96 ■ rafinesque's 



Figure 51, Todarus argo. 



Pig. 52, 53, Anisoctus punctatus and bicolor. 

 [66] 

 13. DiTAXOPUS PARADOXUS, a new Fossil G. of Gephaloj)odes, 



discovered 1819 — Figure 54 and 55, Shell and Animal. 



This was one of my most remarkable discovery in fossil Zoology, 

 among the Wasioto hills of Central Kentucky. While breaking 

 many fossiliferous flints of that Region, I fell upon one having in 

 the centre, a perfect hollow mould of a Univalve shell, shaped 

 between Haliotis and Carinaria, and containing inside a delicate 

 flinty Animal almost perfect, of the most extraordinary shape. It 

 was however evidently a Cephalopode, since the cupules were con- 

 spicuous on the Antenopes ; but these were not around the head or 

 body, somewhat as in the Cirrhipedes or Terebratules although not 

 articulated as in these. It is difficult to convey a proper idea of 

 this strange animal, but the figures will explain it better. 



I carefully put up the fragments of the Stones together, and pre- 

 sented this unique specimen (worth 50 dollars) to my friend John D. 

 Clifford for his Museum, where it was preserved, and is perhaps yet 

 in this ^collection, (since gone thro' 2 or 3 hands) if not stolen or 

 broken. I sent descriptions and figures of it to Cuvier and 

 Brongniart, but have not heard if they published them. 



This discovery is of double importance, because it links with the 

 rare G. Carinaria, of which the animal is as mysterious as that of 

 the Argonauta, and may lead us to detect a new order of the 

 Cephalopodes class, distinguished by a single elongate branched 

 antenope. I gave it the name of Ditaxopus, meaning 2 rows of feet. 

 [67] 



Description. Shell univalve ovate patent smooth with a small 

 obtuse knob of spire at base, and an obtuse keel behind, — Animal, 

 body amorphous in the fossil state, ending in a long curved limb 

 with above about 6 pairs of antenopes in 2 rows, opposite curved or 

 coiled, the upper longer, all obtuse cylindrical with 2 rows of alter- 

 nate cupules or tubercles inside. 



Found near Estil, Gritstone hills of Central Kentucky imbedded 

 in fragments of flint or chert. Size over one inch. The shell was 

 destroyed ; the fossil being of the very oldest formation. 



