R. Etheridge, jun.— Carboniferous Tubicolar Annelida. 221 
so after mature reflection and the examination of a very large 
number of specimens. The trivial differences which may perhaps 
be found between any two of these, or between the whole collec- 
tively, cannot, I think, be considered of much importance in the 
specific diagnosis of such very variable animals as Tubicolar Anne- 
lida. In all the tube is dextral and adherent, is frequently found 
imbedded in the substance of the body to which it is attached, and 
within narrow limits the surface ornamentation is identical. I am 
fortified in this reference by the opinions of Drs. Dawson and 
Goldenberg. The former states that the Canadian form is “ appa- 
rently not specifically distinct from Microconchus carbonarius of the 
British Coal-fields,”! whilst the latter informs us that the American 
Spirorbis is identical with that met with in the Saarbruck Coal- 
field.* 
Col. Portlock, and following him Prof. M‘Coy, referred to the 
Devonian species S. omphalodes, Goldf., a form found in the Carbon- 
iferous System of Ireland. ‘Their remarks, especially in reference to 
the impressions left by the tubes on the surface of plants, lead me to 
the conclusion that the forms described by them are identical with 
the present species. 
Loe. and Horizon.—It is unnecessary to mention the host of places 
at which, Microconchus pusillus has been met with; but the following 
may be taken as representative ones, both in a geological and 
geographical sense. 
In a bed of limestone, associated with and adhering to bivalves, 
seen in a quarry on the Linnhouse Water, opposite the Oakbank 
Oil Works, near Mid-Calder; in Cyprid shale, associated with 
and adhering to plants and bivalves (Anthracomya Scotica, mihi, 
and Anthracoptera obesa, mihi), at Straiton Oil Shale Works, near 
Burdiehouse, and in fact about the horizon of the Burdiehouse beds 
generally (I/r. J. Bennie). In the Burdiehouse Limestone, at 
Burdiehouse (J/r. C. W. Peach). KR. Tweed, below Coldstream 
Bridge, adhering to bivalves (J/r. A. Macconochie). In Estheria 
shale at Lammerton, Berwickshire (Prof. T. R. Jones). These horizons 
are all in the Cement-stone Group of the Calciferous Sandstone 
Series of Scotland. 
In the Bo’ness Upper Ironstone, at Kinneil, near Bo’ness, of the 
Middle Limestone Group (= L. Coal-measures of some authors), of 
the Carb. Limestone Series of Scotland (Jf. J. Bennie). In fresh- 
water and estuary limestone of the Campsie district, in the L. 
Carb. Limestone Group of Scotland (Messrs. Young and Armstrong). 
In freshwater limestone above the Main Coal at Carluke (ibid.) 
? In the Shotts Upper Cannel or Gas Coal, at Trees, near Bathgate ; 
shales over the Virtuewell Coal, at Windy Edge, near Shotts Kirk ; 
shales over the Airdrie Black-band Ironstone, at Darngavel, near 
Airdrie (Mr. J. Bennie). These horizons are all in the Coal-measures 
of Scotland. In the Blue or Big Vein Ironstone at Sirhowy, and in 
the Spotted Vein Ironstone at Beaufort, in the 8. Wales Coal-field 
1 Acad. Geol. 1868, p. 205. 
2 Fauna Sarepontana Foss. 1$77, heft 2, p. 6. 
