Contributions to paleontology

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Field Museum of Natural History

Founded by Marshall Field, 1893

Publication 254
Geological Series Vol. IV, No. 5

CONTRIBUTIONS TO PALEONTOLOGY

BY

Sharat Kumar Roy

Assistant Curator of Invertebrate Paleontology

Oliver Cummings Farrington
Curator, Department of Geology

EDITOR

CHICAGO
February, 1929

PRINTED IN THB UNITED STATES OF .AMERICA
BY K1ELD MUSEUM PRESS

CONTRIBUTIONS TO PALEONTOLOGY

BY
SHARAT KUMAR ROY

INTRODUCTION

This paper does not represent the paleontology of a definite
horizon nor of a particular group of organisms. It deals with
descriptions and discussions of a few Paleozoic fossils that have
come to the author's notice, incidental to the general identification
and cataloguing of portions of the Museum's paleontological col-
lections. The features noted have been included here either be-
cause (a) they related to undescribed species or (b) were rare in
American literature or (c) had interesting characters deserving of
further comment. The specimens treated of in this paper range
from Cambrian to Mississippian in age and have been derived from
various sources. With the exception of two species of the genus
Oracanthus, all are invertebrates.

The author wishes to express his gratitude to Dr. O. C. Farring-
ton, Curator of Geology, for reading over the manuscript and giv-
ing many helpful suggestions during the course of preparation of
this paper. Thanks are also due to Miss W. Goldring of the State
Museum of New York, Albany, N. Y. for assistance rendered in
finding literature for some of the South American species figured
in Plates XXXVII and XXXVIII.

The drawings for this paper were made by Carl F. Gronemann,
and the photographs by C. H. Carpenter.

Genus FAVOSITES Lamarck.
Favosites limitaris Rominger. Plate XXXII, figs. 1-4.

Favosites cariosus Davis, 1885. Kentucky Fossil Corals, Ky. Geol.

Survey, Pt. II, PI. 31, fig. 2; PI. 32, figs. 1, 2 and 4.

The text or Part I of the Monograph of Kentucky Fossil Corals
has never been published. In Part II, which is composed only of
plates, Mr. Davis figures four specimens1 of Favosites from the Lower
Devonian of Louisville, Ky., under a new specific name, cariosus.

The Borden Collection, presented to Field Museum by Mrs.
Geo. W. Robb, contains a number of specimens of this coral from
the same locality as those figured by Davis, but they do not call
for a new specific designation. On the contrary, they are identical
with F. limitaris Rominger. They present, however, a different
superficial appearance, especially in older specimens, because of
the secondary alterations that have taken place in them since
they were fossilized. These alterations are characterized by dis-
solution of some of the corallite walls (usually in longitudinal
rows which tend to make the orifices appear continuous), by the
narrowness of the corallite channels, due to excessive incrassation
of their walls and by the gaining and lengthening of the mural pore
channels. These features are best seen on the side of the corallum
that was directly in contact with the rock formation and where the
work of chemical erosion and deposition had probably once been
active. The exposed side of the corallum, usually shows its original
structure to be like that known in typical F. limitaris.

Horizon and locality: — Lower Devonian. Louisville, Ky.

Collector: — William W. Borden.

No. P 21684 Field Museum.

Genus EUCALYPTOCRINUS Goldfuss.

Eucalyptocrinus bordeni sp. nov. Plate XXXII, figs. 5-6.

Only the dorsal cup is preserved. This is ovate in outline. The
plates are very thick and are marked by rounded but mostly elongat-
ed nodes which tend to coalesce, forming ridges. These ridges run
either crosswise, lengthwise or from the margins of the plates and
meet at the center.

'Favosites cariosus, Wm. J. Davis, op. cit.

203

204 Field Museum of Natural History — Geology, Vol. IV

The facet for the reception of the column is moderately excavated
and the basal plates are completely hidden by the column. Radials
are of moderate size, hexagonal, the lower ends curving abruptly
inward. First costals a little smaller than the radials, wider than
long, quadrangular. Second costals a little larger than the first,
hexagonal and bear the first distichals on their upper sloping sides
and the interdistichals on the truncated upper end. Second dis-
tichals pentagonal, almost three times as small as the first and
twice as large as the fixed palmars. Palmars, the smallest plates
of the calyx, the lower two subtrigonal and the upper ones quad-
rangular. First interbrachials, decagonal, the largest plates of the
dorsal cup, and larger than the two combined of the second row;
the two latter have the same size and form, much longer than wide
and in close contact laterally to their entire length and truncated
at the top. Interdistichals have the same form as the combined
interbrachials of the second row but are much narrower and rise a
little distance beyond the top of the fixed palmars.

The specimens have some similarity with Eucalyptocrinus elrodi
but the plates are much thicker and the ornamentation is decidedly
different from any other described species of the genus. The specific
name is in honor of the collector, Wm. W. Borden.

Horizon and locality: — Niagaran, Louisville, Kentucky.

Collector :— William W. Borden.

No. P 19543 Field Museum.

Genus ANCYROCRINUS Hall.

Ancyrocrinus bulbosus Hall. Plate XXXIII, figs. 1-10.

This species, showing singular modifications in the distal growth
of the stem1 of a certain unknown crinoid or crinoids, has been
described by Hall in the 15th Annual Report, N. Y. State Cabinet,
(1862) p. 118. In the same report (p. 119) he describes another
species, namely, Ancyrocrinus spinosus. Hall's reason for separat-
ing these specimens into two distinct species cannot be satisfactorily
understood. It is doubtful if they can be called specifically different
because of their differences in general form, as these crinoidal
bodies show a wide range of variation in form, in the central as-
cending processes and in the number and arrangement of the lateral,
hook-like projections.

!The original position of these bodies is still a matter of discussion but the
balance of opinion is in favour of regarding them as the base serving as a balance
for the co umn and calyx above.

