302 



ACCOUNT OF A FOSSIL ZOOPHYTE, Alcyonia monilia, DISCOVERED 

 IN THE LOWER GREEN SAND OF THE IGUANODON QUARRY, 

 MAIDSTONE, KENT. 



By Mr. W. H. Bensted. 



Few objects are more perplexing to the naturalist than those which compose 

 the numerous and protean class of zoophytes — creatures which appear to form a 

 connecting link between the animal and vegetable kingdoms. The difficulty of 

 determining the character, construction, habits, and economy of even recent species, 

 is so considerable as to demand an accuracy of observation which belongs to 

 few, and an intimacy of acquaintance not easily attainable. What, for instance, 

 can be more puzzling than the changes observable in the Actinea, or Sea-mari- 

 gold, whose external form is so repeatedly changing that it presents in succession 

 the several appearances of an amorphous mass of jelly, a flower, and an open 

 Oyster ? 



But when our investigations are confined to fossil specimens — the forms of 

 which are stereotyped and unalterable, and whose relics occur only in detached 

 portions — this difficulty is increased a hundred fold. And even when the 

 remains are abundant and well preserved, although a tolerably correct idea may 

 be formed of the ordinary figure of the original, it is still difficult to trace it 

 through all its metamorphoses, or to identify it under the varied appearances it 

 presents. A familiar example of this fact may be found in the ventriculites of 

 the chalk formation, so well described by Dr. Mantell in his Geology of the 

 S.E. Coast of England. The specimens enveloped in flint are usually funnel- 

 shaped ; but those occurring in " every intermediate form between that of a 

 simple elongated cone, and a flat circular disk," are evidently congenerous. In a 

 similar manner we shall find the family of Alcyonia — which are nearly allied to 

 both the species of Polypi referred to — differing much in form and external 

 character. The new species which I am about to describe, has been named 

 Alcyonia monilia, and abounds in the Rag-stone, Shanklin, or lower Green-sand 

 formation of the district in which I reside ; a brief geological sketch of which 

 will serve to introduce my remarks upon it. 



The neighbourhood of Maidstone has much to interest the geologist. The 

 Chalk, which lies uppermost, may be explored in the pits, situate within a morn- 

 ing's walk from the town, which afford many specimens of great rarity. 



The Gault or Folkstone Marl immediately below it, is cut through by the 

 Medway, and presents a fine opportunity to the student for collecting specimens. 



Beneath this occur extensive beds of Rag-stone, in which are faults of con- 

 •iderable extent, filled with beds of Red Loam, or Brick Earth, containing 



