of controversy. Fossils are undoubtedly historic me- 

 dallions of remote periods in the natural history of 

 our earth, and our design is, merely to illustrate with 

 them a neglected department of ancient zoology, by 

 describing a few which have recently fallen under our 

 own observation. 



In some varieties of rocks there is often found the 

 fossil remains of an animal which bears some resem- 

 blance to certain species of the crab. The back of 

 this organic relic is commonly divided by two deep 

 grooves or furrows, into three longitudinal lobes, and 

 from this circumstance, the term Trilobite has been 

 applied as a family name to distinguish this whole 

 race of beings. This general appellation, however, 

 though in most of the species, highly appropriate, is 

 by no means applicable to all. 



The individuals which compose the family of the 

 trilobites resemble each other in many important par- 



the nature of the rock, and the organic remains, there may be a 

 palpable discrepancy ; and that these may be even at complete 

 antipodes with each other. The event has proved, from what we 

 have already mentioned, that no evidence as to priority can be 

 obtained from the nature of the fossil remains displayed in parti- 

 cular strata. In addition to what has been said on this subject, 

 we may further state, that encrinites, entrochites, and pentacri- 

 nites are found in clay slate, grauwacke, transition limestone, al- 

 pine limestone, lias, muschelkalk, and chalk. It may be reasona- 

 bly asked how these three species of fossils could indicate any 

 particular formation, when they are found in so many types and 

 structures of rocks altogether different ? If they would go to 

 prove any thing at all, it would be that of a contemporaneous for- 

 mation ; but certainly not distinct epochas. See Eclectic Review, 

 July, 1832. 



