322 A. Crane— Classification of the Brachiopoda. 
phases before attaining maturity. The result was almost the same 
in the end, as each branch produced forms with a long free loop 
characteristic of Dallina septigera in the northern oceans and some- 
what modified in Magellania venosa of the southern oceans. 
The Megathyrinae appear to represent the stem from which both 
branches of the Terebratelloids diverged, and we should not be 
surprised if the Centronelling were ultimately found to occupy the 
same position at the base of the Terebratulide (emend. Beecher). It is 
to this Paleeozoic sub-family that the interesting new genus Hallina, 
which seems to be a mixed type, is referred. It is described as a 
smnall articulate shell, rostrate, biconvex, semiplicate with incomplete 
deltidial plates “and calcified brachial supports comparatively long 
and in form much as in Waldheimia.” This is the oldest Terebratu- 
loid known, and is represented by two widely distributed species in 
the Trenton and Hudson River groups of the Lower Silurian of 
New York. Iowa, Minnesota, Tennessee, and Kentucky.’ 
Dr. Beecher gives three plates illustrating the individual and 
genealogical development of the Terebratellide figuring the gwyni- 
form, cistelliform, bouchardiform, megerliniform, magadiform, 
magaselliform, terebratelliform, and ultimate magellaniform phase 
successively assumed by the higher members of the sub-family 
Magellaniing of the southern oceans. The gwyniform, cistelliform, 
platidiform, ismeniform, muhlfeldtiform, terebratelliform, dalliniform 
grades of the boreal sub-family Dallining are placed side by side 
for comparison. 
An interesting account is added of the “development of a new 
form Terebratalia obsoleta,” Dall, a Californian brachiopod, originally — 
described by Dall as a variety of his Terebratella occidentalis ; but 
now, not only admitted to rank as a distinct species, but, according 
to Beecher, representing an adult stage in the development of 
Terebratella differing so much from the typical Terebratella dorsata, 
Gmelin, that it is given generic rank as Terebratalia, Beecher. 'To 
this new genus the species, hitherto known as Terebratella transversa, 
frontalis, and coreanica, are also referred, with T. transversa, G. B. 
Sowerby, as the type. 
We were not aware, prior to reading the footnote on p. 3838 of 
Dr. Beecher’s paper, that Megerlina was a synonym of Megerlia (now 
called Muhlfeldtia) ; but considered that Deslongchamps’ name re- 
presented a valid sub-genus of Kraussina. Indeed, this seems to be 
the view Dr. Beecher has also taken in the text on p. 380! 
Some confusion is excusable. A pocket guide to the synonymy 
of the Brachiopoda would be useful at this juncture; but, like some 
of the missionary vocabularies of native South American dialects, it 
might become obsolete before the generic and specific compilation 
was completed, for the Brachiopodal nomenclature has been shifted 
of late with kaleidoscopic rapidity. However, as has been well said 
by an American writer: “The foolish and the dead alone never 
change their opinions.” ? 
1 “New Brachiopoda from the Trenton and Hudson River groups of Minnesota.” 
By ee eachell and Charles Schuchert (American Geologist), vol. ix. May, 1892. 
owell. 
