158 GEOLOGY OF THE THIRD DISTRICT. 



figured in the wood-cut being from this locahty ; also the Flabella avicula, Keeled atrypa, 

 Sjrrtalis strophomena, Plebeian atr3rpa, Prow delthjrris, De Kay's dipleura, etc. At the 

 lower quarry, fragments of the plant figured in wood-cut 40 are often found. 



At the upper quarry, I found a fragment of the external impression of a singular and beau- 

 tifully wrought crinoidal fossil, the most so of any one hitherto seen in the system, and unique 

 as to kind. A cast of it shows a connected surface, upon which six detached circular forms 

 were placed, having the appearance of medallions ; their whole surface, and sides which are 

 inchned, being highly wrought with minute markings like gothic tracery. Three were of the 

 same size, rather over an inch in diameter, slightly ovoid, and clustered together ; one only 

 was entire, the two others having been broken off, but leaving sufficient to show their size and 

 character. The other three were small ; two being nearly equal, and each less than the fifth 

 of an inch in diameter ; the third, double that diameter ; and all three were placed together 

 in an angle formed by two of the larger ones. Near the centre of the largest and perfect 

 medallion are five branching arms, like those of an asteria or star-fish ; between two of which, 

 and those which are most expanded, is a star, which probably was the mouth of the animal. 

 As this is the first instance in which distinct crinoids have been found clustered together so 

 as to form one system, it therefore establishes a new genus, for which the name of Agela- 

 crinites is proposed, from agele, a herd or group, and hamiltonensis for the species ; in com- 

 mon language, the Hamilton agelacrinite. A wood-cut would have been given of it, had 

 there been time so to do. 



In most instances, the calcareous particles of the testaceous fossils have been removed, and 

 their place in part occupied by hydrate of iron, forming a handsome contrast with the yellow 

 grey color of the rock, which it assumes after exposure or when altered. 



The ledge at the Seminary hill continues to Chenango county, appearing there a few feet 

 above the canal, being quarried at Mr. Ladd's ; where also the same fossils, and in great 

 abundance, are to be obtained. 



In the excavation of the feeder at Hamilton, a considerable mass of the harder and some- 

 what calcareous shale was thrown out ; this resists in a great measure the action of the wea- 

 ther. Some of the smaller species of cypricardites are quite numerous. At this place a few 

 of the common cyathophyllum were seen, and also a columnaria, etc. At the feeder, many 

 heads and other parts of the Dipleura were found in the loose blocks scattered about. 



The locality of the greatest interest for fossils near West-Hamilton village is the side-hill 

 upon which Deacon Burchard's quarry is seated, about two miles distant. There is a lower 

 quarry to the left, in hard dark shale, in which there are a few species, but the individuals 

 are rather numerous ; among which is the impression of a beautiful arborescent coral often 

 met with in this group, and in no other. 



The quarry of the Deacon is near the top of the hill, and consists of thin interrupted layers 

 of light-colored sandstone and hard shale, abounding in fossils ; among which are the Flabella 

 avicula, Erect avicula, Rugous cypricardite. Plebeian atrypa, Syrtalis strophomena, etc. 



