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CONTRIBUTIONS 
 
 TO 
 
 GEOLOGY. 
 
 ISAAC LEA, 
 
 MEMBER OF THE AMERICAN PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY ; 
 OF THE ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA ', 
 
 OF THE LYCEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY OF NEW YORK J 
 HONORARY MEMBER OF THE MEDICAL SOCIETY OF ORANGE COUNTY, 
 
 NEW YORK ; 
 MEMBER OF THE ROYAL PHYSICAL SOCIETY OF EDINBURGH ; 
 
 OF THE BRITISH ASSOCIATION OF SCIENCE; 
 
 OF THE NATURAL HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF MONTREAL ; 
 
 CORRESPONDING MEMBER OF THE LINNjEAN SOCIETY OF BOURDEAUX, 
 
 ETC. ETC. 
 
 PHILADELPHIA : 
 
 CAREY, LEA AND BLANCHARD. 
 1833. 
 
UBRARY 
 
 Philadelphia : 
 
 Printed by James Kay, Jun. & Co., 
 Race above 4th Street. 
 
TO 
 
 CHARLES TAIT, ESQ 
 
 OF CLAIBORNE, ALABAMA. 
 
 My dear sir, 
 
 Your having first called my attention to the Tertiary 
 Formation of Alabama, and owing to your kindness, as I 
 do, all the species described in this volume, from the de- 
 posit at Claiborne, gives you a strong claim upon me, 
 which is only equalled by the pleasure I have in offering 
 to you the dedication of this volume. 
 
 I am, my dear sir, 
 Very sincerely, and very truly yours, 
 
 ISAAC LEA. 
 
 Philadelphia, November 1, 1833. 
 
 IVJ90604: 
 
ERRATA. 
 
 Page 39, line 12 from the top, for Solecurtis read Solecurtus. 
 
 Page 42, line 12 from the top, for anguar read angular. 
 
 Page G8, line 16 from the top, for Miscene read Miocene. 
 
 Page 85, line the last, for supercretacious read supercretaceous. 
 
 Page 89, line 15 from the top, for Mantilli read Mantelli. 
 
 Page 107, line 18 from the top, for callous read callus. 
 
 Page 111, line 19 from the top, for out read outer. 
 
 Page 153, line 4 from the top, for Monoceres read Monoceros. 
 
 Page 176, line the last, for Lamberti read Lambertii. 
 
 Page 195, line 17 from the top, for granulation read granulations. 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 IN publishing the present work, I hope to add some new 
 facts, contributing to the development of the geology of our 
 country. Little, comparatively, has yet been accomplish- 
 ed in defining with perfect accuracy, most of the beds of the 
 great geological masses of our extended formations ; and 
 these contributions are presented with a view to assist, 
 though in a small degree, in the accomplishment of an 
 object desirable to every American geologist, a perfect and 
 thorough knowledge of American geology. 
 
 Presuming the species to be new, I have endeavoured to 
 make minute descriptions, accompanied by faithful figures 
 of each, with the hope of determining their characters per- 
 manently. 
 
 The small contributions at the end of this volume are 
 added, in the hope of their proving to be of some interest, 
 the specimens having been for some years in my possess- 
 ion, without a favourable opportunity before presenting 
 itself for their publication. 
 
 Having last spring, after my return from Europe, finish- 
 
VI PREFACE. 
 
 ed a supplement to my fourth memoir, as well as some 
 observations on Lamarck's species of the Naiades, (to be 
 published in the Transactions of the American Philosophi- 
 cal Society) I found myself sufficiently at leisure to take 
 up the fossils from Claiborne, Alabama, which had been 
 so long in my possession, and which had not before been 
 described. The want of time alone had prevented an 
 earlier attention to them. 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 TERTIARY FORMATION OF ALABAMA, - 9 
 
 Supplement, - 187 
 
 NEW TERTIARY FOSSIL SHELLS FROM MARYLAND AND 
 
 NEW JERSEY, . 209 
 
 NEW GENUS OF FOSSIL SHELL FROM NEW JERSEY, - 217 
 
 TUFACEOUS LACUSTRINE FORMATION OF SYRACUSE, ONON- 
 
 DAGA COUNTY, NEW YORK, ... 221 
 
TERTIARY FORMATION 
 
 ALABAMA. 
 
INTRODUCTION. 
 
 THE rapid development of the science of Geology has 
 in Europe, within the last few years, called to its aid the 
 attention and exercise of the highest talent. In this coun- 
 try, we have been making a regular, though not so rapid a 
 progress, in the knowledge of our widely extended and 
 interesting deposits ; and it is to be regretted, that our inves- 
 tigations have not yet been sufficiently extended to enable 
 us to institute, in all the strata, such comparisons as would 
 allow us to decide, with precision, as to their equivalents 
 in Europe. This can only be done with success, after the 
 fossil conchologist shall have developed a large portion of 
 the genera and species of our different masses. 
 
 Until recently, it was considered, that a single cataclysm 
 had left behind its desolating sweep, all the organic re- 
 mains inhumed within the bowels of the earth. The obser- 
 vations of recent philosophers, more exact, prove to us, be- 
 yond contradiction, " that the earth's surface has been, and 
 still is, subject to incessant fluctuation and movements."* 
 
 If we turn our attention to the examination of the ear- 
 liest period where organized matter has been discovered (in 
 the lowest Fossiliferous group of De la Beche), we find the 
 indications of animal life extremely rare, and we may con- 
 clude that the change from the crystalline rocksf to that 
 
 * Geology of the South of England, by G. Mantell, p. xiv. of Intro- 
 duction. 
 
 t This class of rocks so well known under the name of Primitive rocks, 
 
12 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 of this formation, was co-existent with their primeval exis- 
 tence. This author very justly observes, that "whatever 
 the kind of animal may have been which first appeared on 
 the surface of our planet, we may be certain that it was 
 consistent with the wisdom and design which have always 
 prevailed throughout nature, and that each creature was 
 peculiarly adapted to that situation destined to be occupied 
 by it." 
 
 The Grauwacke group,* which lies above the last men- 
 tioned formation, contains many genera of shells and other 
 organic remains. Some of these genera, which consisted 
 of innumerable species, are, in the superior deposits, totally 
 wanting, being entirely extinct, to the best of our know- 
 ledge ; while other genera, unknown in the vast deposits of 
 the inferior formations, are here found in great abundance 
 and in numerous species. 
 
 In the strata superior to this, the Carboniferous group, 
 we find, for the first time, a deposit of fresh water forma- 
 tion, and the fossil remains of the group are increased by 
 the addition of plants and fishes. 
 
 Superior to this again we find the New Red Sandstone 
 group, and in it some of the reptilia, the great Saurian 
 animals. 
 
 Higher up, the Oolitic group presents us with a much 
 greater vaiiety of reptilia, and for the first time we have 
 the indication of Mammalia in the Didelphis Bucklandi. 
 Plants, zoophytes, shells, Crustacea, &c. are numerous, 
 and insects have also been observed in it.f 
 
 (Agalysian rocks of Brogniart) presenting nearly the same character in 
 all parts of the world, seem, by their attrition, to have formed, in subse- 
 quent deposits, the whole mass of superincumbent rocks, except those of 
 volcanic origin. 
 
 * Hemilysiens of Brogniart includes this and the subsequent group. 
 
 t In the U. States, no indication of the Oolitic group has been observed. 
 In England it is a very important formation, consisting of numerous sub- 
 formations, of which the Lias is the lowest. 
 
INTRODUCTION. 13 
 
 [n the Wealden formation, overlying the last, and be- 
 longing to the Cretaceous group* of De la Beche, we 
 find such organic remains as prove it to be of fluviatile 
 origin. The shells found, are those which are known to 
 exist only in rivers, (Uniones, &c.) and those genera which 
 are considered as estuary shells. In it the reptilia are 
 numerous. Superior to this formation, we find in the same 
 group, the Lower green sand, the Gault, Upper green sand, 
 and the Chalk, which to the geologist of this country are of 
 great interest, as we find in these deposits generally known 
 as " marl of New-Jersey and Delaware," a part of their 
 equivalents, f 
 
 The Supercretaceous group, | which is next in superpo- 
 sition, contains organic remains of the highest interest. 
 Consisting of various deposits, and many localities in Eu- 
 rope, as it does in this country, much attention has been 
 given to it there, and more recently, it has attracted the 
 notice of our geologists. 
 
 The observation of Mr Lyell, that the Tertiary groups 
 of Europe have detached and isolated positions, while the 
 Secondary period extends over great aread, applies equally 
 to our country. In these groups we, for the first time, find 
 those species of shells which we are able to identify with 
 living species, while those genera which existed in such 
 abundance in the inferior formations, have here nearly 
 disappeared. Of the genus Ammonites, two only of the 
 one hundred and eighty-three described in Great Britain 
 
 * Pelagiques of Al. Brogniart includes this and the Oolitic group. 
 
 t It is to Prof. Vanuxem (Jour, of the Acad. of Nat. Sci. of Phil., vol. 
 6, p. 59) we are indebted for the identification of this formation with the 
 Cretaceous group of Europe. This geologist having collected littoral shells 
 from the Burr-stone of Georgia, brought to this city during our late war, 
 when the foreign importation ceased, and having collected the pelagian 
 remains of New Jersey, was led to conclude, while in France, in 1818, 
 examining the Paris basin, that the alluvial of M'Clure consisted of 
 Secondary, Tertiary and Alluvial masses. 
 
 t Thalassiques of Al. Brogniart. 
 
14 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 are found so high up as the London Clay ; and to the de- 
 posits superior to this, the genus is entirely wanting. Nearly 
 the same observations extend to the genera Orthocera, 
 Belemnites and Hamites. We look to the Tertiary Forma- 
 tion with peculiar interest, as its lower deposit or period 
 contains the incipient state, or as Mr Lyell says, "the 
 dawn of the existing state of the animate creation." 
 
 The division of the Tertiary Formation into three epochs, 
 has been admitted by most modern geologists. For these, 
 Mr Lyell* proposes, in the descending order, the names of 
 Pliocene period, Miocene period, and Eocene period. The 
 first is derived from the Greek words vxttuv major, and KO.IVOS 
 recens, as most of them are recent species, and of course, 
 of later deposit. This he subdivides into the Newer and 
 Older Pliocene, in which division M. Deshayes does not 
 agree with him. The second, Miocene, is from ^UM 
 minor, and *<moc recens, there being here a minority of 
 recent species. The third, the Eocene, is derived from 5 
 aurora, and *<w recens, this being " the dawn of the 
 existing state of the animate creation." 
 
 In the lowest of these, the Eocene period,! there have 
 been observed in Europe one thousand two hundred and 
 thirty-eight species, of which the very small number of 
 forty-two have been identified with recent species. " Of 
 fossil species, not known as recent, forty-two are common 
 to the Eocene and Miocene epochs.":): It is remarkable, 
 too, that the living species are rarely inhabitants of the 
 shores of those countries in which they are found in a 
 fossil state, inhabiting now more southern climates. 
 
 The next period of deposit, that of the Miocene, is a for- 
 
 * Principles of Geology, vol. 3, p. 53. 
 
 t Mr. Lyell, with great propriety, includes in this period the Plaslic 
 Clay with the London Clay ; the line of separation of which, he says, 
 " is quite arbitrary." Principles of Geology, vol. 3, p. 278. 
 
 t Principles of Geology, vol. 3, p. 55. 
 
INTRODUCTION. 15 
 
 rnation distinct in its characters from the London Clay 
 below, and the English Crag above it. In it, M. Deshayes 
 has observed one thousand and twenty-one species, one 
 hundred and seventy-six of which, only, are found in a 
 recent state. 
 
 Superior again to this, in the Pliocene period, we find 
 the recent species comparatively abundant. Mr Lyell in 
 dividing this into the Older and Newer Pliocene, observes, 
 that " the plurality of living species is so very decided." 
 The former includes the Subappennine hills, and the En- 
 glish Crag ; the latter, the Sicilian beds. 
 
 It has been stated that forty-five hundredths of the spe- 
 cies found in the English Crag exist in a recent state ;* 
 while in the Sicilian beds, according to Mr Lyell, ten only 
 out of two hundred and tw T enty-six are extinct or un- 
 known, nearly the whole of them existing at the present 
 time in the neighbouring seas. 
 
 In addition to the marine reliquiae, the remains of terres- 
 trial mammiferous animals afford us, in the Tertiary Form- 
 ation, a striking proof of the extraordinary change which 
 has taken place. Of the numerous species the remains 
 of which are there found, none now exist. " More than 
 forty of these Eocene mammifers, are referable to a division 
 of the order Pachydermata, which has now only four living 
 representatives on the globe ; of these, not only the species, 
 but the genera, are distinct from any of those which have 
 been established for the classification of living animals."! 
 
 The Mammalia of the Miocene agree in some of the 
 genera with recent animals, and those of the Pliocene 
 are "an intermixture of extinct and recent species of 
 quadrupeds."^ 
 
 Superior, and next to the Tertiary, is De la Beche's 
 Erratic Block Group, and above it, his Modern Group. 
 
 * Address of the Pres. of the Geo. Soc. 1833. 
 t Principles of Geology, vol. 3, p. 59. 
 t Principles of Geology, vol. 3, p. 60. 
 
16 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 These two are embraced in Mr Lyell's Recent Period, and 
 here are found to exist the remains of those large animals, 
 the Mastodon, Hippopotamus, Megatherium, Rhinoceros, &c. 
 &c. To this Recent Period, belong the causes which 
 are now so evidently in action, and with which we are fami- 
 liar, such as the formation of coral reefs and islands, deltas, 
 travertins, active volcanoes, &c. 
 
 Viewing these changes, the facts of which have been 
 established by the united exertions of geologists, within 
 a comparatively short period, we reflect with intense in- 
 terest on the disappearance from our planet of an im- 
 mense number of species, numerous genera, and even 
 some families ! 
 
 The causes of the vast changes which it is evident to 
 our senses, have taken place, are among the most inter- 
 esting which have engaged the attention of mankind. 
 Theories of all kinds have been promulgated, and little good 
 has arisen from them, except that of the gradual develop- 
 ment of facts, the accumulation of which has added to 
 our stock of knowledge. It is said to be Fuchsel (a 
 German geologist) who first asserted that the causes 
 now in operation were sufficient to produce the changes 
 observed in our strata. " Similar changes may now take 
 place ; for the earth has always presented phenomena similar 
 to those of the present day"* Such is the remarkable 
 language of the author, published about seventy years 
 since. Very recently, the theory of actual causes has 
 been considered in England, by some of her ablest geolo- 
 gists, as sufficient to satisfy the attentive observer. Mr 
 Lyell may now be considered as tne leader of this theory, 
 and the mass of facts brought together in his admirable 
 work, would seem to be enough to satisfy the most scep- 
 tical. 
 
 The rapid change which is now going on in the 
 
 * De la Beche's Geol. Man., p. 382, first English edition. 
 
INTRODUCTION. 17 
 
 greatest altitudes of Switzerland, points out to us the mode 
 in which nature is operating by decomposition, and the 
 attraction of gravitation. When standing on the borders 
 of the Mer de Glace, and while crossing its frozen bosom, 
 this operation was brought most forcibly to my mind. 
 Every moment my ears were saluted with the sound, more 
 or less distant, of rocks precipitated from some height into 
 the abysses below, and which reverberated over this frozen 
 sea. The time may come, when the pinnacles of Mont 
 Blanc and other mountains, which surround the beauti- 
 ful valley of Chaumonie, will have been precipitated to 
 their bases, and the debris be so completely carried off as 
 to leave, perhaps, that beautiful and fertile spot itself, the 
 highest pinnacle of the country, a naked rock, to be 
 gazed at from a distance.* 
 
 Perhaps the most difficult point to solve, is that which 
 presents itself in the fact, that deposits in high latitudes 
 contain animal and vegetable remains, presumed by ana- 
 logy to be unable to exist in their temperature at the 
 present period. A change in the earth's axis would, of 
 course, affect the temperature of its surface, but whether 
 that can take place under any known law, in a sufficient 
 degree to effect such a change, has certainly not been 
 established. Sir John Herschel has supposed that a 
 change of temperature might take place in the change 
 of the elliptical orbit of the earth, which becomes gradu- 
 ally more circular, f 
 
 * Since writing the above, I have observed the following passage in 
 Lyell's Principles of Geology, vol. 3. " Those naturalists who have 
 seen the glaciers of Savoy, and who have beheld the prodigious magni- 
 tude of some fragments conveyed by them from the higher regions of 
 Mont Blanc, to the valleys below, to a distance of many leagues, will be 
 prepared to appreciate the effects which a series of earthquakes might 
 produce in this region, if the peaks or ' needles,' as they are called, of 
 Mont Blanc, were shaken as rudely as many parts of the Andes have 
 been in our times." 
 
 t Geol. Manual, p. 6. 
 C 
 
18 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 The greatly extended Tertiary deposits on the Atlantic 
 coast of our country, present one of the most interesting 
 of the geological phenomena known in it. To ascertain 
 the relative age of the deposits of the same formation in 
 Europe, has engaged the attention of the fossil concholo- 
 gist there for many years. With us, partial examinations 
 of the fossils of the different beds, have already been made 
 by several of our geologists. In the course of my inves- 
 tigations, I have satisfied myself of the identity of our 
 Tertiary Formation with that of Europe. 
 
 After a careful examination of a great number of genera 
 and species, from the Tertiary of Claiborne, Alabama, I 
 had no hesitation in referring them to the same period as 
 the London Clay of England and the Calcaire Grossier 
 of Paris ; although this deposit is composed of silicious 
 sand, while that of the London Clay is argillaceous, and 
 the Calcaire Grossier is calcareous. This part of the Ter- 
 tiary Formation, as before stated, is called by Mr Lyell, the 
 Eocene Period. It abounds in the greatest variety of 
 fossils ; one thousand two hundred and thirty-eight species 
 of shells having in Europe, as before mentioned, been 
 noticed in it. I have already observed nearly two hundred 
 and fifty species from Claiborne, descriptions of two hundred 
 and nineteen of which being supposed to be new, will be 
 found in their proper order, in this memoir and its supple- 
 ment.* It is an extraordinary fact, that among the whole 
 of these, there cannot be, with absolute certainty, a single 
 species found to have its analogue in a living species. Some 
 
 * Mr Conrad has described twenty-five species. See Fossil Concho- 
 l gyj Nos. 1 and 2, and the American Journal of Science and Arts, vol. 
 23, p. 339. 
 
INTRODUCTION. 19 
 
 of the genera are unknown on our coast ; some are found 
 only in a fossil state in Europe, and others are entirely new. 
 I am not perfectly satisfied that a single species is strictly 
 analogous to those from the Eocene Period of Europe, but the 
 number of turrited shells and similar genera prove it to be of 
 the same epoch. The Venericardia planicosta (as Cardila 
 planicosta) has been noticed by Mr Conrad as being of this 
 locality. This is at least a variet}^ for it differs from those 
 of the Eocene of the Paris basin in the number of its ribs, 
 if not in some other characters. Three specimens from 
 this formation, in my cabinet, contain individually thirty- 
 one, thirty-four and thirty-six ribs, while of the first four- 
 teen counted from Claiborne, three gave twenty-seven, 
 four gave twenty-eight, two gave twenty-nine, and five 
 gave thirty ribs. Mr Conrad describes his specimen (from 
 Maryland) as having about twenty-two ribs. There are 
 two other species from Claiborne, which resemble those of 
 the Eocene of the Paris basin. One is a Fusus, very simi- 
 lar to the F. long&vus of Lamarck, but the specimen 
 being imperfect, I cannot decide upon it with precision ;* 
 the other is Jlcteon^ lineatus, (see description) which very 
 closely resembles the Tornatella inflata (Ferussac)4 
 
 The formation near Fort Washington, on the Potomac, 
 below the city of Washington, may, I think, be referred 
 to the same period as that at Claiborne. I owe to the 
 kindness of Professor Vanuxem, specimens obtained there, 
 many years since. Some of these shells have been 
 since described by Mr Conrad, Cucullcea gigantea, Tur- 
 ritella Mortoni, &c. Future investigations may produce 
 such results as will enable us to trace, with more exact- 
 
 * I propose for it the provisionary name of Claibornensis. 
 
 t Tornatella (Lamarck). 
 
 J Description des Coquilles Fossiles des Environs de Paris, t. 2, pi. 
 24, figs. 4 and 5. 
 
 Two species only of this genus have been observed in the Tertiary 
 of Europe Both are in the Eocene of Paris. 
 
20 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 ness than we can at present, the parallel of these de- 
 posits, and men of science being now engaged in Mary- 
 land, by order of the legislature, to make geological re- 
 searches, we may hope, ere long, to have this, with other 
 deposits of the state, better known than they are at pre- 
 sent. The deposit at Vance's Ferry, South Carolina, has 
 been observed by Dr Blanding to contain one of the 
 characteristic fossils of the Eocene Period, the Venericardia 
 planicosta, and in the cabinet of that naturalist I have 
 observed several other genera, which distinctly identify it 
 with that epoch. 
 
 It is a matter of considerable doubt, if any Tertiary de- 
 posit, contemporaneous with the Miocene Period of Mr 
 Lyell, has yet been observed in our Formations. The de- 
 posits of Bourdeaux, Dax, Turin, Ronca, Vienna, and some 
 other places on the Continent, are of this period, but it is 
 not, I believe, known to exist in England. Future inves- 
 tigations may, in the vast extent of our southern deposits, 
 discover its existence. 
 
 The Older Pliocene Period of Mr Lyell, finds its equiva- 
 lent, I think, in the well known deposit of St Mary's, 
 Maryland. Mr Conrad, who has carefully examined the 
 deposit at this place, has given us a catalogue of fifty-six 
 species observed there by himself. Of these, about one third 
 are known to exist on our coast ; but some of them in more 
 southern latitudes. The deposits of York Town, Smith- 
 field, and Suffolk in Virginia, and those of Easton and St 
 Mary's in Maryland, as well as that of Cumberland county, 
 in New Jersey, are referred by that geologist to the Upper 
 Tertiary, and, without doubt, belong to the Older Pliocene 
 Period of the Tertiary. 
 
 Of the Newer Pliocene Period we have an equivalent 
 in the deposit at the mouth of the Potomac ; the dis- 
 tance of which, in a direct line, is about forty-five miles 
 from the ocean, the intervening country being low and 
 
INTRODUCTION. 21 
 
 level. Mr Conrad has examined this deposit, and says, 
 " not only are the fossils of this locality the same as ex- 
 isting species, but, in some instances, they retain their 
 colour."* Of those in his table, consisting of twenty-nine 
 species found there, he has been able to recognise all but 
 seven as existing in a recent state, and the most of these will, 
 I have no doubt, be hereafter found on our coasts. One of 
 them, the Cytherea convexa, may already be removed from 
 the exceptions. I owe to the kindness of Colonel Totten, 
 of the engineer corps, specimens of this species, from the 
 coast near Newport, Rhode Island. A deposit of this 
 epoch is also found beneath the surface at Charleston, 
 S. C. Professor Vanuxem gave me specimens taken from 
 a well of that city, some of which are so fresh as still to 
 exhibit the original colours. They consist of the genera 
 #rca, Jlmphidesma, Clathradon, Maclra, Tellina, Margi- 
 nella, Fusus, Oliva, &c. 
 
 The rich and highly interesting Formation at Claiborne, 
 Alabama, was called to my attention by my friend, Judge 
 Tait, a citizen of that place, in January 1829. The beau- 
 tiful specimens he sent me at the close of the year, in- 
 duced me to obtain from him further shipments of the 
 fossils from the same stratum, and specimens from the 
 inferior and superior strata, as well as some account of the 
 geographical position of the place. 
 
 In his letter of July 20, 1831, he says, "the town of 
 Claiborne is built on a bluff, on the east, or south side of the 
 Alabama river. In a direct line, it is about ninety miles 
 from the gulf of Mexico. The bluff is estimated to be 
 two hundred feet high. It is at least that. That Forma- 
 
 * Journal of the Academy of Natural Science of Philad., vol. 6, p. 207. 
 
22 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 tion which is so remarkable, and passes through the whole 
 extent of South Alabama, called the Shell Limestone 
 Country, embraces this bluff. The southern edge of this 
 Formation commences about ten miles south of this place. 
 It is, no doubt, about one hundred miles wide from south 
 to north, in this part of the state. It is believed that this 
 limestone tract takes its beginning at the gulf, in the 
 neighbourhood of St Mark's and Tallahassee, and extends 
 from that point north west, through the whole of this and 
 the state of Mississippi, and is said to terminate at the 
 Chickasaw Bluffs, in West Tennessee. This Formation 
 is probably of the same nature with that which extends 
 through South Carolina, Georgia and Florida, parallel to 
 the sea coasts, and terminates on the gulf of Mexico, at 
 or about St Mark's. The course of this Atlantic Forma- 
 tion is from the north east to the south west. The coun- 
 try between the Shell Limestone tract in this state, and 
 Mississippi and the gulf, is a barren sand, with the long 
 leaf pine (Plnus australis), &c. as its principal forest 
 growth." 
 
 With the specimens then sent, was received a short stra- 
 tagraphical account of each which is here inserted. 
 
 " No. 1 is a specimen of the stratum, from the water 
 line up about one hundred and twenty feet, extending be- 
 low the water as far as can be discerned by the eye." 
 
 This specimen was nearly six inches square. It is a soft 
 calcareous rock, containing eleven per cent of carbonate of 
 lime,* with occasional specks of mica, and small cells filled 
 with carbon. In breaking it up, to present as much surface 
 as possible, I examined it carefully, to endeavour to identify 
 the fossils contained in it, but these could only be seen in a 
 very imperfect state, and almost universally in fragments. 
 They consisted generally of Flustrcz, Cardiw, Corbulce, Os- 
 
 * To the kindness of Dr J. K. Mitchell I am indebted for the analysis 
 of these specimens. 
 
INTRODUCTION. 23 
 
 trew, Volutw, Naticaz and Turritellw. The shells were so 
 friable as almost to fall into powder on the touch, and pre- 
 sented no characters whereby to make specific distinctions. 
 
 With this slight knowledge of the stratum, it is not with- 
 out some hesitation that I refer it to the Tertiary Forma- 
 tion. Future investigation may prove it to be of older 
 origin, when its fossils shall be obtained in a more perfect 
 state. 
 
 " No. 2 is a specimen of the rock lying on the above 
 stratum, No. 1, and is about the thickness of two feet." 
 
 This specimen, nearly of the size of the last, consists, 
 chiefly, of a single and imperfect valve of a large Ostrea. It 
 appears to be a compact calcareous rock, with numerous 
 grains of dark green sand ; and besides the Ostrea men- 
 tioned above, Flustrw, and a Teredo may be observed in 
 it. On examination, the matrix proved to have nearly 
 thirty-two per cent of carbonate of lime. This bed may 
 be referred to the same Formation with the last. 
 
 " No. 3. This is the stratum from which are taken the 
 specimens of organic remains in the box. It is just seven- 
 teen feet thick. This specimen* is a fair representation of 
 the whole stratum." 
 
 It is in this stratum that the fossils described in this 
 memoir are found. It is exceedingly rich, and some idea 
 may be formed of the vast number of new species contain- 
 ed in it, when it is recollected that I have received from 
 Judge Tait, at four or five different times, more than two 
 hundred and fifty species. Were I to conclude from the 
 examination of what were received, I would say that this 
 is a very small portion of what will be found in that 
 stratum. 
 
 The bed is composed of loose quartzose, brownish sand, 
 the grains of which are small and angular. The most 
 delicate specimens are, therefore, with a little caution, 
 
 * A very large Crassatella, since described by Mr Conrad as C. alia. 
 
24 INTRODUCTION. .-.. 
 
 removed in a perfect state. In the few boxes which I have 
 received, seven shells are not referable to any known genus, 
 and two hundred and ten species, besides nine species of Po- 
 lypi, are not referable to any known species. These are now 
 first described, and figured. Sharks' teeth of several differ- 
 ent forms ; part of a claw of a species of Cancer; some 
 fragments of a fossil very similar to what Brander figures 
 under the name of Palalium piscium, and the tooth, spine 
 and vertebrae of fish were found among the sand. In the 
 further investigation of this stratum, the fossil concholo- 
 gist has a field rich in its products, and the harvest will 
 amply reward his industry. 
 
 " No. 4. This represents a thin stratum lying upon the 
 above, No. 3 ; it is about eighteen inches in thickness." 
 
 This specimen was large, and on breaking it into frag- 
 ments, casts of several genera were observed. The calca- 
 reous matter of the shell presenting nothing more, ge- 
 nerally, than a white powder, being completely de- 
 composed, identification of species was impossible. The 
 genera which seem most to prevail, are Jlvicula, Venus, 
 Crepidula and Turritella, and were I to decide on the mat- 
 ter, I should, perhaps, refer them to the same species 
 which exist in the inferior stratum, No. 3. The mass of 
 the rock is friable, easily separating into irregular pieces, 
 and is composed chiefly of light and dark green grains of 
 quartzose sand. These grains do not present angles, but 
 are rounded and smooth, and are cemented by carbonate 
 of lime, the analysis proving the mass to possess about 
 thirty-three per cent. It will scarcely admit of a doubt, 
 that this is of the same epoch as the last described stratum. 
 
 " No. 5. A specimen of a stratum, two feet thick, next 
 above No. 4, and lies under a thick stratum of rotten 
 limestone, which reaches near to the top of the bluff." 
 
 This is a mass of sand and shells slightly adhering, 
 by an earthy ferruginous matter, which gives a reddish 
 
INTRODUCTION. 25 
 
 brown appearance to the whole. The calcareous matter 
 of the shells is so much decomposed as to fall to pieces by 
 the touch. It is, therefore, almost impossible for a per- 
 fect specimen to be removed from its matrix. Jlvicula, 
 Venericardia, Nucula, Venus, Teredo, and a few other 
 genera, may be observed in the specimen, and the species 
 may be all, so far as made out, referred to those in No. 3, 
 and, of course, the stratum be referred to the same epoch. 
 In it are fine specimens of the Scutella crustuloides (Morton), 
 some of which measure three and a half inches in diame- 
 ter. 
 
 " No. 6, is a specimen of the stratum, forty or forty-five 
 feet thickness, and called here, 'rotten limestone.' " 
 
 " On this layer of No. 6, is a deposit of sand and 
 gravel, mixed with clay, of about twenty feet, through 
 which and above the stratum No. 6, break out the Bluff 
 springs, of which there are many, say six or eight, along 
 the Bluff. In digging wells we find water in about 
 twenty feet, in a stratum of white sand and quartz pebbles 
 of all sizes, from that of a pea to a pigeon's egg, of different 
 forms, some flat some round some elliptical. These 
 pebbles are smooth, as if made so by attrition. All the 
 water from this Bluff, whether from the springs or the 
 wells, is impregnated more or less with carbonate of lime. 
 The wells generally more so than the Bluff springs." 
 
 This specimen was five or six inches square. On frac- 
 turing it, obscure casts of Corbulw, JVttcw/ce, and some other 
 bivalves could be identified with some which exist in No. 
 3, and the strata between. The casts of a few spiral uni- 
 valves were also discernible. A small and very thin 
 Pecten, with delicate ribs, seemed to be the only shell 
 which left its trace in a calcareous state. On each side of 
 the fracture a silvery whiteness marks the deposit of this 
 thin and fragile species. The mass of this rock, or as it 
 might with more propriety, perhaps, be called indurated 
 
26 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 clay, contains twenty-eight per cent of carbonate of 
 lime. Scattered grains of minute dark green sand may 
 be observed throughout the mass. 
 
 This stratum is the last of this interesting Tertiary 
 group, and upon it is found the Diluvium. 
 
Read before the Academy of Natural Sciences 
 of Philadelphia, 27ih August 1833. 
 
 IN presenting myself to the Academy this evening, with 
 a paper on a geological subject, my first duty is to make my 
 acknowledgements to the very great kindness of the gentle- 
 man who has, during some years of labour, placed in my 
 possession numerous fossils from the vicinity of Claiborne, 
 Alabama, most of which I have discovered to be new spe- 
 cies. As early as in January 1829, Judge Tait first called 
 my attention to the existence of the " organic remains 
 that abound in that part of the state," promising me at the 
 same time, to make a collection of them and to forward 
 them to me. This promise he redeemed at the close of 
 the year, by sending me a large quantity of the most inter- 
 esting Tertiary fossils. Finding in the same box speci- 
 mens which I suspected to be of secondary origin, I wrote 
 for, and subsequently obtained from my friend, a complete 
 suite of specimens of the various strata at Claiborne, with 
 valuable notes and observations from his pen. These 
 were sent in July 1831. Unwearied in his efforts to place 
 in my possession every thing that could illustrate the de- 
 posits of his vicinity, that gentleman subsequently, and at 
 different times, with continued kindness, sent me three or 
 
four boxes of these fossils, one of which, unfortunately, 
 was lost, after its arrival at New York. 
 
 I am, therefore, indebted to Judge Tait, for every new 
 species described in this paper, and to him science owes the 
 great obligation of having first brought them to light. 
 
SYSTEMATIC INDEX 
 
 OF 
 
 NEW TERTIARY FOSSILS FROM CLAIBORNE, 
 ALABAMA. 
 
 Lunulites Bouei 
 
 Duclosii - 
 
 Orbitolites interstitia 
 discoidea 
 
 Turbinolia Maclurii 
 Stokesii - 
 Goldfussii 
 nana 
 pharetra 
 
 Siliquaria Claibornensis 
 
 Dentalium alternatum 
 turritura 
 
 Spirorbis tubanella - 
 
 Serpula ornata 
 
 Teredo simplex 
 
 Solecurtus Blainvillii 
 
 Anatina Claibornensis 
 
 Mactra dentata 
 Grayi - 
 pygmaea 
 
 189 
 
 Corbula Alabamiensis 
 
 45 
 
 190 
 
 Murchisonii 
 
 46 
 
 191 
 
 gibbosa 
 
 46 
 
 192 
 
 compressa - 
 
 47 
 
 193 
 
 Byssomia petricoloides - 
 
 48 
 
 194 
 
 Egeria rotunda 
 
 50 
 
 195 
 
 inflata - 
 
 50 
 
 195 
 
 nitens - 
 
 51 
 
 196 
 
 triangulate - 
 
 51 
 
 33 
 
 Bucklandii - 
 
 52 
 
 34 
 
 subtrigonia 
 
 53 
 
 35 
 
 veneriformis 
 
 53 
 
 36 
 
 ovalis ... 
 
 54 
 
 37 
 
 plana - 
 
 54 
 
 38 
 
 nana - 
 
 55 
 
 39 
 
 Lucina compressa - 
 
 55 
 
 40 
 
 rotunda 
 
 56 
 
 41 
 
 cornuta 
 
 56 
 
 42 
 
 impressa 
 
 57 
 
 44 
 
 papyracea 
 
 58 
 
30 
 
 SYSTEMATIC INDEX. 
 
 Lucina lunata 
 
 58 
 
 Avicula Claibornensis 
 
 86 
 
 Gratelupia Moulinsii 
 
 59 
 
 Pecten Deshaysii 
 
 87 
 
 Astarte recurva 
 
 61 
 
 Lyelli 
 
 88 
 
 Nicklinii - 
 
 61 
 
 Plicatula Mantellii - 
 
 89 
 
 sulcata 
 
 62 
 
 Ostrea semilunata - 
 
 90 
 
 parva 
 
 63 
 
 divaricata 
 
 91 
 
 minor 
 
 63 
 
 Alabamiensis 
 
 91 
 
 minutissima V 
 
 64 
 
 lingua-canis 
 
 92 
 
 Cytherea globosa - - 
 
 65 
 
 pincerna 
 
 92 
 
 comia - - 
 
 66 
 
 Fissurella Claibornensis 
 
 94 
 
 Hydii 
 
 66 
 
 Hipponix pygmaea 
 
 95 
 
 subcrassa 
 
 67 
 
 Infundibulum trochiformis 
 
 96 
 
 trigoniata 
 
 67 
 
 Crepidula cornu-arietes - 
 
 97 
 
 minima 
 
 68 
 
 Bulla St Hillairii 
 
 98 
 
 Venericardia transversa - 
 
 68 
 
 Dekayi 
 
 200 
 
 Sillimani - 
 
 69 
 
 Pasithea secale .- 
 
 100 
 
 rotunda 
 
 70 
 
 notata 
 
 101 
 
 parva 
 
 70 
 
 lugubris 
 
 101 
 
 Hippagus isocardioides - 
 
 72 
 
 aciculata - - 
 
 102 
 
 Myoparo costatus 
 
 74 
 
 striata - 
 
 102 
 
 Area rhomboidella - 
 
 74 
 
 sulcata - - 
 
 103 
 
 Pectunculus Broderipii - 
 
 76 
 
 umbilicata f '" 
 
 103 
 
 minor - n-. 
 
