3io 



RESEARCH IN CHINA. 



sp. the characters appear to be incompatible with the Rhynchonellidse and are more 

 suggestive of the orthids. If these little shells could be obtained whole and unex- 

 foliated it would doubtless be possible to determine their specific and generic rela- 

 tions. The treatment of them in this instance does not satisfy me, and doubtless 

 will prove unsatisfactory to others. 



This form shows little resemblance to any of the Carboniferous species obtained 

 from China by von Richthofen, but it is rather strikingly similar to two Silurian 

 ones from the mountains of Tshau-tien. One of these Kayser identifies as 

 Rhynchonella sp. 1 and the other, with which the resemblance is especially close, he 

 describes as a new species under the title Airy pa ? tschautienensis." 



While in this, as in other cases, it is impossible not to attach significance to 

 these specific resemblances, they may, since even the generic position of the present 

 forms is a matter of uncertainty, prove entirely illusory. 



Locality and Horizon. Pre-Pennsylvanian ( ?) ; near Ta-miau-ssi', East Ss'i- 

 ch'uan (stations 6, 8, and 9). 



Proetus ? sp. 



This form is represented merely by a free cheek. Although in our specimen 

 the facial outline of the suture is broken or obscure, there is little doubt that it is 

 one of the Proetidae; but further than this it would hardly be safe to go. The 

 length of the genal spine is unusual. 



Locality and Horizon. Pre-Pennsylvanian (?); near Ta-miau-ssi, East Ssi'- 

 ch'uan (station 6). 



PENNSYLVANIAN SPECIES. 

 Clavulina ? sp. 



In the cherts of station 9 (Shan-tung) are several molds of a small organic body 

 which appears to have been a foraminifer related to Clavulina. The general shape 

 is nodose-cylindrical or nodose-conical, the length being from 2 to 2.5 mm. 



The most complete example retains the internal molds of some of the chambers, 

 which are seen to have had the shape of disks with rounded edges. The lower part 

 of this specimen is inflated and conical, and consists of probably two alternating 

 series with about five chambers in each. The upper part is in a single series and 

 includes but three chambers. The general appearance therefore resembles the 

 genera Clavulina and Dimorphina. 



Another specimen, somewhat longer and much more slender, has a length of 

 about 2.5 mm. and a diameter of 0.5 mm. One end is terminated by a large cell 

 which appears to have been spherical. The other end appears to have been some- 

 what swollen and conical, and was perhaps constructed like the corresponding part 

 of the foregoing. Though the number and arrangement of cells can not be made 

 out, there are perhaps seven chambers above the cone, the last of which, as already 

 remarked, is spherical and larger than the rest. The surface is entirely without 

 ornamentation, so far as can be made out. 



The generic position of this type is undeterminable from the material at hand, 

 but its presence in the fauna is too important to be passed over entirely without 

 description or comment. 



Locality and horizon. Pennsylvanian ; near Ts'ai-kia-chuang, Shan-tung (sta- 

 tion 59). 



'Richthofen's China, vol. 4, 1883, plate 4, figs. 3-3^ 

 'Idem, p. 47, plate 4, figs. 12, na-d. 



