296 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



Cardiol a (Buchiola) retrostriata Clarke, Am. Geologist. August 1891. 



p. 91, 96 

 Buchiola retrostriata Beushausen, Abhandl. der konigl. Preuss. Geolog. Lan- 



desanst. N. F. 1895. Heft 17, p. 326, pi. 34, fig. 9, 10 



We have already stated that the generic type of Buchiola is repre- 

 sented by fewer specific expressions in the Devonic of New York than in 

 the Rhineland. It is furthermore but sparsely found among faunas which 

 antedate the Intumescens zone, but with a few other species of this fauna 

 it continues its existence in the eastern subprovince for a while after the 

 introduction of the brachiopod fauna. With the arrival of the Intumescens 

 fauna, even in its prenuncial appearance, Buch. retrostriata was com- 

 mon, and in the shales and sands of the Naples beds it became, probably, 

 the most abundant fossil of these rocks. 



Following the excellent example of Beushausen, we find reason to 

 recognize certain specific differences in New York specimens of Buchiola 

 which have heretofore been in part embraced under the specific terms cited 

 above, by Professor Hall and the writer. Compared with Professor Beushau- 

 sen's careful delineations of what must be regarded, in lieu of more precise 

 knowledge, as typical examples of Venericardium retrostriatum 

 v. Buch, and Cardium pal ma turn Goldfs., we are bound to conclude 

 that no specific difference exists between the great majority of examples of 

 Buchiola in the Naples beds and Buch. retrostriata. It is equally 

 true that no material distinction can be found between these specimens and 

 Beushausen's conception of Buch. pal mat a. For us- these two vener- 

 able names, whose specific independence is recognized by the German 

 savant, express the extremes of variation in sculpture of the New York 

 species. Of both we find the equivalent in our common shell, which we 

 designate with complete propriety, Buchiola retrostriata. 



Shell small, oblique oval, this obliquity frequently being exaggerated 

 and sometimes lessened by the angle and degree of compression in the 

 shales. Full grown individuals are highly convex when uncompressed, the 

 greatest elevation being near the middle of the valve ; the umbones are full 



