THE DEVONIAN FOSSILS OF CANADA WEST. 251 
find, by comparing them with the figures and descriptions, I am well 
aware, from my own experience, is impossible. There are numerous 
species concerning which the most experienced practical naturalists 
would remain in doubt, although assisted in the examination by all 
the aids that can be drawn from extensive libraries of scientific works. 
Let no beginner, therefore, feel disappointed or discouraged should he 
fail to satisfy himself that he has succeeded in naming his specimens 
correctly from books. These papers will be of some service ; but I 
shall also be most happy to examine and name (so far as I can) col- 
lections from any part of the Province, on condition that I shall be 
permitted to describe the new forms, and retain, for the Provincial 
Collection, a specimen of each species of which we have not already 
examples in the Museum. This would be beneficial to all parties, 
and greatly promote the advance of science in this country, I 
earnestly hope, that at least a few of those who reside in the vicinity 
of fossiliferous Devonian rocks in Canada West, may be induced to 
render me their assistance in this way. The specimens should be 
carefully wrapped up in paper and packed in a strong box, and sent 
to the Geological Survey at Montreal. Delicate fossils should be 
protected, by being placed in a separate box, otherwise they will be 
crushed by the others. When a fine fossil, such as a well preserved 
trilobite, encrinite, or othoceratite, is imbedded in a piece of stone, 
no attempt should be made to chisel it out. Unless the operation ig 
performed by a most experienced hand, in nine cases out of ten the 
specimen will be greatly injured, if not totally destroyed. The lo- 
cality of each specimen should be given. I am particularly desirous 
of procuring specimens of fossil shells which exhibit the inner sur- 
face, since it is from such that the characters of the genera can be 
best worked out. As soon as they are examined, the specimens will 
be sent back, free of expense. 
ZOOPHYTA. 
In a paper published in the Canadian Journal for March, 1859, 
I gave an account of forty-three species of corals from the Devonian 
rocks of Canada West. In the following article I shall describe 
eleven new species; and there are from ten to fifteen others which 
must remain until better specimens can be procured. I think it pro- 
bable that altogether there are eighty species of corals in these rocks 
in Canada, and many of them were so prolific, that the zoophyta 