Contributions to Paleontology — Roy 205

The Borden Collection, presented to the Museum by Mrs. Geo.
W. Robb, contains over 300 specimens of these distal ends from the
Hamilton of Clark Co., Indiana. A few of these are here figured
(PI. XXXIII) in order to show the nature of their variability.
Since no calyx has yet been found associated with these bodies to
signify to what crinoid1 they belong and considering that they are
but stem-branches or modified roots, and, as such, liable to varia-
tions, it is a very plausible supposition that they may all belong to
the same species.

Horizon and locality: — Hamilton beds (Middle Devonian), Clark
Co., Indiana.

Collector: — Wm. W. Borden.

No. P 19654 Field Museum.

Genus POTERIOCRINUS Miller.
Poteriocrinus robbi sp. nov. Plate XXXIV, figs. 1-2.

Calyx depressed through external influence and cup-shaped in
outline, slightly wider at the top than high. Infrabasal five, small,
pentagonal. Basals five, the two on the anterior side hexagonal, the
other three indistinct in outline, as wide as high and larger than
any other plates of the calyx. Radials almost twice as wide as high,
pentagonal. First costals about the size of the radial, quadrangular.
Second costals a little smaller than the first, pentagonal and support-
ing the first divisions of the arms on their superior sloping sides.
Radianal about the size of first costal, pentagonal. Anal plates
somewhat blurred and their exact forms cannot be determined.

Arms long, slender, branching and made of wedge-shaped pieces.
The point of bifurcation is variable. Some bifurcate on the 8th
piece after the first division, some on the 13th or on the lower or
higher levels. The bifurcation of the arms on the posterior side is
at a lower level than on the anterior side. It cannot be seen very
well on the specimen whether each and every bifurcated arm bifur-
cates again, but after the second bifurcation the branching becomes
simpler. The arms crowd together at the top and bear small pinnules.

The specific name is in honor of Mrs. Geo. W. Robb, who pre-
sented the Borden collection to the Museum.

Horizon and locality: — Burlington group (Mississippian),
Burlington, Iowa.

1It has been suggested by Springer (Smithsonian Inst. Pub. 2440, p. 10) that
they may belong to Arachnocrinus, which has a quadripartite canal similar to
Ancyrocrinus. (See PI. XXXIII, figs. 6, 7 of this paper).

206 Field Museum of Natural History — Geology, Vol. IV

Collector: — Wm. W. Borden.
No. P 1 986 1 Field Museum.

Genus MYALINA de Koninek, 1844.
Myalina sappenfieldi sp. nov. Plate XXXV, figs. 1-2.

The specimen is unusually large in size compared to any other
known Mississippian form of the genus. It is an internal cast, part
of the postero-ventral region having been broken off. Since the
growth lines on the shell are not visible, its complete form cannot
be reconstructed with exact accuracy.

In marginal outline it is obliquely subtrigonal, equivalve, strongly
convex, its greatest convexity being the umbonal ridge. The ridge
curves very gently toward the postero-ventral direction, diminishes
gradually until it dies away at some distance from the ventral end,
but bends rather abruptly toward the beak. Umbonal slope angular,
slightly concave toward the postero-dorsal region. Anterior margin
abruptly inflected, making an angle of 51° between the inturned
portion on the anterior side and the adjacent portion of the valve.
This inturned portion, that is, the space between the anterior
margin of the valve and the line of inturning, gives the valves a
somewhat flattened appearance on the anterior side. A portion of
this flattened area commencing near the beak is noticeably concave
inward; the other portion slopes outward, leaving a ridge somewhat
diagonally between them. Hinge straight, shorter by 18 mm. than
the height of the shell measured at right angles to the hinge line.
Beaks terminal, 12 mm. apart, very prominent, extending 13 mm.
above the hinge, slightly incurved, gradually rounded. Cardinal
area deeply furrowed and parallel to the hinge line. A few surface
marks are obscurely visible on the right valve.

Measurements: — Height, 78 mm. Length from the terminal
point of the beak to as far as the specimen is preserved on the postero-
ventral end, 139 mm.

Horizon and locality: The specimen was found by Mr. Gordon
B. Sappenfield of New Salisbury, Indiana, in a quarry of Harrods-
burg limestone, 6 feet under the surface. The quarry is about 4
miles west of Georgetown, Indiana, 1 V* miles east of the village of
Byrneville, Indiana, and 15 miles west of Louisville, Kentucky.

Remarks: The unusually large size of the specimen, its con-
spicuous umbonal ridge, the character of the anterior side, and the

Contributions to Paleontology — Roy 207

angle between the hinge line and the umbonal ridge are sufficiently
distinguishing features to warrant a new specific name. I have
much pleasure in naming this species in honor of Mr. Gordon B.
Sappenfield, who kindly sent the specimen to the Museum for
examination.

The type specimen is now in the collection of the museum of
New Salisbury High School, Georgetown, Indiana.

Genus PALAEONEILO Hall.
Palaeoneilo fieldi sp. nov. Plate XXXII, figs. 7-8.

There are two specimens of this species in the Museum collec-
tion, one of which is not complete. They are very similar to P. rhysa1
Clarke, but can be at once distinguished by their sculpture. The con-
centric lines are simple and not anastomose as in P. rhysa Clarke.

The specific name is in honor of Mr. Stanley Field.

Horizon and locality: — Devonian, Patacamaya, Bolivia, S. A.

Collector:— H. W. Nichols.

No. P 21902 Field Museum.

Genus MEGALOMUS Hall.
Megalomus canadensis Hall. Plate XXXIV, figs. 3-4.

The effect of pressure is very markedly shown in this specimen.
The umbones have been considerably depressed, leaving the space
between them much wider than is seen in typical forms.

Horizon and locality: — Niagaran, Erie Co., Ohio.

No. P 2 1 716 Field Museum.

