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DESCRIPTION
OF THE
FOSSILS AND SHELLS
COLLECTED IN CALIFOBNIA
BV
WILLIAM P. BLAKE,
GEOLOGIST OF THE UNITED STATES PACIFIC KAILROAD SURVEY I\ CALIFORNIA. UNDER THE
COMMAND OF LIEUT. R. S. WILLIAMSON, IN 1853-54.
WASHINGTON, 1855.
.
£
IEXI
EXPLORATIONS AND SURVEYS FOR A RAILROAD ROUTE FROM THE MISSISSIPPI
RIVER TO THE PACIFIC OCEAN. — WAR DEPARTMENT.
APPENDIX
WILLIAM P. BLAKE,
GEOLOGIST OF THE SURVEY IN CALIFORNIA UNDER THE COMMAND OF LIEUT. R. S. WILLIAMSON.
PALEONTOLOGY.
CONTENTS OF APPENDIX.
ARTICLE I. Report of Mr. T. A. CONRAD on the fossil shells collected in California by
W. P. BLAKE, geologist of the expedition, under the command of Lieutenant R. S.
WILLIAMSON, United States Topographical Engineers, 1853 Page 5
ARTICLE II. Catalogue of shells collected in California by W. P. BLAKE, with descrip-
tions of the new species. By AUG. A. GOULD, M. D Page 22
ARTICLE III. Notes upon silicified plants found fossil in California. By W. P. BLAKE,
with a letter from Professor J. W. Bailey Page 28
ARTICLE IV. Notice of the fossil fishes found in California by WM. P. BLAKE, geologist
of the United States Pacific railroad survey, under the command of Lieutenant R. S.
WILLIAMSON, United States Topographical Engineers. By Louis AGASSIZ Page 30
APPENDIX.
ARTICLE I.
REPORT OF MR. T. A. CONRAD ON THE FOSSIL SHELLS COLLECTED
IN CALIFORNIA BY WM. P. BLAKE, GEOLOGIST OF THE EXPEDITION
UNDER THE COMMAND OF LIEUTENANT R. S. WILLIAMSON, UNITED
STATES TOPOGRAPHICAL ENGINEERS.*
PHILADELPHIA, PA., January, 1855.
SIR : I have examined the very interesting organic remains which
you collected in California, and the drawings of such species as were
too fragile to preserve, and I herein submit a few remarks upon their
geological relations. .There appear to be several distinct groups ; but
I cannot pretend, from such scanty materials, to designate what partic-
ular formation every group represents. There is no obscurity resting
on the deposits of Santa Barbara and San Pedro, which represent a
recent formation, in which you inform me the remains of the mammoth
occur. The shells are generally those which live in the adjacent
waters, and indicate little, if any, change of temperature since their
deposition. The littoral character of this formation is very evident.
Water- worn shells and fragments show the action of the surf, whilst
entire specimens of bivalves, and Pholadidas, and Saxicavae, remain-
ing undisturbed in their self-excavated domicils, exhibit the same dis-
position of marine shells that is familiar to the observer on all sandy
and argillaceous shores. They burrow in clay, mud, or sand, beyond
the ordinary action of the surf ; whilst some are scooped out by the
tempest-driven surge, and others preyed upon by fishes and marine
animals of various kinds, and are thus broken up and deposited
among the living species.
Of the Eocene, and the recent formation alluded to, I can speak
with confidence ; but the intermediate beds are of uncertain age. The
Ostrea vespertina, Anomia subcostata and Pecten vespertinus, occurring
in the bank of Carrizo creek, are unlike any recent forms that I am
acquainted with from the Pacific coast, but analagous to Miocene
species of Virginia. This formation may, therefore, be regarded as
of Miocene origin — an opinion in which I am confirmed by some
* The following reports on the fossil and recent shells were not received in season to be
printed in connexion with the author's Preliminary Geological Report. It is deemed best to
present these now, even without the plates, as several months will elapse before the draw-
ings can be finished and printed for the 4to edition now preparing.
W. P. BLAKE.
JULY, 1855.
6 H. Doc. 129.
fossils collected in California by Dr. Heermann, consisting of decidedly
Miocene forms ; a Mercenaria, (M. perlaminosa,} Con. , scarcely differing
from a species of Cumberland county, N. J., (M. Ducatelii, Con.,) a
Cemoria, Pandora and Cardita of extinct species, closely analogous to
Miocene forms. I am inclined, also, to refer to this period a very
different group from Ocoya creek, the forms of which you sketched in
California, as the specimens were too friable to be preserved. I do
not recognize any recent species among them, nor any contained in
an Eocene deposit.
The rock at San Diego is replete with shells, generally of a small
size, and appears to have a certain palasontological relation to those of
Monterey, Carmello, and those in boulder specimens of Oregon, col-
lected by Townsend and Dana, which I have referred to the Miocene
period. Two species of San Diego, if not identical, approach Oregon
shells ; Nucula decisa is similar to N. divaricata, and both, in their
markings, resemble N. cobboldii of the English Miocene. Mactra
Diegoana is nearly related to the Oregon M. alboria.
The Eocene period is unequivocally represented by the beautifully
perfect shells from the Canada de las Uvas, which, though not found
in situ, are evidently derived from strata occurring on the Pacific
slope of the Sierra Nevada. This is very remarkable, inasmuch as
three species correspond with forms of Claiborne, Alabama, and seem
to indicate a connexion of the Atlantic and Pacific oceans during the
Eocene period. The vast distance between the two localities will
account for the general distinction of species, and it was, indeed, an
unexpected result to find any identical. If I had imagined any east-
ern species to occur in California, it would have been the very one
which does occur, and, apparently, in abundance, that "finger-post"
of the Eocene, Cardita planicosta, a fossil of the Paris basin, and also
abundant in Maryland, Virginia, and Alabama. This species origi-
nated and perished in the Eocene period, and is so widely distributed
that it may be regarded as the most characteristic fossil of its era. As
the boulder from which these shells were derived was quite small, and
yet furnished thirteen species, when it shall be investigated in situ,
doubtless a great many other forms will be obtained, and very likely
some with which we are already familiar in eastern localities. Al-
though the rock is a very hard sandstone, the shells may be exposed
in great perfection by careful management, and we look forward with
great interest to their further development, and to the discovery of
the rock in situ.
Respectfully, yours, &c.,
T. A. CONRAD.
WM. P. BLAKE, Geologist of the United States
Pacific Eailroad Survey in California.
H. Doc. 129.
CATALOGUE.
I. EOCENE.
No.
Name.
Locality.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
2:2
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
Canada de las Uvas.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Do.
FORMATIONS.
San Diego.
Do.
Do.
Monterey county.
Ocoya creek.
Tulare valley.
San Diego.
Monterey, Carmello, and San Diego
San Pedro.
Tulare valley ?
San Pedro.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Carmello.
San Diego.
Monterey county.
San Pedro.
Colorado desert.
Do.
Do.
Do.
San Pedro, (recent.)
Do.
Santa Barbara.
San Diego.
Do.
J
II. MIOCENE AND RECENT
Anomia subcostata, (nov sp ) Con ............
Penitella spelceum, (nov. sp.) Con
Fis^urella crenulata Sow.. .................
Crepidula princeps, (nov. sp.) Con
Trochita diejjoana, (nov sp.) Con
Nassa intastriata, (nov. sp.) Con. .............
San Pedro. «
Do.
Do.
Do.
Tulare valley.
Isthmus of Darien.
Do.
Do.
Ocoya or Pose creek.
Do.
Littorina pedroana, (nov. sp.) Con
Gratelupia mactropsis, (nov. sp.) Con.........
8
H. Doc. 129.
II. MIOCENE AND RECENT FORMATIONS— Continued.
No.
Name.
Locality.
53
54
Do
55
Do
56
Do
57
Do
58
Do
59
Do
60
Do
61
Do
62
Do
63
Do
64
Solon • ••- :
Do
65
Do
66
Do
67
Do
68
69
Do
70
71
Turritella biseriata, (nov. sp. ?) Con
Do.
72
Do
73
Buccinum intastriatum '.......... »••*
San Pedro
74
75
Oliva pedroensis, (nov. sp. ?) Con
Anodonta Californiensis. Lea . *
Do.
Colorado desert
H. Doc. 129. 9
DESCRIPTIONS OF FOSSIL SHELLS FROM THE EOCENE AND MIOCENE
FORMATIONS OF CALIFORNIA.
I. EOCENE.
CARDIUM, Lin.
1. c. LINTEUM, Conrad, pi. 1, fig. 1. — Cordate, ventricose subequi-
lateral, with closely arranged radiating lines, umbonal slope subcari-
nated ; posterior submargin with closely arranged smooth stride,
fine, but much larger than those of the disk.
Locality. — Canada de las Uvas. Allied to C. Nicolleti, Con., but
very distinct.
DOSINIA, Scopoli.
2. D. ALTA, Con., pi. !_, fig. 2. — Elevated equilateral? posterior
side short ; disk with fine closely arranged concentric lines, becoming
large towards the base ; posterior extremity obtuse, direct.
Locality. — Canada de las Uvas, with the preceding.
MERETRIX, Lam. CYTHEREA, Lam.
