On Syringothyris, Winchell, and its American Species. 



[Communicated to Professor James Hall, State Geologist, for his Report of 1889.J. 

 By Chaeles Schuchebt.] 



A question has often been raised as to what species shall be regarded 

 as the type of the genus Spirifer. The first printed notice of this 

 name is given by J. de C. Sowerby, in his Mineral Conchology, 1815. 

 The only example cited is the Anomites cusjndatus, Martin. In 1814, 

 however, Sowerby read a paper before the Linnean Society, and 

 there mentioned but a single species, the Anomites striatus, Martin, 

 which was accepted as the type in England, as well as on the Conti- 

 nent. This paper was published in volume XII of that society's 

 transactions, seven years later, in 1821. One of the universally 

 accepted rules of nomenclature is to admit the date of a species or 

 genus from the first date of publication, which in this case would be 

 to accept Anomites cuspidatus as the type of Sjnrifer. So far as I am 

 aware this rule was first formulated and adopted by the British 

 Association in 1842. Therefore it seems to me we can not apply this 

 ruling prior to that date. Sowerby, in distinguishing his genus, 

 based it entirely upon the calcified spiral appendages which were 

 then unknown in any other genus. In this feature either species 

 will answer, and, as Dr. Davidson * has pointed out, that Anomites 

 striatus was known as the typical species in Europe, it will be just to 

 Sowerby and to Prof. Winchell to accept this species as the type 

 of Spirifer ; besides it will create less confusion. 



The type of the genus Syringothyris is S. typa, Winchell. This 

 species, however, has been regarded as identical with the Anomites 

 cuspidatus, by such eminent students of Brachiopoda as Dr. Davidson 

 and Prof. King. Yet I believe there are sufficient distinguishing 

 characters to establish both as distinct species. On the other hand I 

 find that Syringothyris typa, Winchell, and Spirifer carteri, Hall, are 

 synonymous, a point which will be discussed farther on. Should 

 the characters pointed out by me be regarded as sufficient to separate 

 the American species from Syringothyris cuspidata, then S. carteri must 

 be taken as the type species of Syringothyris. If not, then S. carteri will 

 become a synonym of S. cuspidata, and the latter will stand as the type. 



* Monograph British Carboniferous Brachiopoda, p. 81. 