 77 
 
 guttula 
 
 104 
 
 deltoideus - 
 
 77 
 
 Claibornensis 
 
 104 
 
 ellipsis 
 
 78 
 
 Natica striata 
 
 105 
 
 obliqua 
 
 78 
 
 parva - 
 
 106 
 
 Nucula Sedge wickii 
 
 79 
 
 minor 
 
 107 
 
 ovula - - 
 
 80 
 
 minima 
 
 107 
 
 pectuncularis 
 
 81 
 
 gibbosa 
 
 108 
 
 Brogniarti - 
 
 82 
 
 semilunata - .'"., 
 
 108 
 
 media 
 
 83 
 
 magno-umbilicata 
 
 109 
 
 pulcherrima 
 
 84 
 
 mamma 
 
 109 
 
 plicata 
 
 85 
 
 Acteon punctatus - 
 
 111 
 
 magna 
 
 197 
 
 lineatus 
 
 112 
 
 carinifera - 
 
 198 
 
 elevatus 
 
 113 
 
 plana ... 
 
 199 
 
 melanellus 
 
 113 
 
 semen 
 
 200 
 
 striatus 
 
 114 
 
SYSTEMATIC INDEX. 
 
 31 
 
 Acteon pygmaeus 
 
 114 
 
 Cancellaria sculptura 
 
 140 
 
 Scalaria planulata - 
 
 115 
 
 tessellata 
 
 140 
 
 carinata 
 
 116 
 
 elevata - 
 
 141 
 
 quinquefasciata - 
 
 116 
 
 costata 
 
 141 
 
 Delphinula plana 
 
 117 
 
 parva - 
 
 142 
 
 depressa 
 
 118 
 
 Fasciolaria plicata - 
 
 143 
 
 Solarium bilineatum 
 
 119 
 
 elevata - 
 
 143 
 
 Henrici - 
 
 119 
 
 Fusus pulcher - 
 
 144 
 
 ornatum 
 
 120 
 
 Mortonii 
 
 145 
 
 elegans 
 
 121 
 
 decussatus 
 
 145 
 
 cancellatum 
 
 121 
 
 bicarinatus - 
 
 146 
 
 granulatum 
 
 122 
 
 venustus 
 
 146 
 
 Orbis rotella - 
 
 123 
 
 crebissimus 
 
 147 
 
 Planaria nitens 
 
 124 
 
 magnocostatus 
 
 147 
 
 Turbo naticoides 
 
 125 
 
 Delabechii 
 
 148 
 
 nitens - 
 
 125 
 
 ornatus ... 
 
 148 
 
 lineata - 
 
 126 
 
 acutus - 
 
 149 
 
 Tuba striata 
 
 128 
 
 Conybearii - 
 
 149 
 
 alternata 
 
 128 
 
 nanus - 
 
 150 
 
 sulcata 
 
 129 
 
 Fittonii 
 
 150 
 
 Turritella carinata - 
 
 129 
 
 parvus - 
 
 151 
 
 lineata 
 
 130 
 
 minor - 
 
 151 
 
 Cerithium striatum - 
 
 131 
 
 Taitii - 
 
 152 
 
 Pleurotoma caelata - 
 
 132 
 
 Pyrula cancellata 
 
 154 
 
 Lonsdalii 
 
 132 
 
 elegantissima 
 
 155 
 
 Sayi - 
 
 133 
 
 Smithii 
 
 155 
 
 monilifera 
 
 133 
 
 Murex alternata 
 
 157 
 
 Baumontii 
 
 134 
 
 Rostellaria Lamarckii 
 
 158 
 
 Desnoyersii - 
 
 135 
 
 Cuvieri - 
 
 160 
 
 Haeninghausii 
 
 135 
 
 Monoceros pyruloides 
 
 161 
 
 rugosa - 
 
 136 
 
 fusiformis 
 
 162 
 
 obliqua - 
 
 136 
 
 sulcatum 
 
 163 
 
 Children! 
 
 137 
 
 Buccinum Sowerbii 
 
 164 
 
 Lesueurii 
 
 137 
 
 Nassa cancellata 
 
 165 
 
 Cancellaria Babylonica - 
 
 138 
 
 Terebra gracilis 
 
 166 
 
 multiplicata - 
 
 139 
 
 costata - 
 
 166 
 
 plicata - 
 
 139 
 
 venusta - . * . 
 
 167 
 
SYSTEMATIC INDEX. 
 
 Mitra lineata - 
 
 168 
 
 Marginella semen - 
 
 178 
 
 minima 
 
 168 
 
 ovata 
 
 179 
 
 fusoides - ; -!*... 
 
 169 
 
 incurva it?* 
 
 179 
 
 Flemingii 
 
 170 
 
 biplicata 
 
 201 
 
 Humboldtii - 
 
 170 
 
 Anolax gigantea 
 
 180 
 
 Voluta Defrancii ''* ; V 
 
 171 
 
 plicata - 
 
 181 
 
 gracilis 
 
 172 
 
 Oliva constricta - -.'< 
 
 182 
 
 parva - * t^fte**^ 1 
 
 173 
 
 gracilis - 
 
 182 
 
 Vanuxemi * < 
 
 173 
 
 Greenoughi - 
 
 183 
 
 striata - "'*' -'<'*> 
 
 174 
 
 dubia - - 
 
 183 
 
 Parkinsonii - -"* 
 
 175 
 
 Phillipsii - 
 
 184 
 
 Cooperii .>>;./* 
 
 175 
 
 minima 
 
 184 
 
 Marginella anatina 
 
 176 
 
 Montoptygma Alabamiensis 
 
 186 
 
 columba 
 
 177 
 
 elegans 
 
 203 
 
 crassilabra 
 
 177 
 
 Conus Claibornensis -. 
 
 186 
 
 plicata 
 
 178 
 
 
 
PJL.ATJE 1 
 
 SH1RORHIS 
 
 . SKRFUI.A 
 
 . TEREDO 
 
 . SOI.ECl'KTUS 
 S.AWATINA 
 D. MACTKA... 
 
 Claiborrunai, 
 
 alternation 
 
 turriban 
 
 M IIYSS01OA 
 17 KUKKIA 
 
 18 
 
 19 
 
 23 BCERIA 
 
 s 
 

 . , , .,, ; . 
 
 CLASS ANNULATA. 
 
 ORDER SEDENTARY ANNULATA. 
 
 FAMILY DORSALIA. 
 
 GENUS SILIQUARIA. Lamarck. 
 
 S. Claibornensis. Plate 1. Fig. 1. 
 
 Description. Shell round and spirally tapering, longi- 
 tudinally and indistinctly furrowed; fissure inarticulated. 
 
 Observations. Not having obtained a complete specimen, 
 I am unable to give a perfect figure of this species. Among 
 the fractured pieces are two which, by two or three rapid 
 turns, form nearly a complete apex. In some, transverse 
 septa, as mentioned by Lamarck, are found. These are 
 very thin and hemispherical, the convex side being to- 
 wards the apex. In some fragments the fissure is closed 
 on the inside. I presume this takes place below the upper 
 septum; but I cannot decide upon the few specimens in 
 my possession. The furrows on some specimens are very 
 perceptible, on others obsolete. One of the fragments is 
 
.:3t: " f :. : CONTRIBUTIONS 
 
 beautifully sculptured 1 by some parasitic animal, so as to 
 '- fesemWe, in gome degree, the net work of a Flustra. It is 
 entirely covered with this carved work, and at the first 
 view I thought this made it specifically different. A fur- 
 ther examination, however, proved the depredator to have 
 no particular preference to species or genera, his workman- 
 ship being on many other shells. 
 
 I am not aware that this genus has been observed in 
 the strata of Great Britain. In the admirable tables of 
 M. Deshayes, appended to the third volume of Lyell's 
 Principles of Geology, we have six species, five of which 
 are found in the Paris basin, the Eocene of Mr Lyell. 
 
 The genus has not, to my knowledge, before been ob- 
 served in any of the formations of our country. 
 
 FAMILY MALDANIA. 
 
 GENUS DENTALIUM. Lmnasus. 
 
 D. alternatum. Plate 1. Fig. 2. 
 
 Description. Shell very slightly curved, with about six- 
 teen longitudinal ribs alternating with as many smaller 
 ones ; near the base furnished with irregular lines of 
 growth ; aperture round. 
 
 Length about 1 and 3-4ths inches. 
 
TO GEOLOGY. 35 
 
 Observations. The alternation of larger and smaller ribs 
 seems to distinguish this species ; except from that of a 
 living one, the dentalis of Lamarck, which is not so robust 
 a shell, while the cardinal ribs are larger. Var. B. (fossil) 
 I have not seen, but " costis majoribus planulatus" renders 
 it different. It differs in the ribs entirely from the attenua- 
 tum (Say), and is a thicker shell. In some specimens the 
 alternations are not entirely regular. 
 
 D. tunitum. Plate 1. Fig. 3. 
 
 Description. Shell slightly curved, smooth, polished, 
 rather thin; posterior termination furnished with four 
 turret-like appendages ; aperture round. 
 
 Observations. A single specimen only of this curious 
 species has come under my notice. The turreted form of 
 the posterior or smaller termination does not seem to have 
 been noticed in any of the ten species described by Sowerby, 
 nor in the twenty-one by Lamarck. The space between 
 the turrets is festoon like. This remarkable termination 
 eminently distinguishes it from all other species yet de- 
 scribed. 
 
 The smaller figure is of the size of nature. 
 
 In Great Britain fourteen species have been obtained 
 from the Lias to the Crag. Four are mentioned by Sow- 
 erby as being in the London Clay. M. Deshayes's tables 
 give thirty-four, of which thirteen are from the Paris basin, 
 
36 CONTRIBUTIONS 
 
 the Eocene period. In this country Dr Morton has observed 
 casts in the Upper Green Sand of New Jersey and Dela- 
 ware, and Mr Say one species, the attenuatum, in the 
 Tertiary of Maryland. 
 
 FAMILY SERPULEA. 
 
 GENUS SPIRORBIS. Lamarck. 
 
 S. tubanella. Plate 1. Pig. 4. 
 
 Description. Shell discoidal, concave in the centre, sub- 
 carinate above; whorls about three, contiguous ; aperture 
 round and enlarged. 
 
 Diara. less than l-10th of an inch. 
 
 Observations. This minute species was found attached 
 to the inner side of the valve of a Plicatula. Of eleven spe- 
 cimens thus attached, eight are sinistral and three dextral. 
 
 I am not aware of this species having been observed in 
 Great Britain. Lamarck describes one species from Grig- 
 non. It has not, I believe, before been observed in the 
 strata of this country. 
 
TO GEOLOGY. 37 
 
 GENUS SERPULA. 
 
 S. ornata. Plate 1. Fig. 5. 
 
 Description. Shell granulate, below furnished with 
 three squamose carinse. 
 
 Observations. Having a single specimen only of this spe- 
 cies, it is difficult to decide on its characteristics. The 
 beautiful granulations which cover the superior part, and 
 the squamose carinee will, I presume, be usually if not al- 
 ways found to exist on it. The form, however, of different 
 individuals will most likely differ. The one above described 
 takes one turn to the right, then three to the left, forming a 
 disk, the inferior portion being widely umbilicated. It has 
 some resemblance to the granulata (Sowerby), but differs in 
 having carinse. 
 
 Of the twenty-seven species found in England, two 
 only have been discovered in the London Clay. The 
 genus seems to have prevailed more extensively in the 
 chalk and inferior formations. Five species are described by 
 Lamarck, and chiefly from Grignon. In the Upper Green 
 Sand of New Jersey and Delaware, Dr Morton has found 
 one species. In the Tertiary of Maryland, Mr Say observed 
 one, the granifera. 
 
38 CONTRIBUTIONS 
 
 CONCHIFERA BIMUSCULOSA. 
 
 FAMILY TUBICOLARIA. 
 
 GENUS TEREDO. lAnnaus. 
 
 T. simplex. Plate 1. Fig. 6. 
 
 Description. Shell thick, slightly curved, smooth exte- 
 riorly, tapering. 
 
 Observations. Possessing but two or three fragments of 
 the shell, it is impossible to make a perfect description. It 
 differs from the navalis (Lam.) in the substance of the shell 
 being thicker, and from the tibialis of Morton in being less 
 thick, the cavity of that shell being very small. It has no 
 transverse striae like the antenautoz of Sowerby. 
 
 In England one species only seems to have been ob- 
 served, and that by Sowerby in the London Clay. In the 
 Tertiary tables of M. Deshayes we find five species, of 
 which three are from the Paris basin. Dr Morton has, 
 from the Chalk of New Jersey, described a fine species 
 the tibialis. 
 
TO GEOLOGY. 39 
 
 FAMILY SOLENACEA. 
 
 GENUS SOLECURTUS. Blamville. 
 
 S. Blainvillil Plate 1. Fig. 7. 
 
 Description. Shell trapezoidal, rather compressed, nearly 
 equilateral, transversely and minutely striate, truncate be- 
 hind; beaks very small ; escutcheon long and deeply im- 
 pressed ; teeth two, the anterior one large and erect, the 
 posterior small and oblique ; margin entire. 
 
 Diam Length .8, Breadth 1.3, inches, 
 
 Observations. M. de Blainville has with great propriety 
 divided the genus Solen y placing those with the teeth nearly 
 medial under the generic name of Solecurtis. Several of 
 Lamarck's fossil Solenes fall under this division. One spe- 
 cies of the true Solen (S. affinis, Sowerby) is found in the 
 London Clay. The present species resembles most the 
 strigilatus (Lamarck), but differs in being more compressed 
 and less gaping. 
 
 Mr Sowerby (Mineral. Conch. Tab. 462) represents a 
 shell very similar to this in form and size, under the 
 name Sanguinolaria compressa. In the description the 
 teeth are not mentioned. I should suppose from an ex- 
 amination of the figure that it was a true Solecurtus. 
 Mr S. says it belongs strictly to Azor of Leach. 
 
 I have great gratification in dedicating this species to 
 
40 CONTRIBUTIONS 
 
 M. de Blainville, the founder of the genus; who by his 
 talents and industry has contributed so eminently to the 
 improvement and dissemination of the knowledge of na- 
 tural history. This tribute to his worth affords me pecu- 
 liar pleasure, estimating as I do his amiable character and 
 great acquirements. 
 
 FAMILY MY ARIA. 
 
 GENUS ANATINA. Lamarck. 
 
 A. Claibornensis. Plate 1. Fig. 8. 
 
 Description. A portion of the hinge only of this shell has 
 come under my notice, consisting of the apophysis, the point 
 of the beak, and a small part of the dorsal margin behind 
 the beak. The apophysis is elliptical, and small compara- 
 tively with the thickness of the valve in that region. The 
 figure is a good representation of the part described, and 
 it will be observed that the substance of the shell is much 
 thicker than any described species. The pearly nacre 
 which distinguishes most of the genus is very observable 
 in this. 
 
 I am not aware of this genus having been before ob- 
 served in a fossil state, and it is to be hoped that the exer- 
 tions of naturalists now interested in investigating this 
 formation will bring to light perfect specimens of this 
 interesting shell. 
 
TO GEOLOGY. 41 
 
 FAMILY MACTRACEA. 
 
 GENUS MACTRA. Linnaus. 
 
 M. dentata. Plate 1. Fig. 9. 
 
 Description. Fragments only of this species have come 
 into my possession. Two of them consist of a large portion 
 of the hinge of the two valves. The one represented here is 
 of the left valve, which is remarkable for a small lamellar 
 tooth passing from the point of the beak directly between the 
 cardinal tooth and the cavity of the ligament (fossette). 
 The cardinal tooth is as usual angular, and the anterior 
 portion is obliquely notched. Behind the beak, imme- 
 diately under the dorsal margin, there exists, apparently, 
 a long groove closed over near to the beak. The right 
 valve is only perfect enough to exhibit the cardinal tooth 
 and anterior portion of the hinge. The anterior portion of 
 this tooth is divided into three distinct parts, all of which 
 are lamellar. The groove on this anterior portion is en- 
 tirely uncovered, and at the bottom is angular. I cannot 
 with absolute certainty say that these two fractured hinges 
 belong to the same species, but until perfect specimens are 
 obtained they must be so considered. They both have a 
 remarkably thin disk, in proportion to the largeness of the 
 hinge ; and the concentric striae, which are minute, are 
 apparently, on the fracture of the beaks which remain, 
 
42 CONTRIBUTIONS 
 
 precisely the same. The seat of the hinge within the 
 cavity of the beaks forms quite a level plate. 
 
 Observations. This is certainly a very curious and in- 
 teresting hinge, and when we shall be able to see the 
 whole of it in connexion with the other portion of the shell, 
 it may be found convenient to erect it into a new genus. 
 
 M. Grayi. Plate 1. Fig. 10. 
 
 Description. Shell ovately triangular, solid, nearly equi- 
 lateral, obtusely angular behind, obscurely stria te; beaks 
 rather pointed ; cardinal teeth angular ; lateral teeth nearly 
 equally produced, crossed by equidistant minute striae; ex- 
 cavation of the palleal impression small, obtusely anguar; 
 posterior and anterior cicatrices deeply impressed ; cavity of 
 the valve rather shallow, of the beaks deep and sudden. 
 
 Diam. N .3, Length .5, Breadth .6, of an inch. 
 
 Observations. This interesting little species resembles 
 in the transverse striae of the lateral teeth the M. arctata 
 (Conrad) and M. donacia (Lamarck), both of which are 
 furnished with striae on the anterior as well as on the pos- 
 terior lateral teeth. Lamarck seems not to have observed 
 this highly interesting character, as he has not mentioned 
 it. Mr Conrad only mentions their being on the " poste- 
 rior lateral tooth." The cavity of the beak has the ap- 
 pearance of a hole made in the solid part beneath the hinge, 
 and possibly may have had a muscular attachment there. 
 
 I have had some doubt if these species should remain 
 with the genus Mactra, but for the present it is, perhaps, 
 
TO GEOLOGY. 43 
 
 better they should. They there form a beautiful na- 
 tural group. While in London last summer, Mr Gray 
 showed me in the British Museum a specimen of the 
 M. arctata, the habitat of which he was not before ac- 
 quainted with, and which he informed me he had de- 
 scribed in one of the scientific journals of London eight or 
 ten years previously as an Erycina. 
 
 Mr Conrad, being now actively engaged in investigating 
 the fossils of some of our southern formations, may be able 
 to throw further light on this subject. 
 
 Some European naturalists consider the J\factra donacia 
 (Lamarck) as an Erycina. I have never seen the E. car- 
 dioides of Lamarck, the type and only species described by 
 him. Cuvier says the Erycince approach the Mactrce, and 
 are but badly characterised. The same author says " the 
 Jlmphidesmw appear to approach the Mactrce, but they are 
 too imperfectly known to have any distinctive character 
 assigned to them." Lamarck described sixteen species of 
 J2mphidesmce in 1819, and as many more have probably been 
 described since. I cannot understand how there can be any 
 difficulty in regard to this genus. The Jlmphidesmce, never 
 have the angular cardinal tooth, so remarkable and striking 
 in the Mactrw, and this alone is sufficient to separate them. 
 The chief character by which Lamarck makes the division, 
 viz. the existence of an external as well as internal liga- 
 ment (" par ce rapport singulier, d'avoir deux ligamens"), 
 cannot be maintained, as many, perhaps all the Madron 
 have an external ligament, generally small, as well as an 
 internal one; but in the M. solidissima (Chemnitz) it is very 
 perceptible, being, in a large specimen, quite half an inch long. 
 The lateral teeth of the Jlmphidesmw also differ greatly. 
 
44 CONTRIBUTIONS 
 
 In dedicating this species to my friend John Edward 
 Grey, I must take occasion to make my acknowledge- 
 ments for the advantages derived from the numerous and 
 excellent memoirs which have come from his pen, and 
 for many personal services while in Europe. 
 
 M. pygmaza. . Plate 1. Fig. 11. 
 
 Description. Shell triangular, very thin, nearly equilate- 
 ral, somewhat inflated, more produced before than behind, 
 very indistinctly striate, shining ; beaks rather elevated, 
 pointed ; cardinal teeth large ; lateral teeth small ; cavity 
 of the beaks wide and deep. 
 
 Diam. 3-20ths, Length 4-20ths, Breadth 7-20ths, of an inch. 
 
 Observations. This small species is remarkable for being 
 more produced before than behind. In this respect it differs 
 from the lateralis of Say, to which it has some resemblance, 
 though smaller. Immediately at the angle of the cardinal 
 tooth, and below the point of the beak, there is a small 
 apophysis, which I have not observed in other species. 
 In the specimens of my cabinet, the muscular impress- 
 ions cannot be perceived with a common microscope. 
 
 The genus Mactra does not seem to have been noticed 
 in England below the Crag. M. Al. Brogniart (Terrains 
 du Vicentin) describes Mactra ? erebea and Mactra ? sirena 
 from the calcar6o-trappeens of the Val-Ronca. This I 
 believe belongs to his Terrain Thelassique, equivalent to the 
 Tertiary. He has, however, some doubts of their being 
 
TO GEOLOGY. 45 
 
 true Mactrffi. From the description and figures, I should 
 not hesitate to abstract them from that genus. M. De- 
 shayes gives fourteen species in his Tertiary Tables, six 
 are from the Miocene of Bourdeaux and Dax. In this coun- 
 try, Mr Say seems first to have observed it in the Tertiary 
 of Maryland.* More recently Mr Conrad has discovered 
 in the same formation two new species, M. ponderosa, at 
 St Mary's river, Maryland, and J\f. delumbis, at St James's 
 river, near Smithfield, Virginia. 
 
 FAMILY CORBULEA. 
 
 GENUS CORBULA. Brugiere. 
 
 C. Jllabamiensis. Plate 1. Fig. 12. 
 
 Description. Shell inflated, triangular-ovate, angular 
 behind, transversely and finely striate, inequilateral, very 
 inequivalve, anterior part the larger ; beaks incurved and 
 rather pointed ; tooth of the right valve large, pointed and 
 fitting under the beak of the left valve ; posterior basal 
 margin straight or slightly emarginated ; the two great 
 cicatrices distinctly impressed ; cavity of the valves deep. 
 
 Diam. 7-20ths, Length .4, Breadth .7, of an inch. 
 
 Observations. This is the largest species I have seen 
 from our formations. It has a strong resemblance to C. 
 
 * Journal of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, vol. 4 3 
 p. 152. 
 
46 CONTRIBUTIONS 
 
 revoluta (Sowerby), but seems to differ in the angle of the 
 posterior part. 
 
 C. Murchisonil Plate 1. Fig. 13. 
 
 Description. She'll much inflated, triangular, subbian- 
 gulate behind, nearly equilateral, very inequivalve ; right 
 valve covered with regular, large, transverse ribs, which 
 terminate at the sharp carina of the umbonial slope ; left 
 valve smooth or slightly wrinkled, with two or three obscure 
 ribs passing from the beak to the basal margin, and a linear 
 umbonial slope, posterior to which there is a deep fold ; 
 beaks very large and incurved ; tooth and pit of the left 
 valve large ; posterior slope truncate, furnished with a dou- 
 ble carina on the right valve and a single carina and fold 
 on the left. Cicatrices not distinctly impressed ; cavity 
 of the beaks very deep. 
 Diam. .3, Length .5, Breadth .6, of an inch. 
 
 Observations. I have peculiar pleasure in dedicating this 
 curious and beautiful species to the late president of the 
 Geological Society of London, who, by his numerous and 
 excellent papers on geology, has eminently contributed to 
 promote a knowledge of his favourite science. The Mur- 
 chisonii is remarkable for the great disparity of the size of 
 its valves, and their total dissimilarity. It has some re- 
 semblance to the elegans (Sowerby). 
 
 C. gibbosa. Plate 1. Fig. 14. 
 
 Description. Shell very transverse, somewhat inflated, 
 nearly equilateral, very inequivalve, on the right valve 
 
TO GEOLOGY. 47 
 
 transversely and distinctly striate, on the left valve trans- 
 versely and minutely striate ; beaks elevated, incurved ; 
 umbonial slope with a double carina on the right valve, 
 on the left a single carina and indistinct fold. Cicatrices 
 not distinctly marked ; cavity of the beaks rather deep. 
 Diam. .2, Length .3, Breadth .5, of an inch. 
 
 Observations. This species has some resemblance to the 
 Murchisonii, but differs in being more transverse, in being 
 more produced behind, in having a more obtuse carina, and 
 in being less inflated. 
 
 C. compressa. Plate 1. Fig. 15. 
 
 Description. Shell triangular-ovate, compressed, equi- 
 lateral, inequivalve, concentrically and finely striate on 
 both valves ; beaks slightly elevated, incurved ; umbonial 
 slope with a double carina on the right valve, and a single 
 one on the left ; cicatrices not distinctly marked ; cavity 
 of the beaks shallow. 
 
 Diam. .1, Length .2, Breadth 5-20ths, of an inch. 
 
 Observations. Not easily confounded with the preceding 
 species, being smaller and having both valves similarly 
 striate. 
 
 The Corbulm seem to pervade most of the formations 
 from the Mountain Limestone to the Crag. Mr Sowerby 
 describes one (the nitida) from the Upper Freshwater of the 
 
48 CONTRIBUTIONS 
 
 Isle of Wight, and three from the London Clay, of which 
 the bed from which the above were obtained is the equi- 
 valent in Alabama. Eighteen species in all have been 
 observed in the various formations of Great Britain. In 
 the Tertiary Tables of M. Deshayes we have thirty-five 
 species, twenty-one of which are found in the Paris basin 
 (the Eocene). In this country Mr Say has described 
 three from the Tertiary of Maryland, and Mr Conrad one 
 from the Tertiary of Claiborne. 
 
 FAMILY LITHOPHAGA. 
 
 GENUS BYSSOMIA. Cuvier. 
 
 B. petrieoloides. Plate 1. Fig. 16. 
 
 Description. Shell subcylindrical, very thin, very trans- 
 verse, indistinctly striate, on the posterior part obliquely 
 and obsoletely folded ; beaks scarcely perceptible ; pos- 
 terior and anterior cicatrices perceptible. 
 
 Length .1, Breadth .3, of an inch. 
 
 Observations. With much doubt I have placed this shell 
 in Cuvier's genus Byssomia. It agrees better with his 
 description of that genus than any one I know.* Unfor- 
 tunately I obtained but a single valve, and that is imper- 
 
 * He says the shell is oblong, and has no " marked tooth," and that it 
 penetrates into stone, coral, &c. 
 
TO GEOLOGY. 49 
 
 feet. It has a strong resemblance to Petricola pholadiformis 
 (Lamarck) (P.fornicata, Say), but is to appearance entirely 
 without teeth, having several irregular folds about the beak. 
 It differs also in the exterior folds or ribs, which are, in the 
 pholadiformis , marked and situated on the anterior part. 
 
 FAMILY NYMPHACEA. 
 
 GENUS EGERIA. (JVofcfe.) 
 
 Description. Shell subrotund or sub triangular ; margin 
 sometimes crenulate ; hinge variable, sometimes with two 
 lateral teeth ; cardinal teeth two in each valve, diverging, 
 one bifid ; ligament external. 
 
 Observations. Unable to place a considerable group of 
 shells, bearing in the cardinal teeth the same character, 
 in any genus with which I am acquainted, I propose to 
 found a new genus for them, the proper place of which 
 would be between Sanguinolaria and Psammobia. The 
 cardinal teeth have some resemblance to the Lutricola of 
 Blainville, but that able naturalist does not mention a bifid 
 tooth, nor is it so figured in his work. Although there is 
 considerable dissimilarity in the form of the several species 
 of this genus, some being more round and others triangu- 
 lar, the two diverging cardinal teeth, one being bifid, will 
 always be found characteristic of the genus. 
 
50 CONTRIBUTIONS 
 
 E. rotunda. Plate 1. Fig. 17. 
 
 Description. Shell rotund, compressed, angular above, 
 subequilateral, minutely and concentrically striate ; sub- 
 stance of the shell thick ; beaks elevated, pointed ; cica- 
 trices deeply impressed, several visible in the centre of the 
 cavity of the beaks ; cavity of the shell shallow, rugose, 
 cavity of the beaks subangular ; margin entire. 
 
 Diam. .3, Length .9, Breadth .9, of an inch. 
 
 Observations. The resemblance in outline between this 
 species and the nana, hereafter to be described, is very 
 great. It may be distinguished, however, from it by its 
 finer concentric striae, and its larger size. The nana is 
 always more oblique. The figure represents the usual 
 size, but it is sometimes found one third larger. 
 
 E. inflata. Plate 1. Fig. 18. 
 
 Description. Shell subrotund, rather transverse, inflat- 
 ed, subequilateral, very finely and concentrically striate ; 
 substance of the shell very thin ; beaks rather elevated ; 
 posterior slope furnished with an indistinct fold. Cica- 
 trices scarcely perceptible ; cavity of the shell much ex- 
 cavated, of the beak deep and rounded ; margin entire. 
 
 Diam. .2, Length 7-20ths, Breadth 7-20ths, of an inch. 
 
 Observations. Differs from the rotunda in being more 
 transverse, in the substance of the shell being much thin- 
 
TO GEOLOGY. 51 
 
 ner, and in being more inflated. The dorsal margin is 
 but slightly curved. 
 
 E. nitens. Plate 1. Fig. 19. 
 
 Description. Shell subelliptical, obliquely transverse, 
 inequilateral, the anterior portion being much the larger, 
 rather compressed, smooth and shining ; substance of the 
 shell very thin ; posterior slope lightly folded ; beaks ele- 
 vated, pointed ; cicatrices scarcely perceptible ; cavity of 
 the shell not deep, of the beak rather deep ; margin entire. 
 
 Diam. .1, Length 5-20ths, Breadth 6-20ths, of an inch. 
 
 Observations. At first view this species might be taken 
 for the inftata. On examination it will be easily distin- 
 guished by its polish, its obliquity, and particularly by the 
 great disparity of the size of the anterior portion of the 
 shell, the inflata being nearly equilateral. 
 
 E. triangulata. Plate 1. Fig. 20. 
 
 Description. Shell triangular, inequilateral, smooth, ob- 
 tusely angular before, acutely angular at top, gibbous over 
 the umbo anterior to which it is flattened ; substance of 
 the shell rather thin ; posterior and anterior slopes flatten- 
 ed ; beaks elevated, pointed, incurved ; basal margin emar- 
 ginate ; cicatrices not perceptible ; cavity of the shell deep 
 in the superior part of the beak deep and angular ; in- 
 ferior portion of the margin finely crenulate. 
 
 Diam Length .1, Breadth 1.2, inches. 
 
52 CONTRIBUTIONS 
 
 Observations. A single valve of this interesting species 
 has come into my possession. It is the left one. Its beau- 
 tiful form eminently distinguishes it. The exterior portion 
 of the valve is not perfect, and characters not observed on 
 this specimen may be, perhaps, found on perfect ones. 
 
 E. Bucklandii. Plate 1. Fig. 21. 
 
 Description. Shell sub triangular, somewhat inflated, 
 inequilateral, polished, obtusely angular before and at 
 top ; substance of the shell rather thin ; posterior and an- 
 terior slopes somewhat flattened; beaks somewhat ele- 
 vated, pointed, incurved ; cavity of the shell not very deep ; 
 inferior portion of the margin finely crenulate. 
 
 Diam. . . . v" '< Length .7, Breadth 1, inch. 
 
 Observations. Like the last described, a single valve 
 of this beautiful species only has been found. It was 
 taken out of a mass in about a dozen pieces and recon- 
 structed. It resembles the triangulata in many of its cha- 
 racters, but is more transverse, and is neither flat nor gib- 
 bous on the exterior. In outline, it has some resemblance 
 to a Donax. 
 
 In dedicating this species to the distinguished author of 
 the " Reliquiae Diluvianse," I will take the opportunity to 
 make my acknowledgements for the pleasure and advan- 
 tages derived from his various writings. Few geologists 
 of Europe have, with the same success, cultivated the 
 
TO GEOLOGY. 53 
 
 science of geology, and very few have laboured more suc- 
 cessfully to add new facts to establish its philosophy. 
 
 E. subtrigonia. Plate 1. Fig. 22. 
 
 Description. Shell subtriangular, somewhat inflated, 
 inequilateral, polished, obtusely angular before and at top; 
 substance of the shell thin ; anterior slope furnished with 
 a small fold ; beaks slightly elevated, pointed ; cicatrices 
 perceptible ; cavity of the shell rather shallow ; inferior 
 portion of the margin minutely crenulate. 
 
 Diam. .2, Length .3, Breadth .5, of an inch. 
 
 Observations. There is a very close resemblance be- 
 tween this and the Bucklandii, and had there not been so 
 much disparity in the size of the shell and thickness of the 
 valve, I should not have been disposed to separate them. 
 The valves of three specimens are before me. They are 
 of the same size, and have every appearance of being adult. 
 
 E. veneriformis. Plate 1. Fig. 23. 
 
 Description. Shell ovately triangular, transverse, rather 
 compressed, inequilateral, polished ; substance of the shell 
 thin ; beaks pointed ; cicatrices perceptible ; cavity of the 
 beaks shallow ; inferior portion of the margin very mi- 
 nutely crenulate. 
 
 Diam. 3-20ths, Length .2, Breadth .3, of an inch. 
 
 Observations. This small species has a close resem- 
 blance to the last described. It differs chiefly in size and 
 
54 CONTRIBUTIONS 
 
 in being more equilateral. It is very common in this 
 stratum. 
 
 E. ovalis. Plate 1. Fig. 24. 
 
 Description. Shell transversely elliptical, compressed, 
 very inequilateral, furnished with two lamellar lateral 
 teeth, covered with minute concentric striee, which, termi- 
 nating at the anterior slope, are replaced by larger ones 
 which there interlock ; substance of the shell very thin ; 
 beaks small and pointed ; cavity of the shell very shallow ; 
 margin entire. 
 
 Diam. ,1, Length .2, Breadth .4, of an inch. 
 
 Observations. This beautiful little species differs much 
 from the four last described. The cardinal teeth are the 
 same, but this is furnished with a small lamellar tooth 
 diverging on each side of the cardinal teeth. The termi- 
 nation of the concentric striae, which pass from the pos- 
 terior slope, interlocking with those which cover the 
 anterior slope, is very remarkable. 
 
 E. plana. Plate 1. Fig. 25. 
 
 Description. Shell scaleniform, very compressed, trans- 
 verse, very inequilateral, smooth and shining, furnished 
 with two lamellar lateral teeth ; substance of the shell 
 very thin ; beaks very small and pointed ; cavity of the 
 shell extremely shallow ; margin entire. 
 
 Diam. nearly .1, Length .2, Breadth 7-20ths, of an inch. 
 
TO GEOLOGY. 55 
 
 Observations. Differs from the ovalis, which it most resem- 
 bles, in being smooth, more compressed and more angular. 
 
 E. nana. Plate 1. Fig. 26. 
 
 Description. Shell rotundo-oblique, compressed, angu- 
 lar above, subequilateral, concentrically striate; substance 
 of the shell rather thin ; beaks pointed ; cicatrices imper- 
 ceptible ; cavity of the shell shallow of the beak angu- 
 lar ; margin entire. 
 
 Diam. .1, Length 5-20ths, Breadth 5-20ths, of an inch. 
 
 Observations. Closely resembles the rotunda. It has, 
 however, somewhat larger concentric striae is a much 
 smaller shell, and is more oblique. 
 
 GENUS LUCINA. Lamarck. 
 
 L. compressa. Plate 1. Fig. 27. 
 
 Description. Shell subrotund, much compressed, very 
 finely and concentrically striate, equilateral ; beaks small 
 and pointed ; lunule small and cordate ; anterior cicatrix 
 deeply impressed, extending nearly to the basal margin ; 
 palleal impression irregular ; cavity of the shell shallow 
 and rough, having an impressed furrow across its centre ; 
 margin entire. 
 
 Diam. .6, Length 1.5, Breadth 1.7, of an inch. 
 
 Observations. This species is very fragile, scarcely bear- 
 
56 CONTRIBUTIONS 
 
 ing to be moved. Its rough interior and large deeply im- 
 pressed anterior cicatrix are remarkable. 
 
 L. rotunda. Plate 1. Fig. 28. 
 
 Description. Shell orbicular, compressed, equilateral, 
 concentrically and finely striate, tlattish over the umbones, 
 folded before ; substance of the shell thick ; lunule small, 
 lanceolate ; beaks very small, pointed, recurved ; cardinal 
 teeth indistinct; cicatrices impressed, the anterior one 
 rather long ; lines of growth numerous near the margin ; 
 cavity of the shell very shallow, having rather a large fur- 
 row across its centre ; margin entire. 
 
 Diam. .6, Length 1.1, Breadth 1.1, of an inch. 
 