3. M. UVASANA, Con., pi. l,fig. 3. — Suboval convex, inequilateral,
margins rounded ; beaks distant from anterior margin ; disk with
concentric, rather distant ribs, which were probably laminiforrn when
perfect.
Locality. — Canada de las Uvas.
There is but one broken valve of this species, in hard sandstone
and with the ribs broken of.
4. M. CALIFORNIANA, Con., pi. 1, fig. 4. — Subcordate, ventricose,
inequilateral ; posterior extremity truncated somewhat obliquely in-
wards ; basal margin nearly straight in the middle ; lunule lanceolate ;
anterior extremity acutely rounded.
Locality. — Occurs at the Canada de las Uvas, with the preceding
species. Allied to M. Poulsoni, Con.
CRASSATELLA, Lam.
5. c. UVASANA, Con., -pi. 1, fig. 5. — Subtriangular, compressed,
concentrically sulcated above, and having a few slight concentric un-
dulations inferiorly ; ligament slope very oblique, rectilinear ; ante-
rior extremity regularly rounded.
Locality. — Canada de las Uvas, with the preceding species.
6. c. ALTA, Conrad. — This species occurs in the same rock with
the preceding, but only in small fragments. It appears to have been
abundant, as it likewise is at Claiborne, Alabama. The fracture has
resulted from breaking the rock, as the shell appears to have been
perfect and not water- worn.
10 H. Dofc. 129.
MYTILUS, Lin.
7. M. HUMERUS, Con., pi. 1, fig. 10. — Ovate, ventricose, summit
acute ; anterior margin rectilinear ; basal margin rounded ; anterior
extremity obtusely rounded ; posterior extremity less obtuse ; disk
with minute radiating lines.
Locality. — Canada de las Uvas, with the preceding fossils.
CARDITA, Brug.
8. c. PLANICOSTA, pi. 1, fig. 6. — Obliquely cordate ; ribs about 22,
broad and flattened, separated by a narrow groove which becomes ob-
solete towards the base ; ribs on the posterior slope narrow, indistinct,
and crossed by numerous profound wrinkles. Lunule small, cordate,
profoundly impressed ; inner margin crenate.
Locality. — Canada de las Uvas, with the preceding fossils. Veneri-
cardia planicosta Lam. An. Sans Vert. (Desh. ed.) vol. vi., p. 381.
This common species occurs much larger, though less perfect, than
the one represented. This shell occurs abundantly in the Eocene
strata of Maryland, Virginia and Alabama, and is quite as charac-
teristic of the American as of the European Eocene period. I dis-
covered it in Maryland in 1829, and at that time regarded it as the
first indication of the occurrence of deposits in the United States syn-
chronous with those of the London clay. Prof. Kogers has since
named this shell Venericardia ascia.
NATICA, Jdanson.
9. N. (ETITES? Con., pi. 1, fig. 7.
Locality. — Canada de las Uvas, with the preceding fossils.
N. cetites, Conrad. — Foss. shells of Tert. Form. October, 1833.
10. N. GIBBOSA and SEMILTJNATA, Lea. cont. to Geol., December, 1833.
There is but one specimen of this shell, which I refer with doubt to a
Claiborne species. The outline is similar to that of the latter, but
the aperture is concealed in the rock, which prevents the necessary
comparison to determine the identity or the difference.
2 N. ALVEATA, Con., pi. 1, fig. 8 and 8a. — Volutions 5, flattened
above, carinated on the angle, a few minute obsolete lines revolve on
the upper side of the whorls ; aperture inclining to an obovate form ;
umbilicus small.
Locality. — Canada de las Uvas.
This species is remarkable for its truncated whorls, which are chan-
nelled by the carina on the margin. There are no analogous species
in the Eocene of the Atlantic slope.
TURRITELLA, Lam.
11. T. UVASANA, Con., pi. 1, fig. 12. — Subulate, whorls with the
sides straight and oblique above, rounded below, and having large
revolving striae with intermediate minute lines ; strife near the suture
on the upper part of the whorls finer than the prominent lines below.
Locality. — Occurs with the preceding, in Canada de las Uvas.
H. Doc. 129. 11
This species is allied to T. obruta, Conrad, (T. lineata, Lea.,) but
that Clairborne shell differs in having fewer revolving lines, and in
being indented at the suture.
VOLUTATITHES, Strains.
12. v. CALIFORXIANA, Con., pi. 1, fig. 9. — Resembles V. Say ana,
Con., but smaller, having numerous rounded tubercles instead of the
comparatively few spiniform ones of the latter. The tubercles are
somewhat oblique ; base with rather distant impressed lines.
Locality. — Canada de las Uvas, with the preceding.
BUSYCON?
13. B.? BLAKEI, Con., pi. 1, fig. 13. — Fusiform, body whorl bicari-
nated ; shoulder profoundly tuberculated ; tubercles acute, transversely
compressed ; lower angle distant, entire. Surface covered with rather
fine unequal or alternated wrinkled lines ; upper side of the whorls
flattened and sloping ; whorls of the spire angulated and tuberculated
in the middle.
Locality. — Cafiada de las Uvas, with the preceding.
The beak of this shell being broken, its form and length are un-
certain, and the aperture being concealed in the rock, the generic
character can only be inferred from the contour of the shell. This
corresponds with Busycon, except in the biangular form of the body
whorl, in which respect it differs from any undoubted species that I
have seen.
CLAVATULA? Swains.
14. c.? CALIFORNICA, Con., pi. 1, fig. 11. — Fusiform ; spire conical,
volutions rounded, somewhat flattened above ; body whorl ventricose ;
beak short and narrow.
Locality. — Cafiada cle las Uvas, with the preceding Allied to C.
proruta, Con., of the Claiborne Eocene, but proportionably narrower.
II. FOSSILS OF THE MIOCENE AND RECENT FORMA-
TIONS OF CALIFORNIA.
CARDIUM, Lin.
15. c. MODESTUM, (N. S.,) Con., pi. 2, fig. 15. — Very small; ribs
about 22, narrow ; concentric wrinkled lines on the disk ; posterior
margin direct, truncated ; umbonal slope angular ; ligament margin
parallel with the basal, and forming nearly a right angle with the
posterior margin.
Locality. — San Diego.
NUCULA, Lam.
16. N. DECISA, (N. S.,) Con., pi. 2, fig. 19. — Suboval or sub-rhom-
boidal, posterior margin obliquely truncated ; disk with devaricating
striae.
Locality. — San Diego, with the preceding.
12 H. Doc. 129.
This species resembles, in its divaricating strise, N. divaricata of
the Oregon Miocene ; but the lines are proportionally larger, and the
shell is smaller and different in outline.
CORBULA.
17. c. DIEGOANA, Con., pi. 2, fig. 16. — Triangular, ventricose, in-
equilateral, extremities subangulated ; anterior margin very oblique,
rectilinear ; posterior margin forming with the ligament margin a
slightly curved line, about equal in obliquity to the anterior margin ;
basal margin profoundly and nearly equally or regularly rounded.
Locality. — Mission of San Diego.
MERETRIX, Lam.
18. M. UNIOMERIS, Con., pi. ii, fig. 20. — Ovate, very inequi-
lateral, convex ; posterior side cuneiform ; ligament margin very
oblique, rectilinear ; posterior extremity truncated, direct ; beak dis-
tant from anterior margin.
Locality. — Monterey county, 18 miles south of Tres Pinos, in sand-
stone.
19. M. DECISA, Con., pi. ii, fig. 27". — Subquadrate, convex, very
inequilateral ; ligament slope very oblique, nearly straight ; posterior
extremity truncated ; cardinal and lateral teeth robust. (Cast.)
Locality. — Ocoya creek, in friable ferruginous coarse sandstone.
(For the associate fossils, see plates vi, vii, and viii.)
20. M. TULARANA,, Con., pi. ii, fig. 22 and 22a. — Suboval or subtri-
angular, inequilateral convex anteriorly ; compressed and cuneiform
posteriorly, anterior extremity acutely rounded and as nearly in a line
with the beak as the base ; basal margin tumid medially ; posterior
extremity subtruncated.
Locality. — Tulare valley.
[NOTE. — This specimen is a clay cast, and was found in a boulder
that had been washed down from the hills at the head of the Tulare
valley, about twenty miles west of the Canada de las Uvas.
W. P. B.]
TELLINA, Lin.
21. T. DIEGOANA, Con., pi. ii, fig. 28. — Ovate-eliptical, compressed,
inequilateral, concentrically striated. Slope carinated ; posterior ex-
tremity suddenly produced or rostrated, and below the posterior basal
margin.
Locality. — San Diego, in sandstone.
22. T. CONGESTA, Con., pi. ii, fig. 14, 18, 21. — Subtriangu-
lar, ventricose, inequilateral ; anterior margin obliquely truncated ;
anterior basal margin sub-rectilinear, oblique, extremity angulated,
H. Doc. 129. 13
much above the line of the base ; posterior margin and posterior basal
' margin regularly rounded.
Localities. — Monterey ; Mission of San Diego ; Carmello.
This interesting species is very abundant at Monterey, in indurated
drab-colored clay. There is merely a chalky trace of the shell re-
maining. It occurs in a somewhat similar rock at Carmello, and in
sandstone at San Diego. Figure 21 is from San Diego; 22 from
Monterey, and 23 from Carmello.
