1855.] OWEN FOSSIL CEPHALOPOD. 125 



the shell that it was slightly convex there along the ventral aspect ; 

 but, though it has been subject to compression, the solid resisting 

 calcified part was evidently much thinner than in the cuttle-bones, or 

 sepia-shclls, of the present seas ; and the distinct horny layers con- 

 tinued through the substance of the shell form a modification of 

 structure not known in any existing Cephalopod with a calcified 

 internal shell. 



From the Kelceno of Munster (Acanthoteuthis of Wagner), the 

 genus indicated by this shell differs in having the lateral expansions ; 

 from the Teudopsis of Deslongchamps and Acanthoteuthis of D'Or- 

 bigny it differs in the well-defined and restricted extent of those 

 expansions ; from the Ommastrephes and Conoteuthis of D'Orbigny 

 it differs in the absence of the strong median crest or keel. The 

 nearest resemblance which I have found in previously described or 

 figured fossil remains of the Dibranchiate Ccphalopods is in that 

 specimen which forms the subject of Taf. ix. Ileft vii. of jNIiinster's 

 *' Beitriige zur Petrefacten-kiinde ;" of which plate no description or 

 notice occurs in the text or on the plate itself, in the copy of the 

 work in the Geological Society's Library. I am indebted to the 

 Referees of the present notice for the following information respecting 

 fig. 1. t. ix. Mimst. Beitr. vii. Heft. "It is the Loligo antiqua of 

 Munster, according to Hoeninghausen and D'Orbigny, and the Sepia 

 prisca of Koenig's * Icones.' Bronn refers it to the Sepia hastifor- 

 mis, Riippell, Solenh. 9. t. 3. f, 2 ; but that species may be different. 

 D'Orbignv figures two species of ' Coccoteuthis.^ But from all these 

 Mr. Brodie's fossil is probably distinct." [Feb. 22, 1855.] The 

 present example from the Kimmeridge shales appears to be a distinct 

 species ; it is broader in proportion to its length. 



To facilitate future references and comparisons of the rare indica- 

 tions of the higher organised naked Ccphalopods in our oolitic series, 

 I propose to name the specimen here described Coccoteuthis* lati- 

 pinnis, in reference to the well-marked granulated surface of the 

 calcified part of the sepium, and to the breadth of the pallial fins. 

 Its essential generic character is the extent of the calcified part of the 

 shell combined with the horny part. It indicates a genus or sub- 

 genus with very interesting intermediate or osculant characters 

 between the Cuttles {Sepiadce) and ^o^x^'&iTeuthidce or Loligiiiidce) 

 of the present time ; and it illustrates in the highest class of Mol- 

 lusca that adherence to a more general type, which I have had 

 occasion to point oat in the fossils of many other classes of animals 

 from the Secondarv formations. 



A second specimen, somewhat larger and nearly as well preserved, 

 has been obtained from the same locality by Mr. Groves of Ware- 

 ham. — R. O. April, 1855. 



* From k6kko<;, a berry, and revQis, a squid or calamary. 



