ALGITES. a 
V. 2857). In these specimens some of the branches show 
apparently perfect and blunt terminations. Fragments of Algites 
catenelloides. Near Hastings. Beckles Coll. 
V. 2857c. Portions of three specimens with the branching habit 
clearly seen. Traces of A. catenellocdes. Near Hastings. 
Beckles Coll. 
2.—Algites catenelloides, gen. et sp. nov. 
Type. Small carbonaceous fragments on the same piece of rock 
with the type specimen of A. valdensis. British Museum. V. 2857. 
Pie Bis, and. 2. 
Small carbonaceous impressions of an apparently dichotomously 
branched thallus; the branches show indistinct signs of constrictions, 
suggesting a jointed structure, as in Catenella. 
These small branched fragments, which show in places what 
appear to be elliptical joints, as represented in Pl. I. Fig. 2a, are 
closely associated with the specimens of the previous species. I am 
indebted to Miss Barton for the suggestion that Catenella approaches 
most closely in habit to these delicate impressions ; the form of the 
thallus, both as regards the branching, and what appear to be 
elliptical members making up the branched axes, has a striking 
similarity in the fossil and recent specimens. Another fact of 
importance is the frequent association of Chondrus erispus and 
Catenella on our coasts at the present day. This occurrence, in 
such close proximity, of two fossil forms, whose external form is 
in close agreement with two recent genera, is of some value as 
confirmatory evidence in the question of botanic affinity. It must, 
at the same time, be candidly admitted that no great importance 
ought to be attached to identifications or comparisons based on mere 
impressions of external form. 
Vast numbers of impressions, animal trails and markings, which 
owe their origin to many and exceedingly diverse causes, have been 
assigned to that group of plants which has come to be regarded 
as the receptacle for all doubtful specimens which often afford 
little or no evidence of any vegetable nature whatsoever. The 
result of this has been to intensify that spirit of scepticism which 
ought always to influence the conduct of paleobotanists. There 
is, on the other hand, the danger of allowing ourselves to go too 
