60 PALEONTOLOGY OF NEW YORK. 



the group without hesitation is quite small, and if the generic features of the 

 type-species L.pinniformis, are strictly adhered to, it may be necessary to restrict 

 the specific representation to very narrow limits. The original species is the 

 most thorougbly understood in both exterior and interior details. The ex- 

 ternal character of the shell itself, when both valves are present, allows of 

 a ready distinction from all known forms of the genus Lingula. The pedicle- 

 valve bears a long, attenuate rostrum, which extends far beyond the apex of 

 the opposite valve. This appears to have been open on the lower side for its 

 entire length, for the passage of the pedicle, though we have no conclusive evi- 

 dence that it may not have been partially covered b\' a thin deltidium of similar 

 character to that in Lingula anatina. The brachial or dorsal valve is broadly 

 ovate in outline, having an obscure beak and a general form which would be 

 in precise agreement with that of the opposite valve, were the rostrum of the 

 latter truncated at its base. The separated valves of L. pinniforviis occur in 

 great quantities in the Potsdam sandstone at the Falls of St. Croix, Min- 

 nesota and Wisconsin, crowded together to the exclusion of any other fossil, and 

 there can be no doubt that the valves described in the Sixteenth Report of the 

 State Cabinet of Natural Histor\% as dorsal and ventral, are such, although no 

 specimen has been seen in wliich the valves are in their natural juxtaposition. 

 The muscular impressions of the pedicle-valve may be determined with 

 tolerable accuriicy. A single large scar, occupying the entire unibonal region, 

 is produced anteriorly into two narrow lateral 

 branches, extending for about one-half the 

 length of the shell. Between them and con- 

 tinuous with their posterior portion, lies a 

 central scar, not extending so far forward, but 

 together witli the lateral branches giving the 



, . . ^ 1 ,  ,•. Fiaa 2J. 23. Lingulepis pinni/ormis. 



entu'c nuiseularimpres.sion a strongly tripartite j, lateral .sciis. c, (-eiurai. «, sepmm. 

 character. Tlic hoiuology of tlie.se scars with these of Lingula is not readily 

 apparent, although there is a ilegree of similarity which is quite strongly shown 

 in the outline of the central scars. Probably the entire muscular impression 

 would, under perfect preservation, be resolvable into more detailed scars, but 



