708 



Report of the State Geologist. 



The dimensions of those rings, which are found still attached to a Conu- 

 lat'ia are: Diameter from 1 to 2 mm. (original of fig. 1, PI. Ill, measures 

 1.3 x. 7 mm.; original of fig. 19, PI. Ill, 1.75x2 mm.), though a few larger 

 separate ones have been found (one measuring 4 mm.) ; height .3 mm. (taken 

 from the originals of figs. 1, 2 and 3, PI. III). 



Externally the ring is perfectly smooth and shining (fig. 1), expanded 

 more or less abruptly towards the base (cf. PI. Ill, figs. 2, 3, 13, 18). Under- 

 neath it possesses a system of regular radial folds (cf. PI. Ill, figs. 7, 8, 9, 13, 

 18). The true nature of the rings is revealed by a few vertical sections which 

 were found on some slabs (cf. figs. 2 and 3). Figure 2, Plate III, is a repro- 

 duction of the whole fossil, which is interesting because it demonstrates not 

 only the occurrence of basal appendages detached from the extraneous object, 

 but also the common separation of the pyramid of Conularia </racill.s from the 

 appendage a little above the latter. As both sections are not quite median, 

 part of the ring is seen from the inside. In both, the ring becomes attenu- 

 ated toward the top (in fig. 2 abruptly), thus forming a skin which fastened 

 the basal appendage to the pyramid. This skin formed a dome above the ring, 

 as may be inferred from the laterally compressed specimen reproduced in fig. 

 9, at a ; h is the basal ring, which on account of its bulging out a little more, 

 adheres to the counter part of the fossil. The general form of the appendage 

 may be compared to a bell, which term will be applied in this paper to the 

 exterior chitinous wall of the organ under consideration, as the word does not 

 imply any expression regarding the possible functions of the whole. 



Figure 10, Plate III, reproduces a specimen (taken from the original to 

 PI. I, fig. 2), which gives a view of the inside of the dome of the bell and 

 exhibits irregular radial wrinkles of the skin, caused probably by shrinkage 

 prior to fossilization. In figure 12 a base is seen from above. Here the 

 greater part of the ring is preserved, while the upper portion of the bell left 

 only its impression. 



As appears from figure 8, Plate III, which reproduces the view allow ed 

 by one of the appendages into the bell from beneath, the latter, or at least its 

 thicker basal part, consisted of* concentric layers. 



The absence of any carbonaceous film at the base of the bell (cf. figs. 7, 8, 

 13, PI. Ill) would lead to the conclusion that the bell was open there: but 

 the smooth surface of the rock inside of the deeper impression of the ring 

 (cf. fig. 9c/) in several specimens indicates the former existence of a basal 

 closing film. A very clear view of the latter is furnished by the basal 

 appendage (cf. fig. 15) of the Conularia reproduced in figure 14, which 