23. T. PEDROA^A, (N. S.,) Con., pi. 2, fig. 17. — Subtriangular, in-
equilateral, compressed ; anterior dorsal margin oblique, rectilinear ;
anterior extremity truncated, posterior margin regularly rounded,
basal margin subrectilinear.
Locality. — San Pedro. Kecent formation.
A thin smooth species, of which only one valve was obtained.
A RCA, Lin.
24. A. MICRODONTA, Con., pi. 2, fig, 29. — Rhomboidal, ventricose,
thick in substance ; anterior side very short ; umbonal slope rounded.
Bibs 25, prominent, narrow, wider posteriorly, except on the posterior
slope, where they are small and not prominent, about five in number.
Cardinal teeth small, numerous, closely arranged, larger towards the
extremities. Inner margin profoundly dentate ; dorsal area rather
wide and marked with about six impressed lines ; beaks distant.
Locality. — Tulare valley? Miocene.
There is but one valve in the collection, and it has some resem-
blance to A. arata, Say, of the Maryland Miocene. The locality is
given by Mr. Blake with a mark of doubt.
TAPES.
25. T. DIVERSUM, Sow., pi. ii, fig. 24, 24a, and 26. — Obtusely oval
or suborbiculary ventricose, inequilateral ; disk with numerous radiat-
ing prominent strise or ribs, and concentric wrinkled lines, which are
profound anteriorly ; posterior margin nearly direct, obtusely rounded
or subtruncated ; inner margin with small crenulations ; ligament
plate broad and profoundly indented.
Locality. — San Pedro, in calcareous marl. Eecent formation.
SAX1CAVA, Fltur de Bell.
26. s. ABRUPTA, Con., pi. ii, fig. 25 and 25«. — Suboval, ventricose,
inequilateral ; concentrically wrinkled ; anterior margin obtusely
rounded obliquely inwards ; posterior extremity truncated, direct,
dorsal and basal margin nearly parallel.
Locality. — San Pedro. Recent formation,
PETRICOLA, Lam.
27. P. PEDROANA, Con., pi. ii, fig. 23. — Elliptical, profoundly ine-
quilateral, compressed, undulated concentrically, and with very minute
closely-arranged radiating lines.
14 H. Doc. 129.
Locality. — Occurs with the preceding shell. Recent formation.
One broken valve of this species occurred in the same specimen of
rock in which they had bored. Some specimens of the Saxicava are
entire, and fill the cavities they have formed, when living.
SCHIZOTHCERUS, Conrad.
28. s. NUTTALLI, Con., pi. iii, fig. 33 and 33a. — Ovate, ventricose,
gaping widely posteriorly ; moderately thick in substance ; anterior
side short, abruptly rounded at the extremity ; posterior side elongated,
extremely truncated ; dorsal line slightly concave ; umbo not promi-
nent ; basal margin profoundly rounded ; hinge-plate broad, cartilage
pit large, obliquely ovate, profound ; cardinal teeth in the left valve
two, one in the right valve ; anterior cardinal plate broad, with an
angular depression throughout its entire length, posterior one narrow,
with a deep angular channel in which is a bifid plate in the right
valve; cavity of shell and umbo profound.
Locality. — San Pedro in calcareous marl. Recent formation. — W.
P. Blake.
I have referred this shell to the same genus in which I placed
Lutraria Nuttalli of the California coast. The hinge is very similar to
that of Lutraria, but the long deep channels of the hinge are similar
to those of L. Nuttalli, the animal of which differs from that of Lutraria.
I do not know of any recent species of the latter genus in California.
LUTRARIA? Lam.
29. L. TRASKEI, Con., pi. iii, fig. 30. — Suboval, ventricose, inequi-
lateral, hinge and basal margin nearly parallel ; posterior margin
subtruncated and slightly oblique, or approaching a direct outline ;
posterior extremity rounded.
Locality. — Carmello. Miocene? (Received from John B. Trask,
by whom it was collected. — W. P. S.)
MACTRA, Lin.
30. M. DIEGOANA, Con., pi. iv, fig. 35. — Triangular ventricose, ine-
quilateral, anterior side oblique, rectilinear ; umbonal slope carinated
and nearly terminal ; basal margin profoundly and regularly rounded.
Locality. — San Diego. Miocene?
This species is nearly allied to M. albaria of the Oregon Miocene,
which probably belongs to the same rock as the present species. The
concentric ridges represented in the figure are caused by weathering,
as the disk was originally smooth.
MODIOLA, Lam.
31. M. CONTRACTA, Con., pi. iv, fig 35. — Elongated, narrowed, an-
teriorly, contracted submedially; basal margin widely contracted;
disk with numerous minute radiating lines.
Locality. — Monterey Co., 18 miles S. of Tres Pimos. Recent forma-
tion.
A portion of the shell remains, showing traces of fine radiating
lines. Miocene?
H. Doc. 129. 15
MYTILUS, Lin.
32. M. PEDROANUS, Con. , pi. — , fig. 40. — Oblong-subovate, ventricose,
dorsal line undulated medially, angle rounded; beak projecting slightly
beyond the basal margin ; posterior extremity rounded ; basal margin
rectilinear.
'Locality, — San Pedro. Recent formation.
PECTEN, Lin.
33. P. DESERTI, Con., pi. — , fig. 41. — Suborbicular, both valves
convex; ribs about 23, rounded, somewhat flattened toward the base,
about as wide as the interstices ; in the lower valve much wider than
the interstices, and the valve more convex than the opposite one ; ears
equal in the upper valve ; left ear of lower valve extended downwards
and very obliquely striated; cartilage pit profound; a submarginal
channel parallel with the upper margin.
Locality, — Carrizo creek, Colorado desert. Miocene.
ANOMIA, Lin.
34. A. SUBCOSTATA, Con., pi. — , fig. 34. — Obtusely ovate, thick in
substance, umbo of larger valve ventricose, hinge thickened ; surface
of this valve obtusely undulated concentrically and marked with
waved, wrinkled, very irregular interrupted ribs, not much raised
except toward the base, where they are larger and somewhat tuberculi-
form, upper valve entire, or with obsolete radii toward the base.
Locality. — Carrizo creek, Colorado desert. Miocene.
Allied to A. Ruffinl of the Virginia Miocene, but thicker, less ex-
panded, and with the radii more numerous and more rib-like.
OSTREA, Lin.
35. o. VESPERTINA, Con., pi. — , figs. 36, 37, 38. — Ovate, subfalcate,
lower valve plicated or ribbed more or less profoundly; hinge long and
wide, sharp and somewhat pointed ; ligament cavity wide, profound,
minutely wrinkled ; margins abrupt ; cavity not very deep ; muscular
impression large, impressed ; upper valve flat, irregular, plicated on
the margin; a submarginal furrow, slightly impressed, crenulated
nearly to its basal curve, profoundly crenulated towards the hinge.
Locality. — Carrizo creek. Miocene.
0. vespertina. Con. Jour. Acad. Nat. Sc., new series, vol 2, part 4,
p. 300.
This species is very similar in form and plications to 0. subfalcata,
Con., of the Virginia Miocene.
36. o. HEERMANI, Con. Acad. Nat. Sc., Philadelphia. — Very irregu-
lar in form, thick, ovate and often dilated ; lower valve shallow ; ex-
terior very irregular, with large distant angular radiating ribs, and
with pits, irregular cavities ; cartilage pit broad and oblique ; upper
valve flat or concave, with a profoundly irregular surface. Length
5f inches, height 6^ inches.
Locality. — Carrizo creek, Colorado desert. Dr. Heermann.
16 H. Doc. 129.
This large oyster shell probably belongs to the same deposit which
contains 0. vespertina and Anomia subcostata. The surfaces of most
specimens have a resemblance to worm-eaten wood, having been evi-
dently sculptured by some marine animal.*
PENITELLA. ^
37. P. SPELCEUM, Con., pi. — , 43, 43a, 43&. — Ovate, ventricose,
anteriorly inflated with fine radiating lines and transverse wrinkles,
transverse furrow medial, angular, slightly oblique; posterior side
cruneiforrn, truncated at the extremity, which is direct, and with
prominent, acute, wrinkled concentric lines; front dorsal margin
widely recurved, trisulcate; cardinal plate broad, sulcated process
slender, direct.
Locality. — San Pedro. Recent formation.
No trace of the coriaceous cup, characteristic of this genus, remains
in the collection. It is widely distinct from the recent species of the
California coast, P. jpenita, Conrad.
FISSURELLA, Lam.
38. F. CRENULATA, Sow., pi. — , fig. 44. — Oblong subovate, slightly-
contracted laterally opposite the foramen . Shell with numerous radia-
ting conspicuous compressed lines ; foramen large, subovate, not
nearly central ; inner margin crenulated, thickened basal margin
sinous ; inner margin of foramen broadly callous ; cavity profound.
F. crenulata, Sowerby, Zankerville catalogue.
Locality. — San Pedro. Recent formation. This is the largest fossil
species I have seen.
CREPIDULA, Lam. CRYPTA, Humph.