Genus PLATYCERAS Conrad.

Platyceras daviesi sp. nov. Plate XXXVIII, fig. 7.

This species is based on a single, incomplete, internal mold com-
posed of two turns, or volutions, not tightly coiled. On the first
part of the last turn there is a strong, transverse furrow, ventrally
situated. Toward the mouth the shell enlarges in the form of a
trumpet. The surface is covered with rather strong, concentric
folds or undulations which undoubtedly would be found parallel
to the mouth if the mold were unbroken. In the ornamentation of
the shell the species resembles P. bistrami Knod, but the latter is
a more closely coiled form and has two and a half turns. This

^OSSEIS DEVONIANOS DO PARANA, I913. Plate XI, figs. 5-7.

208 Field Museum of Natural History — Geology, Vol. IV

specimen is not so loosely coiled as Platyceras sp. B. Kozlowski,
but, except for the absence of undulations, strongly resembles
Platyceras sp. A. Kozlowski.

(Faune Devonienne de Bolivie. Annales de Paleont., T. XII, p. 74,
figs. 18, 1 8a.)

The specific name is in honor of the late Mr. D. C. Davies.

Horizon and locality: — Devonian, Patacamaya, Bolivia, S. A.

Collector:— H. W. Nichols.

No. P 2 1 90 1 Field Museum.

Genus HYOLITHES Eichwald.
Hyolithbs welleri sp. nov. Plate XXXV, fig. 3.

Form slender pyramidal. Length 12 mm., tapering to a point
at the apex. Largest width at the aperture, 5 mm. Cross section
subtriangular. Dorsal side uneven; more convex than concave.
Lateral edges acutely rounded. Surface of the dorsal side finely
striated, both transversely and longitudinally. The transverse
striae curve forward towards the larger extremity and pass upward
at the lateral edges. They are not distributed at regular intervals
and some are more conspicuous than others. The central longi-
tudinal striation is much deeper than the others. It runs from one
extremity to the other, dividing the dorsal side into two equal
halves.

Remarks: There are four of these specimens (dorsal sides) in
the museum collection, two of which are beautifully preserved. They
agree in general form with H. americanus Billings, but the surface
ornamentation, especially the character of the longitudinal striae,
shows sufficient difference to indicate a new species. The specific
name is in honor of the late Dr. Stuart Weller.

Horizon and locality: — Lower Cambrian. Conglomerate lime-
stone on the east of the city of Troy, N. Y.

Collector:— S. K. Roy.

No. P 21766 Field Museum.

Genus NAWNITES gen. nov.

The genus is based on a single specimen. It was found in the
dark gray Ithaca sandstone beds (Middle Devonian) at Riverside
quarry, Gilboa, Schoharie Co., N. Y.

Contributions to Paleontology — Roy 209

The exact nature of the specimen is not very well understood.
Since it can be associated with worm-borings, trails, impressions or
other obscure remains of unknown or little known animals, its
place in systematic classification has to be necessarily vague. For
the same reason and on account of insufficient material, a satis-
factory general generic description also cannot be given. The
accompanying discussion and description of the specimen under the
name Nawnites gilboensis, will perhaps prove to be adequate for the
present.

Nawnites gilboensis gen. et sp. nov. Plate XXXVI, figs. 1, la-lb.

The specimen has a serpentine form, is long and narrow. At
first sight it appears to be a worm burrow filled up by the matrix
of the rock in which it occurs, but closer examination reveals other
significant characters that make such an assumption doubtful. At
one end and at a little distance from the opposite end, where the body
of the specimen has been removed, poorly defined markings (see
figs, la-lb) somewhat suggestive of the creeping movement of mol-
lusks can be observed. But the presence of a narrow, flat, thread-
like substance of a much darker shade running in a zig-zag manner
more or less medially throughout the entire length of the specimen,
again suggests that it could be of some other nature. The thread-like
substance suggests the existence of an alimentary canal, and although
it is uncommon to find a soft-bodied organism so well preserved, one
may consider it possible that the specimen is the actual remains of
some form of an annelid. The zig-zag course of the thread-like
substance may indicate the presence of an organ in which contrac-
tion took place after the death of the organism and the dark color
may be due to the filling of such an organ with carbonaceous mud,
such as is the usual food of annelids. In such an interpretation, the
trail-like markings at either end previously referred to can be ex-
plained as impressions of the ventral side of the worm. An organism
having transverse segmentation of ridges and furrows meeting at a
median longitudinal depression on its ventral side will leave an
impression of this nature. Yet the great length of the specimen
throws doubt on the possibility of its being the actual remains of
an annelid. It is not very likely that an annelid of such length
existed in Middle Devonian time. To the writer's knowledge, there
is no recorded species of the same age having the same size.

If the specimen is a buried mollusk track, the dark-colored,
thread-like substance, before alluded to, may be accounted for as

210 Field Museum of Natural History — Geology, Vol. IV

being the slimy material of the body of the animal left behind as it
hitched its way along. However, the course of the trail is not so
winding and tortuous (except at one end) as is usually seen in the
trails made by gastropods, amphipods and other short invertebrates.
It is more in accord with the worm-like trail made by elongated
annelids. Furthermore, the markings in the trails of gastropods, as
may often be seen on sandy beaches, are not similar to those of this
specimen. The trails which gastropods leave in wet sand are bound-
ed by lateral ridges and are marked transversely by ridges which
bow forward in the direction in which the animals move. But the
markings in the specimen under discussion, where they are exposed
to view, have no lateral ridges. They show instead, a median,
longitudinal ridge joined by transverse curved ridges and furrows
coming from the lateral margins. In this, the specimen somewhat
resembles the vermiform impression known as Nereites.

It is hoped that the discovery of more material of similar nature
may throw further light on the true nature of this specimen.

The specimen was donated by Mr. Hugh Nawn and in his honor
the generic name is proposed.

