304 ACCOUNT OF A FOSSIL ZOOPHYTE, ETC. 



of Silex, and being consequently harder than the surrounding beds. The surface 

 of these heads is always smooth and round, probably from their distended state ; 

 and presents a strong contrast to the stem and lobes, which are studded with 

 papillae. 



The layers of stone are from ten inches to two feet in thickness, and frequently 

 the stem in the stratum of hard Limestone finishes in the layer of Sand next 

 above. It is impossible to get a complete specimen, as the zoophyte is so closely 

 blended with the stone ; four lobes upon one stem is the most I have yet seen. 



I am not certain that it should be classed as an Alcyonium. Dr. Mantell 

 favoured me with his opinion upon some specimens which I sent to him in 1835, 

 which was that, " in all probability, the fossil belongs to different genera of 

 zoophytes allied to the Sponges and Alcyonia, but differing from both." 



The accompanying drawings will, I trust, assist in conveying a tolerable con- 

 ception of the originals. Fig. 2 (Plate 2) is a remarkable specimen, with the 

 beaded tentaculum running through the stem, and with a correct representation 

 of the stone which contains it. 



Fig. 3 represents two large lobes connected by the beaded tentaculum ; the 

 stem of this specimen is not clearly defined, as the mass of stone is not broken in 

 the part through which it runs. 



Since my discovery of the unique specimen of the Iguanodon* I have paid 

 great attention to the collection of other specimens from the same quarry, and 

 have been successful in procuring some particularly interesting. The vegetable 

 remains are very abundant, consisting of fragments of stems of coniferous trees, 

 sometimes much water-worn, and filled with Teredines, I have a beautiful cone 

 of a species of Fir — exceedingly delicate, but very perfect ; at present I cannot 

 decide on several which I conjecture to be fruits. I have a fine tooth of the 

 gigantic Plesiosaurus, and one of a Crocodile, the surface of each being striated. 

 Three mandibles of the Ckimcera have been procured, with vertebrae of fish, and 

 numerous teeth of Squalus. 

 Maidstone^ April 23, 1838. 



•Mantell's Wonders of Geology, Vol. I., p. 358. 



