198 Dr. BZ. Woodward — On Eurypterus Scouteri, Hibbert. 



It was pointed out at that time (1872) that this singular species 

 "presents many anomalies and considerable divergence from the 

 type-form of Eurypterus remipes," De Kay, from the U. Silurian of 

 New York. 



" In the curious form of the eyes, elevated above the carapace, 

 upon a round base or peduncle, and in the singular bifurcating 

 median ridges, or crests between the eyes, we are reminded of 

 Stylonurus Scoticus; but the rounded, almost hemispherical head- 

 shield, finds its analogue alone in the carapace of the modern 

 Limulus. In point of size, E. Scouleri claims a place among the 

 largest of the Merostomata." (op. cit. p. 138.) 



Our restoration is based upon an acquaintance with two separate 

 heads — one of which is almost completely perfect, and has the two 

 most anterior segments attached to it ; and a body, made up of the 

 eight hindmost body-rings, all duly united and showing both upper 

 and lower surface entire, and preserved in the round. Of the mouth 

 organs we only know the basal joints imperfectly, from a specimen 

 of a head in Mr. James Powrie's collection, which we were permitted 

 to develope upon the under side ; but from the entire absence of 

 appendages to the body -segments, we are justified in concluding that 

 its mouth organs also subserved the office of locomotory appendages, 

 as in the rest of this singular order. 



From the form of its body there can be little doubt that its habit 

 was aquatic and not terrestrial, for we have detected the thoracic 

 plate which must have covered the branchiae, and there is no evidence 

 of tracheal openings in the body-segments. But, on the other hand, 

 there seems good geological evidence for concluding that Eurypterus 

 Scouleri was an inhabitant of freshwater. 



The following description of the locality whence it was derived is 

 most suggestive : — 



The specimens are from a quarry at Kirkton, near Bathgate, West 

 Lothian, which, it would appear, is not in the Coal-measures proper, 

 but in the Carboniferous Limestone. The bed is described in a 

 Memoir by Dr. Hibbert, upon certain freshwater limestones (Trans. 

 Koy. Soc. Edinb., vol. xiii. 1836). 



" A mile or two to the east of Bathgate, at Kirkton, we find that a 

 very considerable outbreak of Greenstone has occurred. Close to it 

 on the west appears the limestone of Kirkton. By this contiguity, 

 we are assured that the limestone must have been elaborated within 

 the immediate sphere and influence of an extensive volcanic eruption. 

 The consequence has been that one of the most unique formations of 

 which Great Britain can boast has been formed, indicative of thermal 

 waters, belonging to the Carboniferous epoch. 



" A decidedly freshwater formation is thus exposed, which is 

 characterized by the absence of all marine shells, corallines, etc., and 

 the presence of the well-known vegetable-remains of the Coal forma- 

 tion. 



" But the remarkable circumstance in this limestone is its minera- 

 logical character, indicative of the very powerful chemical action 

 under which it was elaborated. This chemical action appears to 