Measurements: — Length 3§ feet, 1 inch, (95 cm.) average
width t$ inch (23 mm.)

Horizon and locality: — Middle Devonian, Ithaca beds, River-
side quarry, Gilboa, Schoharie Co., N. Y.

No. P 21897 Field Museum.

Wanneria walcottanus (Wanner). Plate XXXV, fig. 4.

Olenellus (Holmia) walcottanus (Wanner), 1901, Proc. Washing-
ton Acad. Sci., Vol. 3, pp. 267-269, PI. 31, figs. 1, 2; PI. 32 figs. 1-4.
Wannera walcottanus (Wanner) 1910, Smithsonian Miscellaneous
Coll. Vol. 53, No. 6, pp. 302-04, PI. 30, figs. 1-12; PI. 31, figs. 12-13.

The specimen is a pleural lobe of a thoracic segment. I have
provisionally identified it with W. walcottanus (Wanner) chiefly on
the evidence of similar surface ornamentation, although I have not
been able to find any statement to the effect that such surface
ornamentation is characteristic of the species.

Horizon and locality: — Lower Cambrian. Conglomerate lime-
stone on the east of the city of Troy, N. Y.

Collector:— S. K. Roy.

No. P 2 177 1 Field Museum.

Contributions to Paleontology — Roy 211

Genus CRYPTONYMUS Eichwald, 1840.
Cryptonymus variolaris (Brong.) Plate XXXV, fig. 5.

(Known as the "Strawberryheaded Trilobite").
Calymmene variolaris Brong., 1822, Crust. Foss., p. 14, Plate 1, fig. 3-b

not 3-a. Parkinson, Org. Rem. Vol. 3, Plate 17, fig. 16. (Not

named.)
Calymmene variolaris Murch., Sil. Syst. 1839, p. 655, Plate 14,

fig. 1.
Cybele variolaris Salter, June 1848, Mem. Geol. Surv., Vol. 2, Plate

i, p. 344. Hetcher, 1850, Quar. Jour. Geol. Soc., Vol. 6, p. 403,

Plate 32, figs. 6-10.
Zethus variolaris McCoy, 1851, Pal. Foss. Woodw. Mus., p. 157.
Encrinurus variolaris Salter, 1853, Mem. Geol. Surv., Dec. 7th, p. 7,

Plate 4, figs. 1 3-1.
Cryptonymus variolaris Vodges, Mong. genera Zethus etc. p. 21,

Plate 1, figs. 6-10; Plate 3, figs. 13-14.

1907. Trans. San Diego Soc. Nat. Hist. Vol. 1, No. 2, Plate 3,

p. 74, figs. 1-10.

Cephalon subtriangular in outline. Glabella sub-pyriform, pro-
minent, overhanging; almost twice as broad in front as at the oc-
cipital furrow. Lateral glabella furrows not distinguishable except
the third one at the left which is also more or less indistinct, being
very much like the depression between the rows of tubercles. Fixed
cheek convex, triangular in outline, the one at the right somewhat
crushed and not possessing the original form and outline. Eyes
indistinct; noticeable only as an irregular, crescent-shaped depres-
sion, surrounded by tubercles. Genal angle somewhat rounded, with
prominent tubercles at the extremity. The entire surface of the
glabella and fixed cheeks, with the exception of the occipital ring
and posterior marginal border, is covered with numerous rounded
tubercles of unequal size.

The thorax has eleven segments. The axis is convex much
narrower than the pleural lobes. The axial segments bend upward
at the middle; the pleural lobes are flattened toward the axis, but
bend abruptly downward from the middle toward the outer side.
Surface of the thorax granulated, but this cannot be seen without
the aid of a lens.

Pygidium subtriangular in outline, wider than long. Axis convex
and divided into ten segments, each of which bears one or two tuber-
cles. There are seven pleura on each side, although not all of those

212 Field Museum of Natural History — Geology, Vol. IV

on the right side are distinct in the specimen. They bend outward
and gradually curve backward. Surface of pleura same as that of
the thorax.

Length 34 mm., width 19 mm. Both measurements are taken
at the center of the specimen, lengthwise and crosswise.

Remarks: The specimen is from the Borden collection and is
well preserved. The left fixed cheek and the left pleural lobes of the
thorax are somewhat crushed and crumpled. The articulating half
ring of the pygidium appears to have slipped over the last two axial
segments of the thorax, covering them completely.

The specimen answers the description of C. variolaris (Brong.)
except that the axis of the thorax does not show gradual tapering;
the width from the first to the ninth segment is the same. The last
two segments are hidden under the pygidium and are not visible.

Horizon and locality: Wenlock shale (Niagaran), Dudley,
England.

Collector:— Wm. W. Borden.

No. P 21551 Field Museum.

Niobe? huberi sp. nov. Plate XXXV,

This is the first and only trilobite ever found associated with
the graptolites in the Normanskill shale (Ordovician) at the rail-
road cut near Stuyvesant R. R. Station, N. Y. Unfortunately the
specimen is poorly preserved and incomplete. It consists only of
part of the thorax and the pygidium.

The thorax as far as preserved has six segments, not all of which
are distinct. Axial lobe depressed convex, very wide (3.5 mm.),
little less than half of the total width at the front.

Pygidium rounded in outline, with a sloping convex border (2
mm. wide). Axial lobe wide at the anterior portion; tapers grad-
ually but does not cross the border. Axial rings and pleural seg-
ments obscurely defined.

Remarks: In the absence of more adequate material, the generic
reference is of course doubtful. It probably represents the genus
Niobe and is closely allied to N. tnorrisi Billings and N. lineolata
Raymond, but it differs from both in the greater width of the axial
lobe of the thorax and the anterior portion of the pygidium. It also
lacks the ornamental surfacial lines strikingly characteristic of N.
morrisi (Billings) and N. lineolata Raymond.

