248 Prof. Sedgwick and Mr. Miircliison on the Classificaticm 



Spirifer, is rarely if ever seen in Devonshire. The large round 

 spinose Prodticti are among the best-marked fossils of the car- 

 boniferous system. Now, the closest researches have not hitherto 

 brought to light the existence of one species having tiiis cha- 

 racter in the Silurian system; while in Devonshire we find se- 

 veral associated with other species, which are analogous both 

 to the Silurian and carboniferous types. On the other hand, 

 the families and genera which predominate so much more in 

 the Silurian than in any other system, viz. Trilohilcs and Or- 

 tJioccratifcs, are here just of the intermediate character which 

 ought to be detected in deposits connecting that system with the 

 carboniferous. Some of them approach very closely to upper 

 Silurian species, if indeed there be not some undistinguish- 

 abie; while others, particularly some of the Trilobites, are of 

 forms entirely different from any species hitherto found, either 

 in the Silurian or Carboniferous systems*. 



In regard to the corals, Mr. Lonsdale informs us, that the 

 few which he can identify with published species (the most 

 abundant and certain being Faiiosilcs polymurpha, Porites pij~ 

 rimorphis, and Stromatopora concentrica\ belong to the upper 

 Silurian rocks; while tliere are several which are new and 

 undescribed. Again, the chain coral [Catcnlpora csc/i amides), 

 and many of the most remarkable Silurian types, are entirely 

 absent, nor has a single species common to the carboniferous 

 limestone been yet detected among the numerous polypifers 

 of South Devon. 



Whether, in the sequel, we shall present to the public a 

 suite of engravings of all the undescribed Devonian and Corn- 

 ish fossils which we have collected, or which have been lent 

 to us, or shall consign them to Professor Phillips, to complete a 

 task for which he is so eminently qualified, and for which pur- 

 pose he is, we are glad to learn, to be employed by the Govern- 

 ment, is of little moment : but after such evidences, we have no 

 hesitation in putting forth our present classification, and in ac- 

 cepting, in the broadest form, the conclusions to which the ge- 

 neral view of these organic remains lead us, \\i. that the oldest 

 slati/ and arenaceous rocks of Devon and Cornwall are the eqtii- 

 valents of the old red sandstone. We also place, in the same 

 parallel, the older rocks of North Devon ; being now fortified 

 in our conclusions by the evidence of the fossils, by the sec- 

 tions, and by the order of superposition; which indicates, on 

 both sides of the great carbonaceous trough, a passage down- 

 wards from the carboniferous system (the horizon of which 



* Our friend M. de Verneuil acquaints us, that having examined a col- 

 lection of South Devon fossils sent to him by Mr. Austen, he is of opinion 

 that seven or eight of these she'!:, ?.re undistinguishable from fossils of the 

 Eifel, which he refers to tlie Silurian system. 