 Observations. Single valves of two individuals only have 
 come into my possession. Its orbicular form and beautiful 
 concentric striae distinguish this species. In these two 
 specimens there are no marks of growth except near to 
 the margin, where on one specimen there are four, on the 
 other seven. These cause a thickening of the margin. 
 
 L. cornuta. Plate 1. Fig. 29. 
 
 Description. Shell orbicular, ventricose, inequilateral, 
 concentrically striate, angular before, folded and emargin- 
 ate behind ; substance of the shell thick ; lunule impress- 
 ed, being bounded by a ridge ; beaks elevated, pointed, 
 recurved ; anterior lateral tooth nearly round, equidistant 
 between the beak and angle ; posterior lateral tooth some- 
 what compressed, equidistant between the beak and fold ; 
 
TO GEOLOGY. 57 
 
 the two great cicatrices raised and very perceptible, the 
 anterior one long ; lines of growth three or four, and very 
 marked ; cavity of the shell deep and rounded, having an 
 impressed furrow across the centre ; margin crenulate. 
 Diara Length 9-20ths, Breadth 9-20ths, of an inch. 
 
 Observations. A single valve only of this beautiful and 
 interesting species has been obtained by me. It does not 
 closely resemble any species recent or fossil which I have 
 seen. The horn or protruding angle on the anterior mar- 
 gin, formed by the bounding ridge of the lunule, at once 
 distinguishes it. The fold or furrow on the posterior part, 
 passing from the beak to the posterior basal margin, forms 
 here a remarkable emargination. 
 
 L. impressa. Plate 1. Fig. 30. 
 
 Description. Shell lenticular, somewhat inflated, nearly 
 equilateral, concentrically striated, folded and emarginate 
 behind ; substance of the shell rather thin ; lunule very 
 small and deeply impressed ; beaks recurved ; the two 
 great cicatrices impressed ; lines of growth numerous ; 
 cavity of the shell rather deep and rounded, having no visi- 
 ble furrow ; margin crenulate. 
 
 Diam. .2, Length .3, Breadth .3, of an inch. 
 
 Observations. This species has some resemblance to 
 the cornuta, but cannot be easily confounded with it. The 
 horn of the one and the deeply impressed lunule of the 
 other eminently distinguish them. This little lunule is 
 
58 CONTRIBUTIONS 
 
 so deeply impressed immediately before the beak, as to 
 give a curve to the margin resembling a fracture. The 
 impressa resembles very closely the figure of L. mitis 
 (Sowerby) . He says in his description, " no lateral teeth." 
 This species has them most distinctly marked. He de- 
 scribes the margin as crenulate ours is beautifully so. 
 
 L.papyracea. Plate 1. Fig. 31. 
 
 Description. Shell orbicular, lenticular, somewhat in- 
 flated, concentrically and finely striated, slightly folded 
 behind and subemarginate ; substance of the shell thin ; 
 lunule cordate ; beaks rather pointed ; lateral teeth scarce- 
 ly perceptible ; anterior cicatrix short ; lines of growth 
 indistinctly marked ; cavity of the shell rather shallow ; 
 margin crenulate. 
 
 Diam. 3-20ths, Length 7-20ths, Breadth 7-20ths, of an inch. 
 
 Observations. This species has a general resemblance 
 to the impressa, but differs in being rather less inflated and 
 in being without the deep impression before the beaks. 
 The posterior fold of the impressa is greater, and the lateral 
 teeth are much larger. In the present species the striae de- 
 crease in number on the posterior part and there become 
 squamose. 
 
 L. lunata. Plate 1. Fig. 32. 
 
 Description. Shell anteriorly oblique, inequilateral, in- 
 flated, concentrically striated and furrowed ; substance of 
 the shell thick ; lunule broadly cordate ; beaks elevated, 
 
TO GEOLOGY. 59 
 
 recurved ; cardinal and lateral teeth rounded ; cicatrices 
 not deeply impressed; the lines of growth numerous and 
 deeply furrowed, causing a crescent like appearance ; cavity 
 of the shell deep of the beaks deep and rounded, having 
 no visible furrow ; margin crenulate. 
 
 Diam. .2, Length .3, Breadth .2, of an inch. 
 
 Observations. Differs from impressa in size, obliquity, 
 striee, and the deeply seated lunule. 
 
 Seven species have been noticed in the strata of Great 
 Britain, from the Great Oolite to the Crag one only in 
 the London Clay. In M. Deshayes's valuable Tertiary 
 Tables we find fifty-nine, of which thirty-one are from the 
 Paris basin (Eocene). Twelve are from Bourdeaux (Mi- 
 ocene). Mr Say has observed five in the Tertiary of 
 Maryland, and Mr Conrad two from the Tertiary of Clai- 
 borne. 
 
 GENUS GRATELUPIA. Des Moulins. 
 
 G. Moulinsii. Plate 2. Fig. 33. 
 
 Description. Shell subtriangular, inflated, gibbous over 
 the umbo, very finely and transversely striate, nearly equi- 
 lateral ; obtusely angular behind, subemarginate on pos- 
 terior basal margin ; lunule large and lanceolate ; margin 
 entire. 
 
 Diam. 1, Length 1.4, Breadth 1.9, of an inch. 
 
60 CONTRIBUTIONS 
 
 Observations. The genus Gratelupia was established in 
 1 827, by M. Charles des Moulins, president of the Linneean 
 Society of Bourdeaux, and published in the second volume 
 of the Transactions of the Society. The name of his dis- 
 tinguished friend, Dr Grateloup, was given to the genus, 
 a single species of which only has heretofore been made 
 known, the G. donaciformis. I have great pleasure in now 
 having it in my power to dedicate a new species to the 
 founder of the genus, who has cultivated, with such emi- 
 nent success, the rich formations of the south of France, 
 and added so much to the labours of Basterot. 
 
 It is not quite so transverse as the donaciformis, nor is 
 the basal margin quite so straight it differs also in being 
 gibbous over the umbones and in having comparatively a 
 small excavation of the palleal impression, which, in the 
 other species, is large, extending two-thirds of the distance 
 between the two great muscular impressions. The small 
 additional teeth which distinguish this genus from the 
 Cytherea, are not in this species so perfectly defined as in 
 the donaciformis. They are more irregularly cut up into 
 crenulations. M. des Moulins places his genus between 
 the genera Lucina and Donax. The structure of its teeth 
 would induce me to think it ought to be placed before the 
 genus Cytherea. The lateral tooth is like that of the Cy- 
 therea, but more removed. 
 
 The genus Gratelupia has been observed, heretofore, only 
 at Bourdeaux, where a single species has been observed by 
 the founder of the genus in the Miocene. 
 
,W GRATELUPIA Mniltowu. 
 
 ;> I ASTAK.TE . rtcurva 
 
 ;V< yiektoui 
 
 36 siikato. 
 
 37 . parva 
 
 51! minor 
 
 Xydu 
 
 4 
 
 '13 
 
 II triffoniata. 
 
 4i minima. 
 
 48 
 
 50 liri'J>ACU9 
 
 51 . MttWARO 
 
 52.AKCA ........ rhambMdeUa. 
 
 4 tliiywtd 
 
TO GEOLOGY. 61 
 
 GENUS ASTARTE. Sowerby. (Crassina of Lamarck.) 
 
 A. recurva. Plate 2. Fig. 34. 
 
 Description. Shell subrotund, angular before, emargin- 
 ate behind, deeply emarginate before the beaks, rather 
 compressed, concentrically and largely striate, deeply fold- 
 ed behind ; substance of the shell rather thick ; beaks 
 very much elevated and recurved ; lunule large, deeply 
 impressed, cordate ; escutcheon long lanceolate ; pos- 
 terior slope bicarinate ; teeth obliquely curved ; cicatrices 
 impressed ; margin finely crenulate. 
 
 Diam. .2, Length .4, Breadth .4, of an inch. 
 
 Observations. I have seen no species of this genus with 
 so elevated and recurved a beak as this. It is remarkable 
 for its curved teeth, the very deep impression of the lunule, 
 which, together with the recurviture of the beak, causes 
 the point of the latter to be quite hooked. The deep fold 
 or furrow, behind, forms on its edges sharp ridges, which 
 are imbricate. In one specimen, I observed longitudinal 
 striae diverging from the beaks and nearly reaching the 
 margin. 
 
 A. Nicklinii. Plate 2. Fig. 35. 
 
 Description. Shell transversely elliptical, subangular be- 
 hind, emarginate at posterior basal margin, concentrically 
 and largely ribbed; beaks compressed, pointed; lunule 
 
62 CONTRIBUTIONS 
 
 lanceolate, excavated, escutcheon long and excavated ; 
 nymph small and deeply seated ; teeth small ; anterior 
 and posterior cicatrices placed on a raised seat ; palleal 
 cicatrix passing between the two great cicatrices in a gen- 
 tle curve ; margin crenulate. 
 Diam. .4, Length .7, Breadth .9, of an inch. 
 
 Observations. This interesting and remarkable species 
 cannot easily be confounded with any other with which I 
 am acquainted, except that which follows. Its oval form, 
 flat beaks and large transverse folds or ribs, are remark- 
 able. 
 
 In dedicating it to my friend, P. H. Nicklin, I have 
 great pleasure in acknowledging my obligations to him, 
 for his kind assistance in occasional difficult points. 
 
 A. sulcata. Plate 2. Fig. 36. 
 
 Description. This species is so precisely similar to the 
 last, with the exception of a marginal furrow, that I 
 have thought it unnecessary to recapitulate the descrip- 
 tion. The Nicklinii is beautifully crenulate on the margin, 
 while the sulcata is furnished with a margin, along whose 
 inner edge a perfect furrow passes from the anterior to the 
 posterior part of the hinge. When very young the speci- 
 mens are almost perfectly flat, and might, for this reason, 
 easily be taken for a different species. 
 
TO GEOLOGY. 63 
 
 A. parva. Plate 2. Fig. 37. 
 
 Description. Shell triangular, rounded below, acutely 
 angular above, compressed, equilateral, concentrically and 
 closely striate ; beaks elevated, pointed ; lunule large, 
 lanceolate ; cardinal teeth small, the posterior margin fur- 
 nished with a long straight lateral. one ; cicatrices scarcely 
 visible ; margin crenulate. 
 
 Diam Length .1, Breadth .1, of an inch. 
 
 The smaller figure is of the size of nature. 
 
 Observations. Although this and the two following spe- 
 cies do not accord entirely with Sowerby's generic descrip- 
 tion of Jlstarte, nor that of Lamarck under the name of 
 Crassina, inasmuch as these have a long, straight, lateral 
 tooth ; I have preferred placing them there, as they agree 
 in all the other generic characters, thinking it unnecessary 
 to make a new genus for them. 
 
 The species above described is more elevated and more 
 acutely angular at the beaks than the others. Its striae 
 are much finer, and it is supposed to be emarginate imme- 
 diately under the point of the beaks. 
 
 w3. minor. Plate 2. Fig. 38. 
 
 Description. Shell triangular, rounded below, angular 
 above, compressed, equilateral, concentrically and" widely 
 striate ; beaks elevated, pointed ; lunule large, lanceolate ; 
 cardinal teeth small, the posterior margin furnished with 
 
64 CONTRIBUTIONS 
 
 a long straight lateral tooth ; cicatrices scarcely visible ; 
 margin entire ] 
 Diam. l-20th, Length nearly .1, Breadth nearly .1, of an inch. 
 
 The smaller figure is of the size of nature. 
 
 Observations. This species at first sight might easily 
 be mistaken for the parva. The microscope will, however, 
 show very characteristic differences. It is less angular 
 above ; the transverse striae are much further removed ; 
 it might be said to be sulcate. All the specimens I have 
 (five) are without a crenulated margin. More perfect 
 specimens may, nevertheless, exhibit this character. 
 
 A. minutissima. Plate 2. Fig. 39. 
 
 Description. Shell scaleniform, acutely angular above, 
 rather compressed, oblique, ribbed longitudinally; beaks 
 elevated, pointed ; lunule very large, cordate ; cardinal 
 teeth small, the posterior margin furnished with a long 
 straight lateral one ; cicatrices scarcely visible ; margin 
 largely crenulate. 
 
 Diam Length l-20th, Breadth l-20th, of an inch. 
 
 The smaller figure is of the size of nature. 
 
 Observations. Differs from the two preceding in size, 
 and may at once be distinguished by its longitudinal ribs, 
 the others being transversely striate. 
 
 One species only seems to have been found in the beds 
 of the London Clay in England, the rugatus of Sowerby. 
 From the Lias to the Crag twenty-eight species in all have 
 
TO GEOLOGY. 65 
 
 been observed, eight being from the Crag. Lamarck does 
 not mention any fossil species. M. Deshayes gives nineteen 
 species in his Tertiary Tables. Mr Say has noticed two 
 species in the Tertiary of Maryland ; Mr Conrad two in 
 that of Claiborne. 
 
 FAMILY CONCEDE. 
 
 GENUS CYTHEREA. Lamarck. 
 
 C. globosa. Plate 2. Fig. 40. 
 
 Description. Shell very much inflated, subrotund, very 
 finely and transversely striate ; swollen over the umbones ; 
 lunule widely and beautifully cordate ; beaks very large, 
 recurved ; teeth elevated and disposed to be conical ; exca- 
 vation of the palleal impression conical ; cavity of the shell 
 very deep and rounded; margin entire. 
 
 Diam. 1.1, Length 1.3, Breadth 1.6, of an inch. 
 
 Observations. This is perhaps the most globose of all 
 the species yet known. It is remarkable for its capacity 
 and its high recurved beaks, in which it has some resem- 
 blance to the genus Isocardia. It is this which gives the 
 impression of the ligament a curve of small radius. The 
 excavation of the palleal impression is more angular than 
 in any species I have noticed. The two central teeth in 
 the right valve are erect and close, with a deep cleft be- 
 tween them. On the edge of the right valve there is a 
 
66 CONTRIBUTIONS 
 
 groove passing from the termination of the ligament to the 
 posterior margin. 
 
 C. comis. Plate 2. Fig. 41. 
 
 Description. Shell inflated, elliptical, smooth ; beaks 
 large ; lunule broad and cordate ; teeth elevated and dis- 
 posed to be conical ; excavation of the palleal impression 
 rather deep and sub-biangular ; cavity of the shell deep ; 
 margin entire. 
 
 Diara. .9, Length 1.1, Breadth 1.5, of an inch. 
 
 Observations. Differs from the C. globosa in being more 
 transverse, less capacious, in having smaller beaks and 
 smooth exterior. About the umbones it is somewhat 
 gibbous. 
 
 C. Hydti. Plate 2. Fig. 42. 
 
 Description. Shell somewhat inflated, subovate, trans- 
 versely and thickly folded ; beaks rather elevated and mi- 
 nutely folded ; lunule cordate ; teeth rather elevated and 
 compressed ; excavation of the palleal impression sub- 
 biangular ; cavity of the shell rather deep ; margin entire. 
 
 Diara. .7, Length 1.2, Breadth 1.4, of an inch. 
 
 Observations. This species is less inflated than the 
 comis, and differs from it in having beautiful folds over the 
 beaks and the whole disk. 
 
 I have great gratification in placing the name of one of 
 our most distinguished conchologists to this shell. Among 
 
TO GEOLOGY. 67 
 
 the first to collect and arrange systematically the shells of 
 our country, he has formed one of the finest cabinets in it. 
 
 C. subcrassa. Plate 2. Fig. 43. 
 
 Description. Shell somewhat inflated, subtriangular, 
 concentrically striate, thick about the region of the hinge ; 
 substance of the shell thick ; beaks thick and elevated ; 
 lunule cordate, indistinct ; teeth rather elevated and com- 
 pressed ; excavation of the palleal impression rather small 
 and roundish ; cavity of the shell deep and rounded ; mar- 
 gin crenulate. 
 
 Diam. . , . . Length 1.1, Breadth 1.2, of an inch. 
 
 Observations. This shell most resembles the trigoniata 
 herein described. It is like that shell in outline, but is 
 thicker, and differs also in having a crenulated margin. 
 
 C. trigoniata. Plate 2. Fig. 44. 
 
 Description. Shell somewhat inflated, triangular, con- 
 centrically and minutely striate ; substance of the shell 
 rather thick ; beaks moderately elevated and recurved ; 
 lunule long, elliptical ; teeth moderately large ; excavation 
 of the palleal impression deep and rounded ; cavity of the 
 shell deep, subangular ; margin entire. 
 
 Diam. .6, Length .9, Breadth 1.1, of an inch. 
 
 Observations. In outline the trigoniata resembles closely 
 the subcrassa. It is, however, less thick in the substance 
 of the shell, has much finer striae, and is entirely without 
 crenulations on the margin. 
 
68 CONTRIBUTIONS 
 
 C. minima. Plate 2. Fig. 45. 
 
 Description. Shell subrotund, angular above, subequi- 
 lateral, concentrically and very minutely striate ; lunule 
 large, elliptical ; beaks somewhat elevated, pointed, com- 
 pressed ; cavity of the shell deep and rounded, margin 
 entire. 
 
 Diam. .... Length .1, Breadth .1, of an inch. 
 
 Observations. A single valve only of this little Cytherea 
 has been observed by me. It may possibly be the young 
 of the trigoniata. This specimen is, however, more equila- 
 teral and the striae are more minute. 
 
 Of this genus three species have been observed in Great 
 Britain, one of which is from the London Clay. In M. 
 Deshayes's Tertiary Tables we find fifty-nine species. 
 Twenty-two of these are from the Paris basin, and eigh- 
 teen from Dax (Miscene period). Mr Say has described 
 two species from the Tertiary of Maryland, and Mr Conrad 
 one from the same state. 
 
 GENUS VENERICARDIA. Lamarck. 
 
 V. transversa. Plate 2. Fig. 46. 
 
 Description. Shell very transverse, elliptical, inflated, 
 very inequilateral ; obliquely ribbed ; substance of the 
 
TO GEOLOGY. 69 
 
 shell thick ; lunule very small, deeply impressed, cordate ; 
 beaks rather elevated, recurved ; ribs about twenty-seven, 
 on the anterior part furnished with somewhat distant tu- 
 bercles ; teeth transverse ; cicatrices impressed ; cavity of 
 the shell deep, oblique ; margin very largely crenulate. 
 Diam. 1.3, Length 1.4, Breadth 1.9, of an inch. 
 
 Observations. This species is perhaps most remarkable 
 for its transverseness and its large knotted ribs. Those of 
 the posterior part are rounded. It most resembles the Sil- 
 limani, but is more transverse. 
 
 F. Sillimani. Plate 2. Fig. 47. 
 
 Description. Shell rather transverse, inflated, inequila- 
 teral, covered with longitudinal, elevated ribs ; substance 
 of the shell thick ; lunule very small, very transverse, and 
 very deeply impressed ; beaks rather elevated, recurved ; 
 ribs, about twenty-seven, sharp and imbricate behind 
 obtuse and tuberculate before ; teeth nearly transverse ; 
 cicatrices slightly impressed ; cavity of the shell deep ; 
 margin largely crenulate. 
 
 Diam. 1, Length 1.1, Breadth 1.4, of an inch. 
 
 Observations. In many of its characters this species 
 closely resembles the transversa. But being less trans- 
 verse, having the posterior ribs more elevated and some- 
 what imbricate, I am induced to separate it. In dedicating 
 it to my friend Professor Silliman, I do myself a peculiar 
 pleasure. His great acquirements and successful investi- 
 
70 CONTRIBUTIONS 
 
 gallons in the sciences, have, at home and abroad, won 
 for him a deserved reputation such as few acquire. 
 
 V. rotunda. Plate 1. Fig. 48. 
 
 Description. Shell rotund, inequilateral, slightly in- 
 flated, longitudinally and closely ribbed ; substance of the 
 shell rather thick ; lunule small, ovately cordate ; beaks 
 slightly elevated, recurved ; ribs about twenty-six, and 
 furnished with closely set arched scales ; teeth rather 
 oblique ; cicatrices rather impressed ; cavity of the shell 
 somewhat deep and rounded ; margin rather largely cre- 
 nulate. 
 Diam. .6, Length 1, Breadth 1, inch. 
 
 Observations. This fine species is remarkable for its 
 beautifully furnished ribs, which are so thickly set with 
 arched scales, as almost to cause them to lie over each 
 other. It differs from the Sillimani in its form, size and 
 ribs. 
 
 V. parva. Plate 2. Fig. 49. 
 
 Description. Shell subtriangular, rounded below, angu- 
 lar above, inflated, equilateral, longitudinally and closely 
 ribbed ; substance of the shell thick ; lunule large, cordate, 
 slightly impressed; beaks elevated, large ; ribs about twenty, 
 transversely and thickly crenulate ; teeth oblique ; cica- 
 trices slightly impressed ; cavity of the shell rather deep ; 
 margin largely crenulate. 
 
 Diam. .2, Length .3, Breadth .3, of an inch. 
 
TO GEOLOGY. 71 
 
 The figure is slightly enlarged. 
 
 Observations. A beautiful little species, and likely to be 
 taken for the young of the rotundata. It has, however, a 
 less number of ribs, is more longitudinal, has a thicker shell, 
 and has more elevated beaks the hinge is remarkably 
 thick. 
 
 The genus Venericardia does not seem to exist in the 
 older formations. Mr Mantell mentions one in the Chalk 
 of Sussex, but has not determined the species. The F. 
 Brogniarti is stated to be from the Sandstone.* Six are 
 mentioned by Mr Sowerby as existing in the London Clay, 
 and four are by him ascribed to the Crag. The well 
 known V. planicosta exists in the London and Paris basins. 
 M. Deshayes, uniting the Venericardia and Cardita, gives 
 fifty for the Tertiary of Europe. Mr Conrad gives for 
 American localities of this species, Maryland and Ala- 
 bama.f 
 
 In this country three species only have, heretofore, I be- 
 lieve, been observed, the granulata of Say, from the Tertiary 
 of Maryland the planicosta of Lamarck, and the Blandingi 9 
 found by Dr Blanding in the Tertiary of Camden, S. C. 
 
 * Geo. Trans, vol. 3, second series. 
 
 t See my observations on this species in the Introduction. 
 
72 CONTRIBUTIONS 
 
 FAMILY CARDIACEA. 
 
 GENUS HIPPAGUS.* (nobis.) 
 
 Description. Shell cordate, inflated, without teeth ; 
 beaks large, recurved ; margin slightly overwrapping 
 beneath the beak ; anterior cicatrix long ; posterior cicatrix 
 round. 
 
 Observations. I have in vain endeavoured to place this 
 shell in one of the established genera. In its general 
 characters it approaches most closely to the Isocardia cor, 
 but cannot be placed in that genus, being destitute of teeth. 
 It bears some resemblance to the genus Inoceramus of 
 Sowerby, but the hinge in that genus " closes by a series 
 of oblong fossets," and besides it is very inequivalve. In 
 its natural order, it seems to follow the genus Isocardia, 
 and I propose there to place it. 
 
 H. isocardioides. Plate 2. Fig. 50. 
 
 Description. Shell cordate, much inflated, longitudinal, 
 minutely and longitudinally ribbed, flattened before and 
 behind, ridged along the umbonial slope ; substance of the 
 shell rather thick ; beaks large, recurved ; cicatrices im- 
 
 * A Horse Boat. 
 
TO GEOLOGY. 73 
 
 pressed ; cavity of the shell very deep ; margin minutely 
 crenulate ; nacre somewhat pearly. 
 Diam. 3-20ths, Length 5-20ths, Breadth 3-20ths, of an inch. 
 
 Three views are given, the smallest being of the size 
 of nature. 
 
 Observations. Three or four valves only of this curious 
 little shell were received by me. The posterior part is 
 exceedingly flat, resembling in this respect some of the 
 Cardia. The depression of the anterior part is between 
 the anterior margin and the beaks ; hence the posterior 
 margin differs from it, the one being subangular, the other 
 curved. 
 
 GENUS MYOPARO.* (nobis.) 
 
 Description. Shell cordate, equivalve ; beaks recurved ; 
 a series of small teeth, transverse to the margin, on each 
 side of the beaks, and placed on the margin ; two large 
 cicatrices. 
 
 Observations. In its general appearance, this resembles 
 the genus just described, and were it not for the teeth on 
 either side of the beak, it would naturally take its place 
 there. In the outline, and possession of an anterior series 
 of teeth, it approaches the Catillus ( C. Lamarckii) of Blain- 
 ville,t which, however, has teeth on one side only. The 
 
 * A piratical oar-galley. 
 
 t Manuel de Malacologie, &c, p. 529. 
 
74 CONTRIBUTIONS 
 
 genus Pulvinites of Defrance, is still further removed, the 
 series of teeth being directly at the apex of the margin, 
 which is there thickened. 
 
 P. costatus. Plate 2. Fig. 51. 
 
 Description. Shell cordate, somewhat inflated, longitu- 
 dinal, minutely and longitudinally ribbed ; substance of 
 the shell thin ; beaks elevated, recurved ; cicatrices large ; 
 the anterior series of the teeth short, the posterior one 
 long, anterior one longer and narrower ; cavity of the 
 shell rather deep ; margin very minutely crenulate ; nacre 
 pearly under the epidermis. 
 
 Diam. .1, Length .2, Breadth 3-20ths, of an inch. 
 
 Observations. This interesting little species requires a 
 microscope to observe some of its characters. The speci- 
 mens in the best state of preservation are greenish. The 
 ribs, in some instances, diverge, and are cut by the lines of 
 growth. 
 
 FAMILY ARCACEA. 
 
 GENUS ARCA. Linnaus. 
 
 Jl. rhomboidella. Plate 2. Fig. 52. 
 
 Description. Shell rhomboidal, very inequilateral, com- 
 pressed at base, longitudinally and closely ribbed ; sub- 
 
TO GEOLOGY. 75 
 
 stance of the shell thin ; beaks small, pointed ; ribs about 
 thirty-three, obsoletely tuberculated on the anterior por- 
 tion ; teeth lamellar, oblique ; cicatrices scarcely percepti- 
 ble ; cavity of the shell rather shallow ; margin crenulate. 
 Diam Length .2, Breadth 7-20ths, of an inch. 
 
 Observations. This pretty little species forms, by its 
 parallel sides, nearly a perfect rhomboid. It has some re- 
 semblance to the centenaria of Say, which is described by 
 him, as well as Mr Conrad, as being " subrhomboidal." 
 The figures, however, are both trapezoidal, and, therefore, 
 differ in outline from the description. It may also be dis- 
 tinguished by the ribs, the centenaria being striate. The 
 figure of Mr Sowerby's duplicata has a close similarity to 
 our shell, but differs in having the " ribs sulcated along 
 the middle." 
 
 The genus Area, has been observed in England, as low 
 down as the Carboniferous Limestone. In Sweden and 
 Germany, several species have been observed as low as 
 the Cretaceous and Oolitic Groups. M. Al. Brogniart 
 describes a species (Pandoris), from the Calcareo-trap- 
 pean formation of Vicentin*. M. Deshayes gives us fifty- 
 four species twenty-three of these are from the Paris 
 basin. From our formations, Mr Say has described three 
 species, all from the Tertiary of Maryland. Mr Conrad 
 has also described three, and observed two others common 
 
 * Memoire du Vicentin, &c. page 76, 
 
76 CONTRIBUTIONS 
 
 to our coast, the transversa and ponderosa of Say. These 
 are from the Tertiary of North Carolina, Virginia and 
 Maryland. 
 
 GENUS PECTUNCULUS. Lamarck. 
 
 P. Broderipii. Plate 3. Fig. 53. 
 
 Description. Shell rather oblique, inflated, inequilateral, 
 nearly straight at dorsal margin, with delicate longitudinal 
 linear ribs, cut by very minute transverse striae ; beaks 
 rather elevated ; hinge teeth arched and very diminutive 
 in the centre ; cicatrices slightly raised ; ^cavity of the 
 shell deep; marginal teeth pointed, small and well defined. 
 
 Diam. .9, Length 1.3, Breadth 1 .4, of an inch. 
 
 Observations. This species is, perhaps, most remarka- 
 able for its small and beautifully pointed marginal teeth, 
 and the straight line of the dorsal margin. The longitu- 
 dinal linear ribs, which diverge from the point of the beak 
 and extend to the margin, are beautifully cut by the fine 
 concentric striae, which interrupt them. This can only 
 be perceived in specimens which are in the best state of 
 preservation. In young specimens, the obliquity does not 
 always exist, and the shell is then equilateral. In perfect 
 specimens, with the assistance of the microscope, the dorsal 
 teeth will be seen to be transversely striate. 
 
 In placing the name of so distinguished a conchologist as 
 that of Mr. Broderip to this species, I have great pleasure. 
 
FIL.A.T1E Ml 
 
 Broderipii 
 
 minor 
 
 deltoidta. 
 
 . owla, 
 p ectuncnla 
 Brogniurti 
 
 6?. NUCBLA. . 
 
 63 
 64 
 
 Pi' . AVTCULA 
 66 .FBI-TEN 
 
 67 
 
 68 . PMCATUL 
 159.OSTIIEA 
 
 Drshtwf 
 LytMi 
 
 74. PISSURE1.1.A 
 
 75. HIPPON1X 
 
 76 INPUNDJBUWJ1 
 
TO GEOLOGY. 77 
 
 His valuable contributions to science are too well known 
 to need my observing upon them. 
 
 P. minor. Plate 3. Fig. 54. 
 
 Description. Shell angular above and round below, 
 nearly equilateral, with minute radiating ribs cut by 
 transverse striae ; beaks rather elevated ; hinge teeth 
 arched, large, diminishing only at the anterior and pos- 
 terior parts of the row ; cicatrices impressed ; cavity of 
 the shell shallow ; marginal teeth small and square. 
 
 Diam.,2, Length .4, Breadth 9-20ths, of an inch. 
 
 Observations. This diminutive species resembles in 
 some of its characters, the Broderipii, but differs from it 
 entirely in the dorsal line and the marginal teeth. 
 
 P. deltoideus. Plate 3. Fig. 55. 
 
 Description. Shell subtriangular, inequilateral, more 
 rounded before, acutely angular at the beak, with minute 
 longitudinal ribs cut by transverse striae ; beaks elevated, 
 pointed ; hinge teeth smaller in the centre ; cicatrices 
 impressed ; cavity of the shell shallow ; marginal teeth 
 rather large and square. 
 
 Diam, 5-20ths, Length .4, Breadth .4, of an inch. 
 
 Observations. Closely allied to the P. minor, this species 
 resembles it in nearly all its characters. It differs in out- 
 line, and more particularly in the angle of the dorsal mar- 
 
 
78 CONTRIBUTIONS 
 
 gin. The anterior part is sometimes entirely straight from 
 the beak to the anterior basal margin. 
 
 P. ellipsis. Plate 3. Fig. 56. 
 
 Description. Shell transversely elliptical, compressed, 
 inequilateral, concentrically and minutely striate, with 
 small longitudinal rugose ribs, more strongly marked on 
 the posterior and anterior parts ; beaks rather elevated, re- 
 curved ; hinge teeth very small, numerous and scarcely 
 interrupted in the middle ; cicatrices impressed ; cavity of 
 the shell shallow ; margin entire. 
 
 Diam. .2, Length 7-20ths, Breadth 9-20ths, of an inch. 
 
 Observations. In some of its characters the ellipsis close- 
 ly resembles the minor, but is eminently distinguished by 
 the absence of marginal crenulations. It is more transverse 
 and has smaller dorsal teeth. Immediately under the beak 
 is a fosset-like impression, which may have been the seat 
 of the ligament. In this it has some resemblance to the 
 nucula; but is placed above the arched row of teeth. 
 
 P. obliqua. Plate 3. Fig. 57. 
 
 Description. Shell oblique, somewhat inflated, very in- 
 equilateral, straight at dorsal margin, with minute longitu- 
 dinal ribs, concentrically folded ; folds beautifully sculp- 
 tured ; beaks rather elevated, pointed ; hinge teeth few, 
 small, placed on nearly a straight plate, smaller in the 
 middle ; cicatrices slightly impressed ; cavity of the shell 
 
TO GEOLOGY. 79 
 
 rather deep ; marginal teeth small on the basal margin 
 larger anteriorly and posteriorly. 
 
 Diam. .2, Length 7-20ths, Breadth 7-20ths, of an inch. 
 
 Observations. This very curious and interesting species 
 is remarkable for its obliquity and the sculptured grooves of 
 its folds. At first sight it might be mistaken for the genus 
 Lima. The seat of the ligament is impressed, and forms a 
 small pit immediately below the point of the beak. 
 
 The genus Pectunculus has been found in England as low 
 in the series as the Great Oolite and as high as the Crag. 
 Mr Sowerby describes five in the London Clay. In the 
 Tertiary Tables of M. Deshayes, we find twenty-seven 
 species almost equally distributed over the three periods 
 there being thirteen species in the Pliocene, eighteen in 
 the Miocene, and nineteen in the Eocene. In the Green 
 Sand of New Jersey, Dr Morton has obtained casts of 
 this genus. In the Tertiary of Maryland Mr Say has 
 observed one species. Mr Conrad has described three spe- 
 cies from the Tertiary of Claiborne and observed one other, 
 the pulvinatus of Lamarck, near York Town, Virginia. 
 
 GENUS NUCULA. Lamarck. 
 
 JV. Sedgewickii. Plate 3. Fig. 58. 
 
 Description. Shell ovately elliptical, oblique, subangular 
 behind, inflated, very inequilateral, smooth ; swollen over 
 
80 CONTRIBUTIONS 
 
 the umbones ; substance of the shell thick ; lunule none ; 
 beaks elevated, recurved; anterior series of teeth short 
 posterior series long ; fosset small and oblique ; cavity of 
 the shell rather deep ; margin very minutely crenulate ; 
 nacre very pearly. 
 Diam. .4, Length .6, Breadth .8, of an inch. 
 
 Observations. Resembles Gobboldice and Icevigata (Sow- 
 erby) . It differs from the first in being smooth from the last 
 in not being truncate, and from both in having a crenulated 
 margin. It has perhaps a stronger resemblance to the mar- 
 garitacea of Lamarck, a recent European species, and the 
 only recent one known to be crenulate. That distinguished 
 naturalist says it is found fossil in various parts of France. 
 It appears to me that our shell differs in being more 
 robust, more transverse, and having less pointed teeth. 
 
 In fine specimens of the Sedgewickii, with the aid of the 
 microscope, minute diverging lines may be observed. 
 
 In attaching the name of a distinguished geologist to 
 this species, I must make my acknowledgements for the 
 instruction and pleasure derived from his eminently useful 
 labours. 
 
 JV. ovula. Plate 3. Fig. 59. 
 
 Description. Shell ovate, oblique, inflated, very inequi- 
 lateral, transversely striate, longitudinally and very mi- 
 nutely ribbed ; substance of the shell thin ; lunule large, 
 not deeply impressed ; beaks pointed, recurved ; anterior 
 series of teeth short posterior series long ; fosset nearly 
 
TO GEOLOGY. 81 
 
 direct ; cavity of the shell deep ; margin very minutely 
 crenulate ; nacre pearly. 
 
 Diam. .3, Length .4, Breadth .5, of an inch. 
 
 Observations. This pretty little species in general ap- 
 pearance resembles the Sedgewickii, but differs in being 
 more ovate and in having a lunule. Of the species de- 
 scribed by Mr Sowerby, it approaches most closely to the 
 variabilis, but differs in not being smooth outside, and in 
 having a crenulated margin. 
 
 JV. pectuncularis. Plate 3. Fig. 60. 
 
 Description. Shell trapezoidal, compressed, nearly equi- 
 lateral, angular before, rounded behind, flattened on the 
 sides, straight at basal margin, longitudinally and minute- 
 ly ribbed ; anterior slope large, carinate ; substance of the 
 shell thin ; beaks recurved, pointed ; both series of teeth 
 small and nearly equal, the posterior one rather the smaller ; 
 fosset on the plate and immediately under the beak, ob- 
 lique ; cavity of the shell shallow ; margin entire ; nacre 
 apparently not pearly. 
 
 Diam Length .1, Breadth 3-20ths, of an inch. 
 
 Observations. A single valve only of this truly inter- 
 esting little nucula has been obtained by me. It differs 
 in outline from any species I am acquainted with, its 
 trapezoidal form being very peculiar. At first sight, on 
 examination of the teeth, I took it to be a Pectunculus, 
 but a further examination with the microscope showed me 
 the fosset for the ligament, between the two series of 
 
 L 
 
02 CONTRIBUTIONS 
 
 teeth. It has a distinct fosset, but unlike the genus 
 generally in this, it is placed above the teeth, and directly 
 at the point of the beak. We may, with great propriety, 
 consider this to be the connecting link with the Pectunculi, 
 the "nuance" being into that of the P. ellipsis (nobis). 
 A more complete junction could scarcely be established. 
 