Contributions to Paleontology — Roy 213

It is significant to note that the affinity of this specimen is with
the Newfoundland trilobites and not with those of Virginia and
Tennessee. But the evidence, based on a single, incomplete and
poorly preserved specimen, seems quite inadequate for any strati-
graphical reference.

I wish to express my gratitude to Prof. Percy E. Raymond of
Harvard University and Dr. Rudolph Ruedemann of the State
Museum of New York for their suggestions as to the identity of
the specimen. The specific name is associated with Master Ross
Huber, a young lad who helped me considerably in the field during
the summer of 1926.

Measurements: Length, from the tip of the pygidium to as far
as the specimen is preserved, 10 mm. Width at the widest part of
the thorax, 8^ mm.

Horizon and locality: Normanskill shale (Middle Ordovician),
near Stuyvesant R. R. Station, N. Y.

Collector:— S. K. Roy.

No. P 21775 Field Museum.

Genus CALMONIA Clarke.

Calmonia? sp. Plate XXXVIII, figs. 6, 8.

(Ref. Clarke, J. M. — Fosseis Devonianos do Parana, 19 13, p. 119-31.)
Horizon and locality: Devonian, Patacamaya, Bolivia, S. A.
Collector:— H. W. Nichols.
No. P 21899 Field Museum.

Genus CRYPHAEUS Green.

Cryphaeus australis Clarke. Plate XXXVII, figs. 1-6.

1892. Cryphaeus giganteus Ulrich. Paleoz. Verst. aus Bolivien.
(Neues jahrb. f. Min. etc., Beil. — Bd. VIII, p. 14, Plate I, figs. 6,
7 et 8 (?).)

1907. Cryphaeus giganteus Ulrich. Courty, Expl. geol. dans l'Amer.
du S. (Miss. sc. G. de Cr£qui — Montfort, Paris, p. 50, Plate VII,
figs. 1, 2, 7, 8 et 10.)

1908. Cryphaeus giganteus Ulrich. Knod, Dev. Faunen Boliviens,
p. 501, Plate XXI, fig. 2.

214 Field Museum of Natural History — Geology, Vol. IV

1 913. Cryphaeus australis Clarke. Fosseis Dev. do Parana (Monogr.
Serv. Geol. e Min. do Brasil, Vol, I, p. 108 a, Plate III, figs. 7-14
and Plate IV, figs 1-5.)

1 9 13. Cryphaeus sp. A. Kozlowski, Foss. DeV. de Parana (Annales
de Paleont., T. VIII, p. 15, figs. 5.5a).

1923. Cryphaeus australis Clarke. Kozlowski, Faune DeVoniennede
Bolivie (Annales de Paleont., T. XII, pp. 41-43, Plate III, figs.
1-18).

Cryphaeus nicholsi sp. nov. Plate XXXVII, figs. 6-7.

Pygidium only. The species is very similar to C, australis
Clarke, but differs in the character of its axial lobe. The axis is
more gently convex and unlike C. australis it is much wider at the
anterior portion and tapers more rapidly posteriorly.

The specific name is in honor of Mr. H. W. Nichols.

Horizon and locality: — Devonian, Patacamaya, Bolivia, S. A.

Collector:— H. W. Nichols.

No. P 21906 Field Museum.

Genus PHACOPS Emmrich.

<4 JO
Phacops salteri Kozlowski. Plate XXXVIII, figs. -6-7,-

1861. Phacops latifrons Bronn. Salter, on the Fossils from the
High Andes (Quart. Jour. Geol. Soc, London, Vol. XVIII, p. 65,
Plate IV, fig. 8).

1892. Phacops sp. Ulrich, Palaeoz. Verst. aus Bolivien, p. 22.

1908. Phacops sp. Knod, Dev. Faunen Boliviens, p. 501.

1912. Phacops rana Green Groth, Bull. Soc. geol. de France, p. 607,
Plate XIX, figs. 2 et 2a.

1923. Phacops salteri Kozlowski, Faune DeVonienne de Bolivie
(Annales de Paleont., T. XII, pp. 54-58, Plate VI, figs. 1-6.)

Sub-genus PHACOPINA Clarke.

Phacopina devonica (Ulrich). Plate XXXVIII, figs. 1-5.

1892. Acaste devonica Ulrich, Palaeoz. Verst. aus Bolivien, p. 21,
Plate I, figs. 14a, 14b et 15.

Contributions to Paleontology — Roy 215

1907. Acaste devonica Ulrich in Courty, Expl. g£ol. en Amerique du
Sud (Miss, scient. de G. de Crequi — Montfort, etc., Paris, Plate
V, figs. 2, 4 et 6.)

1923. Phacopina devonica Ulrich sp. in Kozlowski, Faune DeVo-
nienne de Bolivie (Annales de Paleon., T. XII, pp. 49-51, Plate
IV, figs. 7-14.)

Genus ORACANTHUS Agassiz.
Oracanthus vetustus Leidy. Plate XXXIX, figs. 1-3; Plate XL,

fig- 5-

This specimen from the Kinderhook group (Mississippian) is
now on exhibition in the Walker Museum, University of Chicago. It
was described by Newberry and was regarded to be specifically
identical with Oracanthus vetustus1 (from the St. Louis limestone),
figured by St. John and Worthen, who in turn regarded their speci-
men as the same as Leidy's type of Oracanthus vetustus"1.

Newberry's description was found in his nearly complete MS.
(i89o-9i)relating to fossil fishes. In 1897 tne MS. was edited by
Bashford Dean and published in the Transactions of the New York
Academy of Sciences3.

