'irom .50° to 60° ; but the specimens are not sufficiently perfect to determine this character with certainty. Locality and formation. — Lot 25, con. .5, Bosanquet. Hamilton Shales. Collectors. — A. Murray, J. Richardson. Alveolites Goldfussi. — N. Sp. Description. — This species occurs in irregularly circular depressed masses, several inches wide and one or two inches in height. The corallites radiate from a point in the bottom, and the mass, rapidly increasing in width, has a very obtusely turbinate form, flattened and undulated on the top, and apparently composed of horizontal super- 8 THB DKVONIAN F0S8IM OF CANADA WE8T. t imro8ed layers. The cells are transversely sub-oval or sub-triangular, usually with one -curved side nnd two straight, sides. In some parts of the nass, especially on the edges, they approach the sub-circular polygonal forn.. but usually they are wider in the one direction than in the other. The ^^!dth is in general three-fourths of f., line (borae- times one line), and the height half a line. The bottom of t!' . mass 18 either in part or wnolly covered by a thin, smooth, but concentri- call/ undulated epitheca. Pig. 5. Fig.e. It' fl '*Jr^;'f' G;o/.(ft««.-.Upper side of » smalUpecimen. *ig. 6. Alveolites Fisch«H.-Oae side of a frond. This species resembles A. suborbicularis (Lamarck) of the Devo- man Rocks of England. France, and Germany; but in that species there IS a groove on one side of the cell, and a corresponding ridge on the side opposite. I have not been able to detect these characters in very well preserved specimens of A. Gold/ussi, and feel satisfied that It is therefore a distinct species. ShaleT^'^^ """^ /o'v««^co«._Lot 25, con. 5. Bosanquet. Hamilton Collectors.— A Murray, J. Richardson. Alveolites FiscHERi.—iV. Sp. (See Fig. 6.) l)escription.-T\m species is found in the shape of flattened, pal- mate, obscurely branching fronds, celluliferous on both sit s Some of the fragments appear to be portions of undulated expansions, two to four lines m thickness, and several inches wide. The majority of the specimens, however, indicate a palmated form, two to four inches '1 THE DEVONIAN r088IL8 Of CANADA WEST. 9 in leugth, from half an inch to more rhau one incl» wide, and (fom one to three lines in thicVness. The cell«, when perft jt, are trans- versely suboval or sub-triangular, Msually with one curved and two straight sides, from half a line to two-thirds of a line wide ; distant from each other a'uout two-thirds of a line in the vertical, and a little less in the transverse direction jf the frond. When well preserved, the lower lip, or edge of the cell, is thin, sharp, and uniformly arched. In the very thin fronds (one line in thickiiess), the cells open out on the surface at a very acute ao^le, apparently 15^ to 20° ; but m the thicker specimens the angle is greater — sometimes 45°. Locality and formation.— Boa&nnu^ Shales of the Hamilton Group. Collectors. — A. Murray, J. Richardson. \lvkohte8 squamosa. — N. Sp. Description.— Thi" species is found in wide, flat, irregular expansions, sometimes six or se^en inches in breadth, and from half ?.n inch to one inch and a half in thickness ; composed of successive, and often much distorted, layers ; the .^ells opening out upon the surface very obliquely, and se^^arated from each other by exceedingly thin parti- tions, which, when silicified and well brought out by the action r^f the weather, present a peculiarly rough squamose appearance. The cells are linear, in general about half a line in length, and apparently one-tenth of a line in width. One of the specimens examined ex- hibits two spots, one-fourth of an inch wide each, where the cells are less than half the average size. There are obscure indications of a central ridge on one side of the cell in this species, as there is in A. suborbicularis. This species differs from A. Goldfuisi in having much smaller uxxA more compressed cells. Im a space one-fourth of an inch square, I have counted ninety-seven cells ; and the average appears to be from seventy-five to one hundred, with here and there spots holding double that number. In A. Goldfmsi there are from sixteen to thirty in the same area. (Jn comparing the figures of A. suborbicularis in the works of GoLDFUKs, Sandbergek, and Bronn, it will be seen that in that species there are about fifty cells in one-fourth of an inch square. The difference in the size (great though it be) might not be sufficient to separate these three species, but the form of the cells appears to be also different. A. Goldfussi has not the groove on the 10 THE DBVONIAN F088ILS OF CANADA WEST. outer hp, nor the ridge on the inner, that is exhibited by A. tuborbu c^^am; while A. squamosa, although possessing the ridge, does not seem to have the groove ; and ' esides, the cells are in general linear, instead of sub-oval or sub-po)ygonal. Locality a;trf/oma«o»._Township of Cayuga. Corniferous Lime- stone. Collector.^3. De Cew. Syringopora MACLUREi.--(Billings.) Syringopora TUBiPORoiDEs.-(Billings.) Canadian Journal, Vol. IV. page 1 15. March, 1859. Not S. tubiporoidea (Yandell and Shumard), nor of M. Edwards and J. Haime. Polypiers fosailes des terrains palaozoiques, p. 292. Since the publication of this species in the Canadian Journal in March last, Professor Dana, of New Haven, has informed me that the tme& tubiporoides is a much larger form, and is supposed to be an Endophyllum. I thought I could identify ours by the description given m the work of Edwards and Haime, but it now appears quite certain that it is not the same ; and also that their fossil cannot be the S. tubiporoides of Yandell and Shumard. In order, therefore, to avoid corfusion, I propose to change the name of this species to o. Maclurei. In my description, the corallites are said to have a diameter of about one ime and a half; but, afte. examining other specimens, I find that m the greater number it is more nearly one line. In some of the cole mes, many of the tubes are full one line and one-third in thickness, and It was upon these my first statement was founded. Sometimes the groups are exceedingly irregular, the coralUtes widely separated and straggling through the rock. Favosites tuhbikata. FAT08IT18 TUEfliNATA (BiUiDgs.) Canadian Journal, March, 1869. The description of this species was published in the Canadian Journal for March, 1859. At thai time the only specimens I had seen were from the Corniferous Limestone, but we have now sevDral from the Hamilton Group. The species differe from all other Fam- sites known, in its peculiar mode of growth. The form renembles that of 6 large cyathophylloid coral.-turbmate, the base or smaUer THK DEVONIAN FOSSII.S OF CAil»(»nA. OmiiM LlNOrLA. — (lirut/itihe.) Of this ueiuis, only one Hpecios Ims hccn found in the Devonian rocks of (^anach West. Tiic sppcijnons arc too iinprrfcct for de- srription, STHKI'TORHYNCirS PaNDORA. N. Sp. c Fiic li Plf.13. Fl(r. 1-i. Sfreptorhynms Panrlom—Wc^f: of the dorsal valve. Pin. 1!1 — Lo'ijtitudiiipl soc'tion. Ih'scnpfinn. — Shell somioval. or snh-cjniiLlratc ; longtli ahout tiirce- foiirths the width, hinge line equal to the greatest width of the shell, somttimes a little less, usually forming a right angle witli the sides of the cardinal extremities ; front margin broadly rounded. Ventral valve depressed semiconical, most elevated at the beak, thence de- scending with a slightly concave or nearly flat slope in all directions, to the margin. Area of ventral valve, large triangular, extending tiie whole length of the iiiuge line, sl()j)iug o'ltwards at an angle of ahout lOC^. whh the plane of the lateral margin ; foramen triangular, very conspicuous, its width at ])ase nearly twice the height, nearly or altogether closed hv a convex (h^ltidiuiu. Horsal valve moderately convex, gently compressed towards the curui));'! m\"\v'. ^iurface with very narrow, strongly elevated, rarliatiug ridges, of which there are from four to six in the .vidth of one line ; the i)icrease appears to he both by bifurcation and interstitial addition, the latter mode being the most common. Width of a specimen of medium size, sixteen lines ; length of same, from the beak of the ventral valve to the front margin, twelve lines ; height of area of ventral valve at the beak, two lines and three- fourths ; width of foramen at base, four lines and a half. Another specimen is twenty lines wide and sixteen in length. Besides these, THE DliVONIAiV FOSSILE OF CAN AT) V WK»T. I ■•1 19 there nrc other impcrfeet spcriineiis f'rmti two inehes to two inches and n half ill widtli, which I have no (hiiiht heion^ to the H{)e('ies. The iiichnatioii o^ the area of the ventral vnlve, jiulginff from several frai^nientM that I have examined, ttp[iear8 to vary oonsidcrahly. This Hpeeies helongs to that group of the genus of whieh O. nmhrn- ciihuii (Schlotlieim) is a eharaeteristie form. Mr. Davidscm has recently placed the species of this typ« in tlie gems Sfrfpfor/ii/nrnt (King) with the following remark: "The shells composing tliis biih-genns, are closely related to Strophomena ; they are nsnally semicircular, convex or concavo-convex, and externally striated ; the veiUral valve possessing a prolonged and oftentimes hent or twisted !)eak." — (Gkologist, March, 18(50 ) The species vary greatly in size and form, and Mr. Davidson has, therefore, united under one name (S. creniitiui) no less than twelve varieties, wliich have all l)een considered to he distinct by various authors. Our fossil closelv resembles S. crenutrin in external form, but differs in not having the radiating striae crenulated, and further in the form of the occlusor nuiscular impressions in the dorsal valve. According to Davidson's figure, ihoro is a small process between the two ])ranches of the cardinal process of the dorsal valve, which does not exist in ours. I shall give some further illustrations of this species hereafter. It is only since this article was sent to the press that I have procured specimens which exhibit the interior o{ both valves. Locality nml formation, — Lot No. (i, Con. 4, Townsend. Also at Rama's farm, near Port Col borne, and near "Woodstock. Collectors . — A. Murray, E. Billings and J. De Cew. Orthis Livia. — N. Sp PiK- 14. Pig. In Pig. le. Fig. 14. Orihi» //ima.— Ventral valve. Pi^. 15.— Longitudinal section of the same. Fig. 16.— Dorsal valve 20 THE DEVONIAN FOSSILS OF CANADA WEST. Description. — Sub-orbicular or sub-quadrate ; length about eiglit- ninths of the width ; greatest width, usually a little in front of the middle ; length of hinge line, one half to two-thirds the widtli of the shell ; cardinal extremities rounded ; sides in most specimens some- what straight, often sufficiently curved to give a circular aspect to the shell ; front angles ol)tusely rounded ; front margin in general broadly convex, sometimes with a small space in the middle nearly straight. Dorsal vialvj of a medium conve^xity, most elevated about the middle ; the outline forming a uniform arch from the depressed beak to the front margin ; the slope from the umbo towards the cardinal angles, gently concave ; sometimes a barely perceptible mesial depression, commencing in a point at the beak, and becoming obsolete at one hal^ or two-thirds the length ; area small, lying in the plane of the lateral margins ; beak minute, forming a small triangular projection, rising scarcely one-fourth of a line above the edge of the area, the point not incurved over, but situated in the plane of the area. Ventral valve moderately convex, most elevated at between one-fourth and one-third the length from the beak, thence descending with a somewhat flat or gently convex slope, to the front and sides, and with a more sudden and somewhat concave slope to the hinge line and cardinal angles ; the umbo small, proniinenl, neatly defined, terminating in a small rounded beak, which is incurved so as to overhang the edge of the area, either not at all or scarcely one-tenth of a line ; area triangular, about one- fourth larger than that of the dorsal valve, forming an angle of about 105*^ with the plane of the lateral margin. The foramen not observed, but appears to be wider than high. On looking at the dorsal valve in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the shell, the small rounded umbo of the ventral valve can be seen rising about one-third ( f a line above the dorsal beak. Surfiice with small sub-angular radiating ridges, of nearly a uniform size, from eight to ten in the width of three lines, increasing by bifur- cation, strongly curved outwards to the upper part of the sides and cardinal angles, the intervening grooves sub-angular in the bottom, and equal to the ridges in width. In very perfect specimens, very fine concentric sub-lamellar concentric striae are visible, seven or eight to one line. lu certain conditions of preservation also, the radiating ridges are seen to be sub-tubular, ind exhibit numerous small oval or circular openings on their edges, each about the eighth or tenth of a line in width, and from one-fourth to two-thirds of a line distant from each other. Width teen lines area of v( fifths of a line, ten I width. 1 touch a ] the depth In som( mesial fob This sp It may b Report of possible tc it as abovi Localiti Limestoni Collectc Fig. 17. OHhi Orthis V the link This spe ellipse, or the width its length i It occur THE DEVONIAN FOSSILS OF CANADA WEST. 21 Width of largest specimen examined, eighteen lines ; length, six- teen lines ; thickness or depth of both valves, seven lines ; height of area of ventral valve at the beak, one line ; area of dorsal valve, four- fifths of a line ; distance between the beaks, one line ; length of hinge- line, ten lines. The most common size appears to be one inch in width. The beak of the ventral valve is incurved, so that it would touch a plane projected horizontally through the valve, at one-half the depth of the cavity. In some specimens the ventral valve has a faint, barely perceptible mesial fold, extending from the umbo towards the front. This species is allied to O. Vmiuxemi, but is more coarsely striated. It may be identical with one of the other species described in the Report of the Regents of the New York University, but as it is im- possible to identify it with any of the descriptions, I propose to name it as above. Locality and forntafion. — Township of Walpole. Corniferous Limestone. Collector. — J. De Cew. Orthis Vanuxemi. — (Hall.) Fig. 17. Fk. 18. Fig. 10. Fig. 17. Orthis Va)iu.vemi.—\e\\lr&\ valve. Fir,. IS.— Loii(titudinal s»iction of the same. Fig. lit.— Dorsal aspect. Orthis Yanuxemi. — Hall. Tenth A.uiw I Report of the Regents of the Universiti/ of the State of New Fork, p. 135, 185;. This species is closely allied to O. Lirta, but is more nearly a perfect ellipse, ov more nearly circular, and has about tifteeu radiating strise in the width of three lines. Its width is from nine to eighteen lines, and its length about one-sixth or one-seventh less than its width. It occurs in the Ilamiltou Shales, in the Township of Bosanquet. I 22 THE DEVONIAN FOSSILS OF CANADA WEST. V i Rhynconella Tethys. — iV. Sp. Fig. 20. Fig. 21. Figs. 20, 21.— Side views of the specimens of R. Tethys. Fig. 22. Fig. 22.