 JV. Brogniarti* Plate 3. Fig. 61. 
 
 Description. Shell elliptically transverse, somewhat in- 
 flated, rounded before, produced and truncate behind, 
 nearly equilateral, furnished with sinuous transverse folds 
 over the disk, and six granose ribs behind, which passing 
 from the beaks to the posterior margin form two channels 
 on each valve ; substance of the shell thick ; lunule lan- 
 ceolate ; escutcheon inflected, lanceolate ; beaks small, 
 pointed, concentrically folded ; anterior series of teeth 
 arched posterior series inflected ; teeth pointed, angular, 
 diminishing in size towards the beak ; fosset deep, trian- 
 gular ; cicatrices impressed ; excavation of the palleal 
 impression small and rounded ; cavity of the shell rather 
 shallow, furnished posteriorly with two channels on each 
 valve ; margin very minutely crenulate ; nacre not pearly. 
 
 Diam. .3, Length .4, Breadth .8, of an inch. 
 
 Observations. Among all the nuculw I have not seen so 
 beautiful a species as this ; its fine form and adorned exte- 
 rior are very remarkable. The folds are larger before the 
 
 * Named after the distinguished geologist Al. Brogniart. 
 
TO GEOLOGY. 83 
 
 umbonial slope. As they approach the anterior margin 
 they become obsolete, but again increase, and are deflected 
 after passing an oblique impressed line, passing from the 
 beaks to the anterior basal margin. Posterior to the um- 
 bonial slope the folds are also there deflected, and become 
 smaller. In the furrows very minute transverse striae may 
 be observed. The lunule, escutcheon and furrows between 
 the ribs are slightly striate. The crenulation of the mar- 
 gin is very minute, and can only be observed on very per- 
 fect specimens. 
 
 JV. media. Plate 3. Fig. 62. 
 
 Description. Shell elliptically transverse, somewhat in- 
 flated ; rounded before, produced and truncate behind, equi- 
 lateral, furnished with fine concentrical folds in the middle, 
 and three ribs on each valve behind ; anterior part smooth ; 
 substance of the shell thin ; lunule none ; beaks very small, 
 pointed ; anterior series of teeth arched posterior series in- 
 flected ; teeth small, pointed, angular, diminishing in size 
 towards the beak ; fosset scarcely perceptible ; cicatrices ob- 
 solete ; cavity of the shell rather shallow, having its channel 
 interrupted by a callus ; margin entire ; nacre not pearly. 
 
 Diam. .1, Length 3-20ths, Breadth 7-20ths, of an inch. 
 
 Observations. This beautiful little species in outline is like 
 the last described, but differs much in many of its charac- 
 ters. The folds are minute and very remarkably regular. 
 Becoming obsolete as they approach the anterior margin, 
 they there vanish altogether as if erased by attrition. 
 
84 CONTRIBUTIONS 
 
 These folds terminate posteriorly very abruptly at the first 
 rib, of which there are three on each valve, passing from 
 the beak to the posterior margin. The centre rib is the 
 largest, and disposed to be imbricate. A remarkable callus 
 is placed directly in the channel of the posterior part of the 
 cavity of the shell. It is disposed to be polished inside and 
 out. 
 
 JV. pulcherrima. Plate 3. Fig. 63. 
 
 Description. Shell an obtuse angled triangle, very trans- 
 verse, compressed, nearly equilateral, concentrically folded; 
 folds rather sharp, on the umbonial slope inflected ; sub- 
 stance of the shell thin ; beaks angular ; lunule lanceolate ; 
 escutcheon linear; anterior and posterior series of teeth 
 both incurved ; teeth arched, diminishing in size towards 
 the beak ; fosset small, subtriangular ; cicatrices impercep- 
 tible ; cavity of the shell very shallow, showing the exte- 
 rior folds and carina of the unbonial slope; margin entire ; 
 nacre not pearly. 
 
 Diam Length .1, Breadth .2, of an inch. 
 
 Observations. A single valve only, the right one of this 
 interesting little species, has come into my possession. The 
 deep folds which cover the whole valve, and its angular 
 form highly distinguish it from any described species with 
 which I am acquainted. 
 
TO GEOLOGY. 85 
 
 JV. plicata. Plate 3. Fig. 64. 
 
 Description. Shell elliptically transverse, rather com- 
 pressed, inequilateral, concentrically and minutely folded, 
 rounded before, produced and truncate behind, furnished on 
 the posterior slope with six ribs on the anterior part with 
 two curved furrows ; substance of the shell thin ; lunule 
 lanceolate ; escutcheon long, lanceolate ; anterior series of 
 teeth arched, posterior series incurved ; teeth angular, di- 
 minishing in size towards the beak; fosset small, angular ; 
 cicatrices imperceptible ; cavity of the shell very shallow, 
 having its channel interrupted by a callus ; margin entire ; 
 nacre not pearly. 
 
 Diam. .1, Length .2, Breadth .5, of an inch. 
 
 Observations. This species resembles in outline the 
 Brogniarti and media. It differs from the first essentially in 
 the closeness and regularity of the folds, and from the last 
 in having the folds to continue over its anterior portion. 
 It differs from both in the position of its beaks, which are 
 placed so much towards the anterior part as to render the 
 shell very inequilateral. The ribs too are more sharp. 
 The furrow on the anterior part of the valve of this species 
 is not found in either of the above described species. 
 
 This fine genus seems to pervade nearly all the import- 
 ant formations, from the Carboniferous Limestone to the 
 newest of the Supercretacious Group. The JV. Pa/wee* 
 
 * Sowerby's Min, Conch, vol. 5. 
 
86 CONTRIBUTIONS 
 
 exists in Derbyshire in the first mentioned formation, and 
 twenty-seven others in the superior beds of England. Five 
 of these are from the London Clay. M. Deshayes gives 
 us twenty-three from the Tertiary of Europe. Six of these 
 are from the Paris basin. Mr Say describes two species, 
 the Icevis and concentrica from the Tertiary of Maryland, 
 and Mr Conrad two from the Tertiary of Claiborne. 
 
 ORDER CONCHIFERA UNIMUSCU- 
 LOSA. 
 
 FAMILY MALLACEA. 
 
 GENUS AVICULA. Lamarck. 
 
 Jl. Claibornensis. Plate 3. Fig. 65. 
 
 Description. Shell thin, thickened along the dorsal 
 margin, acutely angular before ; beaks small, pointed ; 
 teeth small and placed near the anterior margin ; wings 
 very oblique ; nacre very pearly. 
 
 Diam Length .... Breadth . . . : k 
 
 Observations. Several fragments and one nearly com- 
 plete valve only were received by me. From these, I am 
 unable to identify it with any other species. It differs 
 from the A. media (Sowerby), in being more oblique and 
 
TO GEOLOGY. 87 
 
 having a smaller hinge. One of tfie fractured pieces 
 seems to have a wider hinge, and may prove to be of a 
 different species. 
 
 About seventeen species have been found fossil in 
 Great Britain. The lowest stratum being that of the 
 Magnesian Limestone (Zechstein) the highest that of 
 the London Clay, where the media only has been observ- 
 ed. Mr Mantell mentions a species (not determined) in 
 the Chalk of Sussex. M. Deshayes gives us five species 
 only, for the two genera Jlmcula and Meleagrina, four of 
 which he cites from the London Clay. Why he should 
 not notice the numerous species of Sowerby and Phillips 
 I cannot imagine. I am not aware of any species having 
 been heretofore observed in our formation. Dr Morton 
 mentions his having observed casts in the Green Sand 
 of New Jersey. 
 
 FAMILY PECTINIDA. 
 
 GENUS PECTEN. Lamarck. 
 
 P. Deshaysii* Plate 3, Fig. 66. 
 
 Description. Shell orbicular, rather compressed ; ears 
 nearly equal ; substance of the shell rather thick ; ribs 
 
 * Named after the distinguished fossil conchologist M. Deshayes. 
 
88 CONTRIBUTIONS 
 
 about twenty-one, large, alternating with as many small 
 ones, all imbricate ; beaks pointed. 
 
 Diam Length 1.3, Breadth 1.3, of an inch. 
 
 Observations. I know no species which this resembles 
 so much as the gracilis (Sowerby), from the Crag at Holy- 
 wells. It differs in having rather large ribs instead of 
 " many small longitudinal ridges." 
 
 P. Lyelli* Plate 3. Fig. 67. 
 
 Description. Shell longitudinal, rounded below, angular 
 above, compressed ; ears very unequal, having a channel 
 on the larger one ; substance of the shell thin ; ribs about 
 twenty-two, rounded, slightly imbricate ; beaks acutely 
 angular. 
 
 Diam Length ,8, Breadth .7, of an inch. 
 
 Observations. This species differs from the last described 
 in being more elongated, in having very unequal wings, in 
 having a channel on one wing, and in having no alter- 
 nate ribs. A single smaH valve accompanied this species, 
 which appears to be different, the ears being not quite so 
 unequal ; further specimens may prove it to be worthy of 
 a specific distinction. If so, I propose the name of mi- 
 nutus. 
 
 * Named after the eminently distinguished geologist Charles Lyell. 
 
TO GEOLOGY. 89 
 
 Forty-nine species of this genus have been observed in 
 the strata of Great Britain, from the Carboniferous Lime- 
 stone to the Crag three only in the London Clay. Many 
 are described from the Continent, by Nilsson, Heeninghaus, 
 &c. as existing in the Cretaceous Group. M.M. Brogniart 
 and Defrance have described some from the environs of 
 Paris, where they have been found in the Supercretaceous 
 rocks. M. Deshayes gives us sixty for the Tertiary. 
 Twenty-six are from the Pliocene of Sicily and the Sub- 
 appennines, and ten from the Paris basin. In the Green 
 Sand of New Jersey and Delaware, Dr Morton has ob- 
 served two or three species. Mr Say, from the Tertiary 
 of Maryland, has described four. 
 
 GENUS PLICATULA. Lamarck. 
 P. Mantilli.* Plate 3. Fig. 68. 
 
 Description. Shell oblongo-trigonal, irregular, compress- 
 ed, ribbed, transversely imbricate, furnished with external 
 and internal ribs, the latter most numerous ; substance of 
 the shell thick ; teeth striate ; cicatrix round. 
 
 Diam. .3, Length .7, Breadth .8, of an inch. 
 
 Observations. This species, as sometimes among the 
 recent ones, is so irregular in outline as to present almost 
 all the forms between the circle and triangle. It is dis- 
 posed to be angular above and round below. The small 
 
 * Named after the author of the " Geology of Sussex." 
 M 
 
90 CONTRIBUTIONS 
 
 internal ribs radiate from the beak, and are more numer- 
 ous, and independent of the external ones, which vary in 
 number from six to twelve. These internal ribs are dis- 
 posed to terminate, in the left valve with a tubercle in the 
 right with a corresponding depression. In young indivi- 
 duals the valves are thin. In all my specimens, the cicatrix 
 differs in colour from the rest of the disk, being whitish. 
 
 Three species only of Plicatula have been observed in 
 Great Britain, the highest of these in the Chalk Marl 
 (Crai Tufau), being of the Cretaceous Group. Lamarck 
 describes six. In M. Deshayes's Tertiary Tables we find 
 seven, three being from the Paris basin. Mr Say has from 
 the Tertiary of Maryland described one species, marginata* 
 
 FAMILY OSTRACEA. 
 
 GENUS OSTREA. Ltrmcetw. 
 O. semilunata. Plate 3. Fig. 69. 
 
 Description. Shell semi-lunate, anterior margin much 
 incurved ; superior valve incurved inferior one very con- 
 vex ; beaks produced, rounded and flattened ; basal mar- 
 gin rounded. 
 
 Diam. .8, Length 2.3, Breadth 1.6, of an inch. 
 
TO GEOLOGY. 91 
 
 Observations. A single specimen (both valves) only 
 has come into my possession. Being somewhat worn, it 
 is difficult to say if the species be squamose or smooth. 
 The superior valve seems to be concentrically striate. On 
 the posterior edge of the upper valve there are a few 
 wrinkles. 
 
 O. divaricata. Plate 3. Fig. 70. 
 
 Description. Shell semi-lunate, somewhat convex, sub- 
 angular at dorsal margin and recurved, rounded at basal 
 margin, furnished with divaricate ribs over the whole sur- 
 face ; margin crenulate, raised before the beak. 
 
 Diam Length 1.5, Breadth .8, of an inch. 
 
 Observations. Like the last, it is difficult to make out 
 the characters from a single specimen. It has some re- 
 semblance to the O. costata (Sowerby), but is a larger shell 
 and not orbicular. 
 
 O. Jllabamiensis. Plate 3. Fig. 71. 
 Two Views. 
 
 Description. Shell subelliptical, curved behind, crenu- 
 late on both sides of the beak ; beaks recurved, pointed. 
 
 Diam Length 2.1, Breadth 1.5, of an inch. 
 
 Observations. A single valve only of this species has 
 been received by me. The exterior of this is roughly 
 squamose. 
 
92 CONTRIBUTIONS 
 
 O. lingua canis. Plate 3. Fig. 72. 
 Two Views. 
 
 Description. Shell elliptical, elevated and somewhat 
 truncate at the dorsal and basal margins, convex, crenu- 
 late on both sides of the beaks ; margin raised between 
 the beak and the base. 
 
 Diam. . . . . / Length 1.8, Breadth 1.1, of an inch. 
 
 Observations. A single valve only of this curious species 
 has come into my possession, and it is difficult to make 
 out all its characters with certainty from it. The other 
 valve may present important ones. The form of this 
 valve, owing to the raised margin, resembles a dog's tongue. 
 On the exterior, along the edge of this elevated part, there 
 is a slight fold, apparently as if it had been pushed up in 
 a soft state. Very small radiating striae may be perceived 
 near the beaks, and the whole surface is irregularly vari- 
 cose. 
 
 O. pincerna. Plate 3. Fig. 73. 
 
 Two Views. 
 
 Description. Shell orbicular, convex, flattened at the 
 beaks, irregularly wrinkled ; substance of the shell thin, 
 diaphanous ; beaks bent downwards ; margin sharp. 
 Diam Length .6, Breadth .6, of an inch. 
 
 Observations. Although I have two valves and several 
 pieces of this curious little shell, it is difficult to make out 
 
TO GEOLOGY. 93 
 
 its permanent characters. It is disposed to be cup-like, thin, 
 diaphanous and wrinkled, but this is not always the case. 
 In the two whole valves the beaks bend down immediately 
 from the margin and make no channel. 
 
 The genus Ostrea is widely distributed through the foss- 
 iliferous strata. In Great Britain thirty-six species have 
 been observed from the Lias to the Crag. Lamarck has 
 described thirty-eight species from various beds and locali- 
 ties. Professor Sedge wick mentions one (species not 
 determined) in the Zechstein of Northumberland. We 
 have in M. Deshayes's Tertiary Tables seventy-two spe- 
 cies, forty-two of which are from the Paris basin (Eocene 
 period). 
 
 In the Green Sand of New Jersey and Delaware, 
 Dr Morton has observed four or five species. From the 
 Tertiary of Maryland Mr Say has described the compressi- 
 rostra, and Mr Conrad has there observed the virginica 
 (Lamarck). Mr Conrad has described three species from 
 South Carolina and Alabama, and has noticed the virgi- 
 nica at Suffolk, Virginia. 
 
94 CONTRIBUTIONS 
 
 CLASS MOLLUSCA. 
 
 ORDER GASTEROPODA. 
 
 FAMILY CALYPTRACIANA. 
 
 GENUS FISSURELLA. Lamarck. 
 
 F. Claibornensis. Plate 3. Fig. 74. 
 
 Description. Shell elliptical, on the back convexly 
 conical, thin ; ribs numerous, cut by striae, at the sections 
 enlarged ; fissure rather large, oblong, inclined ; margin 
 minutely crenulate. 
 
 Long. diam. .4, Transv. diam. .3, Height .2, of an inch. 
 
 Observations. One specimen and a fragment are all I 
 have seen from this locality. It has some resemblance to 
 F. grceca (Lamarck), but is more elevated, has smaller ribs, 
 and is not ovate, but elliptical. It differs, too, in the crenu- 
 lation of the margin, those of the grceca being in pairs. 
 
TO GEOLOGY. 95 
 
 Two species only of this genus seem to have been ob- 
 served in England, neither of which belongs to the London 
 Clay. The clathrata has been found in the Great Oolite 
 the graca in the Crag. In the Tertiary Tables of M. Des- 
 hayes we have eight species, four of which are from the 
 Paris basin. From the Maryland deposit we have two 
 species, .F. redimicula (Say), and F. grceca (Lamarck), 
 specimens of both of which may be seen in the Academy 
 of Natural Sciences. Of the grwca being the anologue of 
 the West India species I have great doubt. 
 
 GENUS HIPPONIX. Defrance and Blainmlle. 
 
 H. pygmwa. Plate 3. Fig. 75. 
 
 Description. Shell subrotund, obliquely conical, closely 
 ribbed ; apex straight, pointed ; cicatrices impressed ; mar- 
 gin entire. 
 
 Long. diam. .2, Transv. diam. 3-20ths, Height nearly .1 ,of an inch. 
 
 Figure magnified. 
 
 Observations. This interesting little shell has a strong 
 resemblance in form to H. cornucopia (Defrance and Blain- 
 ville), Pileopsis cornucopia (Lamarck). I have determined 
 to place it in that genus in consequence of its possessing 
 the horse shoe shaped cicatrix mentioned by Blainville,* 
 although I have not seen it attached to any support. 
 
 * Manuel de Malacologie, &c. p. 507. 
 
96 CONTRIBUTIONS 
 
 Sowerby mentions two species of the genus Pileopsis, 
 from which this is separated, as being found in the Moun- 
 tain Limestone ; and Mantell one species from the Lower 
 Green Sand of Sussex. These are, I believe, all which 
 have been observed in Great Britain. M. Defrance men- 
 tions five fossile species of the genus Hipponix. M. Des- 
 hayes gives us twelve species of Hipponix in his Tertiary 
 Tables of these, eight are from Paris, nearly the whole 
 being found in the Eocene period. It has not, I believe, 
 been before noticed in this country. This genus was founded 
 by M. Defrance from the examination of the animal brought 
 by M.M. Quoy and Gamard, which proved to differ from 
 that of the Pileopsis (Lamarck).* Schumacher, in 1817, 
 separated the group from the Linnean Patella, and made 
 P. ungarica the type of a new genus under the name 
 Jlmalthea. 
 
 GENUS INFUNDIBULUM. Montfort. 
 
 I. trochiformis Plate 3. Fig. 76. 
 
 Description. Shell orbicular, obtusely conical, slightly 
 tuberculated ; substance of the shell thin ; whorls all ob- 
 scure except the first. 
 
 Diam. .3, Height 3-20ths, of an inch. 
 
 Observations. Branders's figures of Trochus apertus (In. 
 tuberculatum, Sowerby), and T. opercularis^ resemble this 
 
 * Manuel de Malacologie, &c. p. 507. 
 t Hampshire Fossils, plate I, fig. 1, 2, 3. 
 
TO GEOLOGY. 97 
 
 species. It appears, however, to be a thinner shell than 
 either, and to be less tuberculated. These tubercles are 
 disposed to be spinous and open at the top ; and in some 
 specimens are obsolete. 
 
 Of this genus, six species have been observed in the 
 Tertiary strata of England. One in the Plastic Clay, 
 three in the London Clay, and two in the Crag. M. Des- 
 hayes does not recognise the genus. In this country, it 
 has not, I believe, before been observed in a fossil state. 
 
 GENUS CREPIDULA. Lamarck. 
 
 C. cornu-arietes. Plate 3. Fig. 77. 
 
 Description. Shell elliptical, very convex, longitudinally 
 curved ; substance of the shell rather thick ; diaphragm 
 rather large and somewhat thick ; beak elevated, produced, 
 curved outwards and backwards ; margin oblique, the ele- 
 vated side being on that of the beak. 
 Long. diam. 1.5, Transv. diam. .7, Height .6, of an inch. 
 
 C. lirata ? Conrad. 
 
 Observations. This fine species differs much from any 
 recent or fossil one with which I am acquainted. Its ob- 
 lique margin, and its elevated, produced beak resembling 
 the prow of a Roman galley, eminently distinguish it. It 
 differs from C. costata (Morton), in being more elliptical, 
 convex and produced in the beaks. 
 
 N 
 
98 CONTRIBUTIONS 
 
 I am not aware of this genus having been found in 
 a fossil state in Great Britain. M. Deshayes gives us three 
 for the Tertiary on the continent. Dr Morton has observed 
 one, C. costata, in the Tertiary of St Mary's, Maryland, 
 and Mr Conrad obtained two in the Upper Marine Forma- 
 tion of Maryland, viz. the convexa and glauca, both of 
 which Mr Say obtained in a living state on our coast. 
 Mr Conrad has also described a species, the lirata, from 
 Claiborne. 
 
 FAMILY BULL^SANA. 
 
 GENUS BULLA. Linnaus. 
 
 B. St JMam.* Plate 4. Fig. 78. 
 
 Description, Shell cylindrical, transversely striate ; sub- 
 stance of the shell rather thick ; spire truncate and umbi- 
 licate ; whorls somewhat compressed in the middle ; co- 
 lumella thickened at the base ; mouth linear, wider at the 
 base ; outer lip sharp. 
 
 Length .7, Breadth 5-20ths, of an inch. 
 
 Observations. This species resembles the figure of Sow- 
 erby's constricta.^ Ours is wider at the base, and the base 
 
 * Named after the enlightened traveller and naturalist Geoffrey St 
 Hillaire. 
 t Min. Conch, plate 464, fig. 2. 
 
TO GEOLOGY. 99 
 
 of the columella, where it is disposed to put on an obscure 
 fold, is thicker. 
 
 Eight species have been observed in England. One in 
 the Coral Rag, five in the London Clay, and two in the 
 Crag. M. Deshayes gives twenty-three in his Tertiary 
 Tables fourteen are from the Paris basin. 
 
 In the Green Sand Formation of Jersey, Dr Morton 
 thinks he has observed casts of the Bulla. In the Tertiary 
 of Maryland, Mr Conrad has obtained one species, Bulla 
 acuminata (Sowerby). 
 
 
 FAMILY MELANIANA. 
 
 GENUS PASITHEA. (nobis.) 
 
 Description. Shell turrited, sometimes umbilicate ; 
 mouth entire, angular above, somewhat effuse at base ; 
 columella smooth, thickened. 
 
 Observations. The mouth of the shells in the genus pro- 
 posed above has a strong resemblance to the genus Mela- 
 nia.* It is, however, less effuse at the base, straighter and 
 
 * The distinguished geologist, M. Brogniart, in his " Terrains du Vi- 
 centin," page 58, describes three species of Melania, two of which might 
 with propriety be placed in the genus Pasithea. He makes the following 
 

 100 CONTRIBUTIONS 
 
 more angular above. Were it not a marine shell, there 
 might be some doubt of the propriety of a separation. 
 This group might be placed in the genus Rissoa, if it were 
 not that the mouth is acutely angular above, and is not 
 thickened into a varix, as that genus is. Captain Brown, 
 in his " Illustrations of the Conchology of Great Britain 
 and Ireland," establishes a genus (Pyramis), which this 
 perhaps more closely resembles, but judging by the figures 
 (there are no descriptions) I believe there is a generic 
 difference.* 
 
 P. secale. Plate 4. Fig. 79. 
 
 Description. Shell subulate, smooth ; substance of the 
 shell thin ; apex acute ; suture linear ; whorls eight, flat- 
 tened ; mouth acutely angular above rounded below, one 
 
 introductory remarks. " On salt que ce genre artificiel renferme un 
 grand nombre d'especes heterogenes, differentes par la forme generale, 
 par les habitudes, et meme par le caractere artificiel, tire" de la forme de 
 1'ouverture. C'est done pour me conformer a ce que a etc fait," &c. 
 
 * Some time after the observation and note were made upon this genus, 
 I observed in M. Payraudeau's excellent work on the recent shells of 
 Corsica, the description and figure of the Melania Camlessedesii, No. 234, 
 which naturally belongs to the genus Pasiihea. He says, " j'aurais pu 
 creer un genre nouveau pour cette espece qui n'est point, comme les 
 vraies Melanies, une coquille fluviatile, mais marine." After some fur- 
 ther observations, he proposes to make a division of the genus Melania 
 for these marine species. I believe it is now universally conceded, that 
 there would be an impropriety in placing in the same genus those ani- 
 mals whose habits lead them to breathe salt water with those which 
 breathe fresh water or air alone. When the animal is so organized as to 
 be capable indifferently of breathing both, as in the migratory fishes, it is 
 a very different matter. 
 
 ft 
 
PL. AT 
 
 7!3 BULLA SfJiaiairii y _ :<. \TICA pibbofa 
 
 19 PASITHBA secale sTl 
 
 BO /wftWtt VU 
 
 81 lugubris 4V> 
 
 8'.' AvicuhUl li ACTEOM 
 
 ft;t jfriata 5)" 
 
 8 1 sidcitta. MB iltvatuj! 
 
 86 U7ii6*bate *> nul*mtl 
 
 8(5 i>uduij UHl ttrioius 
 
 &'< CUubarntnsif li>J 
 
 8S WATICA striata 10? sr AI.AKIA 
 
 tV 
 
 bifai-ta&itti, J?O TfRKITKLKA rarina* 
 
 Henrisj l'2l liraata, 
 
 ttrnattan- li'J CKKlTHir M itriatum> 
 
 talota. 
 
 110 
 .......;.,.,. 
 
 (I20K1IIS.... 
 
 lift ri.A.VAKIA 
 
 IH 
 
 Zw/. 130 r,,?ota. 
 
 l;ll c.W/^iw. 
 
 I ;W Ijsuturti 
 
 .' 
 

 TO GEOLOGY. 101 
 
 third the length of the shell ; columella smooth, somewhat 
 thickened at base ; outer lip edged. 
 Length 7-20ths, Breadth 3-20ths, of an inch. 
 
 Observations. In this species, which is the largest of 
 those I have noticed, the inner lip is less thickened than 
 those which follow. 
 
 P. notata. Plate 4. Fig. 80. 
 
 
 Description. Shell subulate, highly polished ; substance 
 of the shell rather thick ; apex acute ; suture very small ; 
 whorls eleven, very flat, each one being marked with an 
 impressed oblique line of growth ; mouth small, acutely 
 angular above, about one fifth the length of the shell; colu- 
 mella somewhat thickened at the base ; outer lip somewhat 
 arched, with an obtuse edge. 
 
 Length 7-20ths, Breadth .1, of an inch. 
 
 Observations. This pretty little species is more attenu- 
 ate than the preceding, and is remarkable for the slightly 
 oblique lines of growth in each whorl, and which recede 
 spirally from the mouth to the apex. 
 
 P. lugubris. Plate 4. Fig. 81. 
 
 Description. Shell rather subulate, polished ; substance 
 of the shell rather thin ; apex rounded ; suture linear ; 
 whorls seven, flattened; mouth subovate, about one fifth the 
 length of the shell ; columella slightly recurved at base ; 
 margin thickened all round. 
 
 Length 3-20ths, Breadth l-20th, of an inch, 
 
 t 
 
102 CONTRIBUTIONS 
 
 The smaller figure is of the size of nature. 
 
 Observations. This minute species resembles P. notata 
 above described, but has not the marks of growth. It is a 
 smaller species, and the whorls are not quite so flat. 
 
 P. aciculata. Plate 4. Fig. 82. 
 
 Description. Shell acicular, highly polished ; substance 
 of the shell thin ; apex very acute ; suture linear, very mi- 
 nute ; whorls nine, flattened ; mouth elongate, acutely an- 
 gular above obtusely angular below, about one fourth the 
 length of the shell ; columella slightly thickened ; outer 
 lip edged. 
 
 Length 3-20ths, Breadth l-20th, of an inch. 
 
 The smaller figure is of the size of nature. 
 
 Observations. This is the most attenuate of the genus, 
 so far as my observations have extended, and is an interest- 
 ing minute species, remarkable for its high polish and 
 delicate form. 
 
 P. striata. Plate 4. .Fig. 83. 
 
 Description. Shell conical, transversely striate ; sub- 
 stance of the shell thin ; apex rather acute ; suture im- 
 pressed ; whorls eight, rounded ; mouth subovate, about one 
 fourth the length of the shell ; columela flattened at the 
 base. 
 
 Length 4-20ths, Breadth nearly .1, of an inch. 
 
 The smaller figure is of the size of nature. 
 
TO GEOLOGY. 103 
 
 Observations. This species differs from those which pre- 
 cede it, in having transverse stria3. The whorls are inflated, 
 while the others are flat. 
 
 P. sulcata. Plate 4. Fig. 84. 
 
 Description. Shell conical, largely and transversely sul- 
 cate above ; substance of the shell thin ; apex obtuse ; suture 
 furrowed ; whorls five, flattened ; mouth subelliptical, one 
 third the length of the shell ; columella flattened at the 
 base ; margin thickened above. 
 
 Length .1 , Breadth l-20th, of an inch. 
 
 The smaller figure is of the size of nature. 
 
 Observations. A very minute species, remarkable for its 
 large furrows, which become obsolete on the lower part of 
 the whorls. It differs from striata in being less elevated, 
 as well as in having furrows. 
 
 P. umbilicata. Plate 4. Fig. 85. 
 
 Description. Shell elevated above, rounded below, sub- 
 carinate, polished; substance of the shell thin; apex acute ; 
 suture linear ; umbilicus large ; whorls nine, flattened ; 
 mouth subovate, acutely angular above, one fifth the length 
 of the shell ; columella incurved at base ; margin entire. 
 
 Length .2, Breadth .1, of an inch. 
 
 The smaller figure is of the size of nature. 
 Observations. This smooth and polished species differs 
 from the above in being umbilicate. Its umbilicus is wide, 
 
104 CONTRIBUTIONS 
 
 with a large spiral groove. On some of the whorls the line 
 of growth may be indistinctly seen. 
 
 P. guttula. Plate 4. Fig. 86. 
 
 Description. Shell subovate, truncate at top, smooth ; 
 substance of the shell rather thin ; apex truncate ; suture 
 linear ; whorls four, flattened above ; mouth subovate, 
 acutely angular above, about two fifths the length of the 
 shell ; columella slightly incurved at base ; margin thick- 
 ened on the superior part, closing up a small portion of the 
 mouth. 
 
 Length nearly .1, Breadth l-20th, of an inch. 
 
 The smaller figure is of the size of nature. 
 
 Observations. A single perfect specimen only of this 
 curious little species has been observed by me. It is close- 
 ly allied to the Claibornensis, but differs in the mouth, in 
 the flatness of the whorls and the truncation of the apex. 
 
 P. Claibornensis. Plate 4. Fig. 87. 
 
 Description. Shell subovate, smooth ; substance of the 
 shell very thick ; apex obtuse ; suture impressed ; whorls 
 four, rounded ; mouth small, subangular above, one third 
 the length of the shell ; columella thickened ; margin 
 very much thickened on the superior part, closing up a 
 large portion of the mouth. 
 
 Length .2, Breadth .1, of an inch. 
 
 Observations. A single specimen, the mouth of which 
 
TO GEOLOGY. 105 
 
 is not perfect, is the only one which I have seen. It has 
 a short spire, but is most remarkable for its small and 
 almost round mouth, above which the margin is so much 
 thickened as to fill up a large portion of the arch. It is 
 more nearly allied to the guttula, than any other of the 
 genus. 
 
 FAMILY NERITACEA. 
 
 GENUS NATICA. Drapernaud. 
 
 JV. striata. Plate 4. Fig. 88. 
 
 Description. Shell obliquely elliptical, transversely and 
 closely striate ; substance of the shell rather thick ; spire 
 rather pointed ; columella smooth and thickened ; outer 
 lip sharp ; umbilicus small ; whorls four, depressed above, 
 rounded below ; mouth spread out, ovate, being two thirds 
 the length of the shell. 
 
 Length .7, Breadth .5, of an inch. 
 
 Sigaretus bilix ? Conrad. 
 
 Observations. This interesting species approaches in 
 form the genera Stomatella and Sigaretus*, but is not suf- 
 ficiently depressed, to be placed with either of them. It 
 is disposed to be, like them, obliquely flattened in front. I 
 
 * M. de Blainville says it is evident that the Sigaretus and Stomatella 
 can only be separated by the interior nacre of the latter, which is pearly. 
 o 
 
106 CONTRIBUTIONS 
 
 have two specimens of a fossil shell from France, so closely 
 resembling our species, that it might be doubted if there 
 be propriety in making ours a new species. It is, how- 
 ever, a larger shell, and has little or no umbilicus. It 
 came to me without a name, and I cannot find a descrip- 
 tion of it in any of the works to which I have access. It 
 has no doubt been described. It may be Natica sigare- 
 tina, quoted by M. Deshayes in his Tertiary Tables'? I 
 have also a recent species, which I do not know to be de- 
 scribed, and which I think came from New Holland, so 
 like to these fossil species, that it would be difficult to dis- 
 criminate between them, were it not in possession of a 
 much larger umbilicus. In the specimens of striata in my 
 cabinet, I observe much difference in the striee. In some of 
 them, these strise are alternately larger and smaller ; some- 
 times they run two or three together ; in the latter case, 
 the surface might properly be said to be grooved. I do riot 
 consider these differences sufficient to create new species 
 unless accompanied by difference of form. 
 
 JV. parva. Plate 4. Fig. 89. 
 
 Description. Shell subfusiform, smooth ; substance of 
 the shell thin ; spire produced and pointed ; columella 
 thickened above ; outer lip sharp ; umbilicus small ; 
 whorls five, flattened above ; mouth semi-lunate, rather 
 more than half the length of the shell. 
 
 Length .4, Breadth 5-20ths, of an inch. 
 
 Observations. The spire of this species is more pro- 
 duced than any I know. The umbilicus is remarkably 
 
TO GEOLOGY. 107 
 
 small. The thickest part of the columella being above, 
 there is no reflection over the umbilicus. The suture is 
 very small. It differs from the gibbosa (herein described), 
 in having the whorls more flattened above, and in having 
 a small umbilicus. It differs also in the callus. 
 
 A*, minor. Plate 4. Fig. 90. 
 
 Description. Shell sub-elliptical, smooth ; substance of 
 the shell thin; spire produced and rounded at apex; sutures 
 impressed; columella thickened and reflected about the 
 middle of the umbilicus ; umbilicus large ; whorls four, 
 rounded ; mouth semi-lunate, about two thirds the length 
 of the shell. 
 
 Length .3, Breadth .2, of an inch. 
 
 Observations. This species somewhat resembles the 
 gibbosa but is very much smaller. It is remarkable 
 for its length and for the roundness of its whorls, in 
 which it has some resemblance to the Paludina. The 
 callous or thickened part of the columella is placed direct- 
 ly in the middle of the umbilicus, and in this specimen, 
 the only one I have seen, there are two or three angular 
 impressions on the lower part of it. I have not mention- 
 ed this character in the specific description, doubting if 
 it exists on all. 
 
 JV. minima. Plate 4. Fig. 91. 
 
 Description. Shell globose, smooth ; substance of the 
 shell thin ; spire flattened ; sutures impressed ; columella 
 
108 CONTRIBUTIONS 
 
 thickened, the callus being reflected at the middle of the 
 umbilicus ; umbilicus large, grooved ; whorls four, round- 
 ed ; mouth subovate, about three fourths the length of the 
 shell. 
 Length 5-20ths, Breadth .2, of an inch. 
 
 Observations. In the roundness of the whorls it resem- 
 bles the minor described above, but differs in being globose, 
 while that shell is more elliptical. It has also a much 
 smaller callus. 
 
 JV. gibbosa. Plate 4. Fig. 92. 
 
 Description. Shell subovate, gibbous, smooth ; spire 
 rather produced ; substance of the shell thick ; callus 
 thick ; umbilicus large ; whorls five ; mouth sub-elliptical. 
 
 Length 1.1, Breadth .9, of an inch. 
 
 Observations. I have received but a single specimen of 
 this species. It is rather more elongated than usual in 
 the Notice. The upper part of the whorls being flattened 
 and the lower part being inflated, gives the shell a gibbous 
 appearance. 
 
 JV". semilunata. Plate 4. Fig. 93. 
 
 Description. Shell subglobose, smooth ; substance of the 
 shell rather thin ; spire slightly elevated ; suture rather 
 impressed; columella but slightly thickened, the callus 
 being reflected at the middle of the umbilicus ; umbilicus 
 large and grooved ; whorls five, inflated, slightly flattened 
 
TO GEOLOGY. 109 
 
 below the suture ; mouth semi-lunate, about two thirds 
 the length of the shell. 
 
 Length .4, Breadth 7-20ths, of an inch. 
 
 The figure is somewhat larger than nature. 
 