Newberry's description is as follows: "A spine of Oracanthus
has recently been sent to me for examination by Mr. William F. E.
Gurley, of Danville, 111., which throws a flood of light on the struc-
ture of the spines of this genus and shows that we have had a very
imperfect idea of their real nature. It is practically complete, only
a small portion of the tip being wanting, and it shows what has been
before unknown, the entire base of the spine which was buried in the
integument. This is nearly as long as the exposed portion and is an
elongated arch or half tube of bone which must have served as a
firm support to resist all strains upon the spine from the front back-
ward. The ornamented portion is below thickly crowded with rela-
tively large tubercles which are beautifully sculptured4 and are,
toward the front edge, arranged in curved lines parallel with that
edge. Above, they are more sparsely set and, as so often seen in
the genus, are arranged in oblique lines passing downward from

iGeol. Surv. 111. vol. VII, p. 255, PI. XXIV, figs. 2a-2d, 1883.

2Proc. Phil. Acad. Nat. Sci., vol. VII, p. 414, 1854-55. Jour. Acad. Nat. Sci.
Phil., vol. Ill, Ser. 2, p. 161, PI. 16. figs. 1-3.

"Trans. N. Y. Acad. Sci., vol. XVI, pp. 285-288, PI. XXII, fig. 3 (Oct. 1896-
Dec. '97).

4These tubercles are irregularly conical and are radiately sculptured, (see PI.
XXXIX, fig. 2 of this paper).

216 Field Museum of Natural History — Geology, Vol. IV

the front edge, then running transversely and again curving down-
ward. Mr. Gurley's splendid spine is from the Kinderhook group.
It is quite symmetrical, was unquestionably set on the middle line
of the back and has not been much compressed.

The exposed portion is seven inches in vertical height and was
once perhaps half an inch higher. The base is ten inches long,
measured from front to rear, and beneath the ornamented portion
shows a smooth and slightly incurved band which is so frequently
seen in spines of Oracanthus which show the base. The shortness
of this buried portion has been a puzzle, since it seemed to prove
that the spines were set in the integument of the surface at a very
shallow depth and therefore could have had little firmness. But
the specimen now before us shows that, on the contrary, by the
anterior projection1 of the base, the spine was prepared to endure
a greater strain coming from the front than any other of which we
have knowledge."

Notwithstanding the discovery of a number of specimens of
Oracanthus since that genus was first instituted by Agassiz,2 our
knowledge of the nature of these singular spines as well as of the
spines of many other genera of Icthyodorulites is by no means
complete. The protean forms of the spines of Oracanthus, their
extremely variable size and the different styles of ornamentation
of the exserted portions, have suggested to Davis3 that only a limit-
ed number of these spines were dorsal and that others were set on
different parts of the body, after the manner of the spines of Cli-
matius. An excellent example of this sort of dispersal of spines
may be seen in the restored figure of Gyracanthides murrayiK
Wdwd. (PI. XXXIX, fig. 6). Assuming that the spines of Oracanthus
were dispersed somewhat as in Gyracanthides or Climatius, it may
be said that their diversity in form, size or style of ornamentation
does not necessarily make them specifically different, since the spines
of the various parts of the body of the same individual often do vary
in form, size and pustulation. But, when specimens are found to have
identical forms but have differences either in the character of the
tubercles or in the style of tuberculation, it is reasonable to suppose
that they are counterparts of specifically different individuals,

1The statement is erroneous. It should be "posterior" projection instead of
"anterior."

2Recherches sur les Poissons Fossiles, vol. Ill, p. 13, 1833-43.
'Trans. Roy. Dub. Soc. Vol. I, ser. II, pp. 525-533, 1883.
4Mem. Nat. Mus. Melbourne, No. I, text fig. 1, 1906.

Contributions to Paleontology — Roy 217

since it is not likely that the same species will bear similar organs
with unlike tubercles or unlike modes of arrangement of the tuber-
cles.

We are, however, not familiar with the systematic allocation of
the spines in the body of Oracanthus nor do we know the number
of spines with their characteristic features that each individual
possessed. Laboring under this difficulty the problem of specific
differentiation becomes an extremely puzzling one. Doubtless,
many specimens that have been specifically separated are not really
different and vice versa.

A comparative study of the three specimens (those of Leidy, of
St. John and Worthen and of Newberry) at once shows that the
first two specimens are not symmetrical, at least so far as the tuber-
culose ornamentation is concerned, as they are both characterized
by having marked differences in the arrangement of the tubercles
on opposite sides, right and left (PI. XXXIX, figs. 4, 5). On the right
side of Leidy 's specimen, Leidy states that "the tubercles are ar-
ranged in rows, irregularly longitudinal, and irregularly oblique in
the transverse direction." As a matter of fact, there is hardly
any definite arrangement. The tubercles appear to be scattered in
an indiscriminate manner. They are separate and seldom coalesce.
On the left side he states that "they are arranged more regularly in
longitudinal rows, and they evince a tendency to become confluent
in short, transverse rows, which pursue an irregular waving course
across the ray." St. John and Worthen's specimen has somewhat
similar ornamentation on the respective sides but is by no means
identical with Leidy's specimen. Newberry's specimen (PI. XXXIX,
fig. 1), however, does not show the marked differences in the
arrangement of the tubercles on the right and left sides which have
been noted in the other two specimens. The ornamentation on the
two sides is quite similar if not identical. This fact of being sym-
metrical, both in form and ornamentation, is noteworthy, as it has
an important bearing as to the relative position of the two asym-
metrical specimens before alluded to. Not having found any spine
of Oracanthus that showed the absolute symmetry required of
dorsal spines, St. John and Worthen say "It may be well questioned
whether these spines occupied a dorsal rather than a lateral position
on the body of the fish. Thin flanks, instead of presenting that
absolute symmetry characteristic of dorsal rays, at least so far as
related to the tuberculose ornamentation, show marked asymmetri-
cal features which may be more in accord with the latter interpre-

218 Field Museum of Natural History — Geology, Vol. IV

tation of their relative position, or in pairs at the lateral line. We
are, however, not sufficiently familiar with the species of the genus
to be able to decide to what extent this asymmetrical character
may be relied upon or whether it is persistent alike in all representa-
tives of the genus."

