— 
E(w 
ON CHARACTERISTIC FOSSILS, 297 
To him and to the other donors of apparatus and money who have been named in 
previous reports the Committee extend their very grateful thanks. The successful 
issue has been due not only to the scientific evidence and to the generous outlay of 
time expended upon the scheme by those who have attended deputations and have in 
other ways assisted, but also to the recognition by the Government of Australia that 
there must be virtue in a project which has been so warmly supported by individual 
generosity. 
The labours of the Committee may now cease. 
Characteristic Fossils——Final Report of Committee (Prof. P. F. 
KENDALL, Chairman; Mr. H. C. Versny, Secretary; Prof. W. S. 
Boutton, Dr. A. R. Dwerryuouse, Prof. J. W. Gregory, Sir T. H. 
Houianp, Prof. 8. H. Reynoups, Dr. Marte Sropss, Profs. J. E. 
Marr and W. W. Watts, Mr. H. Woops, and Sir A. Surra Woopwarp) 
appointed to consider the preparation of a list of characteristic fossils. 
(Compiled by the Secretary.) 
THE progress made by the Committee in the first years of its formation was stopped 
by the death of the then Hon. Secretary, the Rev. W. L. Carter. Many of the MS. 
suggestions and printed lists accumulated by him were lost. From those recovered, 
lists were prepared showing the varying opinions of the authorities consulted, and were 
circulated among all members of the Committee, among other teachers of Geology and 
among other specialists in special branches of Paleontology. From the replies received, 
a final list has been prepared which represents, as far as possible, the majority opinion 
of the Committee. 
The definition of a Characteristic Fossil adopted by the Committee is as follows :— 
1, Derinition.—‘ A characteristic fossil is one, either genus or species, that 
is restricted to a particular horizon, or is abundant at the horizon and compara- 
tively rare elsewhere, so that its presence in a bed would raise a clear presump- 
tion of the stratigraphical position or age of the bed.’ 
The list is divided into three grades : 
(a) List ‘ A,’ comprising about 200 species suitable for elementary students. 
(6) List ‘ B,’ about 200 species suitable for Final students in addition to List A. 
(c) List ‘ C,’ about 200 species suitable for Honours students in addition to Lists 
A and B. 
The Committee is not unanimous on the advisability of fixing a ‘C’ list, but 
suggests the one chosen as a suitable nucleus which may be modified at the teacher’s 
discretion, according to special or local requirements. It suggests that the use of the 
newer generic or sub-generic names is also a matter for the individual teacher to decide. 
A number of foreign species have been introduced when British representatives of 
the periods in question are lacking. The Committee recommends that the list, which 
is appended, be printed as follows :— 
(a) As an integral part of the Annual Report. 
(6) Free reprints of this be issued to the teachers of Geology in the country. 
(c) As a special publication, available for students and others at a small cost. 
The thanks of the Committee are due to the following authorities who have kindly 
helped during the past two years ;— 
Professors Cox, Hawkins, Hickling, Jehu, Seward, Sollas, Drs. Bather, Kidston. 
CAMBRIAN. 
Lower Cambrian. 
BC Kutorgina cingulata . 6 P 2 . Brachiopoda 
ABC Olenellus sp. 5 ‘ : : 3 . Trilobita 
C Salterella sp. : : 2 : Vermes 
Middle Cambrian. 
BC Protospongia fenestrata . - ; : . Porifera 
BC Agnostus fissus . ; ; : - . Trilobita 
ABC Paradoxides davidis 
Cc Conocoryphe sulzeri 
BC Microdiscus punctatus 
- 99 
” 
” 