39. c. PRINCEPS, Con., pi. — , fig. 52. — Oblong, ovate, thick and
ponderous, contracted or compressed superiorly ; upper side or por-
tion of the shell sloping ; back regularly rounded ; beak prominent,
rounded, laterally curved ; apex distant from the margin of the aper-
ture ; diaphragm very large, with a very sinuous margin.
Locality. — Santa Barbara. Recent formation.
This is the largest species that has come under my observation, and
is very distinct from any that has yet been described.
NARICA.
40. N. DIEGOANA, Con.,pl. — , fig. 39. — Subglobose, sides flattened;
obtuse above.
Locality. — San Diego. Miocene?
Partially embedded in the rock and its form not accurately de-
termined.
* These specimens were picked up by Dr. Heerman in the bed of the creek, and were un-
doubtedly derived from a portion of the stratum of shells that I found in situ.
W. P. BLAKE.
H. Doc. 129. 17
TROCHITA, Schum.
41. T. DIEGOAXA, Con., pi. — , fig. 42. — Conical ; volutions three,
rounded, smooth ; body whorl ventricose.
Locality. — Occurs with the preceding. Miocene?
CRUCIBULUM, Shum.
42. c. SPIXOSUM, Con., pi. — , fig. 46. — Moderately elevated, suhoval,
armed with numerous prominent spines in radiating series ; spines
smaller, and the series more closely arranged anteriorly ; apex sub-
central? prominent, acute ; shell with concentric wrinkles.
Calyptrcea spinosa ? — Soiuerby.
Locality. — San Diego? Recent on the coast of Peru.
NASSA, Lam.
43. x. IXTASTRIATA, Con., pi. — , fig. 49. — Ovate-acute; whorls 5£
rounded, cancellated ; longitudinal strife nodulous, except towards
the base of body whorl ; a deep sulcus behind the beak, two upper
volutions entire ; labrum striated within ; spire conical, longer than
the aperture.
Locality. — San Pedro. Recent formation.
The surface of this shell is roughened by a tubercle on the longi-
tudinal, at each intersection of the revolving lines.
44. x. PEDROAXA, Con., pi. — , fig. 48. — Subfusiform, smooth; vo-
lutions rounded, spire conical, longer than the aperture, which is ellip-
tical ; columella very regularly concave.
Locality. — Occurs with the preceding. Recent formation.
This small species resembles Nassa lunata, Say, as the preceding
approximate N. trivittata, Say. This is very remarkable, as the two
latter are recent shells of the Atlantic coast, associated with each
other, both in the sea and in the Miocene deposits of Virginia and
Maryland.
STREPHONA, Broicne. OLIVA, Lam.
45. s. PEDROAXA, Con., pi. — , fig. 51. — Small, elliptical; spire
conical, about equal in length to the aperture ; base of columella with
a prominent fold.
Locality. — Occurs with the preceding. Recent formation.
A small abundant species, sometimes water- worn, without any pro-
minent character, except the fold at the base which is more conspicuous,
considering the size of the shell, than is usual in the genus.
LITTORINA, Ferr.
46. L. PEDROAXA, Con., pi. — , fig. 50. — Suboval; spire very short;
body whorl abruptly rounded above; aperture obliquely subovate.
Locality. — Occurs with the preceding. Recent formation.
STRAMONITA, Shum. PURPURA, Lorn.
47. s. PETROSA, Con., pi. — , fig. 47 and 47«. — Subglobose; whorls
4, subangulated ; body whorl with 3 revolving rows of distant tuber-
18 H. Doc. 129.
1
cles, and flattened at the summit. Spire conical ; penultimate whorl
with one series of tubercles.
Locality. — Tulare Valley. (Found with Meretrix Tularana, Con.,
pi. ii, fig. 22 and 32a. Both specimens are clay casts, hut very
perfect.— W. P. 5.)
III. TERTIARY SHELLS OF THE ISTHMUS OF DARIEN.
MIOCENE :
Mr. Blake has forwarded me casts of three bivalves. They are
forms which are new to me, and probably Miocene species. The
Gratelupia, except in being truncated posteriorly, much resembles G '.
Hydeana, Conrad, an Eocene fossil.
GRATELUP1A? Desmoulins.
48. G. ? MACTIIOPSIS, Con., pi. — , fig. 54. — Triangular, inequila-
teral; dorsal margins equally oblique, straight; basal margin rounded
anteriorly, slightly curved, posteriorly, posterior extremity truncated,
direct, considerably above the line of the base.
Locality. — Isthmus of Darien.
MERETRIX.
49. M. DABIENA, Con., pi. — , fig. 55. — Obtusely and obliquely sub-
ovate; ventricose; inequilateral; anterior extremity angulated and
situated much nearer the beak than the base; anterior dorsal line
straight and oblique ; beak not prominent ; basal and posterior mar-
gins profoundly rounded.
Locality. — Occurs with the preceding.
TELLIIVA, Lin.
50. T. DARIENA, Con., pi. — , fig. 53. — Subtriangular, compressed;
anterior hinge-margin rectilinear, very oblique, extremity truncated,
direct; posterior extremity regularly rounded ; base moderately curved.
Locality. — Occurs with the preceding.
IV. MIOCENE FOSSILS FROM OCOYA CREEK.
The following are descriptions of some of the fossils from Ocoya
creek, (Pose creek,) which occur only as casts. The collection con-
tains many of these casts, but the descriptions are principally based
upon the drawings made at the locality by Mr. Blake.
NATICA.
51. N. OCOYANA, Con., pi. vi, fig. 57. — Spire conical, volutions three
or four, rounded on the sides, depressed above ; body whorl very wide,
depressed.
Locality. — Ocoya creek. — W. P. Blake.
52. N. GENICULATA, Con., pi. vi, fig. 6*7. — Globose, volutions angu-
lated above : spire short, conical ; body whorl contracted near the
summit.
Locality. — Ocoya creek. — W. P. Slake.
H. Doc. 129. 19
Resembles N. alveata, Con., of the California Eocene. (See p. 10.)
BULLA.
53. B. JUGULARIS, Conrad, pi. vi, fig. 62, 62a, 62ft. — Oblong elon-
gated, much contracted toward the apex; acutely rounded at the base.
Locality. — Ocoya creek. — W. P. Blake.
PLEUROTOMA.
54. P. TRAXSMONTANA, Conrad, pi. vi, fig. 69. — Fusiform, with ru-
gose revolving lines and distant short longitudinal undulations on the
body whorl ; volutions of the spire rounded; longitudinally undulated.
Locality. — Ocoya creek. — W. P. Blake.
55. P. OCOYANA, Conrad, pi. vi, fig. 71. — Short fusiform body,
whorl ventricose, contracted near the suture, surface marked with re-
volving lines and numerous longitudinal furrows.
Locality. — Ocoya creek. — W. P. Blake.
SYCOTOPUS.
56. s. OCOYANUS, Conrad, pi. vi, fig. 72. — Spire depressed; whorls
flattened above ; shoulder sub-angulated, sides somewhat flattened,
columella profoundly rounded above and concave below.
Locality. — Ocoya creek. — W. P. Blake.
TURRITELLA.
57. T. OCOYANA, Conrad, pi. vii, figs. 73, 73a, 73ft. — Volutions 13
or 14, straight at the sides, rounded at base, and having well marked
revolving lines, base broad; volutions suddenly tapering to the apex.
Locality. — Ocoya creek. — W. P. Blake.
COLUS.
58. c. ARCTATUS, Conrad, pi. vii, fig. 76. — Narrow fusiform whorls
rounded ; beak very slender, somewhat sinuous.
Locality. — Ocoya creek, Cal. — W. P. Blake.
TELLINA.
59. T. OCOYANA, Conrad, pi. vii, fig. 75.— Elliptical compressed in-
equilateral ; posterior extremity acutely rounded, much above the line
of the base ; anterior end somewhat acutely rounded ; cardinal teeth
robust.
PECTEN.
60. p. NEVADANTJS, Conrad, pi. vii, fig. 77. Ovate, flat or slightly
concave; ribs 17? large, flattened on the back; interstices strongly
wrinkled transversely.
This shell is so much nearly allied to N. Humphreysii of Maryland,
that, taken in connexion with P. Catittifornis, pi. viii, it may be
regarded as a Miocene species. The strata in which they occur maj
safely be referred to that period.
Locality. — Ocoya creek. — W. P. Blake.
20 H. Doc. 129.
61. P. CATILLIFORNIS, Conrad, pi. viii, fig. 83. — Orbicular plano-
convex, with radiating stride and distinct rounded ribs; ears equal.
Locality. — Ocoya creek. — W. P. Slake.
This large Pecten has such a general resemblance to P. Madisonius,
Say, of the Virginia Miocene, that I have no doubt it existed at the
same period, or at least after the Eocene. There is none such now
living on the coast of California, and none in the Eocene, of this group
of large Pectens, which occur almost everywhere in the Miocene
deposits of the Atlantic slope.
In addition to the above described species, there are many specimens
and drawings in which the specific characters are not preserved with
sufficient distinctness for description. Among these are individuals
of the genera Cardium? or Area, Solen, Dosinia and Venus.
REMARKS IN CONCLUSION.
BT W. P. BLAKE.
