3 SUPPLEMENT TO THE 



In his 'Thesaurus Devonico-carbonarius,' published in 1878, Dr. Bigsby enumerated 

 some ]240 so-termed species and named varieties of Brachiopoda from the Devonian 

 formation, distributed into 57 genera; but, on looking over the list, I find a large number 

 of synonyms, which, if taken into account, w^ould diminish the number very consider- 

 ably ; there are also some few species not recorded. 



We are certainly not in a position to state accurately how many really good species 

 occur even in our British Devonian rocks, notwithstanding all the care that has been 

 devoted to their study. In my Devonian Monograph and present Supplement I shall 

 have described and figured some 108 so-termed species and varieties; but, as seven or 

 more are still uncertain, or are varieties of some of the others, I estimate the number of 

 good species under 100, distributed into 30 genera.' 



Time and continued research will enable future palaeontologists to arrive at some- 

 thing more definite than we are at present in a position to oS'er. When, three years ago, 

 I began assembling material and observations for a Devonian Supplement, I felt almost 

 in despair of being able to add much to what I had previously published. Several 

 friends, however, soon came forward to assist me in their usual generous manner. To 

 Mr. G. E. Whidborne, F.G.S., of Torquay, I am especially indebted, for he spared no 

 trouble in visiting and revisiting the quarries in the vicinity of Torquay, and in procuring 

 from his friends all that could be obtained. Mr. Whidborne I fomid to be a careful and 

 accurate observer, and he also, in the most generous manner possible, placed his speci- 

 mens unreservedly into the hands of myself and the Rev. Norman Glass, intimating at 

 the same time that we might make any use of them we might deem necessary for the 

 advancement of science. 



Nothing had then been done in developing the loops and spirals of our British 

 Devonian spiral-bearing species. Notwithstanding the generally unsatisfactory and 

 intractable nature of the matrix surrounding and filling the shells, necessitating much 

 hard labour, the destruction of very many specimens, and much time and patience, Mr. 

 Glass determined to make a special study of these internal structures, and the results 

 obtained bring him the greatest credit.^ 



I received also much valuable help from Mr. W. Pengelly, F.R.S., who, with his 

 usual liberality, kindly obtained for me the loan of a number of specimens out of 

 the Museum of the Torquay Society of Natural History. The other veteran geologist 

 of the locality, Mr. J. E. Lee, E.G.S., contributed likewise whatever his collection could 

 ofier. To Mr. A. Champernowne, F.G.S., of Dartington Hall, Totnes, to Mr. W. Vicary, 

 E.G.S., of Exeter, Mr. Townshend M. Hall, E.G.S., and others, I am likewise deeply 

 indebted for much valuable help. I also wish to acknowledge the assistance I have 



1 See also a paper by Mr. W. Pengelly, " On the Distribution of the Brachiopoda in Devonshire and 

 Cornwall," 'Trans, of the Devonshire Association for the Advancement of Science, Literature, and Art,' 

 1876. 



2 Mr. Glass will give a full account of his operations in the Silurian Supplement. 



