BIRDSEYE LIMESTONE. 109 



I liave annexed the following drawings illustrating the structure of this interesting fcssil : 





The first (fig. 35) presents a view of its structure, as brouglit out by weathering : and ex- 

 hibits longitudinal sections of a stem, and the small angular compartments, some of which 

 are nearly transverse sections of a stem. 



The second (fig. 36) exhibits a magnified view of an oblique section, showing its cruciform 

 structure. 



The remarkable structure brought out in this mode, principally by weathering, very clearly 

 establishes the family of beings to which it belongs : It exhibits a perfect analogy to the class 

 of Polypes, though none of the present species appear to assume this peculiar mode of 

 growth. The following additional illustration shows the mode in which the stems appear to 

 penetrate the beds of limestone with which it is associated : 



Fig. 37 shows the vertical arrangement of the individual stems and anastomosis, or free 

 intercommunication which existed during the growth of the animal. 