Since the writer has had the opportunity of examining New-
berry's specimen and also another specimen from the same horizon
(Kinderhook) as described elsewhere in this paper (pp. 2 1 8-2 o) , he is able
to state that both of them are symmetrical in form as well as in orna-
mentation. This should dispel all uncertainty as to whether an
asymmetrical character of the spines of Oracanthus is persistent
alike in all representatives of the genus. It also at once confirms
the view that only the spines that bear absolute symmetry occupied
a dorsal position and that the others (including those that are
thought to have symmetrical forms but asymmetrical ornamenta-
tion) occupied a lateral or other position on the body of Oracanthus.
Since both Leidy's and St. John and Worthen's specimens are
incomplete, it is not definitely known whether they were symmetri-
cal even in form. So far as they are preserved their form appears to
be symmetrical..

Whether all three specimens here discussed belong to the same
species or not cannot be said. They come from different horizons,
vary in form and considerably in tuberculose ornamentation, yet
there is no positive proof that they represent distinct species. As
has been said before, their variations in form, size or style of orna-
mentation do not necessarily make them specifically different, as
they might have easily occupied various positions on the body of
the same individual. Without more knowledge of the systematic
allocation of these spines and their individual characteristics, the
difficulty of their specific separation cannot easily be disposed of.
It is only when specimens are found to possess identical forms
having differences in the character of tubercles or in the style of
tuberculation that they may be interpreted to be the counterparts
of specifically different individuals.

The writer here wishes to express his gratitude to Prof. A. S.
Romer of the University of Chicago for making the Newberry
specimen (No. 6244 University of Chicago) available for study.

Oracanthus farringtoni sp. nov. Plate XL, figs. 1-4.

This is a gracefully arched, large, symmetrical and well-preserved
but incomplete dorsal spine. The apex and part of the base, includ-

Contributions to Paleontology — Roy 219

ing the long, posterior, basal projection are wanting. The general
outline is subtriangular with a backward curve. The spine tapers
rapidly (in the original form it doubtless terminated in an acute
apex) and it is very much compressed laterally. It is black in
color, tinged with dark brown and is heavy, bony and densely
fibrous. The anterior convex margin is more acutely rounded than
the posterior concave margin. Both margins show signs of being
studded with at least one row of tubercles, possibly with two rows
on the anterior margin, which is a trifle wider. The sides of the
spine are gently convex, forming in cross section a somewhat later-
ally compressed ellipse. (PI. XL, figs. 2, 3) The surfaces of the sides
are studded with tubercles of variable shape and size and between
the tubercles are marked with irregular, longitudinal costae. In
general, the tubercles are imperfectly rounded, but near the poster-
ior margin they tend to elongate. The surface of the tubercles,
with the exception of their apices, which are smooth or inconspicu-
ously pitted, has a wrinkled appearance. (PI. XL, fig. 4) In this
respect the tubercles differ in a marked degree from the radiately
sculptured tubercles of 0. vetustus (PI. XL, figs. 4, 5) and as well as
from those of other species of Oracanthus described by various
authors. The arrangement of the tubercles is similar on both sides,
right and left. They are disposed in longitudinal rows near the post-
erior margin, but in general they evince a tendency to coalesce in
transverse rows which follow an irregular, waving course across the
entire breadth of the spine.

The thickness of the spine is greatest near the base (30 mm.)
just above the inserted portion, then it gradually thins out until it
reaches the apex, where it is thinnest (11 mm,). The broken base
shows a large internal cavity and thin walls enclosing it. The cavity,
however, does not extend close to either margin of the spine (it
extends farther toward the posterior than toward the anterior
margin) nor does it reach the apex, as may be seen in the cross
section. (PI. XL, figs. 2, 3)

Remarks: This spine unquestionably occupied a dorsal posi-
tion. This can be inferred from its absolute symmetry, both in
form and tuberculose ornamentation. Its large size, solid, bony apex
and margins and the long, posterior basal projection, preparing it
to endure greater strain coming from the front, are evidences in
favor of its being an independent defensive weapon rather than a
dorsal fin spine.

220 Field Museum of Natural History — Geology, Vol. IV.

The specimen resembles 0. vetustus1, described by Newberry, in
form and in general style of ornamentation, but it differs from the
latter by its larger size, in being less compressed laterally and by
having less pronounced longitudinal rows of tubercles near the post-
erior margin. It also differs from Newberry's specimen in the
character of its tubercles. In the Field Museum specimen the
tubercles are not radiately sculptured (PI. XL, fig. 4), while those of
Newberry's specimen (PI. XL, fig. 5) are distinctly so. This differ-
ence in the character of the tubercles readily separates the two
specimens into two distinct species.

I have much pleasure in naming this species in honor of Dr.
Oliver C. Farrington.

Measurements: — In its present condition the exserted portion
(vertical height) is about 191 mm. (7.6 inches).

Horizon and locality: — Kinderhook (Mississippian), Le Grand,
Iowa.

No. P 21702 Field Museum.

'Transactions of the New York Academv of Sciences, Vol. XVI, pp. 285-288,
PI. XXII, fig. 3, Oct. 1896 - Dec. 1897.

Explanation of Plate XXXII

Favosites limitaris Rominger, page 203.

Figs. 1,2. Opposite sides of the same specimen showing secondary altera-
tions in the corallite walls in fig. 2 and in the margins of fig. 1 . Natural size.

Figs. 3, 4. Opposite sides of another specimen showing secondary alterations
in parts. No. P 21684 Field Museum. Natural size.

Eucalyptocrinus bordeni sp. nov., page 203.

Figs. 5, 6. Dorsal cups of two different individuals. No. P 19543 Field
Museum. Slightly enlarged.

