ii PREFACE. 



adjacent Barton Quarries were closed. My attention was at first chiefly directed 

 to the Brachiopoda in special reference to Dr. Davidson's ' Supplement to the 

 Devonian Brachiopoda ' then in progress. From Lummaton I was able to supply 

 him with a large series of interesting species. This search, moreover, proved that 

 there were many other unrecognised British Devonian fossils outside the class of 

 Brachiopoda, and these, by Dr. Davidson's suggestion, I attempted to work out. 

 By the kindness of Mr. Vicary and Mr. Pengelly I was enabled to study the Fauna 

 of the equally rich locality of Wolborough, as well as some fossils from Chudleigh 

 and Chircombe Bridge. Before long, however, other duties obliged me to lay 

 aside the task uncompleted, and it remained in abeyance till last spring, when 

 Prof. Hughes brought his party of Cambridge geologists to Torquay. Having 

 had occasion during this visit to show him my notes, he strongly advised me to 

 resume the subject, and under his kind guidance my present task is undertaken. 



From these circumstances it has appeared to me that the best course to pursue 

 will be in the first instance to describe the fossils of the four localities mentioned 

 above, and then if possible to go on to those of other places. A view will thus be 

 presented of a typical Middle Devonian Fauna, gathered almost entirely from the. 

 two localities of Wolborough and Lummaton, which are in all probability almost 

 exactly upon the same horizon. Uppercot Quarry, near Chudleigh, lies most likely 

 higher in the series, and Chircombe Bridge, in the Bradley Woods, near Newton, 

 lower; but as Mr. Vicary has placed in my hands a small but very remarkable 

 series of fossils from these places I am tempted to include them in the present list. 



Besides the Woodwardian Professor I have to thank many kind friends for 

 their invaluable assistance. To Mr. T. Roberts, M.A., F.G.S., of the Woodwardian 

 Museum, I am under especial obligation for the constant supervision he has given 

 to my work. In most of the more doubtful points I have had the advantage of 

 consulting him, and in those cases have rarely felt satisfied till he and I have come 

 to an agreement. My thanks are also due to Prof. Rupert Jones, F.R.S., who has 

 examined the Ostracods and given me such great help as to enable me to identify 

 and describe them. To Mr. Vicary, F.G.S., I am under the greatest obligation 

 for the liberal way in which he has placed his splendid collection entirely at my 

 disposal. To Mr. Pengelly, F.R.S., and the Committee of the Torquay Natural 

 History Society, Dr. Woodward, F.R.S., Dr. Geikie, F.R.S., and Prof. Hughes, 

 M.A., F.G.S., I am indebted for the permission to examine and describe the 

 specimens in the Museums under their direction ; and I have cause for gratitude 

 to many other friends whose names will be mentioned in the body of the work. 

 Lastly, it is my sad pleasure to record the kind help that my two honoured 

 and lamented friends, Mr. Lee and Mr. Champernowne, gave me by the loan of 

 interesting fossils, and to commemorate the care and enthusiasm which Dr. 

 Davidson bestowed in his failing health upon the Brachiopoda of these localities. 



