233 



BRITISH FOSSIL CRUSTACEA. 



Limulus. Instead, however, of proposing a new generic name, he wisely decided to adopt 

 the appropriate name of Bellinurus, which was applied by Konig to one of the most 

 common species from the West of England. 



A very doubtful fossil, from the Lower Silurian, is figured by Professor M'Coy, in 

 Pal. Foss. Woodw. Mus. pi. i E, fig. 22, under the name of " Bellinurus ? " This may 

 possibly be a phyllopodous head shield. 



Species 1.— BELLINURUS KILTORKENSIS :— Baily. MS. (woodcut, fig. 79). 



Bellinurus Kiltorkensis, Baily. Brit. Assoc, Exeter, 1869, Reports, p. 7b. 



Fig. 79. 

 " I 



The above sketch and the following note concerning this little form of Bellinurus 

 was most obligingly furnished me some time since 1 by my friend Mr. William Hellier 

 Baily, F.L.S., Acting Palaeontologist to the Geological Survey of Ireland, but has been 

 overlooked until now. 



Fragmentary as is the evidence it affords it is nevertheless of the greatest interest, as 

 assisting to fill up the hiatus between Neolimulus in the Upper Silurian and Bellinurus in 

 the Coal-measures. 



It carries back the genus Bellinurus to a much more remote period than its con- 

 geners. 



The fossil remains of Bellinurus Kiltorkensis, Baily, consist of a head somewhat 

 distorted (fig. 79 b) and another in much better preservation (fig. 79 a) with portions of 

 two body-rings united to it. 



It closely resembles Bellinurus reginae from the Kilkenny Coal-measures, especially in 

 being provided with a border and spines developed from the posterior angles, as in manv 

 of the Trilobites. (a.) Carapace measuring half an inch in breadth and 4^ lines in 

 length ; cheek spines about 2 lines long, (b.) Carapace distorted. 



The eyes are about 2 lines apart, and are placed near the anterior margin of the head, 

 being attached to an arched division forming the central portion of the head. 



Two portions of the thoracic rings remain attached to the carapace ; they appear to 

 terminate in pointed extremities. 



Locality. — From the Upper Old Red Sandstone, Kiltorcan, Co. Kilkenny, Ireland. 



The specimens are in the Collection of the Geol. Survey of Ireland, Dublin. 



1 July, 1872. 