Palaeoneilo fieldi sp. nov., page 207.

Fig. 7. Right valve.

Fig. 8. View of the hinge. No. P 21902 Field Museum. Both specimens
slightly enlarged.

FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY

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GEOLOGY, VOL. IV, PL. XXXII

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Explanation of Plate XXXIII
Ancyrocrinus bulbosus Hall, page 204.

Figs. 1-8. Series illustrating variations in form, size, central ascending
processes and lateral hook-like projections.

Figs. 6, 7. Proximal views showing the quadripartite stem lumen.

Fig. 9. Cross section of a bulb through the four regularly arranged lateral
hook-like projections.

Fig. 10. Longitudinal section of a bulb showing the extension of the stem to
the bottom of the bulb. No. P 19654 Field Museum.

All specimens slightly enlarged.

FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY

GEOLOGY, VOL. IV, PL. XXXIII

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Explanation of Plate XXXIV

Poteriocrinus robbi sp. nov., page 205.

Figs. 1,2. Anterior and posterior views. No. P 19861 Field Museum. Both
figures slightly enlarged.

Megalomus canadensis Hall, page 207.

Fig. 3. Anterior view of a cast showing the much depressed umbones.
Fig. 4. Lateral view of the same specimen. No. P 21 716 Field Museum.
Both figures slightly reduced.

FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY

GEOLOGY, VOL. IV, PL. XXXIV

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.

.

Explanation of Plate XXXV

Myalina sappenfieldi sp. nov., page 206.

Fig. I. Dorsal view.

Fig. 2. Lateral view. Natural size.

Hyolithes welleri sp. nov., page 208.
Fig. 3. Dorsal side. No. P 21766 Field Museum. X 2.6

Wanneria walcottanus (Wanner), page 210.

Fig. 4. Pleural lobe of a thoracic segment. No. P 21 771 Field Museum.
X 2.3.

Cryptonymus variolaris (Brong.), page 211.
Fig. 5. An entire specimen. No. P 21 551 Field Museum. Slightly enlarged.

Niobe? huberi sp. nov., page a©& 5 \rX-
Figs. 6, 7. Mold and cast. X 2.2. No. P 21775 Field Museum.

FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY

GEOLOGY, VOL. IV, PL. XX

■

Explanation of Plate XXXVI

Nawnites gilboensis gen. et sp. nov., page 209.

Pig. 1. The entire specimen, la-lb, exposed portions showing markings some-
what resembling those made by the creeping movement of mollusks. No. P 21897
Field Museum. Reduced to one-third natural size.

FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY

GEOLOGY, VOL. IV, PL. XXXVI

S

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Explanation of Plate XXXVII

Cryphaeus australis Clarke, page 213.

Figs. 1, 2. Cephalons of a large and a small individual. No. P 21900 Field
Museum.

Figs- 3. 5- Pygidiums of two different specimens. No. P 21907 Field Museum.

Fig. 4. This specimen is within a concretion and is but partly exposed. No.
P 21900 Field Museum.

Cryphaeus nicholsi sp. nov., page 214.

Figs. 6, 7. Pygidiums of two different individuals showing gently convex,
rapidly tapering axial lobes. No. P 21906 Field Museum.
All specimens slightly enlarged.

FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY

GEOLOGY, VOL. IV, PL. XXXVII

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Explanation of Plate XXXVIII

Phacopina devonica iUlrich , page 214.

Figs. 1-4. Cephalons of different individuals. No. P 21904 Field Museum.
Fig. 5. A coiled specimen showing pait of thorax and pygidium. No. P 21903
Field Museum.

Calmonia? sp., page 213.
Figs. 6, 8. Incomplete cephalons. No. P 21899 Field Museum.

Platyceras daviesi sp. nov., page 207.
Fig. 7. A nearly complete individual. No. P 21901 Field Museum.

Phacops salteri Kozlowski, page 214.

Fig. 9. A cephalon. No. P 21898 Field Museum.
Fig. 10. A pygidium. No. P 21898 Field Museum.
All specimens slightly enlarged

FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY

GEOLOGY, VOL. IV, PL. XXXVIII

Explanation of Plate XXXIX

Okacanthus vetustus Leidy (described by Newberry), page 215.

Fig. 1. Specimen preserving the long, posterior, basal projection.
Fig. 2. Enlarged tubercles showing radiating ridges and furrows. No. 6294
University of Chicago.

Fig. 3. Diagrammatic view of the under side of the basal projection.

Oracanthus vetustus Leidy (described by Leidy), page 215.

Figs. 4, 5. Opposite sides of Leidy's type specimen of 0. vetustus showing
asymmetrical tuberculose ornamentation. (Figures taken from Jour. Acad. Nat.
Sci. Phil., Vol. Ill, Ser. 2, PI. 16, figs. 1, 2).

Gyracanthides murrayi A. S. Woodward, page 216.

Fig. 6. Restored drawing, much reduced, head and abdominal region seen
from below, tail twisted to exhibit side view. (Figure taken from Memoirs of the
National Museum, Melbourne, No. I, PI. 1, fig. 1, 1906. to illustrate the probable
position of spines in the body of Oracanthus).

FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY

GEOLOGV. VOL.

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Explanation of Plate XL

Oracanthus farringtoni sp. nov., page 218.

Fig. 1 . A well preserved but incomplete specimen. The restored portions
are drawn in dotted line.

Fig. 2. Cross section showing the internal cavity, the thickness of the side
walls and of the anterior and posterior margins.

Fig. 3. Cross section showing the absence of internal cavity near the apex.

Fig. 4. Enlarged tubercles. No. P 21702 Field Museum.

Oracanthus vetustus Leidy, page 215.

Fig. 5. Enlarged tubercles. Inserted here to show structural difference from
fig- 4-

FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY

GEOLOGY, VOL. IV. PL.

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