200 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



specimens of I . anastoraoticus are used as illustrations of the genus. 

 Since, however, it is obvious that the Lockport specimens led to the erec- 

 tion of the genus and the description of the latter is based on these, the 

 term Palaeodictyota, though a misnomer, can be given validity by amending 

 the genus with P. anastomotica as genotype. 



Because it lacks the spines entirely we have placed here also Ino- 

 caulis bella Hall and Whitfield, although in the few fragmentary 

 specimens known it fails to show any anastomoses. We have, however, a 

 form from the Clinton iron ore of New York which undoubtedly is an 

 ancestor or earlier mutation of I no caul is b el 1 u s and which, while in 

 the distal parts of the branches possessing like loose branching, exhibits 

 distinct anastomoses more proximally and leaves no doubt that also the 

 free distal portions of its branches which are exactly like those of I n o - 

 c a u 1 i s bella would eventually have been reunited into a desmograptoid 

 meshwork. 



Genotype. P. anastomotica (Ringueberg) 



Palaeodictyota anastomotica (Ringueberg) 



Plate 6, figure 4 



Inocaulis anastomotica Ringueberg. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phil. Proc. 188S. P-i3i» 



13 2 ; pi- 7. fig- 2 , 2a 



Inocaulis anastomotica Gurley. Jour. Geol. 1896. 4:99,308 

 Palaeodictyota ramulosa (Spencer) Whitfield. Am. Mus. Nat. Hist. 1902, 

 v. 16, art. 30, p.399, pi. 53 



This important graptolite of the Rochester shale has been carefully 

 described by Dr Ringueberg. The following is the original description : 



Frond flabelliform or possibly circular or cyathiform in the perfect state 

 It is composed of large coarse branches, the principal ascending ones 

 of which are from 2 to 3 mm in width, with smaller lateral branches and 

 tips. Whole frond united by frequent anastomoses into an irregular net- 

 work. The branches seem to anastomose as frequently by the growing 

 towards each other of two adjacent branches; these unite whenever they 

 chance to meet into a common branch, which grows upwards and bifurcates 

 as before; as by the more slender diagonal connecting filaments. 



By reason of this peculiar mode of growth no single branch can, as a 



