New Order of Gigantic Fossils. 25 



On entering upon the last expedition it was confidently 

 hoped that the obscurity shrouding the origin and nature of 

 these fossils could be cleared away. Instead, however, it was 

 the decision of the members of the expedition that each day's 

 work but heightened the difficulties. 



My collections were made between the first of May and 

 last of June, so the shortness of time at my disposal for their 

 study, coupled with the interference of college duties, has 

 rendered it impossible to understand, much less to compass, 

 the subject. However, these extraordinary and anomalous 

 forms are of such absorbing interest that I cannot believe 

 it untimely to offer the present suggestive rather than com- 

 plete paper, which, if nothing more, must direct the atten- 

 tion of palaeontologists to this remarkable new fossil. 



The superficial and gross structure of new forms necessa- 

 rily engages attention first, and later a study of the minute 

 structure will determine more definitely their place in the 

 economy of nature. 



Note. — Owing to delay of publication, it has been possible to add to this 

 paper, bearing date of June ist, brief mention of the last expedition, even after 

 the article was in type. 



323 