From this report by Mr. Conrad, we find that in the collection of
61 determinable species, 55 are new and are now described for the first
time. Of these, 10 are from one locality at the southern extremity of
the Tulare valley, at the entrance to the pass called the Canada de
las Uvas. They are considered to be of the age of the Eocene by
Mr. Conrad, who notes the similarity between three of the species and
those of the Alabama Eocene deposits at Claiborne. — (See Mr. Con-
rad's letter.) These fossils were imbedded in a boulder of compact
sandstone that had been washed out of the ravine of the pass by floods.
The rock was not found in situ at that point, but a few miles to the
westward a similar rock occurs in place, and is replete with fossils.
These are believed to be the first fossils of Eocene age that have been
procured from the Pacific slope of the United States.
The sedimentary formations of Ocoya creek (Pose creek) are con-
sidered to be of the age of the Miocene, and twelve new species from
that locality are described. There were numerous specimens of other
species in the collection, which were not sufficiently characteristic for
determination, but which are probably new. Eight new species of
Miocene shells are described from San Diego, and ten of a more recent
formation from San Pedro. These last occur in a bank fronting the
bay, and which is partly undermined by the surf. This bank is filled
with shells, and the principal stratum is about 30 feet above tide.
The fossils from the sandstones along Carrizo creek, near the point
where it spreads out and is lost in the desert, are all new and of Mio-
cene age.
The Miocene formation appears, therefore, to flank the Peninsula
Sierra on both sides in the latitude of San Diego, and to underlie the
alluvial deposits or delta of the Colorado. There is a remarkable dif-
ference in the appearance of the fossils on the east and west sides of
this chain. Those on the desert side form a stratum four or five feet
thick of shells alone, consisting almost wholly of the genera Ostrea,
H, Doc. 129. . 21
Anomia and Pecten ;. while on the west side, bordering the Pacific,
there is a greater variety of genera and species ; shells of the genera
Cardium, Nucula, Corbula, Tellina, Mactra, Naricaand Trochita being-
abundant. An interesting relationship between the existing and fossil
shells of the Gailf side of the chain is indicated, and it is probable
that the crest of the chain divided the waters of the Gulf and the
Pacific during the Miocene era.
At the pass of San Fernando, between Los Angeles and the gra-
nitic mountains, the sandstone strata contain numerous fossils, and
fragments of shells belonging to the genera Ostrea, Pecten, and
Turritella were procured. These, being imperfect, have not been
specifically described by Mr. Conrad.
At Navy Point, Benicia, I obtained several casts of shells in an im-
perfect state, and, also, a small shark's tooth. The shells were pro-
bably of the genera Trochus and Turritella. Numerous specimens of
lignite were also found at that place, imbedded in the compact sand-
stone.
At San Francisco, on the west side of the peninsula, near the
lagoon on the beach, numerous specimens of fossil Spatangi are
thrown up by the surf. They are inclosed in a matrix of bluish-green
sand, resembling in color and composition the blue sandstone of the
bay. It is, however, more friable, and seems to consist of the debris
of the strata.
The town of Monterey is built over the line of junction of the
granite of Point Pinos, with an extensive series of tertiary strata, re-
markable for containing immense deposits of the remains of Infusoria.
These remains form white beds of siliceous earth, intercalated with
semi-opaline strata of a very compact texture. They are now up-
raised nearly 500 feet above the water of the bay. Portions of the
underlying strata — those in which the Tellina congesta, Con., occurs
so abundantly — are also charged with small chambered shells, (Poly-
thalamia, Foraminifera of D'Orbigny,) and offer a rich treat to the
micro-geologist. With the aid of a glass thousands of these little
shells can be seen on the fractured surfaces of the rock.
From this report, and the preceding remarks, it will be seen that
fossils in sufficient numbers to determine the geological age of the de-
posits in which they occur have been obtained from many and dis-
tant points on the Pacific coast.
The occurrence of Eocene strata at one point has been satisfactorily
established. We also find that the Miocene division of the tertiary
formations is extensively developed, over broad areas, in California,
flanking nearly all the great lines of elevation, not only in the coast
mountains, but in the interior, along the borders of the San Joaquin
and Tulare valleys. Further observations are required to connect,
chronologically, the Miocene deposits along Ocoya creek with the ex-
tensive, and in many respects similar, strata further north, along the
Tuolumne and Stanislaus rivers.
22
H. Doc. 129.
ARTICLE II.
CATALOGUE OF SHELLS COLLECTED IN CALIFORNIA BY W. P. BLAKE
WITH DESCRIPTIONS OF THE NEW SPECIES, BY AUGUSTUS A.
GOULD, M. D.
The collection consists of fresh-water shells from the Colorado desert
and other localities ; and of marine shells from the coast between San
Francisco and San Diego. The new species are indicated in the cata-
logue by an asterisk. (*)
CATALOGUE.
No.
Name.
Locality.
1
2
Do
3
Pecten (3)
Do
4
5
6
7
8
Tapes grata, Say, T. discors., Sowb., (straminea,
San Pedro.
g
Do
10
H
1°
13
Do
14
Do
15
San Diego.
Ifi
San Pedro.
17
San Diego.
18
Petricola cylindracea, Desh, (P. carditoides,
19
•>n
Colorado Desert.
91
San Francisco.
99
San Pedro.
93
Lottia in it IM . Brod
Do.
94
Caly ptrea hispida, Brod
San Pedro — San Diego.
95
Crepidula incurva, Brod
San Pedro.
<>fi
Bulla nebulosa, Gould
San Dieo'o.
9,7
Bulla (Haminea^ virescens, Sow
Do.
98
*Bulla (Haminea) vesicula, Gould
Do.
99
*Bulla (Tornatina) inculta, Gould
Do.
30
Do.
31
Do.
39
Littorina, (undetermined).
33
Melampus, (undetermined)
Do.
34
San Pedro.
35
*Potamis pullatus, Gould
San Diego.
3fi
Colorado Desert.
37
*Amnicola longinnua., Gould
Do.
38
*Planorbis ammon, Gould.
Colorado Desert — Ocoya Creek.
39
*Physa humerosa, Gould
Colorado Desert.
4(1
Succinea, (undetermined)
Ocoya Creek.
H. Doc. 129. 23
The following are descriptions of species believed to be new. Two
or three species are left undetermined in consequence of the specimens
being imperfect, or the means, for deciding being deficient :
FOSSIL FRESH-WATER SHELLS FROM THE COLORADO
DESERT.
PHYSA HUMEROSA, Gould.
T. solidula, subrhomboidea, polita; spira acuta, anfractibus 5 tabu-
latis; apertura \ ad f long, test adequans, portice obtusa; labro
expanse, columella vix plicata. — PI. — ,fig. — .
Shell rather large and solid, subrhomboidal, polished ; all the
specimens seen, (quite numerous, and apparently not weathered,}
porcelain white. Whorls five, each with a broad square shoulder,
and forming an elevated, acute spire, aperture usually about two-
thirds the length of the shell, sometimes but little over one-half ; pos-
terior angle obtusely rounded ; outer lip slightly flaring ; when
viewed in profile it is slightly advanced posteriorly so as to form a
recess at the junction ; pillar without any conspicuous fold, thickly
covered with enamel, broadly rounded and expanded at the base.
Umbilical region nearly perforate.
Length on an ordinary specimen, half an inch ; breath, three-eighths
of an inch ; length of a variety, seven-tenths of an inch.
Found in the Colorado desert, by W. P. Blake, also at Pecos River,
by Dr. T. H. Webb.
The broadly tabulated whorls, with the acute, elevated spire and
folded pillar,, clearly distinguish this species. P. tabulata, Gould,
from New Zealand, is similar, as well as some varieties of P. ancilla-
ria, Say, as figured by Haldeman, especially his figure 7, wbich he
designates as a monstrosity ; but the spire is more elevated, and the
deep suture always renders the whorls distinct, and the absence of a
columellar fold is a still further distinctive mark. It would be diffi-
cult to distinguish the young by themselves from several other species,
though they begin to show the angularity of the whorls quite early.
PLANORBIS AMMON, Gould.
T. magna, discoidea, subconica, subtiliter, striata ; latere sinistro-
late et profunde, concaio, anfractus quatuor obtuse angulatos exhibente ;
latere dextro excavate, anfractus duos cum dimidis ostendente ; apertu-
ra ovata-triangularis, interdum utioque valde expansa. PI. — , fig. — .
Shell discoidal, attaining a large size, delicately striated, of a wa-
tery white color ; when laid upon the right side, the shell has a
remarkably conical or dome-shaped aspect, the extreme periphery
being in a plane with the right side, or base, from which the whorl
gradually slopes upwards, terminating at the summit in a broad and
deep concavity, exhibiting four well marked, obtusely angulated
whorls ; the right side is decidedly concave, exhibiting two and a
half or three well rounded volutions. Aperture ovate-triangular, in
24 H. Doc. 129.
middle-sized specimens projecting about equally to either side, in
small specimens projecting to the right side only, and in the largest,
spreading amply to both sides, and especially the right, where it ex-
pands and forms a remarkable ear-shaped aperture.
