FROM NORTHWESTERN EUROPE 103 
Torquirhynchia cf. T. astierformis (Wisniewska) 
(Pl. 12, figs. 1-3, text-fig. 36) 
1932 Septaliphoria pinguis (Roemer) var. astieyfoymis Wisniewska: 27-28, pl. 1, fig. 19, ?20. 
EMENDED DIAGNOSIS. Relatively flattened, medium sized Torquirhynchia ; 
about 20 subangular ribs ; beak small ; asymmetrical development not sufficient 
to produce a frontal notch ; crura radulifer. 
STRATIGRAPHICAL RANGE. The material described by the author came from the 
mutabilis zone of the Kimmeridgian, while the specimens figured by Wisniewska 
came from the “‘ Rauracien sup.”’ and “‘ Kimmeridgien ? ”’ 
MATERIAL. 6 specimens collected by the author from Sermérieu (Isére), including 
B.M. BB.45174, BB.45175, BB.45176. 
Description. External characters. The width is greater than the length and 
the greatest width is towards the anterior ; this, combined with the rather steep 
apical angle, results in an overall subtriangular outline. T. cf. T. astieriformis is 
equally biconvex and relatively flattened as compared with other species of the 
genus. The coarse ribs arise at the umbones and continue simply to the anterior 
margin ; concentric ornament has not been observed. 
The beak is suberect and flanked by slight beak ridges which delimit the weakly 
developed and slightly incurved interarea. Disjunct deltidial plates define the 
relatively small pedicle opening. Asymmetry is characteristic but is not so marked 
as in T. guebhardi as it does not result in the development of a frontal notch. 
DIMENSIONS OF FIGURED SPECIMENS. 
length thickness width 
3°18 cm 2°55 cm 3°49 cm 
2°63 cm 2°94 cm 3:00 cm 
2°32 cm 2°47 cm 2°73 cm 
Internal characters. Pedicle valve. The lateral cavities are bounded by strong, 
subparallel dental lamellae which break away from the ventral wall of the valve, as 
seen in transverse section, before the insertion of the teeth. The teeth are strong 
and crenulated ; well developed lateral denticulae are present. 
Brachial valve. The sockets show tegulate crenulations and both inner and outer 
socket ridges are strongly developed. The redulifer crura curve towards the pedicle 
valve ; at their distal ends they produce the rather peculiar processes seen in 
text-fig. 36. 
DISTRIBUTION. As stated above, the author’s material came from Isére where, 
according to Dr. Enay (personal communication 1964), it is not an uncommon 
species. The only figured material likely to be conspecific is that of Wisniewska 
(1932) from Poland. 
OCCURRENCE. The species was collected from irregularly interbedded, fine 
grained limestones and marls. The exposure consisted of a small roadside cutting 
and the varied fauna present was largely collected from around a small sponge reef 
about 1 m high and 2 macross. Apart from the rhynchonellids, the fauna included 
