Mr. W. Carruthers on Silurian Graptolites. 23 



The C litigiosum is not distinguishable from the C. obscurum-, 

 for the chief diiFerence is placed in the length of the petals, 

 which is not constant. After an examination of specimens and 

 comparison of descriptions, I have no doubt of their both being 

 synonymous with the C. glutinosum of Fries. Also, I have no 

 doubt that they are the plant intended by Dickson and Curtis 

 when publishing the C, pumilum. Fries tells us that he has 

 seen much taller individuals, and therefore objects to Curtis^s 

 name as being inapplicable, and indeed thinks that his plant is 

 not the same as that of the ' Flora Londinensis.' After exami- 

 ning specimens received from him, and those of Dickson, and 

 the valuable packet sent by my friend Mr. Townsend, and many 

 from France and Germany, I believe that they are all of the 

 same species. 



Curtis's name, as being the oldest (1 778), must stand, although 

 that of Fries is much the best. Fries named his plant in 1817; 

 the C. glutinosum of Humb. and Kunth was published in 1823 ; 

 if therefore Curtis^s name should ultimately be rejected, that 

 given by Fries has the next best claim to adoption. It applies 

 well to all the English specimens which I have seen, and to 

 most of those from the Continent. 



III. — On the Graptolites from the Silurian Shales of Dumfries- 

 shire, with a description of three new species. By William 

 Carruthers, F.R.P.S.E.* 



At the meeting of the British Association held at Edinburgh 

 in July 1850, Prof. M'Coy read a list of the then known Grap- 

 tolites of the south of Scotland. They amounted to fourteen 

 species. My examination of the Graptolitic shales has been 

 chiefly confined to those which occur in Dumfriesshire. In this 

 district the following Graptolites, amounting to twenty-four 

 species, have been found : — 



Rastrites peregrinus, Barr. Bran Burn, Dobb's Linn. 

 triangulatus, Harkn. 



This is a remarkably abundant fossil at Garple Linn. Having exa- 

 mined a large number of specimens from this locality, and been 

 unable to discover anything approaching the form of G. SedgwicJcii, 

 I am satisfied that this is a distinct species, and have consequently 

 inserted it in this list. 



Graptolites Sagittarius, Lam. Lockerbie. 



tenuis, Portl. Lockerbie, Dobb's Linn. 



convolutus. His. Lockerbie. 



Read before the Royal Physical Society of Edinbm-gh, April 28, 1858. 