— Front view. Description. — In this species the body of the shell, excluding the beaks, is transversel}'^ sub-oval ; from the beaks the sides diverge at an angle of about 110°, and are nearly straight, or gently concave, for about one-third the length of the shell, below which they are regularly rounded ; front margin broadly rounded, nearly straight in the middle for the width of the mesial fold. Oii a side view the outline is ob- liquely sub-conical, the base obtusely rounded, the lower three-fourths of the ventral valve straight, forming an angle of about 100° with the ventral half of the base ; the dorsal contour gently arched, and the dorsal half of the base rounded. The mesial sinus of the ventral valve commences at about mid -length, and increases only slightly in depth, until the front margin is reached, when the middle portion of the shell, for the width of the sinus, is rather suddenly bent towards the dorsal valve, with an abruptly rounded c>n've, and forms about three-fourths of the depth of the base. There are five angular ribs in the sinus, their extremities deeply forked to receive the projecting points of the grooves between the ribs of the dorsal valve ; on each side of the sinus there are six principal ribs, their extremities a little turned upwards ; above these, three or four smaller ones«. The upper part of this valve is narrowly convex, with a prominent umbo, and incurved beak ; in the lower half, a little concave towards the lateral margins, owing to the elevation of the extremities of the ribs. Dorsal valve with all the central region depressed convex, the margin of the shell on each side of the mesial fold in front abruptly bent towards the ventral valve ; the umbo ol)ttise, divided along the middle for a short distance by a narrow, barely perceptible depression, the beak strongly incurved under that of the ventral valve. The mesial fold dies out at two-thirds the length, the shell (of the fold) at the lower extremity bent towards the ventral valve at an obtuse rounded angle, and extending about one-fourth across the base. On the mesial fold there are six ribs, the middle four most THE DEVONIAN FOSSILS OF CANADA WEST. 23 prominent ; on each side of the fold there are also six, their extremities strongly curved towards the ventral valve. I have seen no specin^ens with the true surface of the shell pre- served. Length of specimen upon which the above description is founded, nine lines, greatest width at about one-third the length from the front, ten lines ; depth of both valves at the front, six lines ; width of mesial fold at front, five lines, and of the sinus, five lines and a half. Judging from the appearance of several imperfect specimens, the depth of both valves at the front must be very variable. I have seen some small specimens from four to six lines in length, with a beak nearly erect. These, I think, are the young of R. Tethys. Locality and formation. — County of Ilaldimand. Corniferous Lime- stone. Collector — J. De Cew. Rhynconella Medea. — N. Sp. Description. — Oval or sub-triangular, body of shell, excluding the beaks, transversely sub-elliptical; greatest width a little below the middle ; apical angle, about 100'^ ; both valves rather convex. Ventral valve with a neatly defined, rounded umbo, and closely incurved beak ; a wide, shallow, concave, mesial sinus, which becomes obsolete at about two-thirds the length from the fro..t. Dorsal valve, with a broad, depressed, convex, mesial fold, extending two-thirds the length of the shell, umbo rather prominent, obtusely rounded, beak incurved beneath that of the ventral valve. Surface with between thirty and thirty-five small sub-angular rlL on each valve ; ten on the mesial fold, and nine in the sinus. Length, eleven lines. Widtli, twelve lines. Depth, seven lines ; width of sinus at front margin, six lines. The specimen is a little distorted towards the front, so that all the details of the outline cannot be given. The sides diverge from the beak at an angle of about 100°, and are straight for half the length of the shell. They then appear to be somewhat narrowly, but regularly, curved round to the front, wliicli is also, I think, broadly rounded. I/Jcalify and formation. — Township of Rainhaui, Concession 3, Lot No. 2. Collector. — J. De Cew. I 24 THE DEVONIAN FOSSILS OF CANADA WEST. Rhynconella Thalia.— iV. Sp. Pig. 23. Fig. 24. Fig. 25. Fig. 23. Rhynconella Thalia.— Tiorsa,\ view. Fig. 24.— Front view. Fig. 25.— Side view. Description. — Shell small, apical angle varying from about 70°, in very small specimens, to 105" in the large ones ; sides straight in the upper half, regularly curved in the lower half ; front broadly rounded with usually a portion in the middle straight, or even slightly con- cave ; valves about equally convex. Ventral valve with a sinus which gradually dies out at one half, or a little more, of the length from the front ; beak acute, much elevated, slightly incurved ; three simple acutely angular ribs in the mesial sinus, and six or seven on each side. Dorsal valve a little more strongly convex than the ventral valve ; the front of the mesial fold elevated so that on the side view the base of the shell is a nea.ly s' -aight line almost at a right angle with the lower part of the outline of ;he valve ; umbo rounded with a faint mesial depression ; beak incurved into the cavity of the ventral valve ; sur- face with four ribs on the fold, and si.K or seven on each side. Length of the largest specimen examined, four lines ; width, four and one-fourth lines ; depth, two and a half lines ; width of the sinus, nearly two lines ; apical angle, lO'i**. Another specinen is four lines wide, three and a half in length, two in depth, sinus, two lines, and apical angle 105*'. A third is two lines and three-fourths in length, and the same in breadth ; depth, one line and three-fourths ; apical angle, 88°. The sinus is distinct but not deep. Specimens less than two lines in length exhibit scarcely a trace of a sinus, and have the apex more acute than any of the above-men- tioned. This species closely resembles the ordinary Lower Silurian forms, such as R. plena, and young individuals of R. increbeseens. Locality and formation. — Near Woodstock. Corniferous Lime- stone. Collector. — A. Murray. TMV: nKVOMAN |-()S«;iI,s 1)1. r'ANADA WKST 25 Rhyn<()nki,i,\ (!) \.\vn\. — X- Sfi t V Fi)f. 2*!. Fiir. 27. pjg. 2S. Fif?. '-7. Rhjinconella Laurn.—\)o\'^?i\ aspect. Fii. 27. Tlio siinu' ; ventral nspect. Fipr. 2K. Side vipw. Dp.fcn'ption. — Ovafc ; specimens that have come under my observation have in gondral the same amount of convexit}, the depth of both valves being in all about two-thirds the greatest width, The surface is nearly smooth ; a few obscure concentric undula- tions of growth and fine stride, — of the latter, twelve to fifteen in the width of one line are visible on well preserved shells. There are also faint indications of longitudinal radiating lines. A. fragment of one individual of this species exhibits a surface uniformly marked with fine rounded concentric undulations (not striae), of which there are four of five in the width of one line. This species has, to some extent, the aspect of a Pentamerus ; but it^ internal structure, as exhibited in the numerous broken specimens that I have examined, shews it to be congeneric with //. Clara. It differs from that species in having the mesial fold and sinus extending the whole length of the shell, and the beak of the ventral valve not touching the umbo of the dorsal valve. Locality oiid formation.— -St. Mary's, Township of Blanshard. Corniferous. Collectors.— Mr. W. G. Tomkins, C.E., St. Mary's, C. W. ; A. Murray; J. Richardson. Athyris (?) SciTULA. — (Hall.) Atrypa sniTULA. — Hall. GfMogy of the Fourth District of the State of New York, p. 171, fig. 1. Fig. 37. FiK.35. Pig. 36. Fig. 38. Figs. 35 to 38.— Difforeiit views of a small and large specimen of A. soitula. The above figures represent different views of two specimens of a species which appears to me to be identical with that figured in the work above cited. It varies greatly in size. The length of the TOE DEVONIAN lOSRII.fs OK CAWnA WKST. 31 largc't specimen that I linvc seen is seventeen lines, the "-icatest width fourteen lines, depth eight Mnes. The smallest is «l»ont two Hi es ill length, and many of intermediate sizes have heen ohserved to make out tlie series. It is not certain that th!" species heloiigs to the genus Athijrift. Local if ij (iiiH formation. — (!ouuty of Haldimand. (lornifernu.s Limestone. Cof/erfom.—,]. De Cew, E. Dc Cew. Athyris (?) Clusia. — N. Sp. Di^scnption. — Elongate oval ; greatest width at about one-fourth the len'^h from the front margin ; sides diverging at an angle of about 7i>" and somewhat straight, or gently convex, for rather more than half the length ; front angles rounded ; front margin nearly straight, or gently convex. Both valves depressed convex, smooth in the upper half, the front margin with four or five wide shallow con- cave indistinct folds or grooves which become obsolete at less than half the length. Beak of ventral valve erect, apparently a little incurved at the tip. Length five lines ; greatest width at one-fourth the length from the front margin, three lines ; depth of both valves at one-third the length from the beak, one line and one-fourth. The above description is founded on a single small specimen. I have seen a fragment of another that must have been, when perfect, seven lines in length, and I am inclined to think that the one de- scribed is a young individual of the species. This species differs from A. scituJa, principally in being proportion- ally mtich flatter, and in having the front margin undulated by several obscure folds. Lnca/ih/ aiir/ fonnafiov. — Lot No. 45, Con. 1, Cayuga. Corni- ferous. Collector.— i. De Cew. Athy .IS (?) uNisuLCATA. — (Courad.) Atryi'a unisvlcata. — Conrad. Annual Repoit Geological f^.vrvey, New York. 1841, p. .^fi. Rhynconklla UNisuiXATA. — IIall. Tenth Annual Report of the Regents of the University of thr State of New York. 18,57, p. 125. 32 IHK DCVO.NIAN FOb>;ir.S OF CANADA WKST. I'iK- •|)». FlK. 40. I Fig. 41. Fig. 30. Athyns unisiilcntii — Vf'iitral viow. Fig. 41.— Vii-w of fi'oiit iiiiVDriii. Fig. 42, FiK. 40.— TIk' siiiiii", dorsal asj/t'ct. Fi(t. 't'i. — .'^itlt a snudl nortion on each side in tlie upper half; the slope from the ridge of the foid to the sides usuj^'iy gently concave. In some specimens a single strongly im])ressed groove along the ridge of the mesial fold. The ventral valve has a deep mesial sinus equal to its whole width ; a small strip of the margin between the beaks and the point of the greatest width inflected at a right angle or thereabout towards the dorsal valve. The beak is incurved over the umbo of the dorsal valve, but its tip not quite in contact with the surface of the dorsal shell. The surface is nearly smooth, a few ob- scure concentric undulations, and, in some specimens, indications of line radiating strite visible. Length of large .■specimen, nine lines ; width, eleven lines. This species varies greatly in form. Some have the front margin nearly straight, and are thus almost triangular. Others are quadran- gular or rhomboidal from the great ])rojection in the middle of the front margin. The sinus of the dorsal valve is sometimes so shallow ♦ These figures are not very Rood, but as they will serve o give an approximate idea of the form of one of the varieties, I have thought it be.st to use them. THE DEVONIAN F088IL8 OF CANADA WK8T. 88 that the valve has the appearance of a flat space along the middle. The groove on the ridge of the dorsal valve either extends to the front margin of tlic shell, or dies out at a greater or less distance from the heak. The length of the shell ranges from two to nine lines, and is always a little less than the width. Locality and formation.— County of Ilaldimand. Corniferous Limestone. Not common. Oollectora.—J . De Cew, E. De Cew, and E. Billings. AtHYRIS (?) KOSTRATA. — (Hall.) Atrypa rostrata. — Hall. Geology of the Fourth District of New York, page 202, fig. 2. PtR. 43. FiK .44. Figs. 43, 44. Athyris roBtrata—Dox'^X and side views. Description.— Won^^Aic oval, both valves evenly convex and smooth. Ventral valve the larger, most ventricose in the upper half ; beak proportionally large, sub-cyhndrlcal, incurved, not in contact with the umbo of dorsal valve, apparently perforated by a large foramen. Dorsal valve smaller than the ventral, but proportionally as strongly convex, umbo rather broadly rounded, beak incurved and deeply buried ])eneath that of the ventral valve. Length about six lines ; greatest width a little in front of the mid- dle of the ventral valve, five lines ; depth of both valves a little above the middle, three lines and a half. The surface at first sight appears to be quite smooth, but upon a closer examination it will be found tc exhibit some fine obscure con- centric rings of growth. This neat little fossil is smaller and proportionally broader, and more ventricose than A. scitula. Locality mid formation.— hoi 2(i, con. 3, Bosanquet. Hamilton Shales. Collectors. — A. Murray and J. Richardson. c 34 THK DEVONIAN FOSSILS OF CANADA WEST. Athyris (?) Chloe.— iV. Sp. Fig. 45. Fig. 46. Fig. 47. Fi},'. 48. Athyris adoe—YentraX valve. Fig. 46.— Side view. Fig, 47 —Dorsal view. Description.— Tr&nsxersely sub-oval ; greatest width usually about the middle, sometimes a little above or below ; front margin often mth a rounded projecting lobe in the middle ; both valves convex. Ventral valve with a concave mesial sinus which occasions a lingui- form projection in the middle of the front margin, and becomes obsolete at about half the length of the shell ; umbo well defined ; beak closely incurved down to the umbo of the dorsal valve, usually, if not always, perforated at the tip by a small circular aperture. Dorsal valve vith a rounded mesial fold which elevates the middle of the front mFfgin and becomes obsolete at about half the length. Surface with somewhat obscure rounded but apparently much de- pressed, simple or undivided radiating ribs, of which there are on an average in the specimens examined, three in the width of one line. There are also, especially towards the front margin, a few squamose rings of growth. There appear to be some fine concentric striae, but the surface in the specimens is not quite perfect. Width, from five to nine lines ; length, a little variable, according to the greater or less developement of the mesial fold. In one specimen with the fold large, the length is seven lines to a width of nine lines. In this species I have detected no appearance of an area, but in perfect specimens the hinge-line is exteaded to three-fourths the width of the shell, and in such cases the {^ardiual angles, although rounded, are elevated and much compressed. Locality and formation.— Lot No. 20, con, 3, Ilosanquet. Hamil- ton Shales. Collectors.— A. Murray, J. Richardson. As the nomenclature of the important and widely-distributed genus Athyris is somewhat confused, it seems advisable to give, in this place, a short account of the leading points of its history. Professor McCoy was the first to separate the species, of which this genus is THE DEVONIAN FOSSILS OF CANADA WEST. 35 composed, from Terebratula, Atrypa, Spirifera, and other genera to which they had been previously referred. His original description was published in the " Synopsis of the Carboniferous Fossils of Ireland," in 1844. From this work we shall make the following ex- tracts : — " The family DelthyridcB appears to be divided into the five following genera : 1 Spinfera, Sos»r., composed of those longitudinally-ribbed species, in which the hinge-line is equal to, or exceeds the width of the shell, the cardinal area with parallel sides, the cardinal teeth of the ventral valve (now called the dor- sal valve) large, spirally rolled, and having a triangular foramen beneath the beak of the dorsal (ventral) valve. 2. 3Iartinia, I^lcCoy, or the smooth Spiri- fers, in which the hinge-line is less than the width of the shell, and the cardinal area triangular. 3. Athyris, McCoy, in which there is no vestige of either fora- men, cardinal area, or hinge-line. This remarkable genus is frequently con- founded with those shells usually named Terebratula, in the older rocks, but is distinguished by the large, spiral appendages, which are wanting in the other group. 4. Brachythyris, McCoy, in which we find the longitudinally-ribbed surface of Splrife'ra, united with the short hinge-line of Marti7iia. 5. Orthis, Dal., in which there are no spiral appendages, the hinge-line and strire frequently spinose (as in Leptwna), and the cardinal area common to both valves, and its sides inclined towards each other at its angles ; dorsal valve smallest."— Work cited, page 128. On page 146 of the same work, he thus concisely describes the genus : — «' Gen. (7A.— Nearly orbicular, small ; no cardinal area or hinge-line ; spiral appendages very large, filling the greater part of the shell. " This very interesting group possesses all the external characters of the Terebratulidce, united to the internal structure of the Spirifers, to which latter family it truly belongs. Professor Phillips is the only author who has recog- nized the group : ho forms of it his last division of the genus Spirifcra, but gives no characters to distinguish it from Terebratula; the internal structure is, how- ever, a sure guide." The above descriptions include all the more comprehensive and important characters, or those which connect the species together into one group by general affinities pervading the whole. In this respect nothing more has been done for this genus since 1844, although several minor and highly interesting points of the internal arrange- ments, such as the complicated structure of the spires and the form of the muscular impressions, have l)eeu ascertained by other authors ; (especially by Messrs. Davidson, Bouchard, and Suess.) McCoy was under the impression that all of the species were desti- ill' 36 THE DbVONIAN FOSSILS OF CANADA WEST. !l tute of an aperture in the ventral valve, but it now turns out that many of them have a small circular perforation in the beak. Some are 'therefore disposed to reject the name Athyris (which means « without a door ;" or, "deltidium," as Mr. Woodward construes it) altogether as inappropriate ; and accordingly D'Orbigny, in 1847, re- described the genus under the name of Spirigera. His description is in substance the same as that of McCoy, but more in detail, and, with the additional character, that the ventral valve is truncated at the beak by a circular orifice.* This would exclude more than half the species' that he placed in his genus; as all those which belong to the group tyi)ified by A. tumida, A. Ceres, A. passer, &c., have^the beak entire.' With respect to this part of the shell, therefore, D'Or- ])igny's definition is cpiite as defective as McCoy's. In 1851, Professor Suess, of Vienn , proposed the name of Merista for some of these shells, but did not define his genus nor give the names of any species to be included in it.f In 1852, McCoy, in the 2nd Fasciculus of the " British Palaeozoic Fossils," page 196, re-defined Athyris as follows :— " Oen. 67t.