140 Fossil Reptiles of New-Jersey. 



differs from it specifically in size, in not having distinctly sei- 

 rated edges, and instead of being facetted on one side only, it 

 is facetted equally on both. Assigning then to the Monheim 

 fossil the name of G. Soemmerringi, we would propose to de- 

 signate our New-Jersey animal, (in compliment to the generous 

 donor, and as a mark of respect due to one of our most active 

 and zealous naturalists) by the name of G. Mitchilli. 



3. Of the Coprolite. 



The learned and indefatigable Professor Buckland, in a Me- 

 moir recently read before the Geological Society of London, 

 has communicated several curious facts in relation to the faeces 

 of terrestrial and aquatic carnivorous animals, which he has 

 found in a fossil state. They occur in formations of all ages from 

 the carboniferous limestone to the diluvium. The names Ichthyo- 

 copros, Sauro-copros, Hyaino-copros, have been assigned to 

 the excrements of fish, saurians, and the hysena. To other 

 fossils long supposed to be petrified, and called cones of fir, 

 Professor Buckland assigns the name of Copros iuloides, and 

 from analogy supposes them to be derived from the ray 

 and shark. All these fossil faeces are to be distinguished by 

 the name of Coprolite. In the Cabinet of the Lyceum a spe- 

 cimen of Coprolite from Monmouth county is preserved, 

 which has long attracted our attention, and we are indebted 

 to one of our associates, Mr. L Cozzens, for a suggestion which 

 enabled us to ascertain its real nature. It is figured plate III. 

 fig. 6, of the natural size. 



It is composed of the same convoluted spiral structure at- 

 tributed to the Sauro-copros, and the marks of pressure on the 

 superior part show it to have been the nucleus of a much 

 larger substance. On the external surface the impressions left 

 by the membranous coat of the intestines are clearly discern- 

 ible. The length of this specimen is nearly one inch, its sub- 



