V. — Observations on Belemnites. 

 By Mr. J. S. MILLER, A.L.S., &c. Communicated by the Rev. W. D. Co- 



NYBEARE, F.R.S. M.G.S., &C. 



[Read April 4th, 1823.] 



An attentive examination of Belemnites has enabled me to ascertain their 

 zoological characters, and to distinguish betw^een the different species which 

 have been discovered more precisely than has yet been done. 



The result of this examination I have now the pleasure of laying before the 

 Geological Society ; but before I proceed to describe the characters of these 

 fossilsj it will be interesting to notice the various opinions which have at dif- 

 ferent times been entertained respecting them. We may indeed derive some 

 useful hints from ancient names and traditions, as pointing out the countries 

 in which particular fossils are found, and hence obtain some knowledge of the 

 strata occurring in the places to which such traditions refer. 



T. Geological Position of Belemnites, and a Sketch of the Opinions that have 

 been entertained respecting their Origin. 



The geological position of Belemnites is in the lias and in the strata above 

 it, as high as the chalk inclusive. None have ever been found in beds older 

 than the new red-sandstone on the one hand, nor on the other in any of the 

 formations above the chalk. They also occur frequently detached and boul- 

 dered among gravel and alluvial soils, the compactness of their substance 

 having preserved them from complete destruction. In the beds to which they 

 belong they occur in association with the remains of marine animals, and are 

 so frequently met with that it is evident they were by no means rare in the 

 seas in which they lived. 



The term Belemnite is derived from ^zkz^vov, a dart or arrow, which the fos- 

 sil is supposed to resemble ; and hence the English name Arrowhead and the 

 German Pfeilstein. 



The fanciful opinions which have at various times been entertained respect- 

 ing the origin of fossil organic remains, and which are to be attributed to a 



