1893.] Geology and Paleontology. 559 
has for consideration. The Trichocemsis represents a type hitherto 
considered exclusively gerontogeic; the Stenogomphus is the first 
Gomphine fossil found in this country ; the Cicada for its great size 
and for being the first member of its family known from American 
rocks; the Hymenoptera is curiously related to Oriental forms; the 
Diptera are interesting departures from the modern types to which 
they are most nearly allied ; the two Coleoptera present some curious 
features ; the butterfly is of exceptional interest as belonging to a 
waning type which probably flourished remarkably in Oligocene times, 
if the published figures are to be regarded as having any weight at all. 
A Supposed New Order of Gigantic Fossils from 
Nebraska.—In “ University Studies,” published by the University of 
Nebraska, 1893, Mr. E. H. Barbour describes and figures a number of 
gigantic mineral bodies of such anomalous form and structure, that the 
author offers as a merely provisional classification until their place can 
be more definitely determined. 
These fossils are found in the Miocene beds which follow the divide 
between the White and Niobrara rivers in Sioux County, Nebraska. 
They are very abundant and increase in size toward the southern lmit 
of the beds. In appearance they resemble colossal corkscrews varying 
from two to nine feet in length. A transverse piece corresponding 
to the handle of the corkscrew, for which the term rhizome is adopted 
by the author, is often three feet in diameter. The fossil corkscrew 
is invariably vertical, while the so-called rhizome as invariably curves 
rapidly upward and extends outward an indefinite distance. Some of 
the screws coil about an axis, others are unsupported. The author is 
positive as to their organic origin, and is inclined to believe them to be 
_ sponges. Fiye microscopic slides show certain smooth spindle-shaped 
rods suggestive of sponge spicules, but a sixth section reveals unmis- 
takable plant cells. A third evidence of their organic nature is the 
characteristic intricate network of minute silicious tubes in the stems. 
To add to the difficulty of the problem, a well-preserved skeleton of a 
rodent was found in the great stem of one specimen. This rodent is 
the size of a “jack rabbit,” with proportionately large incisors, sagittal 
and occipital crests high and sharp, and a mole-like shoulder girdle. 
In order to preserve the appropriate name—* Devil’s Corkscrew — 
bestowed by the ranchmen, Mr. Barbour calls these strange fossil forms 
Daimonelix. 
The most probable explanation of 
are the casts of the burrows of some large roden 
. tion will then be the entrance; the enlargemen 
these objects seems to be that they 
t. The horizontal por- 
ts the position of the 