 Observations. This species resembles the minor above 
 described, but differs from it in being more globose, the 
 spire being much more depressed. The depression of the 
 superior part of the whorl also distinguishes it. 
 
 JV". magno-umbilicata. Plate 4. Fig. 94. 
 
 Description. Shell subglobose, smooth ; substance of 
 the shell thin ; spire depressed, rounded ; suture small ; 
 columella very slightly thickened, the callus being small 
 and reflected above the middle of the umbilicus ; umbili- 
 cus very wide, grooved ; whorls three, inflated, with lon- 
 gitudinal folds on the superior part ; mouth semi-lunate, 
 nearly three fourths the length of the shell. 
 
 Length .2, Breadth nearly .2, of an inch. 
 
 Observations. A single specimen only of this species 
 has come under my examination. It most resembles the 
 minima (above described), but has a larger umbilicus. It 
 differs from all the species herein described, in having folds 
 radiating below the sutures. 
 
 JV. mamma. Plate 4. Fig. 95. 
 
 Description. Shell subglobose, flattened below, smooth ; 
 substance of the shell thin ; spire rounded at the apex, 
 
110 CONTRIBUTIONS 
 
 pointed ; suture very small ; columella much thickened 
 above ; outer lip sharp ; callus folding into the superior 
 part of the umbilicus ; umbilicus large ; whorls four, 
 rather depressed above and rounded below ; mouth ovate, 
 being about three fifths the length of the shell. 
 
 Length .5, Breadth .5, of an inch. 
 
 Observations. Somewhat allied to gibbosa, but differs in 
 the form of the whorls and the length of the spire. The 
 last whorl of the mamma is so large that but a small por- 
 tion of the superior whorls is visible. 
 
 The genus Natica is widely spread through the various 
 strata from the Inferior Oolite to the Crag in Great Britain, 
 where nearly twenty species have been observed. Twelve 
 of these have been found in and about the London Clay. 
 M. Deshayes mentions forty-one as being found in the 
 Tertiary period, being well distributed through the Plio- 
 cene, Miocene and Eocene periods. In this country, Dr 
 Morton has found casts in the Cretaceous Group of New 
 Jersey, and four have been described by Messrs Say and 
 Conrad from the Tertiary of Maryland. 
 
TO GEOLOGY. Ill 
 
 FAMILY PLICACEA. 
 
 GENUS ACTEON.* Montfort. 
 A. punctatus. Plate 4. Fig. 96. 
 
 Description. Shell ovately conical, transversely and 
 closely furrowed ; furrows closely set with punctures ; sub- 
 stance of the shell rather thick; spire rather elevated, 
 pointed ; suture somewhat impressed ; columella with one 
 fold; whorls five; mouth narrow, about three fifths the length 
 of the shell ; outer lip thickened about the middle. 
 
 Length 7-20ths, Breadth .2, of an inch. 
 
 Observations. This beautiful little species is remarkable 
 for its graceful form and beautifully punctured furrows. It 
 is closely allied to the lineata (herein described). It dif- 
 fers in being less conical, and in having larger punctures. 
 Only one specimen of these in my possession has the thick- 
 ened lip. Of the remainder, one seems young, the other 
 broken. Sowerby's figure of A. JYoce, (Min. Conch, plate 
 374) has a strong resemblance to this species, but does 
 not seem to have the punctured furrows, or thickened out 
 
 HP. 
 
 * Tornatella (Lamarck), 
 
112 CONTRIBUTIONS 
 
 A. lineatus. Plate 4. Fig. 97. 
 
 Description. Shell conical, transversely furrowed ; fur- 
 rows closely set with minute punctures ; substance of the 
 shell thin ; spire elevated, pointed ; suture impressed ; colu- 
 mella with one fold ; whorls six ; mouth rather narrow, 
 about half the length of the shell ; outer lip crenate. 
 
 Length .3, Breadth 3-20ths, of an inch. 
 
 Observations. This very beautiful and interesting little 
 species closely resembles the last described, but is spe- 
 cifically different. It has a still closer resemblance to a 
 species in my cabinet from the Paris basin, which I do not 
 know to be described. It is not, however, quite so elevated 
 as that specimen. It differs, also, in having one band or 
 space, without a furrow, on the superior part of the body 
 whorl, while the other has two such bands. In our spe- 
 cies the superior whorls have but three furrows, that from 
 Paris has four. These characters may be found to differ in 
 other individuals. In outline it resembles the striatus 
 (Sowerby) (Min. Conch, vol. 5), but differs in many other 
 characters. The Jlcteon ovoides (Conrad), from the Ter- 
 tiary of Maryland, is very similar to this in general form, 
 but does not appear to have any punctures in the furrows. 
 I have not, however, seen a good specimen of it. 
 
TO GEOLOGY. 113 
 
 A. elevatus. Plate 4. Fig. 98. 
 
 Description. Shell subulate, polished, furnished with a 
 single transverse furrow near the middle of the whorl ; sub- 
 stance of the shell rather thick ; spire very much elevated ; 
 suture furrowed ; columella with one large and one small 
 fold ; whorls flattened above the medial furrow ; mouth ob- 
 lique, subovate ; outer lip simple. 
 Length .... Breadth .2, of an inch. 
 
 Observations. This interesting species differs from any 
 with which I am acquainted. The specimens I have been 
 able to examine (three) are all more or less broken. The 
 best one which is here figured is broken at the top, six 
 whorls only remaining. It most probably had about ten. 
 At first view of the mouth, the large fold only would be ob- 
 served. More internally, and below it, a very minute one 
 may be seen with the aid of the miscroscope. In one speci- 
 men this lower fold appears to be disposed to separate into 
 two other individuals may show this character more 
 developed. 
 
 A. melanellus. Plate 4. Fig. 99. 
 
 Description. Shell subulate, smooth ; substance of the 
 shell rather thick ; spire elevated, pointed ; suture sharply 
 impressed ; columella with a single large fold ; whorls six, 
 flattened ; mouth ovate, outer lip simple. 
 
 Length 7-20ths, Breadth 3-20ths, of an inch. 
 
 P 
 
114 CONTRIBUTIONS 
 
 Observations. This small species has some resemblance 
 to the last described, but differs in size, in the number of 
 folds, and in being without a furrow. 
 
 A. striatus. Plate 4. Fig. 100. 
 
 Description. Shell subulate, polished, minutely and 
 transversely striate ; substance of the shell rather thin ; 
 suture deep and sharp; columella with a single large fold ; 
 whorls , flattened. 
 
 Length .... Breadth .1, of an inch. 
 
 The smaller figure is of the size of nature. 
 
 Observations. But a fragment of this species has come 
 under my observation, and the figure represents it with its 
 broken mouth and spire. There is enough of the remains 
 to distinguish it from those before described. It most re- 
 sembles the last, but differs in being striate, and is appa- 
 rently more attenuate in the spire, which I presume is very 
 acute. 
 
 A. pygmwus. Plate 4. Fig. 10L 
 
 Description. Shell subulate, smooth, polished ; substance 
 of the shell thin ; suture impressed ; spire elevated ; colu- 
 mella with a single, rather small fold, whorls six, flattened ; 
 mouth ovate ; outer lip simple. 
 
 Length 3-20ths, Breadth l-20th, of an inch. 
 
 The smaller figure is of the size of nature. 
 Observations. This diminutive species resembles most 
 
TO GEOLOGY. 115 
 
 the last described, differing, however, in being less elevated 
 and without striae. It has some resemblance to Jl. mela- 
 noides (Conrad), but has no striae. 
 
 The genus Acteon has been observed in England, where 
 nine species have been described, as low as the Inferior 
 Oolite ; two are from the London Clay, and two from the 
 Crag. M. Deshayes's Tables give eleven from the Tertiary 
 period: being in all the three subdivided periods, Pliocene, 
 Miocene and Eocene. In the Tertiary of Maryland, at St 
 Mary's, Mr Conrad has observed two, ovoides and mela- 
 y described by him in vol. 6, Jour. Acad. Nat. Sci. 
 
 FAMILY SCALARIANA. 
 
 GENUS SCALARIA. Lamarck. 
 
 S. planulata. Plate 4. Fig. 102. 
 
 Description. Shell conical, closely ribbed, minutely and 
 transversely striate between the ribs ; substance of the shell 
 thick ; spire rather elevated ; ribs about twelve, rounded ; 
 
 whorls , flattened, the last one only ribbed to the 
 
 middle ; mouth round. 
 Length .3, Breadth 3-20ths, of an inch. 
 
 Observations. Having only a single specimen of this 
 species, and that mutilated, I am unable to give its charac- 
 
116 CONTRIBUTIONS 
 
 ters with certainty. The mouth and apex are destroyed. 
 The figure represents it in that state. It is flatter on the 
 whorls than usual in this genus. The inferior half of the 
 body whorl is not ribbed but transversely striate. It seems 
 closely allied to S. semicosta (Sowerby.) 
 
 S. carinata. Plate 4. Fig. 103. 
 
 Description. Shell conical, closely ribbed, carinate on the 
 inferior part of the last whorl ; substance of the shell thick ; 
 spire elevated, pointed ; ribs about twelve, lamelliform ; 
 whorls six, rounded ; mouth round. 
 
 Length .... Breadth .2, of an inch. 
 
 Observations. All the specimens I have of this species 
 are more or less mutilated, the lip is not perfect in any one. 
 It differs from the above in having rounded whorls, in the 
 continuation of the ribs to the base, and in the sharpness of 
 those ribs. In the carina it resembles the lamellosa (La- 
 marck), a recent species from our southern coasts. It is, 
 however, specifically different, being a smaller species and 
 more attenuated. 
 
 S. quinquefasciata. 
 
 Description. Two fragments of a species, for which I 
 propose this name, are in my cabinet. These display suffi- 
 cient characters to distinguish it. Five rather depressed 
 bands are placed, transversely, on the middle of the whorls. 
 Between the ribs are transverse striae. The ribs are sixteen 
 in number and lamelliform. It is carinate below, with a 
 
TO GEOLOGY. 117 
 
 small round mouth which is much thickened and reflected. 
 The ribs have some resemblance to the multistriata (Say), 
 a recent species of our southern coasts, but it certainly is not 
 the same species. 
 
 In England the Scalariw have not been found below 
 the London Clay. Five have been described from that 
 formation, and six from the Crag. The Tables of M. 
 Deshayes give twenty-two species from the three periods 
 of the Tertiary, which seem there to be nearly equally 
 distributed. In the Cretaceous Group of New Jersey, Dr 
 Morton discovered a fine species (annulata). Mr Conrad 
 mentions two as existing in the Tertiary of Maryland. 
 
 GENUS DELPH1NULA. Lamarck. 
 
 D. plana. Plate 4. Fig. 104. 
 
 Description. Shell subdiscoidal, carinate, beneath flat, 
 obsoletely and transversely striate, above rounded and 
 strongly striate ; substance of the shell rather thin ; spire 
 flattened ; suture widely furrowed ; umbilicus wide, cari- 
 nate, striate ; whorls four ; mouth oblique, round within, 
 subangular at the outer edge. 
 
 Length .1, Breadth .2, of an inch. 
 
 Observations. This little species is remarkable for the 
 flatness of its inferior portion, for its carina, and wide fur- 
 rowed suture. Between the transverse striee and in the 
 
118 CONTRIBUTIONS 
 
 furrow, smaller striae may be perceived. In the umbilicus 
 the striee on the inferior part of the whorl are longitudinal 
 on the superior part transverse. The two carinse cause 
 the lip to be slightly angular. 
 
 D. depressa. Plate 4. Fig. 105. 
 
 Description. Shell sublenticular, polished, obsoletely 
 and transversely striate, substance of the shell thick ; spire 
 depressed ; suture slightly impressed ; umbilicus rather 
 small, thickened and wrinkled at the edge ; whorls three ; 
 mouth subelliptical. 
 Length nearly .1, Breadth .2, of an inch. 
 
 Observations. Of this curious and interesting little 
 species, I have procured but a single specimen. Its 
 smoothness and general form are very unusual in this 
 genus. Its lenticular form causes the mouth to be some- 
 what oval. A small portion only of the lip is perfect, and 
 it seems to be thickened and somewhat reflected. 
 
 De la Beche mentions an undetermined species as ex- 
 isting in Yorkshire, as low down as the Oolitic Group. 
 Sowerby does not describe any, in his " Mineral Con- 
 chology." M. Deshayes, in his excellent Tables, gives 
 twelve for the Tertiary. There are eight in the Paris 
 basin, and five in the London basin. 
 
 I believe none have been heretofore observed in our de- 
 posits. 
 
TO GEOLOGY. 119 
 
 FAMILY TURBINACEA. 
 
 GENUS SOLARIUM. Lamarck. 
 
 S. bilineatum. Plate 4. Fig. 106. 
 
 Description. Shell sublenticular, rather elevated above 
 and flattened below, with a double line near the margin ; 
 substance of the shell rather thin ; suture with a double 
 impressed line ; umbilicus very wide, perspective, largely 
 crenate ; whorls five, sharply carinate ; mouth subtri- 
 angular. 
 
 Length .2, Breadth 9-20ths, of an inch. 
 
 Observations. A beautiful depressed species, remarka- 
 bly flat on the inferior side. In a young specimen the 
 inferior side of the carina is somewhat crenate. Within 
 the umbilicus, beyond the crenulated edge, there is a 
 minute transverse line. 
 
 S. Henrici. Plate 4. Fig. 107. 
 
 Description. Shell lenticular, rather flattened at the 
 apex, with radiating wrinkles above and below, furrowed 
 on both sides of the carina which is slightly crenate ; sub- 
 stance of the shell thin ; suture impressed ; umbilicus 
 very wide, perspective, crenate, deeply furrowed within ; 
 whorls four ; mouth triangular. 
 . Length l-SOth, Breadth ,2, of an inch. 
 
120 CONTRIBUTIONS 
 
 The smaller figure is of the size of nature. 
 
 Observations. A single specimen of this pretty little 
 species was found in the sand of the box in which the 
 specimens came, by a young conchologist of my family. 
 I promised him that it should be his species, should it 
 prove new, of which, on examination, I have no doubt. 
 The radiating striae are closer as well as longer, and more 
 numerous below than above. 
 
 S. ornatum. Plate 4. Fig. 108. 
 
 Description. Shell convex above, flattened below, fur- 
 nished with many granular transverse lines, three of 
 which, on the superior part of the whorl, are larger than 
 the others, furrowed on both sides of the carina which is 
 crenulate, longitudinally striate ; substance of the shell 
 rather thick ; suture furrowed ; umbilicus very wide, per- 
 spective, beautifully crenate at the edge, furrowed within 
 and longitudinally striate ; whorls six ; mouth subor- 
 bicular. 
 Length .2, Breadth 9-20ths, of an inch. 
 
 Observations. This species is very like Branders's figure 
 
 
 
 of Turbo canaliculatum, and Sowerby's figure of the same 
 species, Solarium canaliculatum, plate 524. On compari- 
 son, however, with a specimen from Hampshire, sent to me 
 under that name, I find them very different ; the umbilicus 
 being much wider in the species from Claiborne, which is 
 also more carinate, and has smaller and more numerous 
 granulate lines. 
 
TO GEOLOGY. 121 
 
 S. elegans. Plate 4. Fig. 109. 
 
 Description. Shell subdiscoidal, polished, transversely 
 striate above, with two or three granular transverse lines ; 
 substance of the shell thin ; spire flattened ; suture fur- 
 rowed ; umbilicus wide, perspective, crenulate ; whorls 
 five ; mouth round. 
 Length 3-20ths, Breadth .3, of an inch. 
 
 Observations. One of the specimens is so perfect as to 
 present coloured spots (oblique) on the whorl. It is with 
 much hesitation I place this and the two following species 
 in the genus Solarium. Their mouths are round, and 
 somewhat like that of the Delphinula and Turbo, but the 
 crenulate umbilicus seems to make it necessary to place 
 them in this genus. In the form of the mouth they re- 
 semble the S. variegatum (Lamarck), which is nearly 
 round. With that species they might form a natural group. 
 
 S. cancellatum. Plate 4. Fig. 110. 
 
 Description. Shell subconical, crossed by longitudinal 
 and transverse striae, which are thickened at the intersec- 
 tion ; substance of the shell thin ; suture furrowed ; umbi- 
 licus rather wide, crenate without, cancellate within, per- 
 spective ; whorls four ; mouth suborbicular. 
 
 Length .1, Breadth 3-20ths, of an inch. 
 
 The smaller figure is of the size of nature. 
 Observations. This beautiful little species has in its ge- 
 Q 
 
CONTRIBUTIONS 
 
 neral form most resemblance to the variegatum of Lamarck. 
 It is, however, a minute shell, and differs in most of its 
 minor characters. 
 
 S. granulatum. Plate 4. Fig. 111. 
 
 Description. Shell conical, flattened below, with seven 
 or eight transverse granulate lines, between which it is 
 furnished with oblique striae ; substance of the shell thick ; 
 suture furrowed ; umbilicus narrow, largely crenate with- 
 out, striate within ; whorls five ; mouth nearly round, sub- 
 angular above ; outer lip crenate. 
 
 Length .2, Breadth .2, of an inch. 
 
 The smaller figure is of the size of nature. 
 
 Observations. This truly beautiful little species resembles 
 more nearly a Turbo than either of the two last. The 
 roundness of its mouth and the elevation of its spire would 
 seem to forbid its being placed in the genus Solarium. Its 
 crenulate umbilicus, its granulations, and its crenulate lip 
 seem to make it necessary to place it here. It certainly 
 resembles S. variegatum, but is more conical and has not 
 so wide an umbilicus. I place it last of the genus, and it 
 may be considered the connecting link with the Turbones. 
 
 Sedgewick and Murchison, on the structure of the East- 
 ern Alps, a most valuable memoir in the Geological Soci- 
 ety's Transactions, vol. 3 of 2d series, plate 38, fig. 14, 
 represent a shell under the name of Turbo arenosus, which 
 certainly resembles our shell, but it is more elevated. 
 
TO GEOLOGY. 123 
 
 The genus Solarium in England, where seven species 
 have been described, has been observed as low down in the 
 series as the Inferior Oolite. Mr Sowerby describes four 
 from the London Clay. M. Deshayes gives, in his Tables, 
 sixteen species from the Tertiary. Eight of these are from 
 the Eocene of the Paris basin, and six from the Pliocene of 
 the Subappennines. Mr Conrad has described a species 
 from Claiborne, the elaboratum. 
 
 GENUS ORBIS. (nobis.) 
 
 Description. Shell orbicular, discoidal, umbilicate ; 
 mouth quadrangular ; umbilicus large, spiral ; all the 
 whorls on both sides visible ; columella none. 
 
 I have in vain endeavoured to place the shell on which 
 I propose to found the above genus, in some one already 
 established. It appears to me to differ so essentially in 
 having quadrangular whorls, and of course having the 
 mouth of that form, that I could not with propriety place 
 it in the genus Solarium which it most resembles. It has 
 some resemblance to the genus J\faclurite (Lesueur), but 
 differs in the plane of the sides and the mouth. 
 
 O.rotella. Plate 4. Fig. 112. 
 
 Description. Shell flat above and below, bicarinate; 
 apex rather impressed ; substance of the shell very thin ; 
 suture linear ; umbilicus wide, perspective, carinate on 
 
124 CONTRIBUTIONS 
 
 the edge ; whorls four, perfectly square ; mouth quadran- 
 gular. 
 Length l-20th, Breadth 3-20ths, of an inch. 
 
 The smaller figure is of the size of nature. 
 
 Observations. This curious and interesting little species 
 is the only perfectly flat shell I am acquainted with. The 
 Pleurolomarium tuberculosum of Defrance, as figured by 
 Blainville, has in its general form some resemblance to it. 
 Its sinus, its rounded mouth and somewhat convex spire, 
 render it impossible to confound even the genera. 
 
 GENUS PLANARIA.* Brown. (Madurite? Lesueur.) 
 
 P. nitens. Plate 4. Fig. 113. 
 
 Description. Shell discoidal, impressed above and below, 
 smooth and shining, diaphanous; substance of the shell 
 very thin and fragile; whorls three, convex; mouth lunate; 
 outer lip reflected. 
 Length less than l-20th, Breadth less than l-20tb, of an inch. 
 
 The smaller figure is of the size of nature. 
 
 Observations. This very minute species is so fragile that 
 I have found it impossible to secure a perfect specimen. It 
 resembles closely the P. alba (Brown), but that shell has 
 not a reflected margin. I have found a single specimen 
 only with this part perfect enough to show this character 
 
 * Established by Capt. Thomas Brown of Edinburgh for some small 
 species found on the coast of Scotland. 
 
TO GEOLOGY. 125 
 
 of its aperture. Lamarck's description of Planorbis nitidu- 
 lus gives the characters of this shell with the exception of 
 the reflected margin. If our shell were fresh water there 
 certainly would not be any necessity to remove it from the 
 genus Planorbis, unless the reflected margin should be 
 considered a character sufficiently distinctive. In 4,he 
 description of the Planorbis, Lamarck says " margine nun- 
 quam reflexo." 
 
 GENUS TURBO. Linnaus. 
 
 T.naticoides. Plate 4. Fig. 114. 
 
 Description. Shell rather convex, smooth ; substance 
 of the shell thick ; suture linear ; umbilicus small ; whorls 
 four ; mouth very round ; outer lip edged. 
 Length .2, Breadth 7-20ths, of an inch. 
 
 Observations. This little species has somewhat the as- 
 pect of a Natica. It seems to have no striking character- 
 istic, but I cannot identify it with any described species. 
 One of the specimens is somewhat polished. 
 
 T.nitens. Plate 4. Fig. 115. 
 
 Description. Shell rather depressed above, flattened be- 
 low, polished ; substance of the shell thick ; suture linear ; 
 umbilicus rather large and round ; whorls four ; mouth 
 suborbicular, outer lip edged, thickened at its superior junc- 
 tion with the whorl. 
 
 Length 3-20ths, Breadth 5-20ths, of an inch. 
 
126 CONTRIBUTIONS 
 
 Observations. Smaller than the above, this species has 
 some resemblance to it. It differs in being a flatter shell, 
 in being highly polished, and in having the outer lip thick- 
 ened where it is in contact with the whorl. Immediately 
 below the umbilicus there is usually a slight impression on 
 the- lip. 
 
 T. lineata. Plate 4. Fig. 116. 
 
 Description. Shell rather depressed above, rounded be- 
 low, nearly covered with transverse elevated lines, smooth 
 round the umbilicus ; substance of the shell thin ; suture 
 furrowed; umbilicus rather large, round; whorls four; 
 mouth round ; outer lip edged. 
 Length .1 , Breadth 3-20ths, of an inch. 
 
 The smaller figure is of the size of nature. 
 
 Observations. This minute species differs from the pre- 
 ceding, in having transverse lines and a wide furrow 
 along the suture. The whorls are also more rounded. 
 
 The genus Turbo has been observed in Great Britain, 
 as low down as the Mountain Limestone, and through 
 nearly all the superincumbent strata to the Crag. Eigh- 
 teen species are mentioned by Sowerby, Phillips and Bran- 
 der, two only being in the London Clay. M. Deshayes's 
 Tables give thirty-four for the Tertiary, sixteen being in 
 the Eocene of the Paris basin alone. In this country 
 there have not been before, that I am aware of, any of the 
 Turbones noticed in our formations. 
 
TO GEOLOGY. 127 
 
 GENUS TUBA, (nobis.) 
 
 Description. Shell conical, umbilicate ; whorls round- 
 ed ; mouth round ; margin not united above ; columella 
 thickened and reflected at the base. 
 
 This genus is nearly allied to Turbo and to the Rissoa 
 of Freminville ; but not being able, with propriety, to 
 place it with either, I propose to constitute for it a new 
 genus. The reflected margin, which is disposed to be 
 effuse, has at the base some similarity to the J\felanice, 
 and therefore cannot be placed in the genus Turbo. It 
 'cannot be placed in the genus Rissoa, being umbilicated. 
 In eight species of Rissoa 9 in my cabinet, all are thickened 
 round the margin, forming a varix. The Tuba has no 
 thickening of this kind, the margin being crenulate. The 
 Rissoa has an acute apex, while that of the Tuba is 
 almost truncate, the superior whorls being smooth and 
 gibbous. Mr Sowerby's Mineral Conchology, plate 395, 
 figures a shell (Turbo sculptus), which, I think, should 
 be placed in this genus. It is from the London Clay of 
 Barton. Of it, and the preceding one, he says, they "do 
 not agree precisely with the character of the genus Turbo 
 of Lamarck," and further, " they form a passage towards 
 Delphinula" 
 
128 CONTRIBUTIONS 
 
 T. striata. Plate 4. Fig. 117. 
 
 Description. Shell elevated above, rounded below, 
 thickly covered with transverse striae cut by minute longi- 
 tudinal striae ; substance of the shell rather thick ; apex 
 not acute ; suture impressed ; umbilicus very small ; 
 whorls six, inflated ; mouth nearly round, striate within, 
 one-third the length of the shell ; outer lip crenate. 
 Length 7-20ths, Breadth .2, of an inch. 
 
 Observations. A beautifully ornamented and certainly 
 very interesting shell. It is closely rilled with trans- 
 verse rounded striae, having the appearance of cords, the 
 middle one of which is rather the largest. The cutting 
 striae are somewhat imbricate. Single specimens only of 
 this and the two following species have come into my pos- 
 session. This species more strongly resembles the Turbo 
 sculptus of Sowerby, than the following species do. 
 
 T. alternata. Plate 4. Fig. 118. 
 
 Description. Shell elevated above, rounded below, with 
 numerous transverse striae, alternately larger and smaller, 
 cut by fine longitudinal striae ; substance of the shell 
 rather thick ; apex not acute ; suture sharply impressed ; 
 umbilicus small ; whorls six, inflated ; mouth nearly 
 round, striate within, one third the length of the shell ; 
 outer lip crenate. 
 
 Length .3, Breadth .2, of an inch. 
 
TO GEOLOGY. 129 
 
 Observations. This species is very closely allied to the 
 above, but may at once be distinguished by the transverse 
 striae which alternate in this. The longitudinal stria3 are 
 not so close, nor are they imbricate. 
 
 T.sukata. Plate 4. Fig. 119. 
 
 Description. Shell elevated above, rounded below, 
 with numerous transverse furrows, the two superior ones 
 being indistinct ; substance of the shell rather thin ; apex 
 
 not acute ; suture impressed ; umbilicus ; whorls 
 
 inflated; mouth . 
 
 Length .... Breadth .2, of an inch. 
 
 Observations. This fragment resembles so closely the 
 two species above described, that I have with but lit- 
 tle hesitation placed it in the same genus. It has 
 apparently lost only one whorl seven remain. It is 
 rather more alternate than the preceding, and differs 
 entirely in being furrowed, and having no longitudinal 
 striee. Some of the parts being absent, I am neces- 
 sarily compelled to make an unfinished description and 
 figure. 
 
 GENUS TURRITELLA. Lamarck. 
 
 T. carinata. Plate 4. Fig. 120. 
 
 Description. Shell turrited, transversely striate and ca- 
 rinate ; apex acute ; substance of the shell thick ; suture 
 
130 CONTRIBUTIONS 
 
 impressed ; whorls concave, carinate on the inferior part ; 
 mouth suborbicular, effuse. 
 Length 1.3, Breadth 9-20ths, of an inch. 
 
 Observations. Fragments of this species were obtained 
 quite large, together with some young ones more perfect. 
 Some of the specimens are much more striate and carinate 
 than others. It resembles in the superior part a species 
 sent me by Dr Grateloup from Dax, under the name of 
 strangulata (Grateloup). In the mouth it widely differs. 
 
 T. lineata. Plate 4. Fig. 121. 
 
 Description. Shell turrited, transversely and finely line- 
 ate ; substance of the shell thin ; apex acute ; suture fur- 
 rowed ; whorls convex ; mouth subquadrangular. 
 
 Length .9, Breadth .4, of an inch. 
 
 Observations. This finely lined and pretty species seems 
 to be much less abundant than the preceding, with which 
 it cannot easily be confounded, the whorls being convex. 
 
 This genus has been observed in Great Britain in nearly 
 all the formations from the Carboniferous Limestone to the 
 Alluvial. Five have been described in the London Clay, 
 and two in the Crag. M. Deshayes's Table of this genus 
 is very extensive, giving forty-five species (Tertiary). 
 Seventeen are from Paris, and nineteen from Italy (Subap- 
 pennines) being of the Pliocene Period. In the Cretaceous 
 Group of New Jersey and Delaware, Dr Morton has observed 
 
TO GEOLOGY. 131 
 
 casts. Three species are described by Say and Conrad 
 from the Miocene of Maryland. 
 
 FAMILY CANALIFERA. 
 
 GENUS CERITHIUM1 Bruguiere. 
 C. striatum. Plate 4. Fig. 122. 
 
 Description. Shell turrited, transversely and finely stri- 
 ate ; substance of the shell rather thin ; apex acute ; suture 
 not deeply impressed; whorls about thirteen, rather con- 
 vex; colurnella reflected; mouth subquadrangular, effuse 
 at base. 
 
 Length 1 .3, B readth .4 , of an inch. 
 
 Observations. The striae of this species have a strong si- 
 milarity to that of the Turritella lineata above described, but 
 the sutures are different. In most specimens numerous lon- 
 gitudinal flexed folds may be observed. 
 
 I am by no means satisfied in placing this shell among 
 the Cerithia. It has a stronger resemblance in the mouth to 
 the genus Melania, but being a marine shell cannot with 
 propriety be placed in that genus. Blainville figures a shell 
 (plate 21, bis. fig. 2), under the name of Potamidesfragilis, 
 which certainly ought to belong to the same genus with this, 
 the mouth being very nearly the same. Until more species 
 shall be obtained, I have forborne to create for it a new 
 genus. More decisive characters may then be observed, 
 
132 CONTRIBUTIONS 
 
 which will designate with certainty the genus. I would 
 further remark, that there have been no Cerithia yet found 
 in the beds of this locality, although they abound in Eng- 
 land, and on the continent, in the Tertiary, from which for- 
 mation M. Deshayes gives two hundred and twenty species. 
 In the Paris basin alone there are one hundred and thirty- 
 seven species. That there should not yet have been a 
 single true Cerithium observed in the bed at Claiborne is 
 certainly a curious and interesting fact. 
 
 GENUS PLEUROTOMA. Lamarck. 
 
 P. calata. Plate 4. Fig. 123. 
 
 Description. Shell fusiform, turrited, carinate, longitu- 
 dinally folded, covered transversely with minute striae; 
 substance of the shell thick ; apex acute ; whorls eight, 
 subcanaliculate above; mouth narrow, nearly half the 
 length of the shell. 
 
 Length .8, Breadth .3, of an inch. 
 
 Observations. This species is remarkable for its fine 
 transverse striae, which resemble the finest engraving. 
 
 P. Lonsdalii* Plate 4. Fig. 124. 
 
 Description. Shell fusiform, turrited, longitudinally 
 folded, transversely and faintly striate, substance of the 
 
 * Named after the intelligent and efficient curator of the Geological 
 Society of London. 
 
TO GEOLOGY. 133 
 
 shell thin ; spire elevated and acute at apex ; whorls ten, 
 with an elevated band below the suture; mouth rather 
 narrow, about one third the length of the shell. 
 
 Length .5, Breadth .2, of an inch. 
 
 Observations. A pretty little species, and may be distin- 
 guished by its elevated spire, and the band which surrounds 
 the whorls below the suture. 
 
 P. Sayi* Plate 4. Fig. 125. 
 
 Description. Shell fusiform, turrited, longitudinally and 
 thickly folded, transversely and strongly striate ; substance 
 of the shell rather thin ; spire elevated, pointed at the apex ; 
 whorls eight, subcanaliculate above; mouth rather narrow, 
 about one third the length of the shell. 
 
 Length .5, Breadth .2, of an inch. 
 
 Observations. This species very closely resembles the 
 last described, but may be distinguished by its more 
 numerous folds and stronger striae, which are disposed to 
 be larger and smaller alternately. It has a strong resem- 
 blance to the _species figured by Sowerby under the name 
 of P. comma, f 
 
 P. monilifera. Plate 4. Fig. 126. 
 
 Description. Shell fusiform, turrited, transversely stri- 
 ate, furnished with a larger and smaller row of tuber- 
 
 * Named after the distinguished naturalist Thomas Say. 
 t Min. Conch, plate 146, fig. 5. 
 
134 CONTRIBUTIONS 
 
 cles ; substance of the shell thin ; spire elevated, pointed at 
 the apex; whorls nine; mouth two fifths the length of the 
 shell. 
 Length .6, Breadth .2, of an inch. 
 
 Observations. This species differs from the last described, 
 in having a double row of tubercles, and in the mouth 
 being rather longer. It has a very close resemblance to 
 the P. semicolon (Sowerby).* 
 
 P. Baumontii.-\ Plate 4. Fig. 127. 
 
 Description. Shell ovately fusiform, transversely striate, 
 furnished with a single row of compressed tubercles near 
 the middle of the whorl; substance of the shell rather thin ; 
 apex pointed ; whorls eight, subcanaliculate above ; mouth 
 nearly one half the length of the shell. 
 Length .6, Breadth .2, of an inch. 
 
 Observations. A beautiful little species, differing some- 
 what in its form from those above described, as well as in 
 the tubercles and striae. The tubercles are compressed, and 
 adorn the wider portion of the whorl. The striae are wide 
 apart, and below the line of tubercles these are, for four 
 or five rows, alternately, smaller. In the canal above the 
 tubercles, flexuous folds of the form of the sinus are visibly 
 and closely set. 
 
 * Min. Conch, plate 146, fig. 6. 
 
 t Named after the distinguished geologist Elie de Baumont. 
 
TO GEOLOGY. 135 
 
 P. Desnoyersii* Plate 4. Fig. 128. 
 
 Description. Shell fusiform, turrited, closely and trans- 
 versely striate, slightly tuberculate on the superior whorls ; 
 substance of the shell rather thick ; spire elevated, pointed 
 at the apex ; whorls eight ; mouth two fifths the length of 
 the shell. 
 
 Length .7, Breadth 5-20ths, of an inch. 
 
 Observations. In outline somewhat like the last de- 
 scribed, but differing in the striae and tubercles. In the 
 Desnoyersii the transverse striae are disposed to alternate, 
 and are cut by almost imperceptible longitudinal stria3. 
 
 P. Hceninghausii.-\ Plate 4. Fig. 129. 
 
 Description. Shell fusiform, turrited, transversely striate, 
 furnished with two rows of longitudinal folds in zig-zag ; 
 substance of the shell rather thin ; spire elevated, acute at 
 apex; whorls ten, subcanaliculate above ; mouth rather 
 narrow, about one third the length of the shell. 
 Length .7, Breadth .4, of an inch. 
 
 Observations. This species may be distinguished by its 
 double row of folds, which being placed, the superior one 
 obliquely to the right, the other to the left, produce a zig- 
 zag appearance. 
 
 * Named after M. Desnoyers, advantageously known for his labours in 
 the Tertiary deposites. 
 t Named after the distinguished geologist of Crefeld. 
 
136 CONTRIBUTIONS 
 
 P. rugosa. Plate 4. Fig. 130. 
 
 Description. Shell fusiform, turrited, transversely and 
 widely striate on the inferior part, furnished with one row 
 of folds and one of granulations ; substance of the shell 
 rather thin ; suture sulcate ; spire elevated, acute at apex ; 
 whorls twelve ; mouth narrow, one third the length of the 
 shell. 
 
 Length .8, Breadth 5-20ths, of an inch. 
 
 Observations. The folds and granulations of this species 
 give it a rougher appearance than the others described 
 here. The furrow along the suture is marked, being 
 formed by the two superior transverse large striee. On 
 the superior part of the whorl, there are in some speci- 
 mens minute transverse striae. 
 
 P. obliqua. Plate 4. Fig. 131. 
 
 Description. Shell transversely and alternately striate 
 below, canaliculate above, furnished with a row of oblique 
 folds on the wider part of the whorl ; substance of the 
 shell rather thick; whorl subcanaliculate above ; mouth 
 long and narrow. 
 
 Length .... Breadth .4, of an inch. 
 
 Observations. A single whorl only, being the inferior 
 one, has come under my notice. It is perhaps the largest 
 species here described. The description is of course de- 
 fective, for want of the superior whorls. I have no hesita- 
 
TO GEOLOGY. 137 
 
 tion, however, from what remains, to consider it distinct ; 
 the folds, the striae and general form differing from any of 
 the species here described. 
 
 P. Childreni.* Plate 4. Fig. 132. 
 
 Description . Shell fusiform, turrited, transversely striate, 
 granulate on the larger part of the whorl ; substance of 
 the shell rather thick ; spire elevated, obtuse at apex ; 
 whorls about nine, subcanaliculate above ; mouth long 
 and narrow, one third the length of the shell. 
 Length .9, Breadth .3, of an inch. 
 