— -Nearly orbicular or ovate, both valves convex ; no cardinal area, foramen,' or hinge-line ; spiral appendages to beak of entering valve very large, nearly filling the shell ; a strong mesial septum in the rostral part of entering valve ; dental lamella; moderate ; tissue of shell apparently fibrous. " One specimen [of A. tumida] sh ws the pallial and ovarian impressions to be thick, numerous, aud dichotomising frequently from beak to margin.'' Afterwards, in 1354, Suess objected to the term Athyris being ap- plied to such species as A. tmnida, on the ground that it was origin- ally used to include Spirigera concentrica, S. lamellosa, and other similarly organized forms.J He therefore proposed to suppress Athyris altogether, substituting Spirigera for those with the beak perforate, and his own genus Merista for the others with entire beak, or mesial septum in the dorsal valve and a shoe-lifter process in the ventral. It is quite certain now, however, that some of those with a non-perforate beak have no shoe-lifter process, and cannot be included in Merista. In Davidson's " Introduction, on the Classification of the Brachio- poda," Spirigera is retained for those with the beak perforate, and no * Pah'uHtolotjie Franqaise, vol. iv. page 357. t Jahrbuch iler K. K. Geologisclien Reichanstalt, Vienna, ii. pt. 4, pp. 150, 160. 1851. 1 This is tak."i'. frnsn a note by Mr. Davidsons on pairo 4 of the Appendix to hia British Oolitic and Liasio Brachiopoda. THE DEVONIAN FOSSILS OF CANADA WEST. 37 mesial septum in the dorsal valve, (type S. concentrka,) and Athyns for those of which A, tumida is the typical form. This is the mi-st just arrangement of the difficulty that has yet heen proposed, and has been adopted by F. Rcemer in the last edition of Bronn's " Lethaa Geognostica." Mr. Woodward in the " Manual of the Mollusca," adopts Athyris in the wide sense as intended by McCoy, but admits Merista as a sub-genus for those with a shoe-lifter process. In the New York Reports, the species of this genus, until within the last four or five vears, have been placed in the genus Atrypa. In the tenth annual report of the Regents of the University of the State of New York, published in 1857, Professor Hall describes six species from the Upper Silurian rocks, under the genus Merista, and one from the Hamilton group, under Spirigera. This latter, which he calls Spirigera spiri/eroides, is considered by many authors to be identical with S. concentrka. In the Geology of Iowa, dated 1858, he describes three species from the carboniferous rocks of the Western States, und^r Athyris. These appear to be perfectly congeneric with aS^.^ eonccntrica, or, S. spiriferoides as he calls it. In the twelfth Annual Report of the Regents, dated 15th March, 1859, published October, 1859, he proposes a new generic name (Camarium,) for those with a shoe-lifter process. This genus la identical with Merista. In the thirteenth Annual Report of the Regents, published January 18G1, Professor Hall abandons his genus Camarium, finding it to be identical with Merista, and then for those shells which have Athyris tumida for the type he proposes a new name, Meristella. Some of the European authors, such as Pictet and Sandberger, retain Spirigera, and in his recent highly instructive papers in the " Geologist," Mr. Davidson places all the species under Athyris, but says that sub-genera may be admitted provided they be founded on good and sufficient distinctive characters. It is not necessary to extend this Ust of references to the opinions of palaeontologists. Sufficient appears in the above to shew that the nomenclature of this genus is in a state of confusion. I think the best way of getting out of the difficulty, is to fall back upon the arrangement propose^ by Mr. Davidson in his Introduction. 1 McCo"'s spvii.il definitions should be construed literally or 38 THE DEVONIAN FOSSILS OF CAN^.DA WEST. according to his intended meaning, aad confined to such species as have the beak imperforate, and usually a mesial septum in the dorsal valve. For these the name Athyris is perfectly proper and involve no contradiction whatever. The type of this group would be Athyris tumida, as given by Davidson in his Introduction. 2. D'Orbigny's definition also literally, and it would include all the species with perforated beaks which have Spirigera concentrica for the type. The mesial septum in the dorsal valve in this genus is either rudimentary or entirely absent. 3. the' genus Athyris being limited as above, two sub-genera might be subtracted from it, that is to say, iV/erw^a— Suess, and Nu cleosp ira — Hall . According to Professor Hall's recent proposals, Spirigera must be suppressed, and Athyris made to take its place. This would leave the first of the above groups without a name, and thus his genus Meristella woidd be accommodated. The following figures represent some of the internal characters of the above mentioned genera : Fig. 48. Fig. 49. Fig. 50. JD.— divaricator impressions Fig.48.— yl^/tj/m ^Mmida.—Dalman.— Interior of vnntral valve O.— occlusor impressions. T.— teeth. Fig. 49.— Interior of ventral valve of Athyris Clara —Billings. Fig. ZQ—Atliyns Clara, interior of dorsal valve. In the interior of the ventral valve of A. tumida, Fig. 48, the two elongate oval scars which indicate the place of the attachment of the divaricator muscles or those whose function it was to open the valves, are situated side by side about the centre of the shell. Above, or partly between, is the small heart-shaped scar of the occlusor, the muscle that served to close the valves. Beneath the beak is seen the wide triangular foramen which, in consequence of the close incurvation of the beak is always completely closed. This foramen is a different THE DEVONIAN FOSSILS OF CANADA WEST. 39 thing from the small circular aperture which occurs in the point of the beak of Spirigera. On each side is a short stout tooth, beneath which a strong nearly vertical septum extends a short way towards the front These two septa are the dental-plates. Fig. 49 shews the form of the muscular impressions in A. Clara. At first sight they appear to be widely different from those of A. tumida, but this is owing to the greater thickness of the shell in the upper half of the ventral valve of this species. Since this species was described in this Journal, in May last, I have ascertained that the same variations in the form of the muscular impressions occur in the genus Spirifera. In the thick- shelled species it is deeply excavated, and is represented on the cast of the interior by an abrupt prominence, longitudinally or diagonally striated. In the thin-shelled species it is superficial, and presents a different appearance. There are other variations in the form of the scars in the ventral valve not represented in the above figures. Sometimes they extend nearly to the front of the shell, as is the case in an undescribed species from Anticosti, and in a Corniferous species of which I have some fragments. In the dorsal valve, fig. .50, there is a horizontal plate (the hinge- plate) just beneath the beak, with a triangular depression in the middle, from which a thin vertical septum extends about one -half the length of the shell. On each side of the central depression the hinge- plate of the specimen fi?;ured shows two short, slender, spine-like pro- jections, these are simply .he bases of the spiral arms, which were here attached to the anterior edge of the plate. At the extremities of the hinge-plate are two small pits,— the sockets for the reception of the teeth of the opposite valve. The occlusor muscular impressions are four in number, and elongate oval, the anterior pair about the middle of the shell, and the posterior pair between the anterior and the beak. Fig. 48 is copied from Mr. Davidson's paper in the " Geologist," Vol. I., Plate 12. Figs. 49 and .50 are from specimens in the collec- tion of the Geological Survey. In the sub-genus Merisfa the dental plates are connected by a peculiar arched plate, resembling a shoe-lifter, hence its name,— the shoe-lifter process or septum. (See fig. .53). In the species on which Prof. Hull founded his genus, Cuniarium, and also in some of the European forms, it extends from the beak downwards half the length 'H m 40 THE DEVONIAN FOSSILS OF CANADA WEST. of the valve, and the dental plates are partly supported by it. I think this process is an abnormal form of the pseudo-deltidium, that occurs in some of tha Spirifers. In all of the genera, Spirifera, Cyrtia, Spiriferina, Suessia, Cyrtinu, Athyris, Spiriyera, Merista, Nuchospira, and Uncites, the spiral appendages have the apices of the cones which they form directed outwards, < v Is the sides of the shell, as represented in the following figure, 5.., Fig. 51. Fipr. 52. Fig. ">'5- Fig. 51. Interior of Athyria (Spirigcira) ambiijua, sliowiui,' the disposition of tlio si)iral appendaKu 1. Copied from Davidson— (Oco/oi^is/, Vol, III. Plato 1. Fig. 52. Interior of ventral valve of Spirifi.ra concentrica shewing the muscular impres- sions and the eirc'.lar aperture in the beak. Fig. 53. Interior of ventral valve of Merista IlorctUea (Barraude),a Bohemian spocie.s, S.— the shoe-hfter jirocess. D.— the divarieator muscular impressions. It will be seen on examining fig. .51 closely, that the first coils of the spiral appendages are connected on the dorsal side by a transverse l)ar, from which an upright jtrocess springs, sloping upwards slightly towards the beak, and giving off two half coils,— one on each side. It THE DEVONIAN FOSSILS OF CANADA WEST. 41 is yet to be ascertained in how many species this complicated structure prevails. We may expect to find by continued search in our Canadian rocks, specimens wl ich will enable us to make out the structure of these peculiar organs in such species as we have. As yet, I have only seen five or six specimens of A. Clara and A. Maia in which the spires could be seen, but none are sufficiently perfect to exhibit the details. In Mr. Davidson's earlier writings, the muscle called the " Divar- iCATOr" in this article, is styled the "Retractor," while the "Oc- CLUSOR " is designated the " Adductor." But in his recent papers in the Geologist he uses both. It appears that the new names, " Divaricator " and " Retractor," were devised by Mr. Hancock. I shall hereafter, from time to time, as materials are collected, publish in this Journal such other particulars of the structure of these interesting genera as may seem to be of importance. Of this genus, Spirigera, we have, as yet, clearly recognized only one species in Canada, l)ut it is. in the opinion of ?ome good palaeon- tologists, identical with the famous 5. concentrica, the type of *he group. Three species, described in May last in this Journal, which have the beak perforated, may possibly belong to Spirigera, and would have been so referred, but at that time I lutd not made up my mind what course to take with regard to the sub-divisions of Athyris, The three species in question are not yet generically determined, and I have therefore marked them doubtful thus : Athi/ris (J) scilula, Athyris {?) rosfrafa and Athyris (?) Chloe. Spirigera concentrica. — (Bronn, Sp.) Terebratula concentrica. —Bronn, 1829. Atrypa + Spiri- gera + Athyris concentrica,— of the generality of authors. Spirigera Spirifkroides, Hall.— T6^«^/« Annual Report of the Regents of the University of tie State of ^'civ York, p. lo3. 1857. FiK. 64. Pig. 04L Spirigera concentrica — Oji-.*:.! vii w. Fit?. 55. Fif? 55. The same— Veiitral view. D 42 THE DKVONIAN FOSSILS OF CVNADA WEST. "11 FiK. 57. Fig. 56. 'fl' Fig. .W.- Side view. , , „ ^ Yig, 57. -Dorsal view of a specimen with u truncated Iront margin. 2)..cr^>^/o« .-Transversely sub-oval ; greatest width about the middle or a little above ; the front margia sometimes extended mto a short, broadlv-rounded linguifo t projection, and sometimes nearly straight, or even a little concave for about one-third the width. Both valves moderately convex ; the ventral valve usually with a shallow mesial sinus, or depression, which becomes obsolete befor^ reaching the beak ; dorsal valve with a broad slightly elevated mesial fold. Beak and umbo of ventral valve of moderate size, the former incurved and perforated at the point by a circular aperture. The umbo of the dorsal valve is small and neatly rounded, the beak buried beneath that of the opposite valve. Surface marked by sharp concentric ndges which are son.etime. so greatly developed as to cover the whole shell with thin overlapping scale-like plates. Length from nine to fifteen lines ; width a little greater than the length. Thiswi" known fossil ha. a very wide geographical distribution, being found in the Devonian rocks of Russia, Germany, France. Spain, England, and Americc. It varies a good deal in form, according to the sediment in which it is found. Where the shell is thin, the middle of the front margin is straight r,r concave, as in Fig. 57 ; but the thi^ck-shelled mdi- viduals have the front margin more or less pointed. Some thmk >ur species different from the European form ; but others, such as De Verneuil, Roemer, Lyell, Sharpe. and others, who have compared specimens from both sides of the Atlantic, ha-e pronounced them to be identical. Locality and formatior I -Occnrs in the CorniferouD Limestones THE DEVONIAN FOSSILS OF CANADA WEKl . 43 the Township of Cayuga, and in the Hamilton Shales at variouB places in the Township of Bosanquet. Collectors.— X. Murray, T. Richardson, J. De Cew. GenuH Retzia. — (King.) Retzia.— King. Monoyruph of the Permian Fossils of England, p. 137. 1850. Retzia.— Woodward. Manual of the Mollusca, p. 224. Generic characters.— The species of this genus are in general smaller than those of Athyris or Spirigera. The form is ovate or Bub-glohular ; the ventral valve the largest, with an elevated beak, which is perforated at the tip by a small circular aperture ; a small flat area beneath t}ie beak. In some species there is a shallow mesial fold and sinus, or more usually two or three of the ribs in the middle smaller than the others. The surface is covered with radiating ribs, as in Rhynconella. The internal characters are not yet well known, but it is certain that the spiral appendages have their apices turned outwards, as in Spirigera. The shell structure is punctate. Retzia differs from Spirigera in being strongly ribbed, smaller, the beal. of the central valve erect, or nearly so, and in having a small flat area beneath the rostral aperture. Rhynchospira,—l\t\\ does not appear to me to differ from Ritzia. The genus is said to range from the Silurian up to the Permian. Dedicated (by King) to the celebrated naturalist Betsius. Retzia Eugenia. — N. Sp. 6 Fib'. 58. Fig. 68.-2Je<^ia Eugenia, a, b, c, dorsal, side, and ventral viow8 of a specimen ; d, a smaUer specimen-dorsal view. Description.— SheW small, sub-globular, with from ten to twelve strong angular ribs on each valve. Ventral valve convex, most pro- minent on the upper half, a slight mesial depression the width of three or four of the ribs in the lower half; beak elevated, incurved, -but not in contact with the umbo of the dorsal valve, perforated at 44 THE DEVONIAN FOSSILS OF CANADA. WEST. the point ; a flat, solid deltidium or area beneath the aperture. Dor- sal valve rather stronjrly and iinifonnly convex, most prominent along the middle, where slight indications of a mesial fold are evident ; umbo small, rounded ; beak buried beneath the lower edge of the deltidium or area of the ventral valve. Length of the largest specimen seen, six lines ; width about the same, or slightly less than the length ; elevation of the beak of the ventral valve above the umbo of the dorsal valve, half a line. We have one small specimen three lines in length, which appears to belon"- to this species. In form it is rather more elongate-oval, and not so convex as the larger specimens. Closely allied tr lictzia glohosa {Trematospira globosa), Hall, but in that species when there are any indications of mesial fold d depression, it consists of one, two, or three ribs, which are smaller than the others, and do not reach the beak. It may be that specimens will be found connecting the two species, but at present I think it best to keep them separate. Locality and For mat ion.— hot No. 5, Con. 4, Township of Walpole. Collector. — The only specimens I have seen were collected by J. De Cew. HI Genus Spirifera. — Sowerby. Si'iRiFER. — Of the t]enerality of Authors. Generic characters.— lYiwyQ-WwQ straight and either greatly elonga- ted, or cqiuxl to, or less than the width of the shell ; the general form, triangular, quadrate, oval, or .sub-circular. The ventral valve the largest, with a flat or concave area varying greatly in its dimensions ; a triangular foramen beneath the beak, usual » ?n but sometimes partially closed by an arched plate called a delti.uam or pseudo-delti- dium. Area of dorsal valve smaller than that of the ventral valve. Surface either ornamented with radiating ribs, or finely striated, or smooth. In the interior the spiral cones have their apices turned outwards as in Spiriffera, but they are destitute of the complicated appendages of this last-named genus. The muscular impressions are somewhat similar in their general form and relative position to those of Athyris, but subject to great variation according to the species. Shell structure not punctat.