ANNELIDES. 107 



several examples for its elucidation. The figures given at Plate X, figs. 2, 2a, 2b, do not 

 exhibit the degree of angularity in the whorls and prominence in the bands which is 

 usually seen, and the longitudinal indentations are more than usually prominent The fine 

 encircling striae, although not shown in the specimen figured by M. D'Archiac, are par- 

 ticularly mentioned in the description of the species. The axial and basal diameters are 

 nearly equal. 



Locality. It is tolerably abundant in the Minchinhampton district, occurring in all 

 shelly beds. Eparcy, France. 



Class — Annelides, Cumer. 



Serpula oblique-striata. Plate V, fig. 19, 19a. 



L. Testa vermiformi, lateribus subcoi/ipressis, striis crebris irregularibus, obliquis antice 

 curvatis, in cristam longitudinalem Jlectis. 



Shell vermiform, the sides slightly compressed, with stria? closely arranged, irregular, 

 oblique, curved towards the anterior extremity, and bent into a longitudinal ridge. 



Locality. It is rare, and occurs in the planking of Minchinhampton Common. Of the 

 few specimens seen, none exceed an inch in length, and 2 lines in their transverse diameter. 



Note on the term "Planking." 



It will be observed that the term "planking" is frequently used in stating the position and range of 

 fossils from Minchinhampton Common. This is a name applied indifferently by quarrymen to any stone, 

 the beds of which divide into thin horizontal slabs or planks. At Minchinhampton Common it is understood 

 to indicate the uppermost of that series of shelly beds which are known as the weatherstones, or stones which 

 are supposed to be capable of resisting the disintegrating action of frost. At Bussage and Eastcombs the 

 term white stone is employed by quarrymen when speaking of this bed, which at the two latter localities 

 has quite changed its mineral character. It is not improbable that this white stone is the English repre- 

 sentative of the pierre blanche of the Great Oolite of Normandy, which has yielded to M. Deslongchamps so 

 numerous a series of shells. 



