78 JOURNAL AND PROCEEDINGS 



siderable thickness, we may infer that it was a minute form fully 

 developed and not a young shell. 



The ravine below the "Albion Mills" is another locality near 

 Hamilton to which I would call attention. I have not been there 

 for many years, but the Lingulse are of much interest. In many 

 instances the thin outer valves are retained, but they are white or 

 colorless, even in layers corresponding in position with the colored 

 Lingular beds near the Reservoir. 



The Burton shales resting on the chert beds here (although 

 very fossiliferous) hold few specimens of Phosphatic shells. The 

 Lingular (three species) are in good preservation, usually retaining 

 both valves, which are black or horny. They appear to be confined 

 to the lower beds ; however, only in a few places are the upper ones 

 exposed, so it is possible they may have hitherto escaped detection. 



I am unable to state what induced Professor Morse, during the 

 course of his experiments, to arrive at the conclusion that the living 

 Lingula was a "specialized worm." It may seem perfectly natural to 

 an evolutionist for an Annelid that found itself exposed to the attacks 

 of enemies in the rear to evolve some shelly protection for the part 

 exposed. Perhaps, in the words of Voltaire, " the first step was the 

 only difficulty." A friend of mine suggested a different solution, but 

 I doubt whether it can be seriously entertained by any naturalist, viz. : 

 that the worm may have accidentally introduced the extreme end of 

 its tail into the open valves of the Mollusc, and that the latter 

 indignantly resented the intrusion by closing the doors of its habitation 

 on its unwelcome visitor, and then, to use the words of "Ingoldsby," 

 slightly altered — 



" In vain did it strain every muscle — 

 The valves held it fast 

 From that hour 'til the last — 

 It could never get rid of its comfortless bustle. " 



How the Mollusc or worm transmitted to its posterity the 

 marked characteristics of both combined I am unable to say. In 

 the larval stage, Lingula, it is said, closely resemble the larva of an 

 Annelid ; this two-fold nature of early organisms has frequently been 

 noticed by naturalists. 



The mystery of life, however, remains an unsolved problem to 



