4^8 Correspondence. 



except where used for the scientific names are my own) ; at page 287 

 under Splimronites stelluliferus "PL 20, fig. 6 (6« wrongly figured).'" 



S. aurantium, Forbes, Mem. Geol. Survey, vol. ii., pt. 2, pi. 22, 

 figs. 1, a, h. 



" It was not a bad idea to put these species among the multiplied 

 varieties of E. aurantium, for it really is allied to it ; yet it differs in 

 nearly all its characters. What is regarded (Forbes, supra fig. 1 a) 

 as the base is really the epauletted apex, and assuredly the external 

 ornament (here fig. 6 a) lias been much exaggerated to suit the view 

 talcenofits affinities. It is far too much radiated ; and I only give it 

 in the hope of calling attention to the fact that the common northern 

 species, E. aurantium, has never been foimd in Britain unless 

 " Ech. granulatus M'Coy be, as Forbes suspected, the same species : 

 it is very much like it." 



Again, lower down on the same page are these expressions : " Fig. 

 6» represents the outer surface, but, as above said, highly exaggerated 

 as to the radiation. Nor is the central tubercle conspicuous, and I' can- 

 not help believing ■ that Forbes had allowed his artist to figure a portion 

 of the true foreign aurantium to make up for deficiences in the British 

 specimens supposed identical. Such mingling of figures, hoivever, must 

 be condemned as tending to create confusion. It is introduced here to 

 call attention to it and prevent future mistakes." 



As I am the " artist " alluded to in the above extract, and 

 "Forbes" (Professor Forbes) is the author of this assumed misre- 

 presentation of facts, I beg to state my firm belief to be that the 

 figure was correctly drawn by me, from Welsh specimens, as clearly 

 described in the explanation of the original plates accompanying- 

 Professor Forbes' articles (Mem. Geol. Surv., vol. ii., part ii., p. 537,) 

 as follows : 



" Plate XXII.- — SphcEronites aurantium. — a. specimen showing the 

 base ; b. cast, showing the plates ; c. external structure of the plates : 

 all from Wales, and in the collections of the Geological Survey ;" 

 and that it is highly improbable Professor Forbes would have 

 "allowed" me to copy the markings upon a foreign specimen of 

 the species he wished to identify it with, without, at least, stating- 

 such to be the fact. 



I remain, sir, very truly yours, 



Wm. Helliek Bailt. 



Belleville, 135, Eathgae Eoad, Dublin. 

 Sept. 15, 1866. 



nyciscEiLXj^A^n^riBOTJS. 



FiGTTKES OF CHARACTERISTIC BRITISH FossiLS. — Mr. William 

 HeUier Baily, F.G.S., F.L.S. (BeUeville, 135, Eathgar Eoad, Dublin), 

 Acting Paleontologist to the Geological Survey of Ireland, an- 

 nounces that he is about to publish, uniform in size with Professor 