 Observations. This is a beautiful species, distinct by its 
 granulations, the row of which is disposed to be double. 
 About the middle of the whorl the striae are large. On 
 the superior part there are two or three minute ones. 
 
 P. Lesueurii.-\ Plate 4. Fig. 133. 
 
 Description. Shell fusiform, turrited, covered with 
 closely set transverse striae, which are cut by indistinct 
 longitudinal ones ; substance of the shell rather thick ; 
 spire elevated, acute at apex ; whorls about nine, subcan- 
 aliculate above ; mouth long and narrow, about two fifths 
 the length of the shell. 
 
 Length 1.1, Breadth .4, of an inch. 
 
 * Named after the secretary of the Royal Society, eminent for his 
 acquirements in science, 
 t Named after the naturalist M. Lesueur, the companion of Peron. 
 
 S 
 
138 CONTRIBUTIONS 
 
 Observations. This species is more completely covered 
 with striae than any other here described. On the superior 
 part of the shell very minute folds may in some specimens 
 be observed. 
 
 This beautiful genus exists in great numbers in a fossil 
 state in the superior beds, but has not, I believe, either in 
 this country or in Europe, been observed below the Ter- 
 tiary. Sowerby describes eleven from the London Clay, 
 it being found in England only in that formation. M. 
 Deshayes mentions one hundred and fifty-six as existing 
 in the Tertiary of Europe. Forty-one are from the Paris 
 basin and thirty-three from the Subappennines. In this 
 country Mr Conrad is, I believe, the only geologist who 
 has noticed the genus. At St Mary's, Maryland, he dis- 
 covered seven species, which are described by him in the 
 Journal of the Academy of Natural Sciences, vol. 6, p. 223. 
 Neither of these is the analogue of those above described. 
 
 GENUS CANCELLARIA. Lamarck. 
 
 C. babylonica. Plate 5. Fig. 134. 
 
 Description. Shell turrited, inflated, smooth, substance 
 of the shell thin ; whorls six, angular, broad and flat at the 
 top, and furnished on the angle with irregular erect spinous 
 tubes ; umbilicus wide, armed with points ; mouth trian- 
 gular, two fifths of the length of the shell ; columella with 
 two indistinct folds ; outer lip sharp. 
 Length .5, Breadth .3, of an inch. 
 
TO GEOLOGY. 139 
 
 Observations. A single specimen only of this beautiful 
 species has come into my possession. It is very distinct 
 from any species I know, and is eminently distinguished 
 by the flatness of the superior part of its whorls and the 
 spinous tubes placed along the angle. The wide umbili- 
 cus and armature of points are very characteristic. 
 
 C. multiplicata. Plate 5. Fig. 135. 
 
 Description. Shell turrited, somewhat inflated, with 
 numerous rather oblique folds cut by transverse striae ; 
 
 substance of the shell rather thick ; whorls , angular, 
 
 flat at the top ; umbilicus very small ; mouth ovate ; 
 columella with two folds ; outer lip very much thickened, 
 edged, crenate within. 
 
 Length Breadth .2, of an inch. 
 
 Observations. Unfortunately, I obtained but little more 
 than the lower whorl of this species. This, however, is 
 perfect, and displays distinct characters. The thickness 
 of the outer lip is very remarkable, forming a large 
 varix. 
 
 C. plicata. Plate 5. Fig. 136. 
 
 Description. Shell turrited, subventricose, with numer- 
 ous large longitudinal folds on the three last whorls cut by 
 minute transverse striae ; whorls six, angular at the top ; 
 umbilicus very small ; mouth subovate ; columella with 
 two folds. 
 
 Length .4, Breadth 3-20ths, of an inch. 
 
140 CONTRIBUTIONS 
 
 Observations. This is a very distinct and beautiful 
 species. Its large folds, together with the flatness of the 
 superior part of the whorls, amply distinguish it. The 
 only specimen I have seen is the one now described, and 
 judging from the absence of folds on the first whorls and 
 the sharpness of the outer lip, it may prove to be rather a 
 young individual. 
 
 C. sculptura. Plate 5. Fig. 137. 
 
 Description. Shell subturrited, folded longitudinally 
 and transversely set with numerous elevated lines ; spire 
 elevated, pointed ; whorls six, subangular at the top ; um- 
 bilicus very small ; mouth subovate, columella with two 
 indistinct folds ; outer lip dentate within and furnished 
 with a varix. 
 
 Length .4, Breadth .2, of an inch. 
 
 Observations. I have seen but one perfect specimen of 
 this species. A second one has been despoiled of its varix. 
 It is distinguished from the plicata, which it resembles, in 
 the spire being more elevated, as well as in the folds being 
 closer. The transverse lines cutting the folds, give it the 
 appearance of being reticulated. Between the folds very 
 minute longitudinal striae may be perceived under the lens. 
 
 C. tessellata. Plate 5. Fig. 138. 
 
 Description. Shell turrited, with longitudinal large ribs 
 cut by transverse striae which are enlarged at the junc- 
 tion; substance of the shell thin ; whorls , subangular, 
 
TO GEOLOGY. 141 
 
 somewhat flattened at the top ; umbilicus none ; mouth 
 ovate ; columella with three folds. 
 
 Length .... Breadth .2, of an inch. 
 
 Observations. A single imperfect specimen only having 
 come into my possession, I am unable to give a full descrip- 
 tion of it. The spire and outer lip are both removed. Its 
 folds are rather larger than those described above, and it 
 differs in having three folds on the columella. 
 
 C. elevata. Plate 5. Fig. 139. 
 
 Description. Shell elevated, turrited, cancellate ; sub- 
 stance of the shell rather thin ; whorls seven, convex ; 
 suture impressed ; umbilicus none ; mouth ovate, one 
 third the length of the shell ; columella with two folds ; 
 outer lip striate within. 
 
 Length 9-20ths, Breadth .2, of an inch. 
 
 Observations. This pretty little species is remarkably 
 elevated in the spire and beautifully cancellate. A single 
 specimen only was obtained, the outer lip of which is 
 broken. It may be easily distinguished by its elevated 
 spire and cancellate exterior. 
 
 C. costata. Plate 5. Fig. 140. 
 
 Description. Shell rather elevated, turrited, with large, 
 sharp, longitudinal ribs ; substance of the shell rather thin ; 
 whorls five, subangular and somewhat flattened at the 
 top ; umbilicus none ; mouth ovate, rather narrow, about 
 
142 CONTRIBUTIONS 
 
 one third the length of the shell; columella with two 
 folds. 
 
 Length 5-20ths, Breadth .1 , of an inch. 
 
 Observations. The strongly characterised longitudinal 
 ribs of this species eminently distinguish it. At the base 
 there are a few indistinct transverse striae, but the larger 
 part of the whorl is entirely free from them. Among those 
 here described, this is the only one with this character. 
 
 C. parva. Plate 5. Fig. 141. 
 
 Description. Shell somewhat elevated, turrited, with 
 large longitudinal folds cut by large elevated transverse 
 striae, spire elevated, obtuse at the apex; suture deeply 
 impressed ; whorls five, convex ; umbilicus very small ; 
 mouth semilunate ; columella furnished with two large 
 folds ; outer lip sharp, within crenulate. 
 Length .2, Breadth .1, of an inch. 
 
 Observations. This truly beautiful little species is very 
 distinct from either of the others here described. It may 
 be at once known by its strong folds on the columella, 
 and its large longitudinal folds and strong transverse striae. 
 
 The genus Cancellaria has been observed in England 
 only in the London Clay, from whence three species have 
 been described.* M. Deshayes's Tables give forty-two 
 
 * Min. Conch, pi. 360 and 361. 
 
TO GEOLOGY. 143 
 
 species from the Tertiary. Sixteen are from the Subappen- 
 nines (Pliocene), twelve from Bourdeaux (Miocene), and 
 five from Paris (Eocene). In this country a single species 
 only, C. lunata (Conrad), has been heretofore observed. 
 It is from the Tertiary Beds of St Mary's. 
 
 GENUS FASCIOLARIA. Lamarck. 
 
 F. plicata. Plate 5. Fig. 142. 
 
 Description. Shell subfusiform, turrited, largely and 
 longitudinally folded, transversely and alternately striate ; 
 suture irregularly impressed ; whorls eight, convex ; colu- 
 mella with two small folds ; canal short, reflected ; mouth 
 ovate, two fifths the length of the shell ; outer lip sharp, 
 within striate. 
 
 Length .7, Breadth 7-20ths, of an inch. 
 
 Observations. A very pretty species, remarkable for its 
 large folds and well marked transverse striae, which are 
 alternately larger and smaller. The striae within are 
 strongly marked. 
 
 F. elevata. Plate 5. Fig. 143. 
 
 Description. Shell subfusiform, turrited, transversely 
 striate on the inferior part of the last whorl ; suture linear ; 
 
 whorls , slightly convex, truncate along the suture ; 
 
 columella with three or four indistinct folds ; canal short, 
 slightly reflected ; mouth ovate ; outer lip sharp, within 
 crenate. 
 
 Length .... Breadth 3-20ths, of an inch. 
 
144 CONTRIBUTIONS 
 
 Observations. This species differs very much from the 
 last described. It is more elevated, without folds, has a 
 smaller mouth, and is striate only on the lower part of the 
 whorl. A single individual only was obtained, the apex 
 of which is broken. 
 
 No species of Fasciolaria seem to have been observed 
 in a fossil state in Great Britain. M. Deshayes in his 
 Tables gives five species, three of which are from Dax 
 (Miocene). In the United States none have, I believe, 
 been noticed. The Valuta Lamberti of Sowerby, has been 
 obtained by Mr Conrad, at St Mary's, Maryland. Mr C. 
 considers it a Fasciolaria.* 
 
 GENUS FUSUS. Lamarck. 
 
 F.pulcher. Plate 5. Fig. 144. 
 
 Description. Shell fusiform, turrited, furnished with 
 wide longitudinal folds cut by transverse strongly marked 
 striae ; substance of the shell rather thick ; suture im- 
 pressed ; whorls , convex ; canal long, straight ; 
 
 mouth ovate ; outer lip sharp. 
 
 Length Breadth .3, of an inch. 
 
 Observations. A single individual only, and that with a 
 fractured spire, has come under my notice. The two lower 
 whorls and the canal are perfect. It is a beautiful species 
 
 * See note to observations on the genus Mitra. 
 
TO GEOLOGY. 145 
 
 and very distinct from any other herein described. Five 
 or six of the striae on the widest part of the whorl have 
 between each of them a very minute stria. 
 
 F. Mortonii* Plate 5. Fig. 145. 
 
 Description. Shell subfusiform, furnished with large 
 longitudinal folds, cut by transverse striae which are en- 
 larged on the folds ; substance of the shell rather thin ; 
 whorls six, inflated, flattened at top, subspinous on the 
 angle ; canal long and straight ; mouth subrotund ; outer 
 lip sharp, within slightly crenate. 
 
 Length .7, Breadth .3, of an inch. 
 
 Observations. A very distinct species, and remarkable 
 for its strong folds covered by transverse striae, which are 
 so much enlarged on the folds as to give it a tuberculated 
 appearance. On the angle of the whorl the superior 
 stria is so much enlarged as to make the angle subspinous 
 in perfect specimens above it is without striae. 
 
 jP. decussatus. Plate 5. Fig. 146. 
 
 Description. Shell subtuibinate, cancellate, furnished 
 with seven or eight large transverse striae, cut by numer- 
 ous longitudinal small striae ; substance of the shell thin ; 
 suture deeply grooved ; whorls six, inflated, biangular in 
 
 * To this species I have placed the name of the corresponding secre- 
 tary of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, Dr Morton, 
 who has done much to promote a knowledge of our geology. 
 T 
 
146 CONTRIBUTIONS 
 
 the middle ; canal rather long and flexed ; outer lip sub- 
 crenate, within sulcate. 
 Length .6, Breadth .3, of an inch. 
 
 Observations. This is a beautiful little species, rough- 
 ened nearly all over by decussate striae. On the large 
 transverse striae there is a series of small nodules at the 
 point of section. 
 
 F. bicarinatus. Plate 5. Fig. 147. 
 
 Description. Shell subturbinate, minutely and trans- 
 versely striate, longitudinally and minutely folded above ; 
 substance of the shell rather thick ; suture linear ; whorls 
 
 , rather inflated, bicarinate in the middle ; canal 
 
 rather long and straight ; outer lip striate within. 
 Length .5, Breadth .2, of an inch. 
 
 Observations. The lower part of a single individual of 
 this species only has come under my notice. It is distinct 
 from any other herein described. Its minute folds may 
 be seen round the largest part of the whorls. 
 
 F. venustus. Plate 5. Fig. 148. 
 
 Description. Shell fusiform, furnished with large lon- 
 gitudinal folds cut by small transverse striae ; substance of 
 the shell rather thin ; spire elevated and acute at the 
 apex ; whorls six, convex ; canal rather short ; mouth 
 narrow, one half the length of the shell ; outer lip sharp. 
 
 Length .4, Breadth 3-20ths, of an inch. 
 
TO GEOLOGY. 147 
 
 Observations. This beautiful little species is more slen- 
 der than any here described, and its mouth is more con- 
 tracted. The longitudinal folds being smaller on the 
 superior whorls, and the striae being there rather large, 
 cause these whorls to be cancellate. 
 
 F. crebissimus. Plate 5. Fig. 149. 
 
 Description. Shell subfusiform, furnished with longitu- 
 dinal folds cut by rather rough, very closely set transverse 
 striae ; substance of the shell thick ; spire rather elevated ; 
 whorls seven, convex ; canal rather short ; mouth sub- 
 rotund ; outer lip finely crenate, within dentate. 
 
 Length .5, Breadth .2, of an inch. 
 
 Observations. This species is remarkable for its trans- 
 verse striae, which are very closely set over the whole body 
 of the shell. In some specimens these striae are somewhat 
 rough, and present a slightly imbricate appearance. 
 
 F. magnocostatus. Plate 5. Fig. 150, 
 
 Description. Shell subfusiform, furnished with large 
 longitudinal folds, cut by transverse rather large striae ; 
 substance of the shell rather thick ; spire somewhat 
 elevated, acute at apex ; whorls six, convex ; canal short, 
 oblique ; mouth subrotund ; outer lip slightly crenate, 
 within dentate. 
 
 Length .4, Breadth .2, of an inch. 
 
 Observations. This species closely resembles the last 
 
148 CONTRIBUTIONS 
 
 described, but may be distinguished by its larger folds and 
 the transverse striae, which, though numerous over the 
 whole shell, are not so closely set. In some specimens 
 on the folds there is a slight imbricate appearance. 
 
 F. Delabechii* Plate 5. Fig. 151. 
 
 Description. Shell subfusiform, furnished with rather 
 sharp longitudinal folds cut by imbricate transverse striae ; 
 substance of the shell thick ; spire somewhat elevated, acute 
 at apex ; whorls seven, subangular ; canal short, flexed ; 
 mouth subangular ; outer lip crenate, within striate. 
 
 Length 13-20ths, Breadth .3, of an inch. 
 
 Observations. This species in many of its characters 
 resembles the two last described. It may be known, 
 however, by its imbricate stria3 and obtuse angle on the 
 superior part of the whorl where the folds are somewhat 
 pointed. A single perfect and mature specimen only has 
 been observed by me. 
 
 F. ornatus. Plate 5. Fig. 152. 
 
 Description. Shell fusiform, furnished with rather 
 oblique folds on the middle of the whorls, transversely, 
 very minutely and alternately striate ; substance of the 
 shell thin ; spire rather elevated, pointed ; whorls seven, 
 subangular ; canal rather short, obliquely curved ; mouth 
 subangular ; outer lip sharp. 
 Length .6, Breadth 5-20ths, of an inch. 
 
 * Named after the distinguished author of the " Geological Manual," 
 " Tabular View," &c., De la Beche. 
 
TO GEOLOGY. 149 
 
 Observations. This beautiful species differs from those 
 above described, in having shorter folds and in being 
 covered with minute striae, which are alternately larger 
 and smaller, and resemble the finest lines of the graver. 
 
 F. acutus. Plate 5. Fig. 153. 
 
 Description. Shell subfusiform, furnished with large 
 longitudinal folds on the middle of the whorl, closely 
 covered with transverse alternate striae ; substance of the 
 shell thin ; spire rather elevated, acutely pointed ; whorls 
 seven, subangular ; canal rather short, much curved ; 
 mouth subrotund ; outer lip sharp. 
 
 Length .6, Breadth 5-20ths, of an inch. 
 
 Observations. In general outline it resembles the last 
 described, but may be distinguished at once by the trans- 
 verse striae, which in this are not so fine. The canal is 
 much more curved. 
 
 F. Conybearii.* Plate 5. Fig. 154. 
 
 Description. Shell subfusiform, furnished with longitu- 
 dinal folds cut by rather large transverse striae ; substance 
 of the shell rather thick ; spire somewhat elevated, point- 
 ed ; whorls six ; canal rather short, oblique ; mouth sub- 
 . ovate ; outer lip thickened, within crenate. 
 
 Length .4, Breadth .2, of an inch. 
 
 Observations. This species resembles the two last. It 
 
 * Named after one of the distinguished authors of the " Outlines of 
 the Geology of England and Wales," the Rev. Mr Conybeare. 
 
150 CONTRIBUTIONS 
 
 is a smaller shell and differs in having broader striae and a 
 shorter and oblique canal. 
 
 F. nanus. Plate 5. Fig. 155. 
 
 Description. Shell fusiform, transversely striate below 
 the middle of the whorl; substance of the shell very 
 
 thin ; spire ; whorls , subangular ; canal short, 
 
 obliquely curved ; mouth contracted ; outer lip sharp. 
 Length 3-20ths, Breadth l-20th, of an inch. 
 
 Observations. A single fractured individual only of this 
 species has come under my view. It differs much from 
 any of the above described. It is very minute has no 
 folds, and the striae do not exist on the superior part of the 
 whorl. The superior stria being the largest makes the 
 whorl subangular there. 
 
 F. Fittonii* Plate 5. Fig. 156. 
 
 Description. Shell ovately fusiform, subturbinate, granu- 
 late on the superior whorls ; substance of the shell rather 
 thick; spire somewhat elevated, acute at the apex; whorls 
 six, flattened above, subangular ; canal short, twisted ; 
 mouth ovate ; outer lip sharp. 
 
 Length .... Breadth .4, of an inch. 
 
 Observations. This species strongly resembles the F. 
 
 * I place with great pleasure the name of a distinguished geologist to 
 this species. 
 
TO GEOLOGY. 151 
 
 ficulneus* (Lamarck), but differs in having no fold on the 
 columella and being without those on the whorls. The 
 superior whorls of the Fittonii are disposed to be biangular, 
 which character is lost on the last whorls, the superior part 
 of which is disposed to be canaliculate. 
 
 F. parvus. Plate 5. Fig. 157. 
 
 Description. Shell ovately fusiform, smooth, somewhat 
 elevated in the spire ; substance of the shell thick ; spire 
 rather elevated and pointed at the apex ; suture linear ; 
 whorls six, above slightly convex; columella twisted; 
 canal short, oblique ; mouth lunate. 
 Length .4, Breadth .2, of an inch. 
 
 Observations. A single individual only of this species 
 and that not entirely perfect, has come under my notice. 
 It forms a natural link between the last described and that 
 which follows. The spire is more elevated than the 
 Fittonii, and it differs in not having granulations, as it 
 dose also in the columella. 
 
 F. minor. Plate 5. Fig. 158. 
 
 Description. Shell fusiform, smooth, elevated in the 
 spire ; substance of the shell rather thin ; spire elevated 
 and pointed at the apex ; suture linear ; whorls six, very 
 
 * Murex turgidus, Brander, plate 4, fig. 51. Fusus ficulneus, Sowerby, 
 Min. Conch, plate 291. 
 
152 CONTRIBUTIONS 
 
 slightly convex, with an indistinct minute furrow below 
 the suture ; columella twisted, with a single fold ; canal 
 short, oblique ; mouth subovate. 
 Length .3, Breadth 3-20ths, of an inch. 
 
 Observations. Of this little species I have received but 
 a single individual. It is more elongate than that last 
 described, and, though much like it, is specifically distinct. 
 The three last described differ so much in general cha- 
 racter from the type of the genus, that I have not without 
 much hesitation placed them here. The genus Pyrula 
 seems to have equal claims for them, and the example of 
 Lamarck, followed by Sowerby, alone made me conclude 
 to do so. The Fusus jkulneus of these authors is one of 
 this group. Like it the minor has a fold on the columella, 
 which has not deterred Lamarck from placing theficulneus 
 among the Fusi, although he says in his generic descrip- 
 tion, " columella fcevis." 
 
 F. Taitii* Plate 5. Fig. 159. 
 
 Description. Shell turbinate, ventricose, armed with 
 two rows of spines, transversely sulcate on the inferior 
 part ; substance of the shell very thick ; suture irregular ; 
 spire obtuse, armed with nodulous spines ; whorls five, 
 somewhat canaliculate above ; canal short, oblique ; mouth 
 subrotund ; outer lip sharp, with a sinus at each spine. 
 Length Q inches, Breadth 1.3, of an inch. 
 
 * It is with peculiar gratification I place the name of my friend Judge 
 Tait, to whose kindness I am so greatly indebted, to this fine species. 
 
TO GEOLOGY. 153 
 
 Observations. It is with much hesitation I have con- 
 cluded to place this curious and truly interesting species 
 with the Fusi. It has some of the generic characters of 
 the Pyrula, Murex, and I think Monoceres ; for, if I mis- 
 take not, the furrow immediately below the last row of 
 spines, in perfect specimens, will be found to throw out a 
 process very like to that of the genus last mentioned. I 
 am induced to place it here from the example of Lam- 
 arck's Fusus minax, (Murex minax, Brander). Our shell 
 has a striking similarity to that species, and should stand 
 next to it wherever it may be placed. It is rather more 
 turbinated and has a thicker columella. It is placed at 
 the last of the Fusi, having a shorter and more oblique 
 canal than those above described. 
 
 Of this widely spread genus fifteen species have been 
 observed in England, by Sowerby, and one by Konig. 
 Fourteen are in the London Clay, and two in the Crag.* 
 M. Deshayes in his Tertiary Tables gives one hundred 
 and eleven species. Forty-two of these are from the Paris 
 basin, and he gives eight to the English Crag. M. Brog- 
 niartf observed in the Formations of Vicentin five species. 
 
 In this country Mr Say has described two species from 
 the Tertiary of Maryland, the quadricostatus and cinereus. 
 Mr Conrad discovered at St Mary's a new species, which 
 he described under the name of errans, but that name 
 being preoccupied, he subsequently changed it to rusticus. 
 
 * Mineral Conch. t Terrains du Vicentin, p, 72, 
 
 U 
 
154 CONTRIBUTIONS 
 
 More recently the same author has described six new 
 species from the Tertiary of Maryland and Virginia.* 
 
 GENUS PYRULA. Lamarck. 
 
 P. cancellata. Plate 5. Fig. 160. 
 
 Description. Shell subpyriform, beautifully cancellate 
 over the whole exterior ; substance of the shell thick ; 
 spire rather elevated, pointed ; suture small, slightly 
 thickened above ; whorls six, angular above ; canal rather 
 short and wide ; mouth subovate, rather contracted ; outer 
 lip thickened, with the edge bevelled. 
 
 Length 1.4, Breadth .7, of an inch. 
 
 Observations. Unfortunately but a single specimen of 
 this truly beautiful shell has come into my possession. 
 It is perfect and presents very remarkable decussating 
 striae, which are so regularly placed as to present the ap- 
 pearance of meshes, the point of section being enlarged. 
 This enlargement causes the angle of the whorls to be 
 somewhat granulate. It seems from Sowerby's figuref 
 to resemble pretty closely the Pyrula nexilis\ (Lamarck), 
 (Murex nexilis of Brander). The spire is, however, more 
 elevated, the canal shorter and the superior part of the 
 whorl angular. The Pyrula Greenwoodii, figured by Sow- 
 erby, plate 498, has some characters resembling our species, 
 but is specifically different. 
 
 * Fossil Shells of Ter. For., p. 17 t Min. Conch, pi. 331. 
 t Ani. Sans. Ver. vol. 7, p. 572. Hamp. Fos. p. 4, fig. 55. 
 
TO GEOLOGY. 155 
 
 P. elegantissima. Plate 5. Fig. 161. 
 
 Description. Shell subpyriform, alternate, beautifully 
 cancellate over the whole exterior ; substance of the shell 
 rather thin ; spire rather elevated, pointed ; suture small ; 
 whorls five, convex ; canal rather long ; mouth subovate, 
 
 contracted ; outer lip . 
 
 Length .6, Breadth .2, of an inch. 
 
 Observations. One nearly perfect, and several fractured 
 specimens of this very beautiful species only have come 
 under my notice. Its delicate and graceful form and 
 highly adorned exterior render it very remarkable. It is 
 closely allied to the preceding species, but differs in having 
 a longer canal, in the absence of the angle on the su- 
 perior part of the whorl, and in being a much smaller and 
 thinner shell. In some of these characters it has a stronger 
 resemblance to the Pyrulanexilis (Lamarck). Like it, it is 
 without the angle. Its being more attenuate and having 
 a higher spire makes it specifically different. The reticu- 
 lation is, if possible, more perfect and beautiful than on the 
 cancellata. 
 
 P. Smithii* Plate 5. Fig. 162. 
 
 Description. Shell pyriform, smooth, ventricose, canali- 
 culate on the widest part ; substance of the shell very 
 
 * I have placed to this species a name which will not soon be forgot- 
 ten to British geologists. The veteran geologist William Smith, was 
 almost a solitary labourer for many years in the field, and to him very 
 much is due for the present advanced state of the science of geology in 
 
156 CONTRIBUTIONS 
 
 thick ; spire slightly produced ; suture small, irregular ; 
 whorls five, irregularly canaliculate ; columella much 
 thickened ; canal short ; emarginate ; mouth ovate ; outer 
 lip sharp. 
 Length 1.6, Breadth .1, of an inch. 
 
 Observations. This species in its outline most resembles 
 P. bezoar (Lamarck). In its minor characters it is, how- 
 ever, very different, being smooth. On that part of the 
 whorl which is usually occupied by an angle, the angle 
 is replaced by a slightly impressed furrow, and in most spe- 
 cimens there are indistinct ones above and below this. 
 The seat of the umbilicus is rather impressed, and sur- 
 rounded by an oblique welt terminating at the emargina- 
 tion. The superior part of the columella is very much 
 thickened, and a small channel separates it there from 
 the lip. 
 
 Four species of this genus have been observed in the 
 London Clay of England, and none above or below it. M. 
 Deshayes's Tables give twenty-one. Ten are from the 
 Paris basinseven from Bourdeaux. In the United States 
 three species have been observed in a fossil state. The 
 canaliculata and carica (Lamarck) have been obtained at St 
 Mary's, Maryland. More recently Mr Conrad discovered 
 a new species, sulcosa, described in the Journal of the 
 Academy of Natural Sciences, vol. 6, page 220. 
 
 Great Britain. Appreciating his merits, the Geological Society, having 
 previously awarded him their first Woollaston medal, publicly and appro- 
 priately bestowed it on him, at the meeting of the British Association, at 
 Oxford, in June 1832. 
 
TO GEOLOGY. 157 
 
 GENUS MUREX. Linnaus. 
 
 M. alternata. Plate 5. Fig. 163. 
 
 Description. Shell subfusiform, turrited, longitudinally 
 ribbed, armed with erect spines ; substance of the shell 
 thin; spire elevated, pointed at the apex; suture irregular; 
 spines tubular, alternately placed on and between the 
 ribs ; whorls seven, flat above ; mouth entire, ovate. 
 Length .8, Breadth .3, of an inch. 
 
 Observations. This curious little Murex strongly re- 
 sembles the M. pungens (Brander), plate 3, fig. 82, (M. 
 fistulosus of Sowerby), and that under the same name, fig. 
 81, (M. tubifer of Lamarck and Sowerby). It differs, how- 
 ever, from both. Having them in my cabinet, on com- 
 parison, I find our shell to be more elongate than either, to 
 differ essentially from the fistulosus in having a longer 
 spire and much smaller ribs, and the tubifer in having but 
 one row of spines instead of four. The Murices with the 
 mouth entire, were separated by Montfort, under the 
 name of Typhis, and Cuvier has adopted it as a subgenus. 
 
 It is remarkable that among so many new species of the 
 various genera, only one Murex should as yet have been 
 found in this stratum. In England forty-seven species 
 have been observed, nearly the whole being from the 
 London Clay and Crag. Eighty-nine species are men- 
 
158 CONTRIBUTIONS 
 
 tioned by M. Deshayes in the Tertiary of Europe twenty- 
 four of these in the Paris basin. Two species only, I be- 
 lieve, have been heretofore observed in this country. 
 From the Tertiary of Maryland, Mr Conrad has described 
 the acuticosta. From the Upper Tertiary (Conrad) of Vir- 
 ginia, the Miocene of Lyell, Mr C. has described the um- 
 brifer. It would therefore appear that three species only 
 of Murex in a fossil state are now known here, while 
 eighty-nine are known to exist in the Tertiary of Europe. 
 
 FAMILY ALATA. 
 
 GENUS ROSTELLARIA. Lamarck. 
 
 R. Lamarckil* Plate 5. Fig. 164. 
 
 Description. Shell fusiform, covered with longitudinal 
 flexed ribs cut by numerous transverse strife, which in the 
 adult are hidden, the whole surface being coated by a de- 
 posit ; substance of the shell thick ; spire elevated, acute 
 at the apex ; suture impressed, when coated as in the 
 adult scarcely perceptible ; whorls about twelve, convex 
 in the young, scarcely perceptible through the coating of 
 the adult ; canal at the base short, above nearly erect, 
 extending half way up the spire, where passing in a curve 
 
 * In naming this species in honour of the first conchologist of the age, 
 I do homage to that acumen of science which now penetrates to the 
 study of the naturalist in every quarter of the globe. 
 
TO GEOLOGY. 159 
 
 to the opposite side it descends about the same distance ; 
 mouth subovate, rather contracted ; outer lip small, thin 
 and edged below, above thick and recurved. 
 
 Length 2.2, Breadth .7, of an inch. 
 
 Observations. This curious species of an interesting 
 genus, presents characters unknown in any with which I 
 am acquainted. Its most extraordinary character is that 
 of the deposit, coating the w T hole of the shell thickly over 
 except the lip ; this gives it a rude unshapen appearance. 
 It ascends and overtops the beautiful spire, and enclosing 
 it forms a new apex above. Young specimens present so 
 entirely a different aspect as to make it difficult to believe 
 they are the same species. They are gracefully formed, 
 and the superior part is covered with longitudinal, parallel, 
 flexed ribs fine transverse stria? cover the whole exterior 
 surface. In this state it closely resembles the young of R. 
 curvirostris (Lamarck). The figure represents a specimen 
 with the deposit removed from the apex, in which state 
 they often occur. Having six fossil species from Europe, 
 in my cabinet, I am able to make the following compari- 
 sons. It differs from the Strombus amplus (Brander), 
 (Rostellaria macroptera of Lamarck), in being without the 
 great wing which in my largest specimen expands 
 beyond and behind the top of the spire. It differs from the 
 R. longirostra (Grateloup) greatly in the deposit, this 
 species having little more than the columelia thickened 
 it differs from the R. columbata (Lamarck), which is thick- 
 ened only along the canal terminating near the apex it 
 differs from the R. fissurella (Lamarck), which is strongly 
 
160 CONTRIBUTIONS 
 
 ribbed and has the seat of the canal raised, terminating 
 near the beak it differs from the R. decussata (Lamarck), 
 which is largely ribbed and striate, and has the inferior 
 sinus of the Strombus in the outer lip, and it differs from the 
 R. pes-pelecani (Lamarck), which has the outer lip divided 
 into three digitate processes. 
 
 R. Cuvieri* Plate 5. Fig. 165. 
 
 Description. Shell subfusiform, truncate below, longitu- 
 dinally folded and striate ; substance of the shell thick ; 
 spire elevated, suture linear ; whorls about eight, very 
 slightly convex ; canal at the base very short, above 
 erect, terminating half way up the spire ; columella thick- 
 ened, reflected ; mouth contracted ; outer lip truncate 
 below, thickened, edged. 
 
 Length .7, Breadth .3, of an inch. 
 
 Observations. This species differs in most of its cha- 
 racters from the last. It most resembles the fissurella 
 (Lamarck). The superior canal does not, however, as in 
 that shell, extend to the apex. The inferior canal is shorter. 
 The ribs or folds are not so strong, and the outer lip is 
 smaller and not reflected. 
 
 This genus has a considerable range in the strata of 
 
 * In honour of one of the great masters of natural science, I dedicate 
 this small but interesting species. No praise from me could add to the 
 memory of one so illustrious. I place it alongside of that of Lamarck. 
 
TO GEOLOGY. 161 
 
 England. Eleven have been described by Sowerby, Phil- 
 lips and Mantell, one as low as the Inferior Oolite. The 
 highest are in the London Clay, where five species have 
 been observed by Mr Sowerby. M. Deshayes gives eight 
 for the Tertiary. No species has heretofore been observed 
 in this country to my knowledge. 
 
 FAMILY PURPURIFERA. 
 
 GENUS MONOCEROS. Lamarck. 
 
 M. pyruloides. Plate 5. Fig. 166. 
 
 Description. Shell turbinate, inflated, transversely and 
 indistinctly striate above and below ; substance of the 
 shell thick ; transverse furrow linear, with indistinct 
 angular points ; spire short ; suture small ; whorls five, 
 convex ; umbilicus rather large ; mouth ovate, narrow ; 
 columella thickened ; outer lip sharp. 
 
 Length .7, Breadth .5, of an inch,-- 
 
 Observalions. This species is remarkable for its turbi- 
 nate form. The superior part of the mouth is much 
 thickened. It may be objected to, that this and the two 
 following species should be placed in the genus Monoceros, 
 as none of the specimens observed have the seat of the 
 horn perfect. This part is therefore not described. I 
 am satisfied nevertheless as to the genus; for the groove 
 
162 CONTRIBUTIONS 
 
 or furrow, which I believe is always attendant on the 
 horn, exists distinctly in every individual of the three 
 species which I have. The angular points within the 
 furrow satisfy me entirely that, when perfect specimens 
 are procured, the horn will be found at the termination of 
 the furrow on the edge of the lip. This furrow may be 
 observed more or less distinct on all the recent species, at 
 least they exist on the nine recent species which are in 
 my cabinet. It is somewhat singular, that Lamarck 
 should not have mentioned this furrow, which seems 
 necessarily attendant on the horn. That naturalist de- 
 scribes only five species, all of which are recent. 
 
 M. fusiformis. Plate 5. Fig. 167. 
 
 Description. Shell subfusiform, rather inflated, trans- 
 versely striate above and furrowed below ; substance of 
 the shell thick ; transverse furrow linear, with indistinct 
 angular points ; spire rather short, subgranulate, pointed ; 
 suture small; whorls six, rather flattened; umbilicus none; 
 mouth ovate, rather narrow; columella thickened; outer 
 lip sharp. 
 
 Length .8, Breadth .5, of an inch. 
 
 Observations. At first view this species might easily be 
 mistaken for the last. In some characters, however, it is 
 very distinct. Its being without an umbilicus at once dis- 
 tinguishes it. The spire is also more elevated. See the 
 remarks on the horn of the last described. 
 
TO GEOLOGY. 
 
 163 
 
 M. sukatum. Plate 5. Fig. 168. 
 
 Description. Shell turbinate, inflated, transversely fur- 
 rowed over the whole surface ; substance of the shell 
 rather thin ; transverse furrow linear with indistinct angu- 
 lar points ; spire ; suture rather small ; whorls , 
 
 convex ; umbilicus none ; mouth ovate, narrow ; columella 
 smooth ; outer lip sharp. 
 
 Length .... Breadth .2, of an inch. 
 
 Observations. A single specimen only, and that with a 
 fractured spire, has come into my possession. The descrip- 
 tion is therefore imperfect. I am not satisfied that it is an 
 adult. It may be found to be a larger species than here 
 represented when more are procured, and then some of 
 the above characters may be found to differ. It most 
 resembles the last described. It is not so elongate a 
 shell, and the furrows distinguish it at once. In regard 
 to the horn I refer to the remarks on the pyruloides. 
 
 The Monoceros has not heretofore been observed so low 
 in the series even as the lower Tertiary Beds. One species 
 only in a fossil state seems to have been noticed in Europe. 
 M. Deshayes mentions a single species and that in the 
 Pliocene of the Subappennines. It has not heretofore been 
 observed in the formations of this country. In M. Des- 
 hayes's Tables, six recent species only are given. My 
 cabinet has nine. 
 

