ALGITES. 7 



V. 2857i. 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. catenelloides. Near Hastings. 



BecUes Coll. 



2. Algites catenelloides, gen. et sp. nov. 



Type. Small carbonaceous fragments on the same piece of rock 

 with the type specimen of A. valdemis. British Museum. V. 2857. 

 PI. I. Figs. 1 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 PI. I. Fig. 2#, 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 crispus 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 palaeobotanists. There 

 is, on the other hand, the danger of allowing ourselves to go too 