^d. THK DEVONIAN FOSSILS OF CANADA WEST. 45 This genus ranges from the Lower Silurian up to the Trias. In Canada we have found no species below the Clinton group. A great many species of this genus have been described as occurring in the Devonian rocks of the United States ; and in Canada West there are apparently fifteen or twenty, but owing to the imperfection of the specimens, several of these must remain for a while undeter- mined. Spirifkka MiicaoNATA. — (Conrad.) Delthyris MiTCRONATUS.— (Conrad.) Annual Report, of the Geological Survey of New York, 1841, f) .')4. Hall, Geology of New York, part 4. 1843, p. 198. F'g. 59. ¥iit. r,0. Pin. «1. FiR. 62. Pig. 19 Spirifera mvcronau. ".■utral view. Fi«. 60. Side view. Fijr. r.l. Do, sal view. Viit.iai. A long-wiiiited variety of tlic same species. Description.— T\\h species varies froni tlie somi-circuliir to the sub- triangular lorn.. 1.1 general th. hinge line i.s twice, and sometimes thricethel ngtaof thealKll; the cardinal angles acute, the side either straight or gently rounded and coineiging to the front margin, which is either straight or concave, and of the width of the mesial fold. The valves are moderately convex ; the ventral more tumid than the dorsal ; the mesial fold and sinus are rounded, and extend quite to the beaks ; from fi"teen to twenty not very prominent ribs on each side. The area of the ventral valve is very narrow, in the largest specimens scarcely more than half a line in height ; the beak small, pointed and incurved over the area, but not in contact with the I 40 THR DKVONIAN lOHSILS OK CANADA WEST. umbo of the dorsal valve, a sjiaei. of one-fourth to one-half of n line intervening. Area of dorsal .alve sub-linear or about one-tlnrd the height of that of the ventral valve. The whole surface, in well preserved specimens, is covered with zigzag concentric imbricating BtriiE, from two to four in the width of one line. Width on the hinge-line from mie to two inches, usually one inch and a half. Length from beak to iront from eight to twelve lines. Localihj and Fonnation.—lUmWtou Group. Townships of Plymp- ton and Bosanquet. Also found loose, or in boulders in the drift in numerous localities in the extreme western Counties of the Provinces. Co//DENARiA.~Hall. Geology of the m District of New York, p. 17. Fiff. 5. 1843. Fig. 65. Fig. Ofl. Fig. 07. Kg. 66. Spiu.KKRX nroDKHARU.-(HaU.) Dorsal vieN. of a lar«o specimen. Pig. 66. Slv w. th.; .'.arrow area and the close approiimation of the beaks. Fig. 67. Dorsiil view. Description -This species is disiinguished by its smooth rounded ribs The form is sub-semicircular or sub-triangular ; the hmge-line straight extended, equal to the greatest width of the shell ; both valves moderately convex ; the dorsal valve usually flattened or concave near the cardinal extremity ; the are-s very narrow ; beaks Bmall, short, pointed, incurved, nearly in contact with each other. From twelve to fourteen strong rounded ribs, gradually decreasing in ^' 4R TDE DEVONIAN FOSSILS OF CANADA WEST. Is , '•' size from the middle of the shell outwards, the grooves between them rounded. Surface usually smooth, but when well preserved, with fine concentric striae. The mesial sinus is represented by the middle furrow of the ventral valve, and the fold by the middle rib of the dorsal. The ordinary width of this species is ten or twelve lines on the hinge line, but some are sixteen lines. In a specimen of this latter size the area of the dorsal valve is scarcely half a line high, and that of the ventral valve two-thirds of a line. The former lies nearly in the plane of the margins of the shell, while the latter slopes a little outwards. The beak of the ventral valve is incurved so as to project a little over the plane of the area, and its point is within half a line of the umbo of the dorsal valve. This species may be easily distinguished from S. mucronata and S. varicom, by the form of the ribs, which are round instead of angular, twice the size of those of the other species, and separated by rounded grooves. The mesial groove or sinus is only slightly larger and more conspicuous than those next it on ach side. Locality and For mat ion. —Rm s Farm near Port Colborne. Near Woodstock. Collectors. — A. Murray, E. Billings, Spirifeua umbriata. — (Conrad.) Mvi iiYKi.s FiMBiJiATA.— Conrad. Journal of the Aca.lemy of Nat- u, ,/' Sciences of Pliladclphiit, Vol. VIII , p. 263. Fig. CS PiK. ti^ Sy.irifera fimbriata.—QonxwX. Dorsal view. Fij?. fit- VcMilral view. PiK- 70. Fig. ("9. Side view. De-o-rijififw. — Transvi'rs !y oval ; hini';c line shorter than the great- est \\ li\\ of the sliell ; cardinal angles roundel ; mesial fold and sinus moiitratdv rounded; from three to right obscuiv rihs on each side; width froi width. The do or not at lying nea extremiti( projecting ing quite angles, ai beak wit elevated, Ventra in a side pointed, line, sloj plane of broad, a The mes point of the dors Surfai shallow the rid§ gated tv Local Rama's Also ill specimt Colle Delte Scie) Dklth oft) Ddst equal t w ;th fi '"' \V ■!»'^-':™-P«aa'"'?"5^'?**SB-Mr^ *»■■" *»«'■■; THE DEVONIAN FOSSILS OF CANADA WEST. 49 width from nine to eighteen Unes ; length a little more than half the "" The dorsal valve is mode .tely and pretty uniformly convex, gently or not at all depressed towards the cardinal angles ; area, sub-lmear. lying nearly in the plane of the lateral margins, not reachmg the Extremities of the hinge line; beak, small pointed, scarcely at all projecting over the area ; mesial fold, rounded, not promment, extend- Lg quite to the point of the beak ; usually a large space at the cardinal angles, and extending thence along the hinge line to the sides of the beak without ribs ; the latter in general obscure, rounded not much elevated, and becoming obsolete before reaching the hinge Ime. Ventral valve rather strongly convex in the upper half, the outline in a side view forming about one quarter of a sphere ; the beak small, pointed, and incurved over the area ; the latter shorter than the hinge line, sloping outwards at an angle of about 115<^ at its base with the plane of the lateral margin., above rather strongly incurved ; foramen Lad, and with a sharp ridge on each side, not al.^ys preserved The mesial sinus is rounded or sub-angular, and ex ends quite to the point of the beak ; a smooth space at the cardinal extremities as m the dorsal valve. Surface of the perfect specimens beautifully ornamented with shallow rounded concentric furrows, from three to four in two lines, the ridges between the furrows having from five to eight small elon- gated tubercles in the width of one line. Locality and Formation.-Occnr. in the Corniferous Limestone at Ramas l4rm, and at n.any places in the County of Ilaldimand^ Also in the Hamilton Shales in the Township of Bosanquet. Good specimens rare. Collectors.-3. DeCew, E. Billings, A. Murray. Si'iniFERA RARicosTA.— (Conrad.) Delthvhis HARicosTA.-Conrad. '^---'^if ^f/^f f'^^^^^^^t Sciences ofPhHadelphia^oX. VIII., p. 2G2. iH. 14, fig. 18. 1839. Dklthvris .NDCTL^TUS.-Vanuxcn.. Geoloyyof the Third District of the State of New York, p. I'i2, fig. 3. 1842. D..c,.>«.,«— Sab-qu,tdr.ae, sub-semicircular or oval ; hinge-line equal to the greatest width or the shell or a httle less ; dorsal valve w' h five, and'ventral valve with six, large rounded or sub-angul^ nbs ; 60 THK DEVONIAN FOSSILS OF CANADA WEST. I ri! Fife. 71. Fip. 72. Fitf. 73. Fiir. 71. Sf)irifet-a raricosfa.—Conrtid. Dorsal view. Fiff. 72. Side view. FiR. 73. Ventral view ot a sppciraen with tlie shell exfoliated. length of iuU grown individuals about one inch ; width equal to or a little greater than the length. The dorsal valve is most convex in the middle and more or less flattened or concave towards the cardinal angles ; the area narrow sub-linear ; the beak small pointed and together with the area strongly incurved over the hinge Hne ; the middle rib corresponding to the mesial fold of an ordinary Spirifera is usually very prominent, rounded or sometimes a little flattened on the top ; its width at the front margin, in a specimen fourteen lines wide, is about five lines, and it is well defined and prominent ail the way to the point of the beak ; the ribs next to it on each side, also reach the beak, but the two outer ribs become obsolete on approaching the hinge-line. The ventral valve is most gibbous in the upper half, the umbo rather small but prominent, and the cardinal angles not flattened. The area is somewhat variable in its dimensions ; and cannot be seen when the shell has been coinpre.'^sod ; in largo perfect specimens it is two lines high at the beak and half a line at the cardinal angles, and slopes outward at one angle of about 100" at its base, but is more or less arched towards the dorsal valve, so that its general direction is more nearly in the plane of the lateral margins. The beak is small pointed, always incurved over the area ; the mesial furrows and four of the ribs extend quite to the point of the beak ; the mesial furrow in all the specimens that I have seen is broadly rounded, while the lateral furrows are somewhat angular in the bottom. The surface is usually covered with small lamellose, somewhat rough ridges of growth ; but in the more perfect specimens with fine imbricating concentric lines, of which there are from four to eight in one line ; all of these are undulated upwards in crossing the ribs. tsggByjj™""' THE DEVONIAN FOSSILS OF CANADA WEST. 51 The specimens vary in form from oval (those with a short hinge^ line^ to sub-quadrate or sub-semicircular. , -. i ^ Th° spedes i, easily recognised evea in fragment, by .t, large rounded ribs. When partially exfoliated the nbs sometimes exhiW C one to three large roanded knobby prominences. In general, however, thev are smooth. , i„^„a Zamj la For».a«on.-Near Port Colbome. and vanous places in the County of Haldimand. tlUctorl-K. Murray. J. DeCew. L JeCew. E. Bdl.ngs. Spirifera gregaria.— (Clapp.) Spikifer GREGARiA.-Hall. Tenth Annual Report of the Regent, of the University of New York, p. 127, 1857. FiR. 74. Fig. 75. Fig. 76. Fig. 74. Spirifcra ,r..ari.,-Dorsal view. Fig. 75. The same-Side view. ^ FiR. 76. Ventral view. B„m>,«<.».-Shell semi-oval or sub-globular, varying greatly in the amount of the convexity. Hinge-line straight equal to the *,a.cr«idth of the shell; cardinal -gles sometimes round^^ Ventral valve very convex, strongly and ""'f°™'V t deen I'ult to front the outline sometimes forming a semi-circle ; a deep angular lria";inus extending from the front to the beak, on each side of "h h there arc from ^even to nine ribs. Umbo very much elevated beak strongly incurved ; area concave, next to the hinge-hne inclinmg outards at an angle of 4.^° to the plane of the lateral margin, but Ccsuddenry arched over the hinge-line by the »'-? 'J/X of the beak. Dorsal valve convex, «ith a strong 7™> J"'^ 3' »mewhat angular or a little flattened along the ridge, or b cur^y marked »i.h an indistinct groove; seven to mne f » ™ ;»* ™^ .urface. often nearly smooth but sometimes marked " * concci^rio rigzag lines. Width about three-fourths of an inch ; length varying from a little less to a little more than the width In very convex specimens the umbo ot the ventral ^al^e 62 THE DEVONIAN FOSSILS OP CANAP4 WEST. greatly developed that it rises above the hinge-line to a height equal to nearly one-half the length of the whole valve. Sometimes the beak of the ventral valve is incurved down nearly to the dorsal umbo, but in general there is a space of about half a line intervening. Locality and formation.— ThiB species has been found rather com- mon on lot 43, concession 2, township of Middleton, in the Cornifer- ous Limestone. According to Prof. Hall, it occurs "in the limestone of the Upper Ileldenberg, (Onondaga and Corniferous) rarely in Eastern New York, common in Genesee and Erie counties, and in Ohio and Kentucky, in the same geological position." I am indebted to Dr. B. F. Shumand for specimens from the Falls of the Ohio for comparison. These are more convex than any of ours, but of about the same size. Collector. — J. De Cew. SpiRiFERA Parryana. — Hall. Spirtfer PARRYANus.-(Hall.) Geoloffy of Iowa, Vol. I., pase 509. Plat( 4, fig 8 «, 6. ^ * Fifr. 77. Fij,. 78. Fip. n.ZSpirifera ,')arrya«a.-Dorsal view. Fi(?. 7S. Side view of the same. X>^w«.— Transversely sub-elliptical or sub-quadrate ; cardinal angles generally rounded ; sides aud front an-lcs rounded ; front mar- gm somewhat straight or a little concave for about one-third he width m the middle. Both valves rather strongly convex, giving a sub-globose form to the whole shell ; mesial fold and sinus rounded, and extending to the beaks. Area of ventral valve somewhat arcuate, and forming an angle of about 4.s° to the plane of the lateral margins, ourface witli about eighteen flat, rounded ribs, separated by grooves one-fourth the width of the ribs ; mesial fold and sinus not ribbed. I THE DEVONIAN FOSSILS OF CANADA WEST. 53: .1 r 4, Width from one inch and a half to two inches. Length about five- b/iths of the width. Locality and formation.— ho^Vi e, Mill, township of Bosanquet, Hamilton Shale?. Collector. —T^it only specimen found was collected by C. Robb, Esq., C. E. SpIRIFERA SCULITILIB? — (Hall.) Fig. 79. The above figure represents an imperfect ventral valve (found by Mr. Robb along with S. Parryanus,) which appears to be identi^jal with the species figured by Hall in the Geology of N:!W York, Vol. ly., p. 202, under the name of S. sculptilis. Genus Cyrtia. — (Dalman.) Generic Characters.— ^\id\ semi-circular or triangular; ventral valve extremely prominent and of a pyramidal shape ; area large, usually incurved ; foramen extending quite to the beak, closed except a small aperture near the beak by a convex deltidium. Dorsal valve flat or only moderately convex. The internal characters do not appear to differ greatly from those of Spirifera. The shells of this genus are smaller in general than Spirifera, and the species are closely allied to each other. Cyrtina is another genus exactly resembling Cyrtia in shape, but with the interior of the ventral valve divided by a mesial septum, which supports near the foramen a triangular chamber as in Pcnta- merus. Not having seen the interior of the two following species, I leave them in the genus Cyrtia where they have been hitherto placed. Cyrtia IIamiltonensis — (Hall.) Cyrtia IIamiltonensis.— Hall. Tenth Annual Report of the Re- gents of the University of the State of New York, p. IGG. 1 S57. Description.--" Shell '^ore or less oblicpiely triangular, pyramidal : hinge equalling the greatest breadth, and obtusely (or acutely) an- i I liii. 54 THE DEVONIAN FOSSILS OF CANADA WEST. Fig. 80. Pig. 81. Fig. 82. Fig. 80.— Ctetia Hamiltonensis.— Hall. "Ventral view. Fig. 81.— Side view. Fig. 82.— Dorsal view. (The perforation nnt shewn near the beak in the figure, but exiats in the specimen.) gular at the extremities ; dorsal valve depressed, nearly flat ; beak scarcely elevated above the hinge-line ; mesial fold small, bounded on each side by deeper and wider grooves thai; those between the plica- tions, with sometimes a faint, narrow, longitudinal depression in the middle ; ventral valve very convex, most prominent near the beak, which is very variable in elevation, and either straight or a little arched from the hinge, sometimes twisted on one side ; sinus distinct, rounded or angular ; area variable, triangular, generally high, often wider than high, arcuate or plane, finely striate in both ways, the vertical .striae scarcely visible ; foramen very narrow, usually perforate above by an ovate aperture, and has at its base a small transverse arcuate slit. Surface ornamented by six to eight simple rounded plications on each side of the mesial fold and sinus, and marked by very fine concentric lines of growth. Under a good lens, minute granules may be seen on all parts of the exterior except the area and deltidium : interior minutely punctate."— (/^a//. Tenth Regents' Report, above cited.) Our specimens agree so exactly with the above description, that there can be no doubt of the identity of the species. Locality and formation. -Townships of Bosanquet and Plympton. Hamilton shales. Collectors. ~k. Murray, J. Richardson, E. Billings. Cyrtia kostrata. — (Hall.) A species of Gyrtia occurs in the Corniferous Limestone, onlj differing from C. Hamiltonensis in having the ribs larger and the surface marked with concentric imbricating lamellae, instead of fine strise. The only perfect specimen I have seen has five ribs on each side of the mesial fold and sinus. It is referred to G. rostrata pro- visionally. Localitj/ and formation. — Lot 45. Con. 1. Cavue-a. Collector, — J. De Cew. THE DEVONIAN FOSSILS OF CANADA WFST 55 Genus Atrypa. — (Dalman.) SpirigeRINA.