Diameter of the disk, in the middle-sized specimens, five-eighths of
an inch, and in the largest, one inch ; axial dimater of the first, one-
fourth of an inch, of the latter, half an inch; and in one specimen
the breadth of the aperture, from side to side, is five-eights of an inch.
Locality. — Found in the Colorado desert ; and also by Dr. Webb.
I have associated specimens differing greatly in size and in develop-
ment of the aperture, but all agreeing in the peculiar slope of the
outer volution, giving a conical outline when lying on the side. The
fully developed specimens have the general aspect of P. corpulentus,
Say ; but besides the form of the volution and the consequent shape
of the aperture, that shell is more coarsely striated, and the whorls
on the right side lie nearly in the same place, and on the left side but
two whorls appear. It differs from P. trivolois, Say., in nearly the
same particulars. In external surface it is more like P. glabratus, Say.
AMNICOLA PROTEA, Gould.
T. parva, elongta, gracilis variabilus ; anfractibus 7-8 convexis,
profunde", discretis, simplicibus, vel filis volentibus et costis longitu-
dinalibus varie ornatis et clathratis ; apertura ovata ; labro continue ,
simplici, anfracturn penultimum vix attigente. PI. — , fig. — .
Shell small, turretted, slender, greatly elongated, chalky white,
(so far as seen_,) variously proportioned, composed of seven or eight
whorls, which are either convexly rounded or broadly shouldered,
and separated by a deep suture — the surface either smooth through-
out or more frequently sculptured with revolving threads or longitu-
dinal ribs or decussated by both in various proportions, the upper
whorls being in nearly every instance decussated, aperture ovate, lip
simple, continuous, generally detached from, or scarcely appressed to
the penultimate whorl, in many instances leaving an umbilical chink.
Largest specimens three-tenths of an inch long and half an inch
broad.
Found in the Colorado desert; also by Dr. T. H. Webb.
This species is peculiar on account of its elongated, slender form,
and differs from the other species of the genus yet described in being
variously sculptured with revolving ridges and longitudinal folds
like many of the Melanise. It varies greatly also in its relative pro-
portions of length and breadth. It is as slender as A. attenuata., Hal-
deman, and much larger.
AMNICOLA LONG1NQUA, Gould.
T. parva, elongato-ovata Irevis, apice obtuso, spirx anfractibus
quinque rotundatis, sutura profunda discretis: apertura elliptica.
postice, rotundata; columella profunde arcuata. PI. — , fig. — .
Shell small, elongate ovate, horn-colored, (or blanched chalky white^)
surface quite smaoth ; apex obtuse, whorls five, well rounded and sep-
H. Doc. 129.
arated by a deep suture. Aperture elliptical, broadly rounded poste-
riorly; lip simple, copiously incrusting the pillar margin, which is
profoundly arcuate; umbilical region nearly perforate.
Length one-eighth of an inch, breadth one-tenth of an inch.
Found in the Colorado desert.
In form it is much like A. Cincinnatiensls, Haldeman. or like A.
galbana.
II. MARINE SHELLS FROM THE COAST.
POTAMIS PULLATUS, Gould.
Testa turrita. gracilis, solida, rudis furco-cinerea; anfract, ad 10
convexiusculis, plicis cerciter 10 convexiusculis, arcuatis compressis
instructis, et filis ad 5 volventibus cinctis; tribus ultimis varice
munitis: apertura parva, subcircularis, nitide rufo-nigra; basi vix
effuso et contorto ; labro expanse. PI. — , fig. — .
Shell elongated, turreted, slender, solid, rough, and dusky, com-
posed of ten closely revolving moderately convex whorls, ornamented
with about 16 longitudinal curved, compressed folds, and about five
revolving threads, which usually form beads where they crown the
folds; the three anterior whorls are fortified with a strong varix,
about two-thirds of a volution distant from each other. Aperture
small, nearly circular, slightly produced and contorted at base, very
dark and glossy liver-brown within ; lip roundly overted.
Length 1^ inch, breadth two-fifths of an inch.
Locality. — Brought from San Diego by Dr. Tho. H. Webb and
Wm. P. Blake.
This shell is apparently very common, and yet I find no description
answering to it. From P. sacratum, Gould, it may be distinguished
by its small and dark colored aperture, and the longitudinal folds.
It is much like P. iostoma, Pfeitter, a Cuban species. Some of the
specimens are very much more slender than others.
PHASIANELLA COMPTA, Gould.
Testa parva, solida, ovato-conica, imperforata, polita, cinerascens,
lineis minutis oblique volventibus olivaceis ornata; spira acuta; an-
fractibus quatuor rotundatis; ultimo ad peripheriam obtuse angulato,
et interdum tessellatem fasciato : apertura circularis; labro tenui, alvo;
columella alba, compressa; faucibus callo albo incrassatis. PI. — ,
fig.—.
Shell small, solid, ovate, imperforate, smooth and shining, ashy
white, minutely and closely lineated in an obliquely spiral manner
with olive green. Whorls four, well rounded, forming an acute spire,
the outer one obstusely angular at periphery, where there is some-
times a delicate catenated range of white and olive spots, aperture
nearly circular; lip very thin, showing the lineations on the inner
margin; throat coated with bluish white enamel; pillar flattened;
white. Operculuni patelliform, ivory-like, the outer convex surface
marbled black and white; the inner surface black. PI. — , fig. — .
Length one-fourth of an inch; diameter one-fifth of an inch.
26 H. Doc, 129.
Locality. — Found at San Diego by Mr. Blake and also by Mr. Webb.
This pretty little shell is usually more or less coated with cretaceous
matters, but when cleaned exhibit a beautifully lineated surface, pe-
culiar on account of the lines running so nearly in the ordinary direc-
tion of revolving stria3. The coloration, however, sometimes consists
of olive and white tessellations and blotches. It would accord pretty
well with P. perforata, Philippi, did it not lack the distinguishing
mark of that species, its perforation.
BULLA (TORNATINA) INCULTA, Gould.
Testa minuta, solidula eburnea elongato-ovalis, longitudinaliter
minutessime striata; spiraelevata; anfractibus quatuor tabulatis; aper-
tura linearis, octantes, septem lorigitudines testae adequans, antice
dilatata, postice rotundata; labro incurvato; columella satis arcuata,,
callossa uniplicata. PI. — , fig. — .
Shell minute, solid, ivory white, elongated-oval, minutely striated
longitudinally; spire elevated, consisting of about four tabulated
whorls. Aperture about seven-eighths the length }f the shell, not
attaining the end of the outer whorl, linear, constricted at the middle
and somewhat dilated anteriorly, posterior angle rounded; pillar mod-
erately arcuate, usually presenting a well marked fold at the anterior
fourth and well coated with enamel.
Length one-eighth; breadth one-twelfth of an inch.
Locality. — San Diego.
May be best compared with B. fusiformis, A. Adams, and is also
very closely allied to B. obstincta, Gould. The spire varies much in
elevation, sometimes, indeed, being on a level with the outer whorl.
The form of the whorl shell is also more or less cylindrical.
BULLA (HAMINEA) VESICULA, Gould.
Testa parva, fragilis ovato-globosa, palide citrina, postice truncata;
apertura spiram superans, longitudene duplo adequans, antice et pos-
tice bene rotundata; columella profund£ arcuta, vix callosa. PL — ,
fig. — .
Shell small, fragile, ovate globose, pale greenish yellow; body of
the shell small, truncate at summit; outer whorl large; aperture about
twice the length of the body of the shell, and projecting above it,
broadly rounded both posteriorly and anteriorly; outer lip inflexed
at the middle; pillar profoundly arcuate, with a narrow delicate
callus.
Length ; breadth
Locality. — Brought from San Diego by Mr. Blake.
It has about the size and general appearance of B. rotounda, A.
Adams, but has not so large a body, and is more open anteriorly; in
this latter respect it is more like B. Natalensis, a much larger shell.
CARDIUM CRUENTATUM, Gould.
Testa parva, tenuis, transversim rotundato-ovata, rentricosa, in-
equilateralis, polita, straminea, ad aream dorsalem posticam rufo
H. Doc. 129. 27
tincta, lineis radiantibus crebsis vix insculpta ; umbonibus eminent-
ibus obtusis ; extremitatibus rotundatis, rufo, biradiatis ; intus citrina,
sanguineo conspersa; margine argente crenulato. PL — , fig. — .
Shell small, thin inequilateral, rounded ovate, moderately ventri-
cose, surface smooth and shining, with very delicate lines of growth,
and numerous, indistinct, radiating strise, more distinct posteriorly
and near the margin ; anterior and broadly rounded ; posterior end
narrowed, semi-rhomboidal, the dorsal mar gin rather rapidly declining;
color pale lemon, or straw-color, somewhat discolored or blotched
with rufous, the beaks biradiate with brown, and the posterior dorsal
area brownish ; interior bright lemon-color, beautifully stained with
dark liver-brown, especially near the beaks and posteriorly ; inner
margin minutely crenulated. Height and length five-eighths of an
inch ; breadth three-eighths of an inch.
Locality. — Inhabits San Pedro. — Win. P. Blake.
Compared with C. Elenense, Sowb., it is much less elevated and
differently colored, though the general characters are very closely
allied. It is more like C. Mortoni, Con., but is less solid, more inequi-
lateral, less truncate posteriorly and more freely colored within, and
the internal margin in that shell is not crenulated.
