8 The Pleistocene Deposits of Sankoty 



The exposed section, shown on Plate II, corresponds as will be 

 seen, in all essential characters to that given above by Merrill. 

 Another visit to the locality was planned for September 4th, but 

 the hard storm at that time made the trip impossible. 



III. THE OCCURRENCE OF THE FOSSILS. 



One of the first things that strikes one as he begins to dig these 

 fossils is their fragile condition. Like so many similar deposits, 

 the shells are soft and moist when first dug out and must be han- 

 dled with extreme care. Upon drying and exposure to the air they 

 become much harder and firmer. In their natural condition they 

 are much darker, as a rule, than they are after exposure to the 

 air and light. 



Many of the shells, especially in the upper bed, are represented 

 only by fragments, great masses of which appear. On the other 

 hand, especially in the lower shell bed, many excellently preserved 

 shells are found. Among these are many of the Gastropods with 

 the apical whorls and the protoconch in excellent condition. Many 

 of the shells of Venus mercenaria had the purple inner border of 

 the shell preserved to a surprising degree. 



In the lower bed many of the bivalves were found with both 

 valves together and the shell in the position of life. This was 

 noted especially in Area, Venus, Ostrea and Mytilus. 



A considerable number of attached forms are noted, such as the 

 various species of Bryozoa on shells and on the tubes of Hydroides 

 dianthus. Shells of Ostrea, Venus and Area show the borings of 

 Cliona sulphur -ea. 



Among other groups than the Mollusca the evidence is usually 

 fragmentary. Spines of sea urchins are not uncommon and a 

 considerable number of crab claws were obtained. These are most 

 easily seen after the excavated material has been exposed to the 

 weather for a time. 



Many of the shells show beautiful dendritic markings. The 

 clam shells seem to have this more prominently shown than the 

 others. A number of the others, however, show the markings to 

 a lesser degree. 