— D'Orbigny. Generic e/m/-acS;iiiv\ifc. ■^Mma FiK. SI. l-'ig- 85- Fijs. %i.— Atrypa retictdaris.—Tioxs,\\ view FiL>. 8i( and 87.— .\ spccinu'U with coarso ribs Fig. 80. Fig sr..- Sill.' vitnv. Fig. 87. l)escription.-'\\n^ speci.s is variable in form (as are all that range through a number of formations). Specimens the si/.r of those above figured are ovate ; length a little greater than the breadth ; sometimes both valves nearly equally convex, but in general the ventral valve is convex in the middle portion of the upper two-thirds, flattened to-^ I 56 THE DEVONIAN FOSSILS OF CANADA WEST. wards the sides, and with a broad shallow mesial depression towards the front. The dorsal valve is in general strongly convex ; the hinge extremities rounded. The umbo and beak of the ventral valve are small, the latter sometimes a little elevated, but in general closely in- curved. Large specimens, twice the size of those above figured, are not un- common in the Corniferous limestone. These are more elongate oval, or sometimes, owing to the wide straight hinge-line and projecting car- dinal extremities, the form is sub-triangular. The surface is covered with small radiating ribs, usually two or three in the width of one line. These are crossed by undulating con- centric lines of growth, which give to the ribs a nodose or rugged aspect. In large specimens from the Devonian rocks of the Hudson Bay Company's Territory, the strise are much finer, there being four or five in one line. In others they are much stronger. The shell when partially exfoliated, exhibits a whitish silken or pearly lustre. Indi- viduals are sometimes found with the surface around the front margin covered with imbricating concentric lamellae. Length usually about one inch or a little less, sometimes three inches. Locality and Formation. — This species ranges from the base of Middle Silurian to the Devonian, and is found in most countries where these rocks have been recognized. In Canada West it occurs in numerous localities in the Clinton, Niagara, Oriskany, Corniferous, and Hamilton formations. Genus Stricklandia. — (Billings.) Stricklandia. — (Billings.) Canadian Naturalist and Geologist, Vol. 4, p. 132, April, ISfiQ. RENssELiKRiA. — (ILiU.) part. Ttvelfth annual Report of the Regents of the State of New York, p. 39, October 1859. Generic Characters. — Shell, usually large, elongate-oval, transversely oval, or circular, sometimes compressed ; valves nearly equal ; a short mesial septum in the interior ot the ventral valve, supporting a small triangular chamber beneath the beak as in Peniamerus ; in the dorsal valve no longitudhial septa spires or loop yet observed ; the whole of the internal solid organs, (so far as is yet known) consisting of two very short or rudimentary socket plates, which support prolonged calcified processes for the support of the cirrated arras. In all the THE DEVONIAN FOSSILS OF CANADA WIST. 57 specie, known, the ventral valve .,» »n area n,ore ov le» acvcloped. that in the dorsal ^alvc tue ™" " ,„,„„,„,■ ,h,. vr.lve, aio united ,ei„g prolongea ahont t^-th,.^^.^^^^^^^^^ :;r xi':;;;o:i:;: .r ;!„ L. .;•. -™',;xr ?; U will he found that S(,-,eW»»,/i» has a »,„u a,- loo,,. In Ue,.«eUna ^'-}'''^"'-f^,t'IZ'''l^''^»C^^^ closely related ,0 f:;'' U tta .1 Hffercnce hct«ecu .ho short or rnd.men.ary be thought tliat 11k uraii ,.i„nrM,»M.., »"' . " „ .Jffi:! importalrce to Pe„,u,.,erm should not he regarded as o snthc e ^^^ eonstitute a generic distinc.ron, because t.o ^J^ ^,. ,,^ extent to which identical parts are dc clop nc^^ oc former genus hciag a rudnucntary ^«^^J^^ ,„j- „;, „,, ,re « examine any , roup o. ^"^'^.f^ ^ ^,^,,,^or,s of the grounds for -l'-'";:™ t,™* ,,' degree of the development same set of organs. Fht il.ttu.ncc b ^^ of an organ is not always a good charaecn, ™ .^ ^ such an extent that the who e forn. o '•',.■■ „,..„ it heeomes particular n.anucr. '^^^'^^^^J^::^ er :«,■../,/»„-;-''';->-,;"T 5° ,, . ' c,,,oW,.<».. P- --T' T Stol-:: extend ;;,,; of the two groups is '"'■'; :i ;: ttTZu ahnost be warranted in separatmg .hem :;:!;s:::lt:"Xd!iutr::..ctnessoftheseparat.o„. E -'r . 58 TlIK DKVONIAN FOSSILS OF CANADA WEST. i' it ""}c following figures exhibit the difference between the generic forma of Stricklandia and Feniamerus. Fig. 8S. FiS- 89. i'iB- 00. FiR. %9,.—Stricklandia lens, dorsal view. Fit?. 89. The same sido viuw, shewing that the valves are nearly equal in size. Fig. 00.— PrtudamcrMS Knightli, sido view sliewing the great dillerencc in the size of the valves. This genus ranges from the Middle Silurian up to the Devonian. It includes three English species long known under the names of Pentamerus lens, P. Urafus, and P. loevh: In Canada we have these three in the Clinton group at Anticosii, and also StricUandia Ga^pensis, (Niagara group) Gaspe, S. Canadensis (Clinton group) Thorold, C. W., S. hreois, perhaps a variety of the latter (Clinton) Antieosti. StricUandia elongata is the only species known to me in the Devonian rocks. Stricklandia elongata. (Vanuxem.) Pentamerus elongatus.— (Vanuxem.) Geology of the Third District of the State of New York, p. 132. 1842. Pentamerus elongatus.— (Hall.) Geology of the Fourth District of the State of New York, No. 34, Fig. 1. Meganteris elongatus.— (Hall.) Tenth Annual Report of the Regents of the University of the State of New York, p. 123. 1857. Renssel^ria elongata.— (Hall.) Twelfth Annual Report of the Regents (f the University of the State of New York, p. 38. October, 18.59. Description, — Elongate-oval, somewhat variable in form, the sides convex, as in the above figure, or nearly straight and parallel, and in the latter case the front truncated or nearly straight. Valves varying in the amount of their convexity, sometimes nearly cvlindricix. .bove THE DEVONIAN FOSSILS OF C\NAD\ WEST. 50 ■pig. 92. Fii;. 01. Fig. ,1. StrirJclnn.ua clouonta.-mnn.orn.) Dorsal view of a specimen of a .uovo n.-arly oval .sl,a ■ tl.au "^"^^l- ^^^ ^^^.u trian^ubr chu.nbt-. boneath Fig. 92. The (.amu, interior of vciitran aivc, siibwh'b the beak. and compn-sscd towards the front; the vontnd valve in general the „"o;t r, vex, obtuselv earinatod fron, the beak along the muld e u le n .er h If; the dorsal vahe in the «p,,er half often mueh flattene Id i oadly carinated in the middle, sometnnes even y convex. In ™nv ,peei mens the .id=s are ahrnptly con,,,ressed so that r. transverse Te "ion throngh both valves vvonld be somewhat hexagonal n. o, time ¥h beak of he ventral valve >s closely incurved over the nmbo o the dorsal valve. Surface smooth but usually ..th several rongl concentric imbricating ridges of gro»th most strongly developed 'T!;h'?ro:to to three or even four inches, .icUh fron, one •■^^rsr^ettltlrrtiahle species, many of the speei^^^^^^ Th.s »PI'«»' Y „ , „,,i,e others are elongate-oval or snl.- bemg somewha ^ '^ " ;^;^. j.„^„.„,„, ^„„,, „i,„„nt the interme- dS™;. the :;"::: might .eadiU. he classiHed as distinct spce.es. The specimens are seldom found perfect. 60 THE nt:V<)NIAN FOSSILS OF CANADA WEST. Lonilifij find Foni'iition.—M most localities of tlio Devonian rocka in the Cdunty of Ilaldiiiiatid, Oriskany Sandstone, and Corniferous Livncstone. Co//ef,7w«. -E. D Cow. .T. DcCcw. K.Billings. Gdius Pkntamkuus. — (Sowerijy.) Generic l)e,scrij)(i(iii.—ii\\v\\, {>;lobnlar or snb-globnlar, the ventral valve the Ir.i-or, and usually with a prominent, greatly developed umbo. A strong mesial septum in the interior of the ventral valve, supporting: a triauirnlar ehamber beneath the beak. " In the interior of the smaller (or dorsal valve) there are two distinet longitudinal septa, of variable dimensions ; (between which a small median ridge is occasionaly found), to these the socket walls converge and join, forming two more or less developed and inclined plates, to the produced extremities of which were affixed the s]nn\\ cirrated arms." (P.vvid- son, Introduction, p. 08.) This genus ranges from the base of the Trenton Limestone up to the carboniferous rocks. Pentameuus aratus. — (Conrad.) Atrvpa arata and Atuvpa octocostata. — (Conrad.) Annual lieport on the Pulaontnlofjy of New York, p. o.i, 1811. Pkntamicri'S aratus, — (Hall.) Tenth Annual lieport of the Re- gents of the University of the State of Neio York, p. 120, 1857. Fia;. 93. l''K- '•"'• Fiir. 03.— P7. Pig. cfj,— Centronella glans-far/ea. T'lrcc viows of a specimen of the usual size. These figures are too much rounded at the sides. Description.^SheW smooth, ovate or suh-rhomboidal, greatest width about tbe middle, from which point the sides are nearly straight in the upper half, and converge to the beak at an angle of about 85° ; front half rounded, sometimes with a sinus in the front margin. Vent-al valve the larger, its outline forming a nearly regular arch from the beak to the front margin, strongly aad broadly sub-carinate along the middle in the larger individuals, more uniformly convex in the small ones ; beak long, strongly incurved over the dorsal valve, but not in contact therewith. Dorsal valve nearly flat, with a wide, shallow, mesial sinus, which, in some si)eciniens, occupies nearly the whole width of the shell, but 'a others it is almost obsolete, and the 4 if THE DEVONIAN FOSSILS OP CANADA "WEST. 63 Valve is then nearly flat. Length from two to three lines, width about the same. The above description applies to the more common form of this species. Larger individuals from six to eight lines in length are occasionully found, but they do not scein to be so numerous as the smaller ones. In these, tiie dorsal valve is divided along the middle by a narrow, rounded sinus, which extends from the front nearly to the beak ; on each side the shell is convex, sometimes rather strongly tumid. The ventral valve broadly < arinate along the middle. The following figures represent the 1; ^'est specimens that I have seen in different views. Fig. 98. Centronella tumida ? Tliere are some intermediate sizes, but not sufficient to make out a series connecting these large individuals with the smaller. Should these constitute a dist' ict species, I propose to call it C. timida. Locality and formation. — Oriskany Sandstone and Corniferous Limestone, County of Haldimand. Also at Rama's Parm, near Port Colborne. Collectors. — J. De Cevv, E. De Cew, E. Billings. Centronella IIecat". — N, Sp. Centronella Hecate. — a. A specimen with the dorsal valve removed, shewing the loop, which is covered with minute crystals of silex. (/. Ventral view of another specimen. c. side view, d. dorsal view. Description. — Elongate, oval, or sub-rhomboidal ; apical angle from 45° to GO"^ ; sides somewhat straight from the beak to about the mid- dle, where, making a rounded angle, they converge towards the front margin, which is somewhat truncate for about one-third the width. Ventral valve strongly but broadly carinate I'rom the beak along the middle to the front, descending with a flat or gently convex slope to Fig. 99. 64 THE DF.V0N1AN FOSSILS OF CANADA WEST. Fig. 100. the sides; in outline only gently arched longitudinally; in som specimens nearly straight ; the heak small, elongated, erect, and wit i a triangular foramen. Dorsal valve gently convex in the upper half, and with a wide shallow sinus in the lower half. Surface smooth. Length from two to four lines ; width ahout three-thirds the Icr.gth. Localiiy and formation. — Oriskany Sandstone and Corniferous Limestone, County of Haldimand. Collector. — J. De Cew. Charionella Circe. — iV^. Sp. Charionella Circe. — The first figure exhibits a specimen with the dorsal valve partly removed, shewing the internal spires. The other two figures are a side and ventral view of another specimen. Description. — Elongate vate, greatest width a little below the mid- length, above which the sides converge with a nearly straight or gently convex curve to the beak ; apical angle between GO* and 75'' ; front half rounded, sometimes slightly truncate in the middle of the front margin. Both valves moderately and ever' . convex. Ventral valve evenly arched from beak to front ; beak incurved, but not in coniact with the dorsal umbo, truncated by a circular aperture which is formed below by a deltidium ; the sides of the umbo very obtusely sub-angidar for rbout one-sixth of the length of the shell. Dorsal valve not quite so convex as the ventral, most prominent a httle above the mid-length ; the umbo moderately prominent ; the shell narrowed and somewhat pointed towards the beak. Surface nearly smooth. Length of specimen of average size— eight lines ; width six lines ; depth of both valves, four lines ; ditferonee between the length of dorsal and ventral valves, three-fourths of a line. Associated with the above, are s{)ecimens of about the same length, which arc proportionally broader, and with a shallow, mesial sinus extending from the front margin of the ventral valve nearly to the beak. The sides of the umbo or cardinal slopes are more angular, and the ' -sik more ])roniinent. The front margin, instead of being lounded, is straight, or even a little concave in the middle. These THE DEVONIAN FOSSILS OF CANADA WEST. 65 m^y belong to the same species, but more specimens are required to determine this point. Locality and /ormation.^CormfeTom Limestone, County of Haldi- mand. Collector. — J. De Cew. Fig. 101. Fig. 102. Refnarks on the genus Charionella. A siUcified fragment of the dorsal valve of C. Circe a little enlarged, shewing the absence of a regular hinge- plate. A fragment of the ventral valve of 0, scitula ? shewing the deltidium and muscular impressions in part. By treating partially silicifiod specimens of this genus with acids, I have ascertained that the structure of the hinge-plate differs from that of Spirigera in b. vag either obsolete along the middle or anchylosed to the bottom of the valve. In Athyris = (Meristella, Hall) there is a well developed hinge-plate, supported beneath by a strong mesial septum, which extends some- times nearly to the front of the valve. In Charionella there is either no mesial septum, or, one that is merely rudimentary. In one specimen there is a remarkable partition, which runs obliquely from near the beak to the margin near the front. It completely dii-ides the internal cavity into two parts. This I believe to be not a mesial septum, but a temporary wall formed by disc^ase of the animal, be- cause loth spires are crowded into the smaller of the two cavities* the larger being empty. It is probable that further researches will bring to light other char- acters of the hinge-plate in other species, and I do not therefore con- fine the genus to such as have this organ constructed exactly as in C, Circe and C. scitula. The species figured by De Vemeuil under the names of Terebratula, Schuhii, T. Bordii, and T. mucronata, in the Bulletin of the Geolo- gical Society of France, 2nd Series, Vol. VII., Plate 3., rr.ve the asp:;ct of this genus, and exhibit the same structure of the beak, foramen and deltidium of the ventral valve, and most probe.bly have the same internal organization. Genus Strophomena. — (Rafincsque.) Strophomena. — (Rafinesque.) De Blaiuville. Manuel de Mala- cologie, p. 513, PI. 53, fig. 2, 2a, 1825. Davidson. Introduction to the Classification of the Brachiupoda. p. i06. iwl! • fell :#; I 66 THE DEVONIAN FOSSILS OF CANADA WEST. Lept^ena. — Dalman, and many other authors. Lept^na. + Strophomena + Strophodgnta, either wholly or in part, of Hall and American authors. D T a^ R. A C ^ S ^ Tig. 103. Fig. 104i. Pig. WS-— Strophomena meequistriata—Conrsid. Interior of ventral valve; S.S.,— the sides ; M.— the front mu ^in ; C.C— the cardinal an^leij ; the edge of the area from C to is the hinge line; A.— the flat ipace terminating the shell on the straijrht side is the area; B.— the beak ; the small linear ridge beneath the beak is the doltidium ; T.— teeth ; R,— the rostral septum ; D.— the divaricator muscular scar or impression ; O.— the occlusor; V.— the vascular impressions. This figure is drawn as if the shell were flat in order to show all the parts more clearly- "Fig. lOi.— Strophomena demissa.-Conraid. Interior of dorsal valve. P.— the two divarica.- tor processes or levers for opening the valves ; O.