SOME FOSSILS FROM SEYMOUR ISLAND, OBTAINED BY DR DONALD. 709 



Crassatella (?). 



A fragment of a lamellibranch shell (fig. 7), on the under side of the Cytherea, 

 shows strong, widely separated, raised lines, in the direction of the lines of growth, witli 

 finer intermediate lines — an ornamentation resembling that of some Crassatellce. 



Donax (?). 



A small triangular valve of a lamellibranch (fig. 6), also on the Cytherea, which has 

 the umbo nearly central, and the lip crenulated, looks much like a Donax. Near this 

 shell is another (fig. 5), much denuded, showing indistinct radiating lines, crossed by two 

 or three ridges following the lines of growth ; this may perhaps belong to the same 



Natica (?). 



One very much denuded gasteropod shell (fig. 4) has much the character of a Natica, 

 but this reference is rendered uncertain by the presence of longitudinal lines on the 

 abraded surface, reminding one of those seen on Purpura — the mouth, however, shows no 

 signs of any siphonal notch ; but, on the other hand, there is a thick callus over the 

 umbilicus. Near the outer lip the lines of growth form strong and irregular varices. 

 There is evidence that, when complete, the newer whorls largely overlapped the preceding- 

 ones, thus completely obliterating the sutures, as is so often the case in Natica. The 

 substance of the thick shell is deeply penetrated by some boring organism. 



Coniferous Wood. 



The pieces of wood are much mineralised, effervescing strongly with acid, and they 

 tend to break up in the rings of growth. The general appearance is that of coniferous 

 wood, and this is confirmed by an examination with the microscope. A transverse 

 section (fig. 9) shows the rings of thickened cells marking the yearly growth, much as in 

 fir wood. The radial section (fig. 8) exhibits the elongated cells, with their characteristic 

 discs, which are moderately large and in single rows. It is only here and there that the 

 discs are visible, having for the most part been obliterated. The medullary rays, as 

 shown in both radial and tangential sections, are arranged in small bundles. 



Other fossils are said to have been obtained from Seymour Island by a Swedish 

 vessel, and it is to be hoped that some account of them will be published. 