TAPES GRACILIS, Gould.
Testa parva, tenuis, inequilateralis, elongato-ovata, albida, obsolete,
fusco radiata, ad aream dorsalem posticam fuscata, concentrice, strio-
lata; extremitatibus rotundatis, extr. antico acutiore ; intus Candida.
PI. - fig. -.
Shell small, thin, transversely elongate-ovate, rather compressed,
beaks, at the anterior third, whitish, with traces of dusky radiations
on the disks, and clouded with dusky or the dorsal areas ; surface
with very fine concentric lines of growth, coarser at the ends ; extrem-
ities rounded, the posterior somewhat obliquely, the anterior narrower
and somewhat more acute ; anterior dorsal area depressed, without
any line of demarcation ; interior white.
Length three-fourths of an inch ; height half an inch ; breadth an
eighth.
Locality. — Brought from San Pedro by Mr. Blake.
Belongs to the group with T. Florida and geographica, but in less
inequilateral and less angular than those shells. It may grow
much larger than the present specimen, and is pretty certain to vary
in coloring.
' In addition to the preceding are two or three species left undeter-
mined in consequence of imperfect specimens, or because the characters
are not sufficiently marked to render their novelty decisive. The
following remarks may be added in regard to some of these :
(1.) MYTILUS EDULIS, or very closely allied. It seems to differ in
having the dorsal angle at a greater distance from the beak — the pos-
terior dorsal slope more rapidly declining and more curved, as in M.
hamatus — the interior more pearly, and the margin more uniformly
deep black.
Locality. — San Francisco. — W. P. Blake.
28 H. Doc. 129.
(2.) OSTREA. — A small parasitic Oyster, on twigs, probably of G-or-
gonia, usually projecting equally to either side. The form is ellipti-
cal, the under valve having a groove for the twig, with a corresponding
eminence in the upper valve ; sometimes it adheres by but one edge,
and then assumes an oblique, alate form, like Avicula. It ^is quite
thin, lineated, radiately ornamented with fascicles of brown lines.
Locality. — San Diego. — W. P. Blake.
Another oyster from San Diego, about two inches long, narrow and
moderately widening, slightly sigmoid in form, its margins simple and
the extremity somewhat truncate and undulate or dentate, with by
four or five radiating grooves; shell compact, upper valve purplish.
It occurs in clusters intimately grouped, much like the parasitic
oysters of Carolina, but more elongate, less degitate at the end, less
cavernous under the beak, and less black within.
Locality. — San Diego. — IV. P. Blake.
(3.) PECTEN. — A large turgid species, like P. gibbus or purpuratus,
and no doubt described. It has about twenty ribs, which are square
and a little broader than the interspaces, which are scaly.
Locality. — San Diego. — W. P. Blake.
ARTICLE III.
NOTES UPON SILICIFIED PLANTS FOUND FOSSIL IN CALIFORNIA BY
W. P. BLAKE, GEOLOGIST OF THE EXPEDITION UNDER THE COM-
MAND OF LIEUTENANT R. S. WILLIAMSON.
Among the boulders of syenite, greenstone, and similar rocks piled
in confusion along the banks of Kern river, a short distance below the
ford ; I found a mass of yellow rock, siliceous and jasper y in its char-
acter, that was filled with silicified fossil stems, traversing it in every
direction. These stems were so completely preserved that every cell
and tube was distinctly visible, and the cross fracture showed the or-
ganization beautifully. The diameter of the stems is about half of
an inch, and they vary in length from one to three inches and more ;
but they could not be detached from the rock except in fragments.
The boulder containing these beautiful fossils was about 18 inches
in diameter, and numerous specimens were procured from it. It must
have been transported from the head waters of the river, or from the
sedimentary beds a short distance above, having been broken out b}r
the undermining action of the stream. It is very desirable that the
original locality of these fossils should be discovered and their geolo-
gical associations made known.
It is probable that the examination of the rock in situ would de-
velop many interesting forms not found in these transported masses.
Similar fossils were afterwards found "in place" near the summit
of the Sierra Nevada, [in the pass called the Canada de las Uvas. They
were on the eastern slope, and, therefore, within the limits of the
H. Doc. 129. 29
Great Basin. They constitute beds, with a combined thickness of
several feet, lying interstratified conformably with sandstone strata,
probably of tertiary age. These beds are almost wholly composed of
these stems, closely matted together and twisted in various directions.
The color of the fossils is very different from those on the banks of
Kern river, being a light blueish-grey, while the former are yellow
or drab. Their size is also different ; but in the appearance and char-
acteristics of their organization, as shown by a cross fracture, they
appear to be identical. It is evident that the Kern river boulder was
not derived from this locality, and that another deposit must exist.
Specimens from Kern river have been ground down and polished by
a lapidary, and the internal structure is beautifully displayed by
them.* These specimens, and others from the Great Basin, were
submitted to Professor J. W. Bailey, of the United States Military
Academy at West Point, who has kindly examined them microscopi-
cally, and has drawn an elaborate figure showing their structure.
The following is a copy of his letter accompanying the drawing :
WEST POINT, New York, March 22, 1855.
DEAR SIR : I send herewith a sketch of the structure of the fossil
plant from the boulder in the bed of Kern river, (west slope of the
Sierra Nevada.)
The plants, as far as I can make out the structure, are annual
shoots of an exogenous structure, presenting a distinct pith, (p. in the
drawings) ; medullary rays (r) ; a layer of liber (1) ; and a 'loose
succulent bark (b), having large lacunas (la). In the outer portion of
the wood a series of large vessels, v 1 ; of smaller, v 2 ; and of still
smaller ones, v 3, are placed. I could not detect upon these vessels
any indications of spiral or dot.
The specimens from the east slope of the Sierra agree in all essen-
tial points with the above, the only difference noticed being the devel-
opment of a few large vessels surrounded with woody fibre within the
pithy portion.
I cannot venture with the limited data furnished above to form any
opinion upon the affinities of these plants.
The vertical section, fig. 1, is made up from observations of various
splinters from different parts of the plants which I encased in Canada
balsam. The horizontal section, fig. 2, is from the section made by
the lapidary in New York, which I afterwards rubbed down to half
the thickness the lapidary tad given. The section thus obtained was
as perfect as if from a recent plant. It showed the cells filled with
transparent silica, and in the larger lacunas the arrangement of the-
silica into small spherical agates was distinctly visible.
Yours, very respectfully,
J. W. BAILEY.
W. P. BLAKE, Esq., Washington, D. C.
* Several other sections of these fossils are being prepared, and the results of their examin
ation will be presented in the final report.
30 H. Doc. 129.
ARTICLE IV.
NOTICE OF THE FOSSIL FISHES FOUND IN CALIFORNIA BY WILLIAM P.
BLAKE, GEOLOGIST OF THE UNITED STATES PACIFIC RAILROAD SUR-
VEY UNDER THE COMMAND OF LIEUTENANT R. S. WILLIAMSON,
UNITED STATES TOPOGRAPHICAL ENGINEERS; BY LOUIS AGASSIZ.
Most of the fossil remains of fishes placed in my hands by Mr.
Blake for examination and identification belong to the family of
sharks, one belongs to that of skates, and another is remotely allied
to the family of mackerels. No fossil sharks' teeth having been found
west of the Rocky mountains before, the discovery by Mr. Blake of a
variety of species belonging to several genera of the family of sharks
constitutes one of the most interesting additions to our knowledge
that could have been obtained from that quarter, and the importance
of these fossils to science is further enhanced by the peculiar relations
they bear to similar fossils found in the Atlantic States and in Europe
and to the sharks now living along the shores of the old and of the
new world.
ECHINORHINUS, Blainv.
1. E. BLAKEI, Agassiz, pi. — , fig. — . The most interesting and import-
ant discovery since the publication of the Poissons Fossiles is that of
the tooth of the genus Echinorhinus, in the tertiary deposits of Ocoya
creek, (Pose creek,) at the western base of the Sierra Nevada, Cali-
fornia. The genus Echinorhinus was founded by Blainville for the
Squalus spinosus of Linnaeus, the only species, of the genus thus far
known which inhabits the Mediterranean and the European and
African coasts of the Atlantic.
I figured the teeth of the same genus under the name of Goniodus
for the same species, (see Poissons Fossiles, vol. iii, p. 94, pi. E, fig.
13,) so that this name must give way to the Echinorhinus of Blain-
ville.
The discovery of a fossil species of this genus in the tertiaries of
the western slope of the Sierra Nevada is not only important as carry-
ing back this curious type of sharks to a period older than ours, but
also in disclosing the existence upon the American continent of types
in a fossil state known in the old world only among the living. The
fossil species of Echinorhinus differs from the living, having the main
point of the tooth more prominent, and at the same time shorter, an
appearance which arises from the less prominence of the marginal
denticles. This difference may be distinctly seen by comparing the
figures pi. — , with those of the living species given in Poissons Fos-
siles, pi. E, fig. 13.
SCYMNUS, Cue.