— the occlusor muscular impressiors or scars. Generic characters. — Shell, semicircular, semioval, sub-quadrate or sub-triangular, with the hinge line straight ; one valve convex and the other concave ; in a few species both valves nearly flat. Both valves provided with an area, that of the ventral valve usually the larger. Area of ventral valve with a triangular or linear foramen or fissure in the middle beneath the beak, either wholly or partially closed by a deltidium ; in some species no foramen. Area of dorsal valve often with a triangular projection in the middle, caused by the protrusion of the bases of the divaricator processes ; in some species this is absent. Valves articulated together at the hinge line or inner edge of the area, by teeth in the ventral valve, and sockets in the dorsal, the structure of which varies in different species. Surface ornamented with fine or coarse radiating striae or small ribs ; in a few species smooth. On the inner surface of the ventral valve there are two large pyri- form or subtriangular muscular scars or impressions, situated one on each side of the median line and in tbe upper half ot the valve. These are the impressions of the Divaricator muscles or those whose THE DEVONIAN FOSSILS OF CANADA WEST. 67 fHinction it was to open the valves. Between them there are two much smaller scars situated also, one on each side of the median line. These are the mipressions of the Occlusor muscles, or those whose function It was to close the valves. On comparison it will be seen that the arrangement of the scars in the ventral valve is in a g'^neral way the same as in Athyri, and Sphigera. It is nearly the same in Orthis, Chonetes, Producta, Atrypa, Spin/era, and ni most other genera of Brachiopoda. In some species, but not in all, the cavity within the beak and umbo of the ventral valve is divided into two compartments, by a vertical ridge or septum. This I propose to call the Rostral Septum. It varies greatly in size, and is often absent altogether. It cannot there- fore be regarded as an organ of generic importance. In the interior of the dorsal valve there are four small scars arranged in two pairs, one pair on each side of the median line. These are the Occlusors corresponding to those of the ventral valve. In this valve the divaricators were attached to two small processes situated close to the hinge-line. (See fig. 104, P.) These are notched at their extre- m^ities, and grooved on the outside, or side next the area. These I propose to call the Divaricator Processes ; their function was to open or divaricate the valves ; the mechanical principal upon which they operated was simply that of the lever. This will be more clearly understood by consulting Fig. 105. Fig. 105 Fig. 105.-A longitudinal section through both valves of a Strophomena from the beak to the front margin j the dorsal valve uppermost. M.-the front margin ; A.-the area of the ventral valve; S.-the socket in the dorsal valve for the reception of the teeth of tho ventral vaivej P.-the Divaricator Process (or lever); D.-the Divaricator Muscle- O — the Occlusor. It is evident that by the contraction of the Divaricator muscle the extremity of the process P must be drawn towards the jmint D, and thus the dorsal valve must turn on the hinge at S, (as a door turns on its hinges.) By this movement of course the valves were separated at tho front margin M. By the contraction of the Occlusor O the valves were drawn together. It appears that in most of the Palaosoic genera of Brachiopoda the muscular apparatus consisted of these two sets of muscles, but a little modified in different groups. In Strop/iomena the form of the scars and their distinctness varies to some extent in diff-rent species, but their arrangement is in a general way the same in all. 68 THE DEVONIAN FOSSILS OF CANADA WEST. iiili In addition to the muscular scars, the inner surface of many species exhibits numerous radiating branching channels, usually most distinct near the margin. These are the impressions of the vessels of the vascular system. We shall now notice more particularly some of the variations exhibited by the parts above mentioned in connection with the following proposed genus. Genus Strophodonta. — (Hall.) In 1847, Mr. Sharpe pointed out that in Strophomena demissa there was no foramen, and says : "It will probably be found to indicate a distinct genus, as it must be accompanied with a peculiar internal arrangement. Until this can be ascertained this species may remain in LeptcBna, the genus to which it is most closely related."* In 1849, Professor Hall proposed his genus Strophodonta (giving S. demissa as the type) founding it on the characters pointed out by Sharpe, and adding thereto the following remarks on the interior : " In the interior there are no dental lamellte margining or surrounding the muscular impressions, which are spread out over a considerable surface in the dorsal valve, shewing partially a double or bilateral arrangement. In the ventral valve there is some indication of a limitation, or marginal elevation, to the muscular impression, but the character is quite distinct from the same in Leptcena.'^f In 1852, Prof. Hall redescribed the genus, founding it upon the striated area and closed foramen, but gave no internal characters, except, " Muscular impression somewhat bilateral." ij; In 18.58, Professor Hall, in the Geology of Iowa published the follovtfing more detailed description of the internal characters : " In the ventral valve ibe teeth are much reduced or nearly obsolete, a central more or less prominent bilobcd process usually occupying the centre of the area in place of the triangular fissure of Strophomena. Muscular impressions strongly marked, semielliptical or subreniform, separated in the middle by a depressed line, and sometimes margined by a semicircular ridge, which is an extension of the lamellae from either side. Vascular impressions foliate or flabellate, extending beyond the areas towards the base of the shell. " Dorsal valve with the muscular and vascular impressions strongly marked ; cardinal process bifurcate from the huse, with each branch bilobed at the extre- mity, by which it is articulated to procetses beneath the area of the opposite valve, receiving between its forks the carVuial process of the opposite or ventral valve, * SiiARFE, in Quar. Jour. (leol. iSociety, Vol C, p. i72. t Haix In Proc. Am. Ass. ISaO, p. 34S. t Pal. N.Y. Vol. 2. p. 63. THE DEVONIAN FOSSILS OF CANADA WEHT. 60 which is bilobed or grooved for the passage of the peduncle. Entire interior flurface papillose. "* I hold th it the above is simply a description of the internal char- acters of the genus Strophomena with the exception of the passage that I have put in italics, which contains a statement decidedly incor- rect. We have a number of specimens of S. demissa, S. incequistri- ata and (S. ampla, showing clearly the inside of the area of the ven- tral valve, and there are no such processes as those mentioned by Prof. Hall. It is also evident that if the Divaricator processes were as he says — articulated to processes beneath the area of the ventral valve — the shell could not be opened at all. The notch and groove in the Divaricator levers are simply the scars or marks of the attach- ment of the muscle. The divaricator processes i. e. the (*• cardinal process bifurcate from the basp'^) occur in all species of Strophomena, and are not pecuhar ti. those which he has placed in his genus Strophodonta. They vary a good deal in their form in different species. The most ancient species in which I have seen them is S. filitexta. The fol- lowing Fig. 106 represents their form in this species, and it will be seen that they differ only specifically from those of S, demissa. rig. 106. Fig. 107. Fig. 106. S, filitexta. a Divaricator processes, front view, h Viewed from the outside, shewing the groove. The specimen is from the Black River Limestone, s. The dental sockets. Fig. 107. S. demissa. Copied from Geology of Iowa, PI. 3, fig. 5. c— Divaricator processes, front view, rf— The same viewed from the outside. The s])ccimen of »S. filitexta, from which the above fig. lOG was drawn, does not show the occlusor muscular scars, and in fact the interior of the dorsal valve is rarely so preserved as to shew them. In S. rhomboidalis and S. Philomela, the divaricator processes consist of two short ridges, abruptly terminated on the side of the area, their extremities not elevated above the surface of the shell, and if the length of the processes were of generic importance, then these ♦ Hali.. Geology of Iowr, Vol. L, Part 8. p. 491. ' f 70 THE DEVONIAN FOSSILS OF CANAD;* WEST. two species would belong to a genus distinct from S. filitexta and S. demissa. As to the muscular impressions, the following figures will show that, although they are subject to considerable modifications of form, their arrangement does not vary. Fi?- 108. Fig. 109. Fig. 110. Fig. lOS.-Roprpsents tho muscular scars in aspecimen of a species closely allied to, if not identical with ,S'. alternata. It is from the Black River Limestone, Pallideau Islands Lake Huron. The scars are deep, and well defined. O.-tho occlusors. D.-tho divari- caters. T.— tho teeth. Fig. 109.— S. alternata. Hudson River group. The scars nr ' well deflued. Pig. 110.— (S. Philomela. Middle Silurian. The scars well defined. R.— the rostral septum, rudimentary. O.— occlusors. D.— Divaricators. When these are compared with Fig. 103, it will be seen that, although there is some difference in form, the arrangement of the muscular apparatus is the same, i, e., the divaricators outside, and the occlusors between them. The same rule holds good with respect to the occlusors. In all the species (in which they have been observed) they are arranged in two pairs, one pair on each side the mJiaa line, and yet they diifer in form according to the species. Even in different individuals in the same species they differ. Thus Fig. lO; differs from 104. Both of the figures differ from that given by Davidson in the Geologist, Vol. 2., pi. 4, fig, 1-5, which was drawn from a specimen procured from Prof. Hall, and all of them differ from a specimen in my possession — from the Hamilton Shales of New York. With respect to the foramen, the specimens in our collection, and the figures given by various authors, show that there has been a gradual change in the size of the orifice. 1. — SiLuuiAN. Most of the species with the foramen large, its width greater than the height. Ex.~S. alternata, S. filitexta, tS. planoconvexa, &c. 2— Devo IAN. Most of the species with the foramen very narrow, sometimes reduced to a mere line across the area of tlie ventral THE DEVONIAN FOSSILS OF CANADA WEST. 71 Ex. — S. inaquiatriata, S. amplay valve, and in 8om«; entirely absent. S. demissa. In comparing the fine series in our collection (embracing species from every formation, from rocks holding Primordial Trilobites up to the Corniferous), and also the figures given by Barrande, De Verneuil, Davidson, Hall, and others, it is clear that in the size of the foramen there is every shade of gradation from an aperture two lines wide down to nothing. I hold, therefore, that the size of the foramen is too variable to be of value as a generic character. The same gradation occurs also in the extent to wnich the hinge line is crenulated. 1.— Lower Silurian.— Most of the species with the hinge-line and teeth smooth. 2.— Middle and Upper Silurian.— Most of the species with the teeth or a small portion of the hinge-line next the foramen striated. Ex. /?. Leda. S. Philomela. S. euglypha, SfC. 3. — Devonian.— Most of the species with a large portion or nearly the whole of the hinge-line striated. The striation of the area appears to have kept pace with the diminution of the foramen ; the one gradually increasing from the Silurian upwards to the Devonian and the other as gradually diminish- ing. The striated hinge-line and area is not peculiar to Strophomena. Leptana transversalis and Chonetes hemispherica exhibit the same character, although most other species of these two genera do not. For the above reasons and also because there is no difference in the form of the shell, I hold that the genus Strophodonta is quite super- fluous. Number of species of Strophomena. On examining the various Reports ot the Geological Surveys of the neighbouring States, I find that seventy-three species have been named as occurring in the Upper Silurian and Devonian Formations of these countries. According to my view, this number must be greatly reduced. I do not think there can be more than twelve or fifteen. In Canada West I can only recognize nine species in the Oriskany Sandstone, Corniferous Limestone and Hamilton group, and three of these, S. magnifica, S. magniventra and S. Pa.tferso?ii, may be only varieties, the first two of S. perplana and the last of S. iruEquistriata, 72 THE DEVON-4N FOSSILS OF CANADA WK8T. Strophomena rhomdoidalis. — (Wahlenburg). LEPTrN\ DEPRESSA -|- StROPHOMENA DEPRESSA + LEPT.4CNA RUGosA + Strophomena rugosa + Lept^na tenuistria- TA? + PRODUCTA DEPRESSA + P. ANALOUA, &C. Either wholly or in part, of the generality of authors.* FiK- 111. PiK- 112. Fig. in.— Strophomena rhomboidalis, with the front straiglit. Fig. 112.— The 8ame with rounded front. Description.— BhomhoiM or irregularly semi-oval, widest on the hinge-line, occasionally somewhat square: visceral disc strongly corrugated by from nine to fifteen deep undulating concentric wrin- kles ; both valves abruptly bent at one-half or two-thirds the length to form a broad margin deflected towards the dorsal side. In the ventral or convex valve the disc is nearly flat, but with a small portion in front of the beak gently tumid. The curvature of the dorsal valve conforms very nearly to that of the ventral. Area of ventral valve narrow, seldom exceeding half a line in width ; the dorsal area still narrower ; the two areas inclined towards each other at an angle which varies from 30^ to 60°. Foramen of ventral valve large, triangular, wider than high, partly filled by the two projecting extre- mities of the divaricator processes of the dorsal valve. Surface covered with fine crowded striae of a nearly equal size throughout, five or six in the width of one line. In the interior of the ventral valve the muscular impressions occupy a subcircular cavity which is about one-third the length of the valve and is bordered by an angular slightly elevated margin. The divari- ♦ Prof. Hall is desirous of having this species called S. rmjosa, and says that he lias seen specimens of it labelled under that name in Ralinesque's hand-writing. But according to the laws of scientific nomenclature, manuscript names cannot be recognized at all. The first published specific name is {rhomboidalis), and this must be retained. The figure of S. rugosa, published by De Blainville as the typo of the genus, in 1825, in the Manuel de Malacologie, certainly does not represent this species. THE DEVONIAN FOSSILS OF CANADA WEST. 78 cators are situated one on each side, and the occlusors (seldom well defined) between them. The form of these scars appears to be at first sight somewhat different from that of S. incequistriata but ou a little examination it will be seen that the general arrangement is the same and the form only specifically different. On each side of the foramen is a single short tooth. In the interior of the dorsal valve the divaricator processes consist of two short elevated ridges terminating abruptly just over the area, their extremities not elevated, and free as they are in S. demissa. They are separated in some specimens (but not in all) by a deep oval pit. On each side is seen a small oblique socket or pit for the recep- tion of the tooth of the opposite valve. Just in front of the divari- cator ridge? are the two small scars of tho occlusor muscles, each scar divided into two by an oblique ridge not often well developed, but distinctly seen in a beautiful specimen now before me. These scars are small, each pair occupying a space only one line in length and breadth in a specimen one inch wide. The two pairs of scars are separated by a low mesial ridge, which in some specimens becomes a thin elevated septum towards the front of the shell. The vascular impressions are only well marked round the margin. Width from one-inch to one-inch and a-half ; length about one- third less than the width. Specimens two inches wide sometimes occur. JJi)iities.— This wonderful species has no near relatives in the Devonian rocks. By the form and structure of its foramen, divari- cator processes and muscular impressions, it is clearly a Lower Silurian type belonging to tho group, which includes S. alternata, and its varieties S. deltoidea and S. tenuistriata (P"l., N. Y., Vol. 1). It C'.)!amenced its existence just at the close of the Lower Silurian period, or perhaps a little earlier, and lived on, with scarcely nay change through the immeasurable ages of the Middle and Upper Silurian and Devonian, and even until the Carboniferous was well advanced. Locality and formation. — Occurs at nearly all the localities of the Oriskany Sandstone, Corniferous Limestone and Hamilton group in Canada West. Also in all the older formations down to the top of the Hudson River g. jup. Collectors.— K. Murray, E. Billings, J. De Cew, E. De Cew, Judge Wells, Chatham, Wm. Saunders, Loudon. 74 THE DEVONIAN FOS8ILS OF CANADA WEST. i Strophomena iNffitiuisTRiATA.— (Conrad.) Strgi'HOMena in(equistkiata —Conrad. Journal of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia Vol. 8. p 254. PI. 14, fig. 2, 1H;}9. Also compare the descriptions and figures in the same work of S. ( redristhiata ; S varistuiata ; S. recti- LATERis and S. imi'ressa.— Conrad. Also, S. varistriata; and S. varistriata, var. arata.— Hall. Pal. N. Y. Vol. 3 p. 180, 184. Also the following in the 10th Ann. Rep. Regents N. Y. Univ., S. iNfEQUiRADiATA .; S. TEXETiLis and S. conca^ . —Hall. Fig. 113. Fig. m.~Stroj>lxomena in^quisfriata.-YGntra] ^im of one of tlie forms of this species 0., longitudinal section. Description.