THE EURYPTERIDA OF NEW YORK 399 
Eurypterida on the one hand, and recent scorpions on the other, standing, 
if anything, rather nearer to the former than to the latter’; it 1s probable 
that Palaeophonus and the closely related Proscorpius still shared an adapta- 
tion to water-breathing with their nearer related ancestors and relatives. 
4 This suggestion is further strongly supported by the very prim- 
itive character of the walking legs of the Siluric scorpions and the fact 
that they appear better adapted | 86 
to a marine life than a terrestrial 4 
one, aS pointed out by Pocock. In 
fact the legs of Palaeophonus [text 
fig. 87] areso much like those of the 
eurypterids that they at once sug- 
gest a like use, and a like habitat 
of the animal; hence a’ different 
one from that of the later scorpions. | 87 
5 In view of the latter sug- 
gestion, the fact of the association 
ae ~ a My 
-ts 
~G 
oN 
----G 
7-27 ee -G& 
of the Siluric eurypterids becomes 
significant in indicating that these 
similar creatures had also a similar 
mode of life and the same habitat __ . 
If they were still as nearly related ““Buthus austrelis). (From Pocock) 
as Pocock asserts, it is proper to Figure 87 Third leg of Siluric scorpion, Palae- 
that the t di . ophonus nuncius. (From Pocock) 
assume a He wo verging sp, spurs and lobate sclerites; ?sp, processes pos- 
branches had not yet sought dif- sibly representing the point of attachment of 
. spurs in Palaeophonus; cl, claws 
ferent fields of action. P P 
6 The possibility of a creature of the shape of the Siluric scorpion 
finding congenial conditions in the waterlime sea is clearly brought out by 
Eusarcus, which bears, especially in its earlier growth stages, a striking 
resemblance to the scorpion [pl. 36, fig. 1] as evinced by its specific 
name scorpioides, and that of the British congener, E. scor- 
pionis. We have little doubt that Eusarcus and Proscorpius 
were close competitors in the same field. Through these Eusarci, Pro- 