2. s. OCCIDENTALIS, Agassiz. — The few species upon which Cuvier
founded the genus Scymnus have been of late subdivided by M Ciller
and Henle into two genera : Scymnus proper, and Lcemargus ; all of
H. Doc. 129. 31
which are only known among the living. It is another of the highly in-
teresting discoveries of Mr. Blake, to have brought home two teeth from
the tertiaries of California belonging to this remarkable type. I would
even not hesitate to consider them as indicating a distinct genus, were
the number of specimens sufficient to warrant the inference that the
teeth present, in every position of the mouth, as great a difference from
the Scymnus and Lrernargus as the two latter present when compared
with one another. At all events, the teeth belong to the genus
Scymnus, as established by Cuvier, and it constitutes a very distinct
species on account of the strong bend backwards of the main point of
the tooth, and the distinct and rather marked serration of the edges
of the crown. Moreover, the inclination of the central point upon its
basis gives these teeth a certain resemblance with those of Spinex and
Centrophorus, and still more with Galeocerdo. The connexion of the
teeth of the same row of the jaw with one another, was evidently the
same as in the Scymnus and Lsemargus, as is plainly shown by the
notch upon the inner surface of the root, and the articulating tubercle
at the base of the enamel in both sides.
The discovery of a fossil Scymnus in the tertiaries of California is
particularly interesting in a geographical point of view, since thus
far no representative of the type has been found in the Pacific ocean.
GALEOCERDO, Miiller and Henle.
3. G. PRODUCTUS, Agass. — Two species only of living Galeocerdo
have been known thus far — one from the Indian ocean and one
from the Atlantic. The fossil species have been traced from the chalk
to the upper tertiaries.
The Atlantic States have already yielded satisfactory indications of
the presence of this genus during the tertiary period, on the eastern
coast of America. Now we receive from the collection of Mr. Blake
a new addition to the range of this remarkable genus. The new
species he has discovered resembles so closely the Galeocerdo Adoncus
from the Eocene of Europe, especially common in- the Molasse of
Switzerland, that were there not several specimens in the collection
agreeing with one another in every respect, and unitedly differing
from those in the Old World, I would have been at a loss to distin-
guish them. The California species differ chiefly from the European
in having the anterior margin of the tooth less arched, with much
more minute crenulations, and the serraturcs on the basilar margin
rather smaller.
PRIONODON, Miiller and Henle.
4. p. AXTIQUUS, Agas. — Thus far no fossil shark of the tribe of Car-
charias has been known among the fossils, and, as shown in the Pois-
son Fossiles, all the species formerly referred to the genus Carcharias
have been ascertained to belong to the genus Carcharodon. Few dis-
coveries in this field could, therefore, be of more interest than finding
among the tertiaries of Ocoya creek a number of teeth agreeing in the
deep notch upon the base of the root, but differing in their width as
well as in the shape of their edge ; belonging evidently to the genus
32 H. Doc. 129.
Prionodon of Miiller and Henle. The larger and broader ones having
the edges serrated, especially near the base, while the narrower ones
are smooth and sharp. These differences correspond exactly to the
differences observed by Miiller and Henle between the teeth of the
upper and lower jaw in some species of the genus Prionodon. A
transverse section of the fossil under consideration shows, moreover,
these teeth to have a central cavity, as in those of the whole tribe of
Carcharias. There can, therefore, be no doubt that we have here the
first instance of a fossil species of the type of Carcharias of the genus
Prionodon, which it will be possible, under all circumstances, to dis-
tinguish from Sphyrna by the difference in the shape and serrature of
the teeth in the upper and lower jaw The species may be designated
under the name of Prionodon antiquus.
My Galeocerdo denticulatis, from Maestricht, may, however, belong
to this genus. The tooth of this species being rather erect, while in
Galeocerdo the crown of the tooth is bent backward, and its posterior
margin is deeply notched. In Prionodon antiquus, as well as in G.
denticulatus, the crown is but slightly inclined backwards, and though
it tapers rapidly to a conical point, that point does not stand so dis-
tinctly out from its base as in true Galeocerdo.
HEMIPRISTIS, Agass.
5. H. HETEROPLEURUS, Agass. — The genus Hemipristis was estab-
lished by me from fossil teeth of the middle tertiaries of Europe. Dr.
R. W. Gibbes has since indicated their existence among the tertiaries
of the Atlantic shores of America, and now we owe to Mr. Blake the
discovery of a tooth of this genus in the deposits of Ocoya creek, Cali-
fornia.
I have already remarked how difficult it is to perceive the difference
existing between Galeocerdo Adoncus of Europe, and the species of
that genus existing in California. I am still more doubtful about the
propriety of distinguishing the species Hemipristis of the west from
those of Europe. It would seem extraordinary, however, to find the
same species of sharks extending from the Pacific coast of this conti-
nent to central Europe, especially when we find, upon closer examina-
tion, our living sharks more closely circumscribed within narrow lim-
its than was formerly supposed. And yet all the differences I per-
ceive between the Hemipristis of California and those of Europe con-
sist in a marked inequality between the serrature of the hinder margin
when compared with that of the anterior margin of the tooth. As
this may be found to be a constant character, I would introduce the
western species provisionally, under the name of H. heteropleurus, or
until the discovery of more specimens decides whether this difference
in the serrature of the margin of the inner sides of the teeth is con-
stant or not.
CARCHARODON, Smith.
6. c. R.ECTUS, Agass. — Of all the types of sharks' teeth that of Car-
charodon, next to Lamna and Oxyrhina, is the most numerous in the
tertiary deposits, though there is only one living species known.
H. Doc. 129. 33
Mr. Blake has brought a finely preserved specimen of a medium
sized species of this genus from California. Rather smaller than
Ciircharodon angustidens, the tooth has the same form as that species,
only that there are no accessory points upon the sides of the hase.
Considering its size this tooth is remarkable for its thickness, and in
that respect it reminds one more of Garcharodon angustidens than any
other species. The surface is flat and the tooth straight, as in
C. anyustidens, and to this character the name rectus is intended to
allude.
Several species of this genus have been described by Dr. R. W.
Gibbes as occurring in the tertiary of the Atlantic slope.
OXYRHINA, Jlgassiz.
7. o. PLANA, Agas. — Since the teeth of Oxyrhina are known to
differ in size so widely as they do in the different parts of the jaws,
nothing is more difficult than ta combine fossil teeth found separated
in sucli a manner as to leave no doubt about their specific identity.
Several teeth of a very interesting species of Oxyrhina are found
among the specimens of fossils brought by Mr. Blake from California,
and its resemblance to the 0. of the Mediterranean is very
striking. But the character by which they differ most strikingly
from the living species and the fossils already described consist in the
greater flatness of the teeth as compared with their width. Some of
them are straight, and others slightly bent backward. This species I
propose to name 0. plo.na.
Several species of this genus have been described from the
Atlantic States by Dr. R. W. Gibbes.
8. o. TUMULA, Agas. — The existence of a second species of the
genus Oxyrhina in the tertiary of California is indicated by several
teeth remarkable for the size and thickness of the roots as compared
with the lengths of their curves. The specimens agreeing in this
character differ greatly in size, and yet not more so than may be seen
in the same jaw of our living species.
Found with the preceding by Mr. Blake.
LAMNA.
9. L. CLAVATA, Agas. — Two teeth from Ocoya creek indicate the
existence in California of a species of Lamna allied to L. cuspidata of
the European Miocene, from which it differs, however, by its smaller
size, its shorter and narrower crown, in which respect it agrees more
with L. Hopei of Sheppy. The crown, however, is less arched than
the latter. The posterior surface is smooth as in L. cuspidata.
Found with the preceding in the tertiary formation of Ocoya creek.
10. L. ORXATA, Agass. — A second species of Lamna has been brought
from California by Mr. Blake. It occurs in the sandstone of Navy
Point, Benicia, and is allied to L, elegans, Agass. (See Recherches
des Poissons Fossiles, vol. iii, p. 289.) It is, however, a smaller
species, and tapers more gradually, while in L. elegans it tapers more
3
34 H. Doc. 129.
suddenly near the top, and the folds of the enamel on the inner side
of the tooth are coarser. The base of the tooth is more compressed
than in L. elegans, in which respect the tooth resembles more L.
acuminata.
The small tooth found with the specimen may be one of the lateral
teeth of the same species; but it is difficult to determine this without
a microscopical examination of its structure. These fossils are un-
questionably of tertiary age. L. elegans is found in the Calcaire
grossier in the environs of Paris, and in the London clay at Sheppy.
The same species is also found fossil in the Crag, having been trans-
ported with the remains of many other species from the London clay.
Several species of this genus have been described from the Atlantic
States by Dr. R. W. Gibbes.
ZYGOBATES, Jgass.
11. z. ? — A fragment of a tooth of the genus zygobates is
interesting inasmuch as it shows that this genus of the order of the
family of skates, with pavement-like teeth, to have occurred in Cali-
fornia during the tertiary period ; though the fragment of the tooth
before me is too imperfect to allow the species to be identified. It
may not be out of place to remark that no species of this genus, or
the allied genera Einoptera, .ZEtobates, or Myliobates have thus far
been found in the Pacific ocean.
Several fragments of bone found with the teeth at Ocoya creek
(Pose creek) belong to the family of Scomberoides, but are too imper-
fect to admit of beinsr identified.
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