— Serui-ciYcu\av, semi-oval, or sub-triangular, width on hmge-line varying from one to three inches; length from two-thirds to seven-eighths of the width ; cardinal angles compressed, forming rounded o.- acute ears which are more or less extended. Ventral valve varying greatly in the amount and in the form of its convexity ; usually with the visceral disc depressed convex and the margin all round abruptly curved down for one-third or one-half the whole length of the shell ; sometimes the shell uniformly arched from beak to front ; the umbo often so greatly developed as to overhang the hinge- line and bring the area under the body of the shell ; in other speci- mens the convexity of the umbo is continued along the middle to the front, producing a broad mesial carinatiou ; in many the front is greatly produced in a gradual slope iTom the anterior margin of the disc, and occasionally we find si)ecimens with the front margin so much curved as to be to some extent inrolled under the shell; in all the umbo is more or less prominent, tiiere being a somewhat flat or depressed sub-concave space of greater or less extent on each side THE DEVONIAN FOSSILS OF CANADA WEST. 75 extending to ti.e cardinal angles. The dorsal valve is usually not so mwcv curved as the ventral, thus leaving a comparatively large space fo) Uie animal. .any Corniferous and Hamilton rocks. I think, also, that S. magniiica of Hall is only a large variety of this species. Locality and Formation.— Ox\s\?iny Sandstone, Corniferous Lime- stone, in County of Haldimand. Hamilton Shales, Township of Bosanquet. Collector! .—E. De Cew, J. De Cew, E. Billings. StROPHOMENA LEPIDA. — (Hall). Strophodonta LEPIDA.— (Hall). Geology of Iowa. Vol. I part 2, p. 493. PI. 3, figs. 3«, 34, 3c. 18.58. Compare S. nacrea.— (Hall). Tenth Annual Report of the Regents of the New York University, p. 144. Also, S. lepis.— (Bronn). Lethmi geognostiea, 3rd edition. Vol. I., p. 30/ . Atlas. PI. 2 figs, r, a, b, c. Description.— ^hdl small, smooth or scaly, no radiating striae, about three-fourths of an inch wide, half an inch long, sub-semicir- THE DEVONIAN FOSSILS OP CANADA WEST. 81 cul.r or sub-quadrate, usually rouuded in front, cardinal angles either rounded or .uncuiate. Ventral valve ratheruniformlv convex, cardi^a angles compressed, rarely preserved, but when they are a littl reflected. Dorsal valve concave. Area of ventral valve h If a 1 „e mde lyne „, the plane of the lateral margin ; „hen perfect, longitu- dmally s trtated. or nearly sn.ooth ; when a little worn, showing obscure Ihe " tf'f lu'' °' ,*' "^ "™'=''- A'™ of 'I"-' valve h the wdth of the ventral, with a row of small tubercles on the outer edge, and a corresponding row of small pits on the inside. \o fora- men. * " Internal surface of dorsal valve covered with small tubercl.s, .suallv about half a ,„e apart; occlusor scars (in a specimen nine lines w.de) suuated one line from the hinge, each scar longitudinally divided by three elongated tubercles ; one line below each scar there IS a promnuMit oval tubercle ; ludf way between these are two others onthen.edmn Ime. The divaricator processes are two short stout projection.s^ with their extremities notched, and the upper side grooved. I have not seen tlio interior of the ventral valve This si)ecies is probably only a variety of S. hpis, Bro>in, of the Devonian rocks of Europe. It is easily recognized by its surfac'e, which IS destitute of radiating stria;. Locality and Formaiion.-Cormferom Limestone, County of Hal- dimand. Township of Bosanquet, in the Hamilton Shales Collector^.^E. De Cew, J. De Cew. J. Richardson. Strofhomena ampla.— (Hall.) Strophomena AMi.LA.-Hall. Tenth Annual Report of the Regents oj the Lmversity of the State of New York, p. 112, 1857. Compare S. PUNcruLiFERA.-Conrad, S. HEADLEyiNA—Hall S CAVUMBONA.-Hall, S. LEATEN.VORTHANA.-Hall, and S. GENlCu' LATA.— Hall, all in the 3rd Vol. of the Palaeontology of New York Bescription.~^h.\\, large ; from two to three inches wide on the lunge hue ; length from two-thirds to four-fifths the width j ventral valve concave, with a gentle convexity in the region of the umbo • often with a wide rounded mesial ridge, extend.;ng from the beak to the front margin. Dorsal valve convex, with a large, flat or gently concave space just in front of the beak ; sometimes with a shallow rounded mesial sinus extending from beak to front. Area of ventral valve varying from one to three lines in width at the beak; varying e 82 THK DEVONIAN FOSSILS OF CANADA WESST. Tli. MO. Fisr. 110— STKOPHOMnlTA AMPLA.— Ffall. Dorsal Valve. also in the anoimt of its inclination to the plane of the latefdl margin from 90« to 120*' ; obliquely striated for one-third or one-half theVlistance between the foramen and the cardinal angles. Area of dorsal valve smaller than the ventral, of nearly a uniform width throughout, usually about half a line wide. Foramen small, linear closed, one-third of a line in width. From the point where the striation is discontinued the edge of the area of the ventral valve has a distinct narrow groove extending to the cardinal angle. Surface with moderately fine, somewhat equal, sh,irp, irregular strise, which bifurcate several times before reaching the margin ; the number also increasing by interstitial addition ; crossed by small concentric striae, which are usually more distinct in the spaces between the ra- diating stria.'. The radiating ridges are sometimes of a uniform si^e all over the shell, six to eight in the width of two lines ; in others larger near the beak than towards the margin, diminishing in size from three or four in two lines at the 1)eak, to six or eight in the same w:'dth at tlie margin. The surface characters are "ery variable within a small limit, but the general aspect is that of a sharp or angular somewhat rugose striation. When the shell is partially exfoliated, it is seen to be perforated along the bottom of the grooves between the radiating ridges by small circular o: oval pores, of wliich tliere are from two to seven in the length of one line. These are indicated on THE DEVONIAN FOSSILS OF CANADA WEST. 83 the inner surface of the shell by irregular rows of sn^all tubercles. It I probable that when perfect the surface is always covered with small spines, as seen in the following figure. Fig, 120. LimesS. \tXy'^lT:i!:::^ '""■""" '^"^•^'-^^ ^"'''^^ *'""-• '-- *'- Comirerou, tudinal section. *''" "'"' "'"^ '"••'""'^" ' ^'^^ '"f* hand figure, the longi- In the specimen above figured the spines are seated upon the crests of the radiating ndges. They are about two-thirds of a line in length, Ightly curved, and appear to be tubular. They do not seem to have any connection with the pores of the shell, as these are situated, not on the radiutnig ndges, but in the grooves between them. In the interior of the ventral valve the muscular scars have very nearly the roTdVr Tl" / ^:"'^^-'^^^^«'^' --r^ t^-t they are pro'portionany con ave lol^ """''" "' '''''''' ^"^^ ^^^ ^ «- longitudinal en In " " " '' ""'^ ^ '''' ^^ ^^^^'^^^'^ border. The rostral The I : " 7^^P--;-^' rudimentary, in others, well developed. tuber Tl r ; ""''" '^^P"" ^^ ^^ ^^--'^ -th small tubercles. These leave punctures in the cast of the interior. I have only partly seen the interior of th. dorsal valve. The diva- ncator processes resemble those cf S. demiss't or ff aTsl"'' r^"'''^^--Thi« species has in general a semicircular In In Te!"' ""'"? '"^ '^ ""^'"^^ "^^^^^^^^^ ^^^ ^-"S^^- va r.r. ^"""""^ '"""^^ '^" ^'^'^"^- The form of the cur- ^ature of the valves is subject to innumerable modifications ; the only constant curves being the general ones above stated. I think all the specimens in our collection from the Oriskany Sandstone, Corniferous n«^^ iMMii 84 THE DEVONIAN FOSSILS OF CANADA WEST. Limestone, and Hamilton Group, constitute but one species. The only variation that could be regarded as of specific importance are those of the area of the ventral valve above mentioned. In four of our specimens it forms a right angle to the plane of the lateral mar- gin. In several others it forms an angle of about 120'"^, and taking these extremes it might well be thought that there are two species. But we have one fine specimen in which the angle is about 100°. I therefore think that this is not a variation of specific value. In all the more general characters this species is precisely identical with S. punctulifera, (Conrad) and those allied therewith, which I have cited above from the 3rd vol. of the Pal. N. Y. The corniferous specimens are, upon an average, larger than those figured by Prof. Hall from the Lower Ilelderberg. This, however, of itself would not be of specific value. The only doubt I have as to the identity of this species with S. punctiilifera rests upon the characters of the foramen of this latter. It is (at the time of writing this) not figured, but Prof. Hall thus describes it : " Foramen nearly closed, with a narrow prominent callosity ulony the centre.'" In S. cainimbona, he says, " Foramen small, narrow, closed by a callosity." In .S'. Head- leyana, " Foramen narrow, closed." In S. Leavenworthana, ''Fora- men small, triangular, closed in full grown individuals." As there thus appears to be some diiference, I strongly suspect that a series might be made out showing a gradation in the size of the aperture in all the above named species. In such poor specimens of the Lower Helderberg species as I have before me, the foramen cannot be observed at all. The surface characters and the form seems to me to be the same, and for the present it should be left an open question wliether or not S. ampla is distinct from S. jyunctulifera. Locality and Formation. — County of Haldimand, in the Oriskany Sandstone and Corniferous Limestone, Township of Bosanquet, in Hamilton Group. Collectors.— A Murray, J. De Cew, E. De Cew, E. Billings. Strophomena magnit'ICA. — (Hall). This is a large, nearly flat species, three or four inches wide, resembles S. perplana. Our specimens are all very imperfect, occurs in the Oriskany Sandstone, County of Haldimand. It It ■Hi THE DEVONIAN FOSSILS OF CANADA WEST. ^5 Strophomena magniventra.— (Hall). Of this species, I have only seen some fragments, shewing casts of he area o the ventral valve and muscular fmpressions. It apn LrJ re^t:;r^^" '' ' --^- -' — - ^-^^^^ The specimens of these two species in our possession agree exactly with Professor Hall's figures. I am endeavouring to prfcu e ma ^"^ lals to illustrate them properly. ^ Genus Chonetes.— (Fischer). This genu, differs from Sln.piomena in some internal elmracter., wh ch cannot be very well deseribed withont the aid of good illnstra: tions. The shells are ni general „n,ch smaller than those ofS^.oMo- ««<».• they are more evenly striated, and the ear.linal edge of the ventral valve nsually displays a row of sn.all slender spines, whieU heeome gradnally longer towards the angles. The area and foramen are s,mdar to those of Strapl.o,»e»„, as are also (very nearly) Z mnscu lar .mpressions and divariea.or proeess of the dorsal valve. The v„ ves arfeulate by teeth and soekets, and in one speeies (C. hemapher,ca) the area of the ventral valve is striated. Between twenty-five and thirty speeies have been described as oceurrn,g n, the Devonian rooks in the neighbonring States, and it is no^forrn that has ., been nan.ed. At present, I ean identify only Chonetes hem ispherica.— (Hall) ^Trr '™T"'"'''" ^ ""■ ^'^^^'^^'^-Hall. Tenth Annual lieport of the llegents of tho Univernty of New York, p. Ilfi-li;. Fig. 121 Fig. 122. Fig 123. ^'S th^^2ntv.;^'''f '"'r''"''"^'" ''"'^ '''' largest specimen seen.' Fig. 122.-View Mte 86 THE DEVONIAN FOSSILS OF CANADA WEST. Description. — This species resembles in shape some of the forms of S. inaqnistriata, but it can always be distinguished therefrom by the surface, which is covered with fii • crowded, rounded or sub-angular striae of an uniform size, from eigh to ten in the width of one-fifth of an inch, presenting that even aspect peculiar to the genus chonetes, and rarely exhibited by species of Sirophomena. The ventral valve is usually extremely convex, most prominent in the upper half ; the umbo large — obtusely rounded, overhanging the hinge line ; the cardinal angles compressed, reflected, forming short projecting scars ; on the cardinal edge from five to eight small spines, rarely preserved, their bases only being visible. Area of ventral valve, in old specimens, owing to the extreme incurvation of the car- dinal portion of the shell, inverted or brought under the body of the shell at right angles to the plane of the margin ; in young specimens not so much inverted ; its width about half a line, or a little more ; obliquely striated, the striae most distinct at the hinge line. Area of dorsal valve, very narrow— almost linear, the inner edge with a row of small pits for the reception of the serrated teeth of the opposite valve. The width of this species is usually about one-inch on the hinge- line but it sometimes attains the size of one-inch and a half. Length equal to, or one-third less than the length. The dorsal valve is seldom found, although the ventral valve is somewhat comii;on. Of the former I have seen only two fragments, consisting of the hinge-line and a portion of the shell. One of these was in its natural connection with the ventral valve, and being silici- fied came away on immersion in acid ; the divaricator processes are united at the base and separated above by a narrow fissure ; they are grooved on the outside, the grooves converging towards the hinge- line so that when viewed from the side of the area they have the appearance of four small radiating ridges. The muscular impressions and foramen have not been observed by me. The triangular opening in the area represented by Fig. 121, may be the foramen, but it seems to me to be a fracture. Prof. Hall describes two species differing from each other in the size of the striae ; in C. arcvata, " sixteen occupying the space of one-fifth of an inch, while only one-half that number can be counted in the same space on C. hemisphericar ( lOth Regents, Rep., p. 1 1 7). Our specimens agree with the latter. THK UKVONIAN FOSSILS OF CANADA WEST. 87 erous Locality and /.m«^/.«.-Oriskany Sandstone and Cor.nf Limestone, Connty of Haldimund. Collectors,-^, Murray ; E. Billings ; E. Do Cevv and J. De Cew. Other Species of Chonetks and Producta Q u^ w. Fig. 124. Fig. 123. Fig. I21.-Tw(, Mpocics of Chonetes undetprmiiiod. y25.-Producea. A small uiidetermiiiecl species. a.-Side view valve. 'v.— View of ventral Besides Chonktes hemispherica there are three or four other small speeies of the genus in the Corniferous Limestone and Hamil- ton Group ,n Canada West, but in the present condition of the literature of American Palaeontology I cannot determine them. The student IS referred to N. Y. Regents' Reports. Fig. 124 reprosents two species, one with the spines directed obliquely outwards and in the other erect. They are both from the Hamilton Group. In the Cormferons Limestone we have also two small species of Producta. One of these (Fig. 125) is covered with nodular radia- ting ribs. Ihe other is about the same size as the above but with a smooth tubercular surface. Genus Leitoccelia ? Hall. This genus as described by Professor Hall in the 12th Annual Report of the Regents, published in October or November 1859, seems to differ from ^entronella only in consisting of species whir^- lave the surface ribbed instead of smooth. Professor Hall dates h.s genus lo!^ « \ T ""^ description was published until the issue of the 12th Regents Report and therefore should it be the same as Centm. nella it cannot bo retained, as the latter has the priority. For the z:::Jr:^r ' ^'^^^™"^' -^^ '--^ -- ^^^ ^---^ Leptoccelia? flabellites. (Conrad.) Atvrpa ^j^ABELLiTES. (Courad.) Annual Report on th Paleonto- logy of New York lor 1.S4], p. 55. LePTOCCL'LIA propria -j- L. FIMHKIATA 4- T t^. . Tr V -r xj. MMUKIATA + L. DlCiiOTOMA. — Hall. 'n various works. ' .MAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT.3) Y /, ^ {/ ^ ^\%^ mic :/. 4 ^ PW ^V. <^ yy /A 1.0 !ffia IIIIM I.I ill 1^ m ^ 1^ Illll2.n 11:25 1111.4 nl X i_i_ riiUlUgiclplUL' Sciences Corporation .8 1.6 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, NY. 14S80 (716) 872-4503 4 ;V ■.- 4 .''i^ 6^ 'J vV-S^ ^ R? M 88 THE DEVONIAN FOSSILS OF CANADA WES^. Fig. 126. Fig. Vlfi.—Leptoccelia Jlabellites.