148 Mr Conybeare on the former Tcmperaiurc 



than they are actually found to do from each other ; several of 

 the fossil species are indeed marked in Lamarck''s catalogue as 

 identical with recent specimens. 



In the chalk, species of this family are more rare, though many 

 small caryophylleae are still found, in the tertiary beds. Even 

 these are of unfrequent occuiTence. Thus in ascending the geolo- 

 gical series, we always find a nearer approximation to the actual 

 distribution of organic beings, in advancing to the most recent 

 formations. 



How will Dr Fleming account for the gradual disappearance 

 of this family in our latitudes .'' why does a page of our natural 

 history once so rich, now present a total blank 'it If I remember 

 rightly, he ascribes the extinction of the elephant, rhinoceros, &c. 

 to the successful prowess of our hunting ancestors. Will he say 

 that they were equally diligent and expert in their coral fishery? 



2. Crinoidea. — The only recent species of any size is a native 

 of the West Indian seas, and appears very closely allied to one 

 of the fossils of the lias. The species still inhabiting our sea.s is 

 so minute, that it cannot be ascertained to belong to the family 

 at all, without a powerful lens; yet, in the fossil state, there are 

 near 20 genera, at least twice as many species, all large. 



This family is divisible into two great sections (from the con- 

 sideration of their structure), and their geological distribution 

 exactly tallies with this division ; the former section belonging to 

 the formations inferior to the new red sandstone, the latter to 

 those of more recent origin, — the exi.*ting species belong to the 

 latter. 



I shall pass over the bivalve and uuchambered univalve shells 

 for the present, as their detailed examination would prove a task 

 of too great length and labour for the limits to which I nuist 

 confine myself. I shall only observe, that the analogies presented 

 are always with the natives of warm latitudes, and challenge Dr 

 Fleming to point out an exception. 



4. The Nautilidcc. — The few existing species of this class 

 are confined to warm latitudes. One of them, the Nautilus 

 pompilius, is considered by Lamarck as identical with a fossil of 

 the tertiary formations. I need not dwell on the amazing 

 variety and number of the species of this and the allied genera 

 of ammonite, belemnite, &c. &c. all at present extinct. Surely 