 164 CONTRIBUTIONS 
 
 GENUS BUCCINUM. Linnceus. 
 
 *% 
 
 B. Sowerbii* Plate 5. Fig. 169. 
 
 Description. Shell ovately conical, minutely and trans- 
 versely striate over the whole surface ; substance of the 
 shell rather thick ; spire short, mammillary ; suture small ; 
 whorls six, convex ; mouth ovate ; columella slightly 
 wrinkled at the base ; outer lip sharp. 
 
 Length .5, Breadth .3, of an inch. 
 
 Observations. This beautiful little Buccinum is the only 
 species which has come under my notice from Alabama. 
 Its close and beautiful striae are very remarkable. 
 
 Of this genus twenty-sevenf species have been observed 
 in Great Britain, several as low as the Mountain Lime- 
 stone, but chiefly in the London Clay and the Crag. M. 
 Deshayes gives ninety-five species for the Tertiary in his 
 Tables. It appears to be much more abundant in the 
 Upper Formations. The Pliocene of the Subappennines 
 furnishes twenty-seven species, Bourdeaux (Miocene) twen- 
 ty-one, Paris (Eocene) nine. In this country four species 
 have been observed. Mr Say has described two from the 
 
 * Named after the author of the " Mineral Conchology" of Great 
 Britain. 
 
 t These include the genus Nassa. 
 
i*E 
 
 W MO 
 
 Mi 
 
 
 i \siu.i \iiiA 
 
 irutlu'plicata 
 plicata 
 
 . 
 
 plicaUt, 
 
 clevcua. 
 
 148 
 149 
 
 II? 
 
 164 
 
 155 
 156 
 157 
 168 
 
 I.>" 
 160 
 161 
 
 Oclfibfsht 
 
 vriiatitf 
 
 ,._4 \>rj\-t>S'i 
 n. i ii us 
 l-'itU'ini 
 
 162 KYRVI.A Smit/iii 
 
 163 MUKKX - alternaca 
 
 164 ROSTKLUUUA Lamarck* 
 1/35 . Cuvitrt 
 
 166 MO'XOCEHOS //(///. ('<//.' 
 
 167 fuflf&raut 
 
 168 j-^.t/ 
 
 169 BUCCINI-M JV*H 
 
 170 VASSA . l ui^eU.>itA 
 
 171 TKKFIIKA ...aracilis 
 
 m 
 
 173 - ^ : ,v;)//o-A/ 
 
 174 MITRA - lnt,',,r.l 
 
i v r, r. 
 

 TO GEOLOGY. 165 
 
 older Pliocene, Maryland, and Mr Conrad two from York 
 Town, Virginia, also the older Pliocene. 
 
 GENUS NASSA. Lamarck. 
 
 JV. cancellata. Plate 5. Fig. 170. 
 
 Description. Shell turrited, cancellate ; substance of 
 the shell rather thin ; spire elevated, not acutely pointed ; 
 suture irregularly impressed ; whorls nine, subangular 
 above and furnished with a transverse furrow; mouth 
 ovate ; columella but slightly thickened ; outer lip sub- 
 crenate, striate within. 
 
 Length .8, Breadth 7-20ths, of an inch. 
 
 Observations. This finely ornamented Nassa has a 
 strong resemblance to several recent species. It is can- 
 cellate all over except at the very apex, where it is smooth 
 and polished. 
 
 I have observed but a single species of this genus among 
 the shells received from Claiborne. I have not hesitated 
 to separate this genus from Buccinum, (although Lamarck 
 united them after having made the division) because they 
 certainly form a very natural group. Cuvier* separates 
 it, as M. de Blainvillef also does, into a subgenus. 
 
 As neither the English nor French geologists have 
 
 * Animal Kingdom, vol. 2, p. 374. t Manuel, &c. p. 408. 
 
166 CONTRIBUTIONS 
 
 divided the Nassw from the Buccina genetically, I am 
 unable to quote them here. 
 
 Mr Conrad has observed in the Tertiary of Maryland 
 four species, three of which had been described by Mr Say 
 in a recent state from our shores. 
 
 GENUS TEREBRA. Lamarck. 
 
 T. gradlis. Plate 5. Fig. 171. 
 
 Description. Shell fusiform, longitudinally ribbed, trans- 
 versely and closely striate, substance of the shell some- 
 what thick ; spire not much elevated, acute at apex ; 
 suture small, irregular ; whorls eight, slightly convex ; 
 mouth linear ; columella striate ; outer lip sharp. 
 Length .4, Breadth 3-20ths, of an inch. 
 
 Observations. This pretty little species at first view 
 might easily be taken for a Mitra its twisted and striate 
 columella, however, place it among the Terebrw, where it 
 very properly may form a link with the Mitrce. 
 
 T. costata. Plate 5. Fig. 172. 
 
 Description. Shell subulate, with low wide longitudi- 
 nal ribs cut by sharp transverse striae ; substance of the 
 shell rather thin ; spire elevated, acutely pointed ; suture 
 furrowed ; whorls nine, slightly .convex ; mouth narrow ; 
 columella biplicate ; outer lip subcrenate, within striate. 
 
 Length ll-20ths, Breadth 3-20ths, of an inch. 
 
TO GEOLOGY. 167 
 
 Observations. This is a much smaller species than the 
 last, and its sharp transverse striae, which are much more 
 distant, together with the folded columella, render it im- 
 possible to confound them. 
 
 T. venusta. Plate 5. Fig. 173. 
 
 Description. Shell subulate, very much attenuated, 
 with close longitudinal ribs and minute transverse striae in 
 the intermediate spaces ; substance of the shell thin ; 
 spire very much elevated, acutely pointed ; suture linear ; 
 whorls fifteen, flattened ; mouth narrow ; columella smooth ; 
 outer lip . 
 
 Length 13-20ths, Breadth 3-20ths, of an inch. 
 
 Observations. A very distinct species from the above, 
 being more attenuate, having a smooth columella, and 
 being more closely ribbed. The transverse striae, inter- 
 mediate between the ribs, are very minute, while in the 
 above two species they are larger and cross the ribs. 
 
 Four species of this genus have been observed in Eng- 
 land : three species in the Oolitic Group and one in the 
 London Clay. Sixteen are given for the Tertiary by M. 
 Deshayes. Ten of these are found at Baden (Miocene), 
 and seven at Bourdeaux (Miocene). In the Tertiary of 
 Maryland Mr Conrad has observed one species, which he 
 calls simplex, being the only one heretofore observed in our 
 Formations. 
 
168 CONTRIBUTIONS 
 
 FAMILY COLUMELLARIA. 
 
 GENUS MITRA. Lamarck. 
 
 M. lineata. Plate 5. Fig. 174. 
 
 Description. Shell subfusiform, longitudinally and in- 
 distinctly ribbed, furnished with a small transverse line 
 below the suture ; substance of the shell thin ; spire some- 
 what elevated ; suture small ; whorls , flattened ; 
 
 mouth narrow ; columella with four folds^ outer lip 
 sharp ; within striate. 
 
 Length .3, Breadth 3-20ths, of an inch. 
 
 Observations. A single specimen only of this species, 
 and that with the spire fractured, has been examined by me. 
 The folds are placed towards the base, which causes it to 
 look somewhat like a Pyramidella. The figure of Mr 
 Murchison's M. cancellata from Gosau, has some resem- 
 blance to our shell.* 
 
 M. minima. Plate 6. Fig. 175. 
 
 Description. Shell fusiform, smooth ; substance of the 
 shell thin; spire somewhat elevated, rounded at the apex ; 
 
 * Geol. Soc. Trans, vol. 3, pi. 39, fig. 30. 
 
TO GEOLOGY. 169 
 
 suture linear ; whorls five, flattened ; mouth narrow ; 
 columella with four folds ; outer lip sharp, within striate. 
 
 Length 3-20ths, Breadth l-20th, of an inch. 
 
 Observations. Like the above, I have had but a single 
 specimen of this species to examine. It is, however, per- 
 fect. In outline it is very like the last described, but is 
 much smaller. It differs also in having no ribs and being 
 without the transverse line below the suture. The folds 
 are placed, like the above, near the base, and in this it re- 
 sembles two recent species described by Pyraudeau, the 
 Defrancii and Savignyi.* 
 
 M.fusoides. Plate 6. Fig. 176. 
 
 Description. Shell ovato-fusiform, longitudinally and 
 closely ribbed, transversely striate above, furrowed below 
 the suture ; substance of the shell rather thick ; spire 
 short, rounded at the apex ; suture irregularly impressed ; 
 whorls six, flattened ; mouth linear ; columella with four 
 somewhat distant folds ; outer lip sharp, within minutely 
 and closely crenate. 
 
 Length ,4, Breadth .2, of an inch. 
 
 Observations. This pretty little species differs from the 
 two above described, in being much shorter and wider in 
 proportion. It also differs in having transverse striae above 
 and having a furrow below the suture. The folds are the 
 same in number, but placed higher on the columella, and 
 
 * Catalogue, &c, de L'isle de Corse, pi. 8, figs. 22 and 24. 
 w 
 
170 CONTRIBUTIONS 
 
 are more separated from each other. In some specimens 
 the ribs and transverse striae are so obsolete as to present, 
 an almost perfectly smooth shell. This species very close- 
 ly resembles the figure of *M. pumila* (Sowerby.) It dif- 
 fers in having a transverse furrow, and in the ribs being 
 much stronger than the transverse striae. 
 
 M. Flemingii.-\ Plate 6. Fig. 177. 
 
 Description. Shell fusiform, transversely and very-mi- 
 nutely striate ; substance of the shell thick ; spire ele- 
 vated, rounded at the apex ; suture linear ; whorls five, 
 obtusely angular above; mouth contracted, nearly straight ; 
 columella with four folds ; outer lip sharp. 
 
 Length .8, Breadth .4, of an inch. 
 
 Observation. This species approaches very closely in 
 many of its characters to the genus Voluta. The regular 
 folds, however, of the columella place it strictly among 
 the tMitrce. It is a much larger shell than the fusoides 
 has no ribs, and is more attenuate. 
 
 M. Humboldtii4 Plate 6. Fig. 178. 
 
 Description. Shell subfusiform, transversely and very 
 closely striate, canaliculate above ; substance of the shell 
 rather thick ; spire ; suture linear ; whorls , 
 
 * Min. Conch, vol. 5, pi. 430. 
 
 t Named after the author of" A History of British Animals," &c. 
 | In placing the name of the Baron Humboldt to this species, I use 
 that which is among the most illustrious in geology. 
 
TO GEOLOGY. 171 
 
 slightly canaliculate above ; mouth subovate, rather nar- 
 row ; columella with four folds, curved ; outer lip sharp. 
 
 Length Breadth .5, of an inch. 
 
 Observations. At first view this species might be mis- 
 taken for the above. Its curved columella and more re- 
 flected lip, however, serve readily to distinguish it. The 
 striae on the superior part of the whorls are stronger than 
 on the body. Having but a single specimen, the apex of 
 which is removed, the description is somewhat defective. 
 
 Three species* only of Mitra have been observed in 
 England and those are all from Barton Cliff, London Clay 
 Formation, having been described by Mr Sowerby in his 
 Mineral Conchology. M. Deshayes gives sixty-six species, 
 in his Tables, from the Tertiary. Twenty-four are from the 
 Paris basin alone, and thirteen from the Subappennines. 
 No fossil species have, I believe, been before observed in 
 our Formations. 
 
 GENUS VOLUTA. Linnceus. 
 
 V. DefranciiJ Plate 6. Fig. 179. 
 Description. Shell turbinate, transversely striate, coro- 
 
 * Fleming (British Animals, p. 333,) makes a fourth, by adding the 
 Valuta Lamberti to his list of Mitra. The genus must be considered to 
 be very badly denned, for Mr Conrad places this species among the 
 FasciolaruB, (Journal of the Acad. Nat. Sci. vol. 6, p. 216.) I should 
 certainly agree with Mr Sowerby, and keep it with the Volutes. 
 
 \ Named after the distinguished fossil conchologist M. Defrance. 
 
172 CONTRIBUTIONS 
 
 nate ; substance of the shell rather thin ; spire somewhat 
 produced, acute at the apex ; suture small and irregular ; 
 whorls seven, subangular above ; mouth rather narrow ; 
 columella with two folds ; outer lip sharp. 
 Length .9, Breadth .5, of an inch. 
 
 Observations. This is the largest species I have noticed 
 from this deposit. It occurs one half longer than the in- 
 dividual figured. It more strongly resembles the V. spinosa 
 (Lamarck) than any species I know, but differs somewhat 
 in the form, and in not having such strong spines on the 
 superior part of the whorl, these in our species being re- 
 placed by very short spines or compressed tubercles. In 
 some specimens these are disposed to be double, and in 
 others the spines lengthen down the sides and form a kind 
 of rib. A third, very small fold, may sometimes be ob- 
 served in this species above the two large ones. 
 
 V. gradlis. Plate 6. Fig. 180. 
 
 Description. Shell ovately turbinate, transversely striate 
 below, longitudinally and closely ribbed above, coronate ; 
 substance of the shell thin ; spire turrited ; suture linear ; 
 whorls six, angular and canaliculate above ; mouth nar- 
 row, straight ; columella with two folds ; outer lip sharp. 
 
 Length .6, Breadth .3, of an inch. 
 
 Observations. This differs from the Defrancii, in being 
 striate only on the inferior part, and in having close longi- 
 tudinal ribs. The end of the ribs are disposed to be granu- 
 late at the angle. 
 
TO GEOLOGY. 173 
 
 F.parva. Plate 6. Fig. 181. 
 
 Description. Shell subfusiform, transversely striate be- 
 low, longitudinally and rather widely ribbed, with small 
 spines on the angle of the whorls ; substance of the shell 
 thin ; spire rather elevated ; suture irregularly impressed ; 
 whorls six, angular and subcanaliculate above ; mouth 
 narrow, straight ; columella somewhat oblique, with three 
 folds ; outer lip sharp. 
 Length 5-20ths, Breadth 3-20ths, of an inch. 
 
 Observations. This is a smaller species than the last, 
 and may be distinguished by its more tapering spire, its 
 wider ribs and spines, which are, however, small. A 
 single specimen only of this and the last described species 
 having come into my possession, it may be found, in others, 
 that the characters mentioned above are not entirely per- 
 manent. 
 
 V. Fanuxemi.* Plate 6. Fig. 182. 
 
 Description. Shell turbinate, transversely striate on the 
 base, with rather large spines above ; substance of the 
 shell thick ; spire short ; suture small ; whorls five, angu- 
 lar above ; mouth somewhat narrow ; columeUa with two 
 folds ; outer lip sharp. 
 
 Length 1.2, Breadth .7, of an inch. 
 
 * I have placed on this species the name of my friend, Professor Van- 
 uxem, one of our most distinguished geologists. 
 
174 CONTRIBUTIONS 
 
 Observations. This species is allied to the Defrancii, 
 above described, by its general form, but differs in being 
 rather wider, in being more angular above, in having larger 
 spines, and in having a smooth surface, except on the base. 
 It has a stronger resemblance in its form to V. spinosa 
 (Lamarck) than the Defrandi described above, but is spe- 
 cifically distinct. It resembles both the athleta and depau- 
 perata* (Sowerby), but has more spines than the former, 
 and has fewer than the latter. 
 
 V. striata. Plate 6. Fig. 183. 
 
 Description. Shell turbinate, covered with minute, 
 
 transverse stria3 ; substance of the shell thin ; spire ; 
 
 suture small, irregular ; whorls , subcanaliculate 
 
 above ; mouth contracted, nearly straight ; columella with 
 five folds ; outer lip sharp. 
 
 Length . .... Breadth .4, of an inch. 
 
 Observations. Differs from those described above, in the 
 number of its folds, as well as in being without spines. It 
 more closely resembles the V. Cooperii (herein described) 
 but is less inflated, and has not, like that species, folds on 
 the superior part of the whorls. On that part of the pre- 
 sent species, the striae are closer and deeper, and it is there 
 somewhat depressed. Not having a perfect specimen, some 
 of the characters are necessarily deficient in the descrip- 
 tion. The character of its folds approaches the mitras. 
 
 * Min. Conch, pi. 396. 
 
TO GEOLOGY. 175 
 
 V. Parkinsonil* Plate 6. Fig. 184. 
 
 Description. Shell subturbinate, very closely covered 
 with minute, transverse striae ; substance of the shell rather 
 
 thin ; spire ; suture linear ; whorls , flattened 
 
 above ; mouth rather contracted ; columella with four 
 folds ; outer lip sharp. 
 
 Length .... Breadth .4, of an inch. 
 
 Observations. This very closely resembles the last spe- 
 cies. It differs in being less turbinate, in having more 
 closely set striae, and in having one tooth less in number. 
 Unfortunately, I have but one specimen, and that with the 
 spire removed. The relative character of four or five folds, 
 in this and the last described, may differ in other individu- 
 als. The species are, nevertheless, distinct. 
 
 V. CooperiiJ Plate 6. Pig. 185. 
 
 Description. Shell pyriform, inflated, obtusely angular 
 above, furnished on the inferior part with about ten distinct, 
 oblique, distant striee ; substance of the shell somewhat 
 thick ; suture small and subgranulate ; spire very slightly 
 elevated, rounded at the apex ; whorls flattened above ; 
 canal very short and wide ; columella with five folds ; 
 mouth long and lunate. 
 
 Length 1.2, Breadth .9, of an inch. 
 
 * Named after the author of " Organic Remains" and " Outlines of 
 Oryctology." 
 
 t Named after my friend, William Cooper, distinguished for his know- 
 ledge in natural science. 
 
176 CONTRIBUTIONS 
 
 Observations. This species resembles the Turbinella py- 
 ruloides of Conrad, which, it appears to me, more properly 
 belongs to the genus Valuta. It differs from it in being 
 more turbinate, in having five folds, in having a more ob- 
 tuse spire, and in the striae being few and distant. In 
 some of the specimens of the pyruloides in my cabinet, the 
 " obscure spiral striee" cover the whole surface of the 
 shell. 
 
 Sixteen species have been observed in England, all in 
 the London Clay, except one, which is found in the Crag, 
 the V. Lambertii. Thirty-two are given by M. Deshayes, 
 twenty-four being in the Paris basin. In the Tertiary of 
 Maryland Mr Conrad has observed two species, solitaria 
 and Lamberti,* and at Claiborne one, the pyruloides. f 
 
 GENUS MARGINELLA. Lamarck. 
 
 M. anatina. Plate 6. Fig. 186. 
 
 Description. Shell ovate, smooth ; substance of the 
 shell thick ; suture slightly impressed ; spire short, coni- 
 cal ; whorls five ; flattened above ; columella with 
 
 folds, thickened ; mouth narrow ; outer lip much thicken- 
 ed and beautifully crenulate within. 
 Length 9-20ths, Breadth .3, of an inch. 
 
 Observations. A single specimen only has come into 
 
 * Fasciolaria Laraberti, (Conrad), t Turbinella pyruloides, (Conrad). 
 
TO GEOLOGY. 177 
 
 my possession. Having been injured on a part of the 
 columella, it is impossible to decide on the number of its 
 folds, but presume it to be nine or ten. The front part of 
 the shell is coated somewhat like a Nassa. 
 
 M. columba. Plate 6. Fig. 187. 
 
 Description. Shell ovate, smooth ; substance of the 
 shell thick ; suture scarcely perceptible, spire somewhat 
 elevated, conical ; whorls , slightly convex ; colu- 
 mella with five folds ; mouth narrow, straight ; outer lip 
 much thickened, crenulate within. 
 Length 7-20ths, Breadth .2, of an inch. 
 
 Observations. Like the last described, a single individual 
 only of this species came into my possession. In outline 
 they resemble each other. The columba has not, how- 
 ever, any deposit or coating it has a higher spire and a 
 less number of folds. The folds too are different in the 
 latter, having the appearance of being formed by the 
 grooving of the columella, while in the anatina they are 
 placed on the columella. 
 
 M. crassilabra. Plate 6. Fig. 188. 
 
 Description. Shell ovate, polished ; substance of the 
 shell thick ; spire very short, pointed ; whorls four, flatten- 
 ed above ; columella with four folds ; mouth narrow, 
 somewhat curved ; outer lip very thick, minutely crenu- 
 late within. 
 
 Length 7-20ths, Breadth .2, of an inch. 
 
 X 
 
178 CONTRIBUTIONS 
 
 Observations. This species differs from the last in 
 being broader, in having a shorter spire, in having one 
 fold less, and in being thicker in the lip. 
 
 M. plicata. Plate 6. Fig. 189. 
 
 Description. Shell ovate, longitudinally folded above ; 
 substance of the shell rather thick ; spire short, rounded 
 at the apex ; whorls three, flattened above ; columella 
 with six folds ; mouth narrow, curved ; outer lip thick, 
 finely crenulate within. 
 Length 5-20ths, Breadth 3-20ths, of an inch. 
 
 Observations. Differs from all the species herein de- 
 scribed, in having longitudinal folds, which are placed on 
 the superior part of the whorls. 
 
 M. semen. Plate 6. Fig. 190. 
 
 Description. Shell ova to-elliptical, polished ; substance 
 of the shell rather thick ; spire very short and rounded at 
 the apex ; whorls three, flattened above ; columella with 
 six folds ; mouth narrow, curved ; outer lip somewhat 
 thick and very minutely crenulate within. 
 
 Length 5-20ths, Breadth 3-20ths, of an inch. 
 
 Observations. This species seems most analagous to the 
 last described, but is without its exterior folds, and is more 
 elliptical. 
 
TO GEOLOGY. 179 
 
 M. ovata. Plate 6. Fig. 191. 
 
 Description. Shell ovate, smooth; substance of the 
 shell thick ; spire very short, the apex being scarcely visi- 
 ble ; whorls flattened above ; columella with eight folds ; 
 mouth narrow, curved ; outer lip- very slightly thickened 
 and minutely crenulate within. 
 
 Length ll-20ths, Breadth .3, of an inch. 
 
 Observations. This species most resembles the last de- 
 scribed, but differs in the spire, in the number of folds, and 
 in the size. In the adult the last whorl covers the spire 
 except at the very apex. The thickening of the margin 
 of the outer lip is so small as scarcely to be perceptible. 
 In some individuals it cannot be traced. This lip is edged 
 and somewhat gibbous above. 
 
 M. incurva. Plate 6. Fig. 192. 
 
 Description. Shell ovate, smooth ; substance of the 
 shell thin ; spire somewhat protruded, rounded at the 
 apex ; whorls four, flattened above ; columella curved, 
 with four folds ; mouth subovate, narrow ; outer lip sharp. 
 
 Length 5-20ths, Breadth nearly 3-20ths, of an inch. 
 
 Observations. This is placed at the last of the Margi- 
 nella, as it has characters which approach strongly to the 
 Voharm. It has no thickened margin on the outer lip, at 
 least in the specimens (three) which I have seen. The 
 
180 CONTRIBUTIONS 
 
 folds are only four in number, and are placed near to the 
 base. 
 
 The genus Marginella does not seem to have been ob- 
 served in a fossil state in Great Britain. Seventeen 
 species are given in M. Deshayes's Tables, nine of these 
 are from Paris. From the Tertiary of Maryland Mr Con- 
 rad has described one species, the denticulata- Professor 
 Vanuxem presented me some years since with a specimen 
 from Charleston, S. C., taken from a bed of very recent 
 Formation, (newer Pliocene Period,) he did not deter- 
 mine its species. I suspect it to be analagous with an 
 existing species of the West Indies. 
 
 FAMILY CONVOLUTA. 
 
 GENUS ANOLAX.* Roissy. 
 
 A. gigantea. Plate 6. Fig. 193. 
 
 Description. Shell ovato-elliptical, smooth ; substance 
 of the shell thick ; suture scarcely visible ; spire conical, 
 acute at the apex ; whorls four, flattened above ; columella 
 smooth ; mouth ovate, three fifths the length of the shell, 
 largely emarginate below and slightly so above ; inner lip 
 
 * Andllaria, (Lamarck). I use the name of Anolax on the authority 
 of M. Brogniart. See Terrains du Vicentin, p. 63. 
 
TO GEOLOGY. 181 
 
 very much thickened, swollen and projecting about the 
 middle ; outer lip sharp. 
 Length 2.5, Breadth 1.5, of an inch. 
 
 Observations. This is the largest Jlnolax, recent or fossil, 
 I have seen. It resembles, in its general character, the 
 altile and subglobosa (Conrad), and particularly so in the 
 great mass of deposit on the inner lip. It differs from them 
 in size, and in being more ovate. I have had it in my 
 power to examine but a single specimen of this species. 
 Other individuals may present different characters. 
 
 A. plicata. Plate 6. Fig. 194. 
 
 Description. Shell subfusiform, turrited, longitudinally 
 folded above ; substance of the shell rather thick ; suture 
 impressed in the callus, spire elevated, not pointed at the 
 apex ; whorls six, flattened above ; mouth ovate, half the 
 length of the shell ; outer lip sharp. 
 
 Length .4, Breadth .2, of an inch. 
 
 Observations. This species most resembles the scamba 
 (Conrad), but is a much smaller shell, and may at once be 
 distinguished by its longitudinal folds. 
 
 Four species of this genus have been observed in the 
 London Clay of England. In the Tertiary Tables of M. 
 Deshayes we find nine. Of these five are found in the Paris 
 basin. Mr Conrad has observed four from the same stratum 
 at Claiborne, whence those above described were taken. 
 
182 CONTRIBUTIONS 
 
 GENUS OLIVA. Lamarck. 
 
 O. constricta. Plate 6. Fig. 195. 
 
 Description. Shell cylindrico-f usiform ; substance of the 
 shell rather thick ; spire elevated, pointed ; whorls six, flat 
 above ; columella with about five irregular folds near the 
 base ; mouth narrow, about three fifths the length of the 
 shell. 
 Length .9, Breadth .3, of an inch. 
 
 Observations. There is a great resemblance between 
 this species and the clavula (Lamarck), and it may be 
 doubtful if they should be separated. Our shell has a 
 shorter mouth, a higher spire, and is, perhaps, more 
 slender. 
 
 O. gracilis. Plate 6. Fig. 196. 
 
 Description. Shell subfusiform, polished ; substance of 
 
 the shell thin ; spire elevated, pointed ; whorls five, slightly 
 
 convex ; columella with five or six irregular folds near the 
 
 base ; mouth narrow, about one half the length of the shell. 
 
 Length 7-20ths, Breadth .l,of an inch. 
 
 Observations. The graceful form of this little species, as 
 well as its size, will easily distinguish it from the following 
 one. It is less cylindrical than that which precedes it, 
 and properly placed between both, as it bears some of the 
 characters of both. 
 
 
TO GEOLOGY. 183 
 
 O. Greenoughi* Plate 6. Fig. 197. 
 
 Description. Shell fusiform, subulate ; substance of the 
 shell thick ; spire much elevated, pointed ; whorls six, 
 slightly impressed above the suture ; columella irregularly 
 folded at the base ; mouth rather wide, nearly one half the 
 length of the shell. 
 
 Length 1.6, Breadth .5, of an inch. 
 
 Observations. This species has the most elevated spire 
 of any Oliva I have seen. It has some resemblance to the 
 subulata (Lamarck), a recent species, but is a more slen- 
 der shell, and has a much more elevated spire. It is re- 
 markable for its spire and the shortness of the mouth. 
 
 O. dubia. Plate 6. Fig. 198. 
 
 Description. Shell ovately fusiform ; substance of the 
 shell thick ; spire elevated, pointed ; whorls five, slightly 
 impressed above the suture ; columella irregularly folded 
 at the base ; mouth wide, three fifths the length of the shell. 
 
 Length 1.5, Breadth .6, of an inch. 
 
 Observations. This species very closely resembles the 
 last described, but is less elongate. It has some resem- 
 blance to the plicaria (Lamarck), 'but the moutn is shorter 
 and less open, and it is less impressed on the columella 
 above the folds. 
 
 * Named after the distinguished British geologist, Mr Greenough. 
 
184 CONTRIBUTIONS 
 
 O. Phillipsii.* Plate 6. Fig. 199. 
 
 Description. Shell ovately-fusiform, polished ; substance 
 of the shell rather thick; spire elevated, somewhat turrited; 
 whorls six, flattened above ; columella with three or four 
 oblique folds at the base ; mouth somewhat narrow, rather 
 more than one half the length of the shell. 
 
 Length .6, Breadth 5-20ths, of an inch. 
 
 Observations. Differs from the other species here de- 
 scribed, in being wider in proportion to its length, and 
 having the spire somewhat turrited. This character is 
 caused partly because there is no deposit along the canal. 
 I have seen no other species among the foreign or Ameri- 
 can fossil Olivw, without this deposit. 
 
 O. minima. Plate 6. Fig. 200. 
 
 Description. Shell ovate ; substance of the shell thin ; 
 spire short and obtuse ; whorls four, rather convex above ; 
 columella with about six equidistant folds extending high 
 up ; mouth long, narrow and curved, being four fifths the 
 length of the shell. 
 
 Length .2, Breadth .1, of an inch. 
 
 Observations. This very small species differs from those 
 above described, in the spire being short and obtuse, and 
 
 * Named after one of the distinguished authors of " Outlines of the 
 Geology of England and Wales." 
 
TO GEOLOGY. 185 
 
 in having folds which are nearly transverse, and occupy 
 almost the whole of the left side of the mouth. 
 
 Three species of Oliva have been observed in Great Bri- 
 tain, all being from the London Clay. Thirteen have been 
 observed by M. Deshayes in the Tertiary ; six of these are 
 from the Paris basin. I am not aware of the genus having 
 before been observed in our Formations. 
 
 GENUS MONOPTYGMA.* (nobis.) 
 
 Description. Shell subfusiform ; mouth ovate ; colu- 
 mella furnished with a single fold passing obliquely into 
 the interior of the mouth. 
 
 Observations. The peculiar fold on the columella of this 
 shell at once separates it from any genus heretofore de- 
 scribed. In our species, it crosses the columella equidistant 
 from the two extremities of the mouth, in an oblique spiral 
 manner, starting from the base. It is certainly a very in- 
 teresting shell, and it is to be hoped that further investiga- 
 tion will bring to our knowledge other species. f 
 
 * Metro;, unus, and vrvy^ct^ plica. 
 
 t Since the above was written, the arrival of the ship Georgian, from 
 Calcutta, has put in my possession a recent shell which should be 
 placed in this genus. In outline it resembles a Mclania, but the single 
 fold on the columella, and the sinus of the base, forbid its being there 
 placed. The lower part of the mouth presents the character of the Ce- 
 rithium. I propose to call it Monoptygma melanoides. 
 Y 
 
186 CONTRIBUTIONS TO GEOLOGY. 
 
 M. Jllabamiensis. Plate 6. Fig. 201. 
 
 Description. Shell ovate, smooth ; substance of the shell 
 rather thick ; spire rather elevated ; whorls slightly in- 
 curved above ; columella furnished with a large oblique 
 fold ; mouth narrow, subovate, emarginate at base ; outer 
 lip sharp, within having one or two longitudinal folds. 
 
 Length .4, Breadth 3-20ths, of an inch. 
 
 Observations. Unfortunately, but two specimens of this 
 species were obtained, neither of which is entirely per- 
 fect. The fold is situated about the middle of the colu- 
 mella, and is very large. One of the specimens has but one 
 longitudinal fold within the lip, while the other has two. 
 The sutures are filled up by the incrusted deposit which 
 extends to the top of the spire. 
 
 GENUS CONUS. Linnaus. 
 
 C. Claibornensis. 
 
 Description. A small cone, for which I had proposed this 
 name, was found in the sand, and by accident was mislaid, 
 before the description and figure were made. It was about 
 one quarter of an inch long, flattened on the sides, cari- 
 nate above, and canaliculate on the superior part of the 
 whorls ; the spire was rather low and pointed. It is to be 
 regretted that any accident should have happened to it, 
 as it is the only specimen of a cone found at this locality, 
 to my knowledge. 
 
SUPPLEMENT. 
 
 Read before the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, 
 October 29, 1833. 
 

JFF.A.TJE "VI 
 
 
 175MITRA- 
 
 17" 
 
 minima 
 tufcidts 
 FlantngS. 
 
 Hiiinli.'Uti'i 
 
 .it, i 
 
 ,.,/., 
 .hicurva 
 aiiuintea. 
 
 patata 
 
 . pa 
 
 r.i 
 
 mcilit 
 
 203 i.rsnrijTES ,.OuelerU 
 
 204 ORB-ITiVMTES intfrsHti 
 
 !05 difttide. 
 
 2O TUUJB1SOT.IA MttOtrH 
 XT,. . J'^tefM 
 
 201 IfOXOVTTGMA .Ililhftmietl.'U 1\ll BCTJuA 
 fi>: l.i xriJTIM Kouti 
 
 ':';;,,, 
 
 'otkfivi 
 Hpl&ata 
 
 Or, MOHOPTYGMA 
 as Bi'ttf nf n l-'ifh '' 
 39 'forth iy'j Fifh ' 
 420 Vertebra jf a ffjh ' 
 
 221 J/'r' ljr''rt /// ' 
 
 222 BAl-VSUS /-'it i, -lit 
 
 22? MAC'THA. . 
 22* ACXECW 
 2i> mvrKi.u\ 
 
 ::' i M .- 
 
 

 CLASS POLYPI. 
 
 FAMILY MILLEPORAM1. 
 
 GENUS LUNULITES. Lamarck. 
 
 Lunulites Bouei* Plate 6. Fig. 202. 
 
 Description. Lunulites convex and cellular above, con- 
 cave and rugosely radiate below ; cells in rows, diverging 
 from the apex ; pores very minute, being placed between 
 the lines of cells. 
 
 Diam. .3, Height 3-20ths, of an inch. 
 
 The segment is a magnified view. 
 
 Observations. This species, certainly, very closely re- 
 sembles the urceolata (Lamarck). The cells of that spe- 
 cies, as figured by Goldfuss, are more round than in ours. 
 I had observed, by the aid of the microscope, that each 
 specimen, at the apex, was possessed of a grain of quartzose 
 sand, in some cases covered over. On examination, I 
 found this had been observed by Brogniart and Goldfuss, to 
 be the case with the urceolata; but this curious fact does not 
 
 * Named after the distinguished geologist, Dr Boue, 
 
190 CONTRIBUTIONS 
 
 seem to have been observed by Lamarck. The figure of 
 Brogniart* is much more elevated and rounded at the apex 
 than our species. 
 
 L. Duclosii.-\ Plate 6. Fig. 203. 
 
 Description. Lunulites slightly convex and cellular 
 above, concave and radiate below ; cells in rows diverging 
 from the apex and from the sides of other rows ; pores be- 
 tween the lines of cells scarcely perceptible. 
 
 Diam. .2, Height nearly .1, of an inch. 
 
 The segment is a magnified view. 
 
 Observations. Goldfuss gives a large figure of the radi- 
 ata (Lamarck), which resembles our species. In the 
 Duclosii, however, the rows of cells seem disposed to form 
 differently, there being one or two rows which are longer 
 than the others, and from the sides of which others again 
 diverge. I do not observe the grain of sand in the apex 
 of this species ; having but one or two specimens, I have 
 not destroyed them for the purpose of examination. 
 
 I am not aware of more than one species of Lunulites 
 having been observed in England. The urceolata (Lam- 
 arck) is mentioned by Phillips as being found in the Chalk 
 of Yorkshire. It is also found at Grignon. Two species 
 only have, I believe, heretofore been described, radiata and 
 
 * Desc. Geolo. des Environs de Paris, pi. 8, fig. 9. 
 
 i Named after M. Duclos, a distinguished conchologist of Paris. 
 
TO GEOLOGY. 101 
 
 urceolata (Lamarck). The genus has not been before 
 observed in this country, to my knowledge. 
 
 GENUS ORBITOLITES. Lamarck. 
 
 O. interstitia. Plate 6. Fig. 204 
 
 Description. Orbitolites convex and cellular above, con- 
 cave, papillary and minutely porous below ; cells ovate ; 
 pores above interstitial ; pores below very numerous and 
 very minute. 
 
 Diam. 3-20ths, Height nearly .1, of an inch. 
 
 The segment is a magnified view. 
 
 Observations. This is a beautiful little species, and re- 
 sembles somewhat in form the Orbulites lenticulata* (Lam- 
 arck). It is not, however, flat beneath. There being 
 no description of the pores, I cannot say if they differ in 
 this character. In the two specimens which I have of 
 this species, the grain of sand which occurs in the Lunu- 
 lites is not observable. They were not, however, taken to 
 pieces for examination. 
 