—'DoraBi and sido views. Description. — Shell semi-ellipiical, or sub-circular, or transversely- oval. Dorsal valve 'nearly flat, with from ten to fourteen rounded or sub-angular rib?, one or two of which., in the middle, are usually separated from those on each side by grooves deeper and wider than the others and sometimes depressed so as to give the appearance of a mesial sinus ; hinge-line either nearly straight or with the portions on each side of the beak forming an obtuse angle seldom so acute as 150°. Ventral valve moderately convex, often carinate along the middle, beak small, pointed, incurved down to the dorsal area ; ribbed like the opposite valve. Width from six to ten lines. Length a little less than the width. Locality and Formation. — Oriskany Sandstone and Corniferous Limestone, County of Haldmand, Canada West, also in prodigious numbers in the Oriskany Sandstone at Gaspe, Canada East. Collectors. — A. Murray ; E, Billings ; E. De Cew ; J. De Cew, in Canada West. Sir W. E. Logan ; J. Richardson ; R. Bell, Gaspe. Leptoccelia concava. Hall. Pig. 127. Fig. 127. — Leptoccelia concava. Ventral, dorsal and side views. Description. — Ovate or neany circular; length three or four lines; width equal to, or a little less than the length. Ventral valve convex sub-carinate along the middle. Dorsal valve flat or often concave. Surface with from ten to fourteen rounded radiating ribs. This species closely resembles the L. Jiaheliltes but is never more than half the lenjjth or width. On comparison with specimens of L. concava from the Lower Heldcrberg of New York, I find so little difference that I do not see how those of the Corniferous Limestone are to be separated. In several the dorsal valve is not so deeply concave as it is in those from the lower rock, but in others it is. The THE DEVONIAN FOSSILS OF CANADA WEST. 89 ribs are also in general coarser, but occasionally specimens with fine bifurcating ridges are found exactly like those from the shaly lime- stone of the Helderberg mountains. Locality and Formation. — Oriskany Sandstone and Corniferous Limestone, County of Haldimand. Collectors — E. Billings ; E. De Cew ; J. De Cew. liAMELLiBRANCHiATA. — (Blainville.) In tho Oriskany Sandstone, Corniferous Lfmestone, and Hamilton Group of Canada West, we find about twenty species of lamellibran- chiate mollusca, mostly in a bad state of prescr^^ation. These with several exceptions must remain for future examination. I shall only notice the following at present : Genus Cyrtodonta.— (Billings,) 1858. CvpiucARniTEs.— Conrad. Annual Report on the Paleontology of New York, 1841, p. 51. Megalomus.— Hall. Pal. N. T. Vol. 2, p. 243. 1852. Not characterized. Cyrtodonta. —Billings. Report of the Geological Survey of Canada, 1858, p. 179. Sub-genus Vanuxemia, p. 189. Pal^arca + Megambonia — Hall. Twelfth Annual Report of the Regents of the University of New York, 1859, p. 10-13. Also Cyi'ricardinia ?— Hall. Pal. N. Y. Vol. 3, p. 2(iG. Not characterized. lu part. Also Pal.'earca and Megambonia in same work. 1861 . Generic characters.— 'EqvawXxe, inequilateral ; umbones near the anterior end ; general form ol)liqnely tumid, transversely sub-rhom- boidul, ovate or sub-cordiform ; ])osterior extremity larger than the anterior, which latter is often reduced to a small auriculate projection in front of the umbones ; two muscular impressions, of which the posterior is superficial, and the anterior sometimes deeply excavated ; several linear anterior teeth crossing the hinge plate, backwards and obliquely downwards, usually curved and in some species striated, situated either beneath or a little in front of the umbones ; posterior teeth situated at or near the extremity of the hinge liiic, usually from two to five, elongate ; pallial line simple; some of the fpecies with a narrow area between or behind the beaks. 90 THE DEVONIAN FOSSILS OF CANADA WEST. History of the Genus. The somewhat numerous species which belong to this genus, have been variously distributed and shifted about among the genera Amhonychia, Cardiomorpha, Edmondia, Modlola, Modiolopsis, Megam- bonia, Palcearca, Cypricardinia, Mega/omus, and Cypricardites in a very remarkable manner. Conrad, the first Palaeontologist of the New York Survey, placed all the spccios, (twenty-three in number) described by him in a single genus, and I think that the many changes made by his successor in office, have not been productive of a'ay improvement on that simple arrangement. The following are a few of the facts : In the fifth Annual Report on the Palaeontology of New York, Conrad, in 1841, characterized his genus Cypricardites and described sixteen species from the Silurian and Devonian rocks of the State. He did not give any illustrations, but it now appears that he prepared a figure, (shewing the characters of the hinge,) which, however, remained in Professor Hall's hands eighteen years without publication. In thv; 8th volume of the Journal of the Academy of Natural Sciences, Conrad described seven other species from the Devonian rocks of New York. These are all figured. In 1847, Protessor Hall suppressed the genus Cypricardites and substituted his own genus Modiolopsis, in which he placed all Con- rad's Lower Silurian species. The following are his remarks in a note at the foot of p. 157, Vol. 1. Pal. N. Y. " I find myself compelled to abandon the use of the name Cypricardites, as applied to shells differing so widely as these do from Cvpricardia, and belonging apparently to the Monomvaria and Dimvania. So far as it is possible to ascertain, none of the species of the older strata possess two muscular impressions, and therefore do not strictly fall under tb 3 genus Cypricardites of Conuad, (Ann. Geol. Report, 1841, p. 51-)" The principle upon which the above decision was given, is perfectly correct. It is one of the established laws of nomenclature that a name which involves a zoological error (such as referring a genus to the wrong place in the system of classification) should be excluded. The reasons given by Professor Hall for bringing Cypricardites within the operation of this law arc not so well foimded, because both Modiolopsis and Cypricardites have two muscular impressions. The correct reason is that the name implies a close relationship to the recent genus Cypricardia, which belong to the family Cvpkinid^ THE DEVONIAN FOSSILS OF CANADA WEST. 91 while the species in question constitute a group in the family Arcadce. No Conchologist would think of admitting such a name as Cypricarditea among the Arcad^e.* In 1858, I published the genus Cyrtodonta and its sub-genus Vanuxemia, and illustrated them fully by figures shewing the internal characters of several species. (See my Report for 1 858.) About the same time Professor Hall described the same genus under the names of PalcEarca and Megambonia the latter being identical with my sub- genus Vanuxemia. His descriptions were (as he says) printed in 1858, in the 3rd volume of the Palaeontology of New York. At the foot of page 2/0 of that work the reader will find a note on the genus Cypricardites which shews very clearly that at the time the author had his new genera under consideration, Conrad's genus was also receiving some attention as it had on several previous occasions. When my Report was published, Professor Hall seeing that his genus PaUearca was too late, resolved if possible to revive Cypricardues for the purpose of suppressing Cyrtodonta. He there- fore issued a small pamphlet of 18 pages, (being part of the 12th Ann. Rep. of the N. Y. Regents, in which he gives his descriptions, and in addition thereto a note pointing out the identity of Cypricardites and containing Conrad's figure. This probably appeared in May or June 1859, as it is noticed in the July No. of Silliman's Journal of that year. In 1860, the .'kd Vol. of the Pal. N. Y., was published, but without the plates. On page 523 of that work, I find the follow- ing statement : "At the time that my examinations and descriptions of Pala:arca were made (in ISST,) I had overlooked the genus Cyi-ricardites of Conrad, which was published in the Annual Geological Report for 1841. The description and figure correspond so nearly with the fossils which I have described that I feel compelled to adopt the prior name, which will Include those described in this volume under the genus Pal.i.arca, as well as those described by Mr. Billings under the genera Cyrtodon and Vanuxemia." (Compare the above with the note at the foot of page 270, Pal. N. Y., vol. 3). As for myself, I must say that when. I described the genus Cyrto- donta, I was aware of Conrad's description, but considered, as I do now, that the genus (having been suppressed by Professor Hall, and never acknowledged by palaeontologists, or quoted by them except as • See Dana in Sillinian's Journal, 2nd Series, Vol. 28, p. 149. 1859. 92 THE DKVONIAN FOSSILS OF CANADA WEST. a synonim) was perfectly obsolete. And as the name is decidedly inappropriate, I hold that it cannot be restored now. I shall, in conclusion, direct attention to the uncharacterized genus, Mcffulotnus. This name was proposed by Professor Hall in the 3rd volume of the Pal., N. Y,, as a generic appellation for a species which is a true Cyrtodonta. I have ascertained that it has the same curved anterior teeth, and although I have not seen the posterior teeth, there is not the least doubt but that they do exist. Now, it might be thought that Megalomus, having priority over Cyrtodonta, should take its place. I contend that this would not be the correct or the just course. In Professor Hall's description he has " overlooked " the generic characters, and only given those which are specific. All that he has described is not sufficient to constitute a genus. The best proof of this is, that the author cannot recognize it himself, as he has since described two other genera, Falaarca and Megamhonia, which, if retained, would irJude Megatomus. I have been the first to describe correctly and illustrate this genus under a name that is in no respect inappropriate, and I have a right to retain that name against those which are objectionable or not founded on an intelligible generic description. I further consider Megalomus an inconvenient name, because it so closely resembles Megaloma, a genus of Gastero- pods. Sub-genus Vanuxemia. FiK 128. Fig. \%%. — Vanuxemia Bayfteldii—JiiWm^s, sliewii i.terior of left valv . This sub-genus was proposed by me, to include those species of Cyrtodonta which have the beaks terminal, or nearly so, nnd the THE DEVONIAN FOSSILS OF CANADA WEST. 93 ■ anterior exUcmity reduced to asmull auriculate expansion or obsolete. The above figure shews the teeth and luuscular impressions of V. Bayfieldii, Hudson River Group. VaNUXEMIA TOMKINSI.— (N. Sp). FiK- 129. Pijr. 130. Vift. 129.— KflMMxemJa Tomkinsi.—VxQyr of ri)?ht side, Fi!?, 130.— View of anterior side. Description.— Ovate, exceedingly gibbous, cordiform ; umbones very prominent ; beaks closely incurved. Placing the shell with the hinge-line in a horizontal position, we find that the line passing through the greatest length of the shell forms an angle with it {i.e. with the hinge-line) of about 45° ; the apical angle, or the angle formed by the slope in both directions from the umbones is about 80"; both of these slopes extend about half the length of the whole shell ; from their extremities the remainder of the margin on the posterior, ventral and anterior sides is rounded, somewhat pointed in the middle. At the anterior extremity of the hinge-line there appears to be a small auriculate projection, but this point is not very well preserved in the specimen. Surface somewhat smooth, with obscure, concentric striee, three or four in the width of one line. Besides these there are some obscure, shallow, concentric, undulations of growth. The best preserved specimen is two Inches and one-eighth in length — measuring from the umbones to the most projecting or pointed part 94 THE DEVONIAN FOSSILS OF CANADA WEST. of the margin below. The greatest width (which is at raid-length, and nearly at right angles to the greatest length) is one inch and three (juarters. Depth of both valves, at a little above the middle, one inch and a half. The utnbones are elevated nearly half an inch above the hingelino. The whole shell is pretty evenly convex, with a slight ajjproach to a concave slope in front of the umbones. There appears to be an area, but our specimens do not shew it with sufficient clearness to warrant a positive opinion. This species is dedicated to the discoverer, W. G. Tomkins, Esq., C. E. St. Mary's, Canada West. Locality and Formation. — Corniferous Limestone, St. Mary's. Collector.— W. G. Tomkins. Gasteropoda. — (Cuvier. ) We have in the Devonian Rocks of Canada West about 25 species of Gasteropoda of the genera £'moa«/iA«Zm«, Straparolhis. Murchisonia, Pleiirotomaria, Lorconema, Macrocheilns, riati/ostoma and Platyceraa, Of these I shall only notice the following at present. EuoMPHALUS De Cewi. — N. Sp. Fig. 131. Fig, 132. Fig. \Zv.—Euomplialu8 De Cewi.—h. small specimen. Fig. 1.'52 —View of the umbilicus. Description. — Shell from two to four inches in diameter ; whorls about three. Spire nearly flat or gently concave ; umbilicus deeply concave. The upper side of the whorls is nearly flat, with an angular edge all round the margin, (in casts narrowly rounded). The outside of the whorls nearly at right angles to the upper, but inclining a little inwards and gently convex. On the lower side there is a narrow rounded edge all round, from which there is a nearly uniform concave slope into the deep sub-hemispherical umbilicus. two lines deep near the aperture, and one line and ing gradually less as the diameter of the shell dc project abruptly from the surface of the shell to line, the intervening spaces are flat, and nearly am appar- ently obscure, concentric strife. The deep flexures of the encirol'"'^ "idges along the , aspect seem to shew that the siphuncle o. ^ated close to the margin on that side. The septa have not been observed. The aperture is not preserved in the specimen, but it is niost probably circular. The above description is founded upon a single specimen, which is nearly perfect, and has the shell preserved— but silicified. Locality and Formation.— l^ovim\\\^ of Rainhtim, Corniferous Limestone. Collector.— E. De Cew. Cyrtoceras Belus. — (iV. Sp.) Description. — Six to eight inches long ; curved so as to make about half of a whorl, of which the diameter would be about six inches. In a specimen seven inches long, measuring along the ventral aspect, the curve corresponds very nearly to that of a circle witu a radius of three inches, and the remainder to one with a radius of about two inches. The cross section of the tube is transversely oval ; the great- I ■.;s5SiBl**s 98 THE DEVONUK FOSSIW OF CANADA WEOT. est lh,ck„o„, from side to side , the least, from the ventral to the do„.I.,pec.; the diamotor, having . proportion to each other of abou ten or eleven to ifteen. The ,ides are narrowly .unded ■ the dorsal aspcet omformly depressed convex; the ventral a Ject ml ime. In the cast of the mter.or there i, close to the aperture a broad, shal ow constriction, showing either that the shell is h eke ed onthems,dc at tins point, or that the apertnre i, smaller than the greatest «,.e of the tube. There is «U„ „„ ,ppe.™„ee which lead, me to inspect tnat the aperture is obscurely trilobcd. In the sped.": Ind Th I / ">"* """^"P' ""' '""I" '" I™?"' Of the tube 'pt Tb r. r T" '° ™^'' ""'^ " "•"' «PProaeh th apex The s,phu„clc ,s about two lines in thickness and dose to the .nargu,, bu, not in contact therewith, there being in one sp "^en h a hne and u, another abont „ line between ft and the sheU The latter appears to tbu. will, obscure encircling atrm A specimen seven inches in length has a'dorso ventral diameter of teen hues, at about one inch from the aperture ; and it tapers to s..< hnc at seven n.ehcs. The remainder to the apex is broken off ' ,"°* P''»"-l- The lateral diameter of this .pccimeu cannot he asccrta,ned, a, i, i, p„rt|y imbedded in the stone But n 1" (. ragn,en.) the dian.ctcrs are. at the large end. .2 lines to t ' and at two mches nearer the apex - to 1 i lines There appears to be some variation in this species with regard to the d,s,anee of the septa. In one specimen tL first tw >"! th outer chamber are only two lines distant, and in another which appears rjrcrrer " "-^ -^ '- "^'■' '- °- '-^ •' "■- ^ dimaTd!"^ ""' ^"''"""""-C-if-ous Limestone, County of Hal- Collectors.— E. DeCew. J. DeCew. Crustacea. The Trilobites that have been determined are Cahj„,ene Blumen- hachn, Phacops 5ufo. Dal.nanites calliteles, and PhUlipsia? cZ- ZT rT ''''^^> *^-- - five other species'^belongbg" the genera Licha,<,, Dalmanites, and Phillimia ^\n ,11 »• • There are also two species of Lepermi ' ' '" "" ^P"'"' -I' / THK DKVONl'.N F0S8.L8 OF CANAD.i WEST. 9k f. u ■I Pisces. There appear to be three or four species of fish in the Oris.vany Sandstone und Corniferous Limestone, one or two of them covered with plates resembling those of an Aaterolepia. Dr. Newbury informs me that one of them is his Agaasizicthya SuUivanti. SUMMARV. • The following i? a statement of the number of species in the Devonian Rocks of Canada West according to my estimation of the specimens in the Museum of the Survey : Determined. , 54 Zoophyta , Crinoidea Bryozoa Brachiopoda Lamellibranchiata Gasteropoda Cephalopoda Crustacea Pices 4/ 2 4 2 4 1 Undetermined. 10 10 ]3 18 21 23 5 3 \i 114 113 Nearly all of the species above given as determined will be found noticed in the several papers published in this Journal. Among those undetermined there must be a great many identical with those described in the publications of American Greologists. I shall endea- vour to give some account of them in a few months. TOHONTO: PBXIfTKD BY LOVKLL AND GIBSON, YONGi; SIBBBT. ■\\