THE PALEONTOLOGIC RECORD 7 



fossils, a stony framework of some kind is desirable, as we all know, 

 but horny, or even the most perishable materials may be preserved under 

 favorable conditions. Mr. Walcott's work on the Medusas, and the 

 researches of Euedemann on the graptolites, as well as the work of 

 others whom we can call to mind, are examples of excellent results from 

 material of the latter nature, not to mention the hairs of the worm so 

 carefully described by the Cincinnati paleontologist! 



The metamorphism and apparently complete obliteration of all 

 fossil remains in the rocks of certain large areas is likewise an appar- 

 ently serious objection to the adequacy of the record, but here careful 

 searching with the structural relations in mind will reveal the fossils, 

 if present at all. The greatly folded and cleaved slates, schists and 

 volcanic tuffs of the Piedmont area have long been the despair of both 

 paleontologist and geologist, but at this meeting of the Geological 

 Society of America, the State Geologist of Virginia will tell of Cin- 

 cinnatian fossils in the so-called Algonkian and other schists and vol- 

 canics of the easternmost Piedmont of that state. In this case the dis- 

 covery of well-preserved fossils was quite simple. It consisted merely 

 in finding a place where the cleavage and stratification coincided, and 

 then working hard. 



Professor Calvin has spoken of the richness and beautiful preserva- 

 tion of certain Paleozoic faunas. While the beauty and occasional 

 richness of such faunas is not to be gainsaid, we must not forget the 

 many horizons and localities affording, in comparison, specimens so 

 poorly preserved that they might readily furnish an argument for the 

 inadequacy of the record. Nor must we forget that in quite a portion 

 of the geologic column organic remains are not only poorly preserved, 

 but are, as known at present, very rare. However, these lean spots can 

 be made most productive of paleontologic results by careful search and 

 by methods of preparation. Several years ago the number of lower 

 Paleozoic fossils found in the Ozarks could almost be counted on one's 

 fingers, but we now have in the National Museum, from this formerly 

 almost barren spot, several hundred drawers of beautiful material. 



Fortunately the preparation and methods of study of paleontologic 

 material has progressed to such a point that a poor fossil is no longer a 

 bugbear. A specimen may be considered inadequate for study because 

 it is covered with refractory clay. The application of caustic potash 

 solves this difficulty. Certain limestone bands in the New York 

 Niagaran and Cayugan are crowded with fossils, although often few of 

 the species can be determined because of a hard, clayey covering. In 

 preparing some specimens for exhibition, the treatment with caustic of 

 a single slab, about three inches wide and five inches long, enabled me 

 to bring out over a hundred species on one surface alone, not including 

 the ostracods and other microscopic organisms. How often will the 

 present sea bottom furnish such results? 