 * Brogniart makes the following observations in referring to the 
 figure of this shell, " ce nom ayant etc deja donne par M. de Lamarck 
 a une coquille de la famille des ammonites, il m'a paru convenable de 
 restituer a ce polypier celui d'orbitolites que ce memo naturaliste lui 
 avoit donne precedemment, et qnr atrra ete probablement altere par 
 megarde." Desc. Geolo. des Environs de Paris, p. 398. 
 
192 CONTRIBUTIONS 
 
 O. discoidea. Plate 6. Fig. 205. 
 
 Description. Orbitolites cellular and very slightly con- 
 vex above, minutely porous, radiate and slightly con- 
 cave below ; cells hexagonal ; pores very minute and 
 placed between the radiating strise. 
 
 Diam. .3, Height .1, of an inch. 
 
 The segment is a magnified view. 
 
 Observations- This species differs very much from the 
 above- It is flatter and larger, and in the arrangement 
 of the cells and pores differs altogether. The apex of my 
 specimen (the only one I have seen) is disposed to be 
 mammillary. The grain of sand mentioned in the Lunu- 
 lites is not observable in this species. 
 
 A single species only of this genus seems to have been 
 observed in England. M. Mantell in his Geology of Sus- 
 sex, mentions the lenticulata (Lamarck) as existing in the 
 Chalk. Lamarck describes six species, one of which is 
 recent. The macroptera (Lamarck) is mentioned by 
 Goldfuss, who describes this species as being found only 
 in the Calcaire Grossiere of Paris. In this country the 
 genus has not been before observed. 
 
TO GEOLOGY. 193 
 
 FAMILY LAMELLIFERJE. 
 
 GENUS TURBINOLIA. (Lamarck.) 
 
 T. Madurii* Plate 6. Fig. 206. 
 
 Description. Turbinolia cuneate, minutely granulate, 
 without ribs or furrows, swollen, furnished with two longi- 
 tudinal tubercles on each side, on the superior part ; base 
 rounded ; star subelliptical ; pores very minute and irregu- 
 larly interspersed among the granules ; lamellae granulate. 
 Diam. .6, Length .8, Breadth .9, of an inch. 
 
 The segment is a magnified view. 
 
 Observations. This very curious species differs in its 
 exterior characters from any other I am acquainted with. 
 It has no longitudinal striae, which all the other known 
 species have. No other described species has longitudinal 
 tubercles like this. The granules are very small and 
 sometimes form together. In several specimens four to 
 eight smaller tubercles, or rather ribs, as they are elon- 
 gated, may be observed on each side, but these are not 
 specifically different. The superior part appears to be 
 very fragile, there not being among a great number a 
 single one entirely perfect in that part. 
 
 * Named after the distinguished geologist, William M'Clure, Presi- 
 dent of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia. 
 z 
 
194 CONTRIBUTIONS 
 
 T. Stokesii* Plate 6. Fig. 207. 
 
 Description. Turbinolia cuneate, granulate, with twenty- 
 four longitudinal furrows ; furrows on each side ten, two 
 of which are incurved and extend nearly to the base on 
 each edge two, slightly curved and extending nearly to 
 the base ; base emarginate ; star elliptical ; lamellae rugose. 
 
 Diam. 5-20ths, Length 7-20ths, Breadth 7-20ths, of an inch. 
 
 The segment is a magnified view. 
 
 Observations. This is a beautiful species, resembling 
 very slightly in outline the T. crispa^ (Lamarck). It is, 
 however, more cuneate, and the situation of the furrows 
 is different. The furrows on the sides of the Stokesii 
 are marked," and from the edge of the star converge nearly 
 to a point below the centre on each side. Anxious to dis- 
 cover if any of the Turbinolm possessed the same character 
 with some of the Lunulites, (the enclosing in the calcare- 
 ous matter a grain of sand as a point of commencement 
 of growth, or as a balance) I first opened specimens 
 of the Maclurii without success ; then specimens of the 
 Stokesii and Goldfussii, in both of which the grain was 
 found ; several pharetra were next examined, but in none 
 was it to be seen. Having but a single specimen of the 
 nana, I could not submit it to an examination. 
 
 * I have placed on this species the name of the late secretary of the 
 Geological Society of London, distinguished for his activity in promot- 
 ing the knowledge of natural science. 
 
 t See Goldfuss, vol. 1, p. 15, fig. 7. 
 
TO GEOLOGY. 195 
 
 T. Goldfussii* Plate 6. Fig. 208. 
 
 Description. Turbinolia cuneate, granulate, with twenty- 
 four longitudinal furrows ; furrows on each side ten, con- 
 verging towards a point near to the middle of the base on 
 each edge two, slightly curved and extending nearly to the 
 base ; base nearly straight, star elliptical ; lamellae rugose. 
 
 Diam. 3-20ths, Length 5-20ths, Breadth .2, of an inch. 
 
 Observations. This species closely resembles the last. 
 The furrows are not, however, so marked, and the two 
 curved ones are replaced here by two which converge like 
 the enclosed eight. It is not quite so broad, and the base 
 is more disposed to be round than emarginate. It seems 
 generally to be rather smaller in size. In outline as well 
 as in the furrows there is a greater resemblance between 
 the Goldfussii and the crispa, than there is between the 
 Stokesii and crispa. There being no difference between 
 the granulation of the Stokesii and this species, it is not 
 considered necessary to make an enlarged view of them. 
 
 T. nana. Plate 6. Fig. 209. 
 
 Description. Turbinolia subcuneate, longitudinally rib- 
 bed ; furrows apparently without perforations ; ribs twenty- 
 four, about sixteen of which descend to the base, where 
 they are wrinkled ; star elliptical ; style apparently none. 
 
 Diam. l-20th, Length .1, Breadth over l-20th, of an inch. 
 
 * Named after Dr Goldfuss, the author of the admirable work " Petre- 
 facten,'' &c. 
 
196 CONTRIBUTIONS 
 
 The smaller figure is of the size of nature. 
 
 Observations. A single specimen only of this minute 
 species came into my possession. It most strongly resem- 
 bles the pharetra, herein described. It may be distinguished 
 by its diminutive size, its flattened sides, its ribs and base. 
 With a microscope of considerable power, it was not possi- 
 ble to discover any pores, which, I strongly suspect, exist 
 between the ribs. In this specimen there is no style, and 
 it may be doubted if it ever exist in this species. 
 
 T.pharetra. Plate 6. Fig. 210. 
 
 Description. Turbinolia clavate, longitudinally ribbed ; 
 furrows with a double row of minute perforations ; ribs 
 twenty-four, six of which terminate at a point on the cen- 
 tre of the base ; six others terminate between these, higher 
 up ; these twelve being enlarged at the base, the remain- 
 ing twelve, alternating, terminate above these again ; star 
 round ; style rather elevated, with six radii. 
 
 Diam. .1, Length .3, of an inch. 
 
 The superior view shows the stella of the style. 
 
 The segment is a magnified view. 
 
 Observations. In its form, this species has an almost 
 perfect resemblance to the sulcata (Lamarck). It differs 
 in the arrangement of the ribs, and judging from the figure 
 of Goldfuss (pi. 15, fig. 3), I should suppose it to differ in 
 the style also. The minute pores which exist in our spe- 
 cies do not appear to be in the sulcata ; at least they are 
 not noticed by Lamarck or Goldfuss. Brogniart's figure* 
 
 * Desc. Geolog. des Environs de Paris, pi. 8, fig. 3. 
 
TO GEOLOGY. 197 
 
 is much better than that of Goldfuss, and apparently has 
 pores.* 
 
 The genus Turbinolia seems to be more diffused through- 
 out the different Formations than any other of the Polypi. 
 In Great Britain it has been observed in the Mountain 
 Limestone, Coral Rag, Gault, London Clay and Crag. 
 Lamarck describes eight species, and Goldfuss nine, six of 
 which are new. 
 
 I am not aware that any have before been observed in 
 our Formations. 
 
 Nucula magna. Plate 6. Fig. 211. 
 
 Description. It is ventured to place this name upon the 
 fragment of a Nucula, which differs on the exterior, very 
 
 * Since the above was written, I have had the advantage of examin- 
 ing several specimens of the crispa and sulcata, in the fine collection of 
 P. A. Brown, Esq., who has recently received, from M. Alexander 
 Brogniart, most of the Tertiary fossils from the Paris basin. 
 
 These specimens of the sulcata were observed with the same micro- 
 scope to which those of the pharetra were submitted, and pores, similar 
 to those described above, were distinctly observable. This character 
 seems to have escaped Goldfuss, as well as Lamarck, and I do not know 
 that it has been before observed by others. The relative position of the 
 ribs of the two species are very similar. In the sulcata they seem to be 
 more lamellar, and in the lower part are, in the two specimens exa- 
 mined by me in Mr Brown's cabinet, somewhat crenulate, which is not in 
 the least the character of the pharetra. In the crispa there are no pores ; 
 in this character it agrees with our Maclurii, Stokesii, and Goldfussii; and 
 I would propose that the genus should be divided into two sections, one 
 with exterior pores, the other without. 
 
198 CONTRIBUTIONS 
 
 much, from any species, fossil or recent, which has come 
 under my notice. It possesses transverse folds on the sides, 
 which lie closely to, and are beautifully parallel to each 
 other. These terminate in a smooth plane, on the umbonial 
 slope, which is flattened. A straight furrow, or channel, 
 passes along the posterior dorsal margin, in which are striae, 
 slightly oblique. The posterior series of teeth, as far as it 
 exists in this fragment, is straight, and possesses nineteen 
 angular teeth. From the appearance of this part of the 
 series, I should not be surprised if it possessed almost as 
 many more. The substance of the shell is thick, and it is 
 suspected, that when found perfect, it will prove to be the 
 largest species yet described. This fragment certainly 
 warrants such a conclusion. 
 
 JV*. carinifera. Plate 6. Fig. 212. 
 
 Description. Shell triangular, inflated, deeply truncate 
 behind, minutely and concentrically striate, furnished with 
 an elevated sharp carina on the umbonial slope ; substance 
 of the shell thick ; lunule cordate ; beak high, incurved 
 and recurved ; posterior slope irregularly flattened, nearly 
 circular, and furnished with indistinct longitudinal and 
 transverse striae ; anterior series of teeth short, consisting of 
 five teeth, and forming a sharp angle with the posterior 
 series ; teeth rather large, angular ; fosset placed above the 
 teeth, at the point of the beak ; nacre not pearly. 
 
 Diam Length .... Breadth .... 
 
 The lower figure represents the posterior slope. 
 Observations. It is to be regretted that the description 
 
TO GEOLOGY. 199 
 
 of this curious and interesting species, has to be made from 
 a single imperfect valve. It is eminently distinguished by 
 its carina and broad posterior slope, from all the species 
 described in this memoir. It has some resemblance to 
 Sowerby's figure of deltoidea ; and Lamarck's description 
 of that shell, which is from Grignon, answers, in most of 
 its characters, to ours. It is to be regretted that the pos- 
 terior series of teeth should have been so much fractured 
 as to present only two teeth ; these are the superior ones. 
 
 N.plana. Plate 6. Fig. 213. 
 
 Description. Shell an obtuse triangle, very transverse, 
 very much compressed, concentrically striate, and trans- 
 versely folded on the side, sulcate on the umbonial slope ; 
 substance of the shell thin ; beaks obtusely angular, 
 pointed ; lunule and escutcheon both nearly linear ; ante- 
 rior series of teeth straight ; posterior series of teeth in- 
 curved ; teeth small, numerous, angular ; fosset large, 
 subtriangular ; cicatrices imperceptible ; cavity of the shell 
 very flat, showing the transverse folds ; nacre not pearly. 
 
 Diam Length .... Breadth .... 
 
 Observations. A single and imperfect valve only of this 
 species has come under my notice. There are, however, 
 characters enough remaining, to satisfy me of its being 
 different from those before described. It most resembles 
 the pulcherrima.* That shell has not, however, the re- 
 markable folds and striae of this species. These striae, on 
 
 * See page 84. 
 
200 CONTRIBUTIONS 
 
 the anterior part, are combined, two or three together, 
 leaving a furrow between each association. On the pos- 
 terior part, these striae are single, but disordered by the 
 transverse folds, which exist only on that part of the valve. 
 
 JV. semen. Plate 6. Fig. 214. 
 
 Description. Shell transversely elliptical, rather inflated, 
 furnished with large concentric folds and with a deep fur- 
 row on the anterior slope, rostrate behind ; substance of 
 the shell rather thin ; lunule and escutcheon both lanceo- 
 late ; beaks small, rather pointed ; margin entire ; nacre 
 not pearly. 
 
 Diam. l-20th, Length .1, Breadth 3-20ths, of an inch. 
 
 The smaller figure is of the size of nature. 
 
 Observations. A single specimen only of this species 
 has come under my notice. It consists of the two valves 
 attached. I endeavoured to separate the valves to ex- 
 amine the teeth, but with the greatest precaution was 
 unable to effect it, one of the valves becoming fractured ; 
 therefore, the teeth are not mentioned in the description. 
 This is a very minute species, remarkable for its large 
 concentric folds and the deep furrow on the posterior slope. 
 It has some resemblance to the mucronata of Sowerby, 
 Min. Conch., pi. 476. 
 
 Bulla Dekayi* Plate 6. Fig. 215. 
 Description. Shell subfusiform, transversely striate 
 * Named after my friend Dr Dekay of New York. 
 
TO GEOLOGY. 201 
 
 above and below ; substance of the shell thin ; spire um- 
 bilicate ; whorls compressed above ; columella twisted 
 and reflected at the base ; mouth linear, curved, extending 
 above the spire ; outer lip sharp. 
 Length 7-20ths, Breadth 3-20ths, of an inch. 
 
 Observations. This species might at first view be taken 
 for the St Hillairii, but may, on examination, be readily 
 distinguished by its conical top. I have found it much 
 rarer in this deposit, having been able to obtain but three 
 specimens, while the other exists in great numbers. It is 
 not cylindrical, like that species, but rather disposed to be 
 conical above. They also differ in the base. 
 
 Marginella biplicata. Plate 6. Fig. 216. 
 
 Description. Shell pyramidal, transversely striate, 
 emarginate at base ; substance of the shell thick ; spire 
 elevated, pointed ; whorls four, rounded ; columella with 
 two large folds ; mouth small ; outer lip very thick and 
 minutely crenulate within. 
 
 Length over .1, Breadth .J, of an inch. 
 
 The smaller figure is of the size of nature. 
 
 Observations. On the superior part of the whorl the 
 absence of a stria makes rather a broad band, above which 
 is a single stria only. This is near the suture, and on the 
 superior whorls it is the only one visible. With a good 
 deal of hesitation I have placed this minute shell with the 
 Marginella. Its elevated spire and emarginate base 
 would seem almost to forbid its being placed with them. 
 2 A 
 
202 CONTRIBUTIONS 
 
 It has some of the generic characters of the Pyramidella, 
 but the varix and crenulated inner edge would not permit 
 its being placed in that genus. In some characters it resem- 
 bles a Cassis, particularly in the lip and emargination, but 
 the genus Cassis is without folds on the columella. On 
 comparing the biplicata with M. Deshayes's figure of 
 Auricula ringens* (Lamarck), I have no hesitation in saying 
 that the two species are very much alike, and belong to 
 the same genus ; but I cannot see the propriety of placing 
 them with the Auricula, these being as expressly stated by 
 Lamarck " land shells."! Another objection may be men- 
 tioned, that of their both having a deep emargination at 
 the base. Lamarck says, in his generic description, " basi 
 integerrima." Our species differs from the ringens, in 
 having a more elevated spire, in having a band on the 
 superior part, and in the number of folds. M. Deshayes's 
 figure presents three distinct folds, while the description 
 says " biplicata." Lamarck, in his description of this part, 
 says " subtriplicata." The observations of Lamarck on 
 the ringens, apply to the biplicata, "Petite coquille fort 
 singuliere, qui est tres-voisine par ses rapports de notre 
 tornatelle pietin." The pietin is now a received genus 
 under the name of Pedipes (Adanson), and it occurred to 
 me before I saw Lamarck's observations, whether it might 
 not be placed there, to which, however, there are ob- 
 jections. 
 
 * Coquilles Fossiles, pi. 8, figs. 16 and 17. 
 
 t Ainsi le genre dont il est ici question ne comprend que des coquilles 
 terrestres. An. Sans Vertebres, vol. 6, pt. 2, page 137. 
 
TO GEOLOGY. 203 
 
 Monoptygma elegans. Plate 6. Fig. 217. 
 
 Description. Shell ovately elliptical, transversely and 
 closely furrowed ; furrows closely set with punctures ; 
 substance of the shell thin ; spire ; columella furnish- 
 ed with rather a small oblique fold; mouth elliptical, 
 effuse at base ; outer lip sharp. 
 Length .... Breadth 3-20ths, of an inch. 
 
 Observations. This very interesting shell, in its general 
 form, does not very closely resemble the M. Jllabamiensis* 
 (nobis) ; the single fold on the columella alone, would 
 cause them to be recognized as the same genus. In the 
 elegans the numerous punctured striae resemble closely the 
 Jlcteon punctatus-\ (nobis). Having but a single specimen, 
 the superior whorls of which are deficient, the description 
 has to be necessarily defective. 
 
 The Eocene of Claiborne, like the London Clay of 
 England, has presented remains of other classes than the 
 Conchifera and Mollusca. In the sand was found a part of 
 the pincer of a Cancer two small vertebrae, probably of a 
 fish a stony substance resembling a section of what 
 Brander figures under the name of Palatium Piscium\ a 
 stony substance, somewhat resembling in form the elliptical 
 bone, found in the head of fish teeth of sharks of several 
 different species the spine of a fish, and a curious tooth 
 
 * See page 186. t See page 11 1 
 
 t Fossilia Hantoniensia, pi. 9, fig. 117. 
 
204 CONTRIBUTIONS 
 
 strongly resembling some of the smaller Saurians, but 
 which probably belonged to a fish. 
 
 Plate 6. Fig. 218. 
 
 Description. This figure represents one of the fossils men- 
 tioned above. It resembles the bone found in the head of 
 fish. It is subelliptical, curved on the inferior part irregu- 
 larly impressed on the superior part smooth with a rather 
 irregular longitudinal impression like a tulip having a 
 curved stem. In some specimens this is very perceptible, in 
 others it is obsolete. Two specimens were found in some 
 sand from the Older Pliocene of Maryland, at St Mary's. 
 
 Plate 6. Fig. 219. 
 
 Two views, front and lateral. 
 
 These figures represent the tooth mentioned above. 
 A single specimen only was obtained. Considering it 
 of much importance in the history of the stratum, it was 
 submitted to the examination of my friend Dr Hays, 
 whose experience in this branch of Natural History is 
 so advantageously known. His note, embracing also 
 observations on two other specimens of organic remains, 
 which accompanied it, will be found below.* 
 
 * My Dear Sir, I have examined the fossils you were so kind as to 
 send me, with as much attention as my pressing avocations would per- 
 mit. 
 
 1. The tooth appears to be that of a fish, but I am unable to determine 
 the species; probably it belongs to an undescribed one. Its crown is 
 lanceolate, projects laterally, slightly beyond the body, and the enamel 
 
TO GEOLOGY. 205 
 
 Plate 6. Fig. 220. 
 
 Description. This is rather the longer of the two ver- 
 tebrae, which probably belong to some species of fish. 
 Though somewhat different in proportions, they most 
 likely belong to the same species. 
 
 Plate 6. Fig. 221. 
 
 Description. This represents the spine mentioned above ; 
 a single specimen only was obtained. 
 
 descends lower at the sides, than in the centre. The edges are perfectly 
 smooth. 
 
 The root of the tooth is single, and remarkably large j it gradually in- 
 creases in size, from the neck downwards; it is partly hollow; its exte- 
 rior aspect is convex, in both directions. Its total length is five twen- 
 tieths of an inch, its breadth, at the base of the crown, one tenth of an 
 inch. 
 
 2. The two vertebrae appear also to appertain to some minute species 
 of fish. They each consist of two hollow cones, united at their apices, 
 and with slender and irregular longitudinal ridges. One of them is three 
 twentieths of an inch long, and one tenth in diameter. The other is 
 one tenth of an inch long, and one tenth in diameter. 
 
 3. The spine resembles, exceedingly, the spines found on the tail and 
 back of some of our species of Ray, (the Raia Desmarestia, Lesueur,for 
 instance). It is discoidal at base, and its point rises rather obliquely. 
 
 I am very truly yours, &c. 
 
 ISAAC HAYS. 
 Sansom and Eighth streets, October 1, 1833. 
 
NOTE. 
 
 Not having had the advantage of examining M. De- 
 shayes's admirable work on the fossil shells of the Paris 
 basin, until after a part of the foregoing descriptions were 
 printed off, it has, necessarily, been out of my power to 
 make any comparisons with his species. The following 
 seem important enough to be introduced here. 
 
 Pasithea umbilicata (nobis), page 103, resembles M. De- 
 shayes's figure (Coquilles Fossiles, pi. 9, figs. 1 and 2,) 
 of Lamarck's Bulimus terebellatus. 
 
 All the species figured by M. Deshayes as Melanice, in 
 pi. 13, vol. 2d., and part of those of pi. 14, belong to the 
 genus Pasithea (nobis). It must be evident, to every geolo- 
 gist, that the division of fresh water and marine shells, is all 
 important, involving facts of the highest interest, as re- 
 gards alternate strata, such as exist in the Paris basin. 
 If we do not make the breathing of salt and fresh water a 
 sufficient character, as well as that of breathing air, for 
 generic distinction, we cut ourselves off from the use of a 
 most valuable characteristic, to designate the strata of 
 groups, see p. 99. 
 
 Venericardia rotundata (nobis), resembles V. squamosa, 
 of Lamarck, as figured by M. Deshayes, pi. 26, figs. 9 
 and 11. 
 
208 CONTRIBUTIONS TO GEOLOGY. 
 
 Pectunculus obliqua (nobis), resembles P. nanus of M. 
 Deshayes, pi. 36, figs. 4 and 5. 
 
 Ostrea divaricata (nobis), resembles O. flabellula of 
 Lamarck, as figured by M. Deshayes, pi. 63, figs. 6 and 7. 
 
 Solen Blainvillii (nobis), resembles Solen effusus of Lam- 
 arck, as figured by M. Deshayes, pi. 11, figs. 24 and 25. 
 
NEW TERTIARY FOSSIL SHELLS, 
 
 FROM 
 
 MARYLAND AND NEW JERSEY. 
 Read before the American Philosophical Society, Nov. 1, 1833. 
 
Description of six new species of Fossil Shells from the 
 Tertiary of Maryland and New Jersey. 
 
 THE shells here described, are from that part of the Ter- 
 tiary mass called by Mr Lyell the older Pliocene Period. 
 They are presumed to be new, and their descriptions are 
 presented as a small contribution towards the elucidation 
 of that part of our Geology. 
 
 BALANUS. Bruguiere. 
 
 Balanus Finchii.* Plate 6. Fig. 222. 
 
 Description. Shell short, conico-cylindrical, smooth, 
 nearly erect ; substance of the shell rather thick ; aper- 
 ture nearly square ; valves rather pointed above. 
 
 Length 5-20ths, Breadth .3, of an inch. 
 
 St Mary's, Maryland. John Finch. 
 
 Observations. Although this shell has no striking 
 character, it cannot be placed with any species I am 
 acquainted with. I am under obligations to Mr Finch, 
 for this and many other species from St Mary's. He very 
 kindly placed them in my cabinet, shortly after his return 
 
 * Named after the geologist to whom I am indebted for the specimen. 
 
212 CONTRIBUTIONS 
 
 from the examination of that celebrated deposit, about 
 nine years since. . 
 
 In Great Britain three species of Balanus have been 
 observed, all in the Crag. I am not aware that any 
 species of this genus has been before described from our 
 Formations. 
 
 MACTRA. Linnceus. 
 
 M. clathrodon. Plate 6. Fig. 223. 
 
 Description. Shell subtriangular, thin, inequilateral, 
 obscurely and transversely striate ; beaks somewhat point- 
 ed ; lateral teeth crossed by equidistant minute strise ; 
 excavation of the palleal impression small and rounded ; 
 anterior and posterior cicatrices scarcely visible ; cavity of 
 the shell somewhat deep ; cavity of the beaks rather deep. 
 Diam. .2, Length 5-20ths, Breadth 7-20ths, of an inch. 
 
 St Mary's, Maryland. John Finch. 
 
 Deal, New Jersey.* 
 
 Observations. In outline this species is somewhat like 
 M . Grayi (nobis), but differs greatly in solidity. It has 
 some resemblance to the lateralis^ (Say), differing, how- 
 
 * It is with some hesitation that I give this locality. The specimens are 
 in my cabinet, labeled with this locality, but I cannot recollect on whose 
 authority. 
 
 t A recent species. Journal of the Academy of Natural Sciences, vol. 
 2, p. 309. 
 
TO GEOLOGY. 213 
 
 ever, in being less angular, less ventricose, in being with- 
 out the flattened posterior slope, and in having striated 
 lateral teeth. 
 
 ACTEON. Montfort. 
 
 A. Wetherilli* Plate 6. Fig. 224. 
 
 Description. Shell cylindrical, truncate above, smooth ; 
 substance of the shell somewhat thick ; spire short and 
 truncate ; suture impressed ; columella with one fold ; 
 whorls four ; mouth narrow, about four fifths the length 
 of the shell ; outer lip simple. 
 Length nearly .2, Breadth .1, of an inch. 
 
 Deal, New Jersey. 
 
 The smaller figure is of the size of nature. 
 
 Observations. I have seen no species of this genus with 
 whorls so compressed as this. Its short spire, together 
 with this character, give it the appearance of a Volvaria. 
 It differs from any species with which I am acquainted, in 
 having a shorter spire, and a longer mouth. 
 
 * Named after my friend J. Price WetherilL 
 
214 CONTRIBUTIONS 
 
 ROTELLA. Lamarck. 
 
 R. nana. Plate 6. Fig. 225. 
 
 Description. Shell orbicular, flattened above, smooth, 
 margin rounded ; substance of the shell rather thin ; spire 
 nearly concealed ; outer lip sharp ; callus impressed in the 
 centre, bounded by a fine impressed line ; mouth nearly 
 round. 
 
 Length l-20th, Breadth nearly .1, of an inch. 
 
 St Mary's, Maryland. John Finch. 
 
 The smallest figure is of the size of nature. 
 
 Observations. This very minute Rotella is very much 
 flattened above, and the last whorl nearly covers over the 
 spire. The number of whorls is doubtful ; perhaps they 
 do not exceed three. The margin is rounder than usual 
 in this genus. A single specimen only has been observed 
 by me, and this was discovered in the sand, taken from the 
 cavity of a larger shell. 
 
 I am not aware that the genus Rotella has before been 
 observed in a fossil state, in this country or in Europe. 
 M. Deshayes gives in his Tertiary Tables four recent spe- 
 cies, but none fossil. 
 
TO GEOLOGY. 215 
 
 GENUS PUSUS. Lamarck. 
 
 Fusus pumilus. Plate 6. Fig. 226. 
 
 Description. Shell ovately fusiform, longitudinally rib- 
 bed ; substance of the shell thin ; spire rather obtuse ; 
 suture impressed ; whorls four, slightly convex ; columella 
 slightly twisted ; canal short ; mouth narrow. 
 Length .1, Breadth l-20th, of an inch. 
 
 St Mary's, Maryland. John Finch. 
 
 The smaller figure is of the size of nature. 
 
 Observations. Three specimens of this very minute spe- 
 cies were found in the sand, taken from the cavity of a 
 larger shell. The description of the jP. minutus of Lam- 
 arck, from Grignon, seems to answer closely to our species, 
 but the latter has no transverse striae. 
 
 GENUS MILIOLA. Lamarck. 
 
 M. Marylandica. Plate 6. Fig. 227. 
 
 Description. Shell elliptical, depressed in the middle, 
 rounded at the edges, lobes in contact ; mouth small, round, 
 terminal, furnished with a large tooth. 
 Length l-20th, Breadth nearly l-20th, of an inch. 
 
 St Mary's, Maryland. John Finch. 
 The smaller figure is of the size of nature. 
 
216 CONTRIBUTIONS TO GEOLOGY. 
 
 Observations. This species was obtained from the sand 
 removed from the cavity of a large shell. In some of its 
 characters, it answers the description of the planulata (Lam- 
 arck). It differs from the saxorum of Blainville, in having 
 the lobes in contact, and in having the mouth terminal. 
 In his figure it appears to be lateral. The most striking 
 character of our species seems to be, that it possesses a 
 large tooth, which partly fills the aperture. This, I be- 
 lieve, has not been before observed in any described 
 species. 
 
 Lamarck describes four fossil species ; three are from 
 Grignon, and one from Louvres, near Paris. It has not 
 before been observed, I believe, in this country. 
 
NEW GENUS OF FOSSIL SHELL, 
 
 FROM 
 
 NEW JERSEY. 
 Read before the American Philosophical Society, Nov. 1, 1833. 
 
Description of a new genus of the Family SPHERULACEA of 
 Blainville, from the Cretaceous deposit of Timber Creek, 
 New Jersey. 
 
 GENUS PALMULA. (nobis.) 
 
 Description. Shell palmate, with angular striae, which 
 indicate the interior chambers ; aperture terminal. 
 
 Observations. Two specimens of the shell on which I 
 propose to found this genus, were found by me, about four 
 years since, in the Cretaceous deposit of Timber Creek, 
 New Jersey. In its characters it approximates most 
 closely to the genus Saracenaria* of Defrance. The oval 
 form, the possession of a carina, and the absence of an 
 aperture in that genus, prohibit our shell being placed 
 with it. The Palmula also resembles the genus Textularia 
 of the same author, and might, perhaps, with propriety be 
 placed between these two genera. 
 
 P. sagittaria. Plate 6. Fig. 228, 
 
 The smaller figure is of the size of nature. 
 
 Description. Shell depressed, sagittate, rounded on the 
 
 * See Manuel de Matacologie, p. 370. 
 
CONTRIBUTIONS TO GEOLOGY. 
 
 edges, with about six angular striae, which indicate the 
 interior chambers ; mouth terminal, oval, sublabiate. 
 
 Diam. l-20th, Length .2, Breadth .1, of an inch. 
 
 Observations. The two specimens differ somewhat in 
 outline, the larger one being more elliptical. In both, 
 the angular striss become obsolete at the base, being most 
 distinct on the superior part. 
 
TUFACEOUS LACUSTRINE FORMATION 
 
 OF 
 
 SYRACUSE, ONONDAGA COUNTY, N. Y. 
 
 Read before the American Philosophical Society, Nov. 1, 1833. 
 
Tufaceous Lacustrine Formation of Syracuse, Onondaga 
 County, JVew York. 
 
 MY attention was attracted, some years since, on my 
 way to Niagara, when passing through the canal, which 
 cuts the district of country a few miles east of Syracuse, 
 in the state of New York, by a level area of some miles in 
 extent. On descending from the boat at the locks, I 
 found the substratum, which lined the side of the canal, 
 to consist of a calcareous marl of a whitish colour, border- 
 ing on that of ashes, friable, and rather soft to the touch.* 
 Numerous perfect specimens of the genera Lymnea, Physa, 
 Planorbis, Paludina and Jlncylus were obtained, all being 
 analagous to the species inhabiting, at this time, the fresh 
 waters of that region : it was evident that the deposit was 
 caused by the drainage of a lake. The specimens were 
 found to be completely bleached, and were generally in an 
 unbroken state. It has been a matter of regret to me, that 
 circumstances did not permit me to make a more minute 
 investigation of this interesting deposit, which must be 
 considered as a true tufaceous lacustrine deposit. I crossed 
 it on a line, east and west, of about two miles, but its 
 width and depth I could not ascertain. 
 
 * A subsequent analysis, by Professor Vanuxem, proved it to be nearly 
 pure carbonate of lirne. 
 
224 CONTRIBUTIONS 
 
 Near Chitteningo, fifteen miles east of Syracuse, I ob- 
 served, on my return, a deposit of the same kind, and it 
 then occurred to me, it might be an extremity, or branch, 
 of that of Syracuse. The fact, however, of the streams 
 which pass these two villages, emptying themselves, the 
 one into Onondaga Lake, the other into Oneida Lake, 
 points to the probability of their being two distinct deposits. 
 
 The chief object in throwing my notes together, and 
 making these observations, is the hope of inducing some 
 naturalist, who has more time, and may not be so far 
 removed from the spot, to devote some attention to ob- 
 taining all the species which may be there deposited, and 
 to ascertain, with some degree of precision, its extent. I 
 doubt not but that all the species found in the neighbour- 
 ing lakes will be discovered in this marl, even the Naiades. 
 In passing rapidly along, I thought I could perceive much 
 larger species than those which were gathered, during the 
 few minutes I was on shore. 
 
 A lacustrine formation, of so recent a nature as this 
 appears to be, is not, I believe, of frequent occurrence. It is 
 the result, however, of one of those causes which are now 
 in action ; and another instance might be mentioned, in 
 which the effect of this cause, though striking, has not ad- 
 vanced to that period when it would make a finished deposit. 
 I mean the small lake, or pond, in Sussex county, New 
 Jersey, well known by the descriptive name of Milk 
 Pond.* Here countless myriads of bleached shells, of the 
 
 * It takes its name from the milky appearance of the waters, near the 
 shore, caused by the mass of bleached shells deposited there. In 
 Gordon's Map of New Jersey, it is named White Pond. 
 
TO GEOLOGY. 225 
 
 families Lymnceana and Peristomiana, analagous to the 
 species now inhabiting the adjacent waters, line and form 
 the shores of the whole circumference of the lake, to the 
 depth and breadth of many fathoms. Not having visited 
 this interesting lake myself, 1 repeat what has been com- 
 municated to me by intelligent, scientific friends, who 
 have examined it, and on whose report the most implicit 
 reliance may be placed. Such is the quantity of bleached 
 shells now remaining there, that thousands of tons of these 
 small species, in a state of perfect whiteness, could be ob- 
 tained, if any useful purpose required the removal of them. 
 For agricultural purposes, this mass might prove of 
 great utility. One friend, I remember, mentioned to me, 
 that he had obtained a sharp pointed pole, which he 
 inserted ten or twelve feet perpendicularly into the mass, 
 on the shore, near to the edge of the water, without its 
 having passed through it. As far as can be ascertained, 
 this mass seems to form the whole basin of the lake, and 
 it may, at some future, and, perhaps, not far distant period, 
 form a tufaceous lacustrine deposit, similar to that at 
 Syracuse. 
 
 These very circumscribed deposits are of no very great 
 geological importance, but they indicate to us, in a small 
 way, the processes by which nature has formed those lacus- 
 trine deposits which are of a wider extent, of more ancient 
 origin, and which compose part of nearly all the groups 
 which Mr Lyell divides into Metamorphic, Plutonic, Vol- 
 canic, Freshwater, Marine and Alluvial.* 
 
 * Principles of Geology, vol. 3, pp. 374, 386. 
 2D 
 
226 CONTRIBUTIONS 
 
 De la Beche very justly remarks, that " all the exam- 
 ples hitherto produced of deposits that can be fairly traced 
 to existing springs, are relatively unimportant," " though 
 they may lead us to understand how great geological de- 
 posits may, chemically, have taken place, as the cabinet 
 experiments of the chemist teach us the laws which go- 
 vern nature on the large scale."* 
 
 We have, in the Geological Description of the Environs of 
 Paris, by Brogniart, p. 274, some account of the Freshwater 
 Formations, posterior to the Calcaire Grossier, which ex- 
 ist in Europe. They are found in Spain, France, Eng- 
 land, Switzerland, Germany, Hungary and Italy. These, 
 however, are more ancient than the deposit at Syracuse. 
 It is necessarry to bear in mind that these deposits are en- 
 tirely distinct from that which Brogniart calls " calcaire 
 lacustre inferieur," which lies immediately over the Cal- 
 caire Grossier, in the Paris basin, contains extinct species, 
 and forms there a most important stratum of the series. 
 
 We have an example of the strata of an age contem- 
 poraneous with that of Syracuse, in the valley of Elsa, in 
 Tuscany. Here, Mr Lyell says, " we meet with fresh 
 water marls and travertins full of shells, belonging to 
 species which now live in the lakes and rivers of Italy ."f 
 He tells us also, that valleys, several hundred feet deep, 
 have been excavated through lacustrine beds. 
 
 In the Geological Transactions, volume second, the 
 same author mentions other calcareous deposits, which 
 
 * Geological Manual, p. 138. 
 
 t Principles of Geology, vol. 3, p. 137. 
 
TO GEOLOGY. 227 
 
 are similar to that of Syracuse. The Bakie Lock in For- 
 farshire, has made a deposit of calcareous matter, which 
 has been found useful for agricultural purposes, and this 
 he attributes to the agency of shells which inhabited the 
 lake. 
 
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