THE HAMILTON ASSOCIATION. 125 
derstand why students in colleges and universities are so moulded 
by their teachers that they rarely depart from the old groove. They 
are too ready to accept as gospel truths what such venerable sages 
record for instruction and guidance. Perhaps pardon may be ac- 
corded for the digression. 
PALAOPHYCUS. 
Although I have already described and given the dimensions 
of a Paleeophycus, from a, large block of Barton Niagara limestone, 
in a former paper on “Silurian Plant Remains,” (the original descrip- 
tion of the genus by Hall I cannot find just now), I may be per- 
mitted to offer a few remarks on fragments of two species before us 
from the Medina freestone beds. Taking the smaller and better 
preserved one first, you may notice how boldly it stands out in relief 
from the surface of the layer. On measuring the stem across, a 
little below where it branches, you will find it to be about two 
inches. It then divides unequally, the spreading branch to the 
right (wider than the main stalk) is more than double the width of 
the one to the left. The general appearance indicates what is com- 
monly known as a leathery sea-weed. The branches are not in 
tufts. Compare it with a Licrophycus from Anticosti, Cambro- 
Silurians, and the difference is at once apparent, although the latter 
perhaps may have been very distantly related. It is certain there are 
distinct species or varieties. Some are so poorly preserved that specific 
determination is impossible, and little can be done in the way of 
classification until we arrive at a final settlement regarding these 
problematic organisms. The second example of the Fucoid 
(and I need not say I consider it such), I now display for 
the first time. It was obtained in a quarry near the city, a few 
hundred yards from Judge Robertson’s residence, but at the 
same horizon as the other, which was discovered adjacent to 
the main reservoir, in an abandoned quarry. I attribute the 
preservation of the plant remains to their having been covered 
by a thin muddy sediment before decay set in. This shale, 
rather indurated at places, varies a little in thickness, but averages 
nor far, perhaps, from six to seven lines, or thereabouts. Ido not 
believe it is ever absent. There is little difficulty in recognizing 
the position of what I venture to name the Fucoid bed of the Medina 
Grey-band. _ I have hitherto failed to discover the vertical tubes’ 
