in the Neighbourhood of Edinburgh. 179 



Faba, or any other of the microscopic animals which are the te- 

 nants of stagnant waters, the identity can only be inferred from 

 some external form, not always unambiguous, as for instance, 

 from a bivalve shell possessed in common with conchifera. 



I shall endeavour to describe some few of the infinite ento- 

 mostraca which are found in the limestone of Burdiehouse, all of 

 which are powerfully magnified. The little points inserted be- 

 low each, shew the natural size of the animal. 



Perhaps no minute animal found in this limestone is obtained 

 under circumstances of greater distinctness than the Cypris. 



The Cypris, as is well known, is represented as having two 

 antennae, straight, simple, and like a pencil of hairs at the top. 

 It has a single eye, and it has four claws. A bivalve shell, the on- 

 ly part preserved in a fossil state, encloses the body. The head 

 is concealed. 



In the present instance, the Cypris of Burdiehouse, which is 

 enclosed in a bivalve of a striking egg-shell complexion and white- 

 ness, differs from the Cypris Faba of geologists in the straightness 

 of its hinge, by which the form of a bean (whence the name of 

 Cypris Faba), becomes lost. 



In the annexed wood-cut, the greatly magnified, as well as 



b c the natural microscopic form of the Cypris, 



CP CS^ ^G* meet with a representation : a and c represent 



the general form of the shell, while b is a se- 

 parate and open valve. 



This interesting cypris is so characteristic of the deposit of 

 Burdiehouse, that an appellation expressive of its locality would 

 perhaps form its most suitable distinction. The limestone, which 

 is its matrix, occurs close to the village of Bourdeaux, whence, by 

 corruption, Burdie. And hence the name assigned to the loca- 

 lity by the French retainers of Queen Mary is most applicable in 

 the present instance ; it suggests the designation of Cyriiis 



ScOTO-BuRDIGALENSIS. 



In the next place, if it be allowable from analogy, rather than 



z 2 



