1 40 Paleontology of new jersey. 



SCALARIA HERCULES, n. Sp. 



Plate XVIII, Fig. 13. 



Shell of large size, robust in proportions, nnmber of volutions unknown 

 but compact, comparatively sliort, not very ventricose and closely united 

 at the suture lines; apical angle 20° to 25°, giving a rather elongated spire; 

 volutions crossed by from twelve to fourteen very strong vertical varices, 

 which form thick rounded ribs, rather closely arranged, and each marked 

 by two rounded tubercles, one just below the upper suture line and the 

 other near the lower suture line; also a central line of smaller ridge-like 

 nodes intermediate between the other two, apparent on the last volution, 

 marking the position of a spiral carina on the center of the volution, w;hile 

 other spiral carinae cross the upper and lower lines of nodes, and on the 

 base of the last volution the usual carina surrounding the umbilicus is also 

 marked by a thickening of the vertical ribs, but without forming distinct 

 ribs; form of aperture and intermediate surface structure undetermined. 



This species seems to be a true Scalaria and has been one of the largest 

 and most robust of its kind. The vertical ridges are, however, rounded, 

 thickened ribs, and not simply varical lips, as in very many of the recent 

 forms; as the varix has been filled to a solid rib before the growth of 

 the shell beyond it had progressed. The number of these varices also 

 varies somewhat on the different volutions, especially between the bod%y 

 whorl and the one preceding it, as they are doubled in some places on the 

 former. On a second specimen the surface of the shell appears to have 

 been marked by closely arranged spiral lines which cross the varices, but 

 as both specimens used are gutta-percha casts from natural molds which are 

 very imperfect, these features are not as distinctly seen as would be 

 desirable. The larger individual must have been 4 or 4J inches in length 

 when perfect, with a diameter of fully 1^ inches of the body volution. 



I know of no other species to which this can be said to be closely 

 related. 



Formation and locality: Both individuals are known from the matrix 

 only, in a hard ferruginous sandstone nodule, bearing impressions of Cypri- 

 meria dejtressa, Leiopistha protexta, and other known lower marl fossils. 



