THE GEOLOGIST 



OCTOBEE, 1858, 



PALiEONTOLOGICAL KOTES ON THE BRACHIOPODA. 

 By Thomas Davidson, Esq., r.E.S., Sec. G.S., &c. 



Ko. I. — On the Genera and Siih-gcnera of Bracldopoda that are 2yro- 

 vidcd zcith Sjnral A}')}') end ages for the sux>j)ort of the Oral Arms, 

 and Sjpecics so constructed^ v:hich have hcen discovered in British 

 Carloniferons Strata. 



All that pertains to the science of Palaeontology is of consequence to 

 the geological inquirer ; therefore a few notes and illustrations relative 

 to the Brachiopoda may, perhaps, prove acceptable to the general reader, 

 and, at the same time, stimulate some others to prosecute an inquiry 

 upon which so much time and labour have been already expended. 



It was justly observed by a distinguished naturalist, that there exists 

 a decided advantage in the same subject being investigated by a number 

 of different observers ; and the truth of this statement has been fully 

 substantiated by the information already acquired on all that concerns 

 the affinities, classification, and anatomical structure of the Brachio- 

 poda.^ But it must also be remembered, that, although these topics 

 may have been individually and collectively the subject of considerable 



* The larger proportion of naturalists have been in the habit of considering the 

 Brachiopoda as constituting a separate class among the Mollusca, but anatomists 

 have not hitherto agreed upon this important question. Mr. Hancock has en- 

 deavoui'ed to demonstrate the close structural conformity between the Brachiopoda 

 and the Polyzoa, while Dr. Gratiolet dissents from the view taken by Professor 

 Owen, who has placed the Brachiopoda between the Lamellibranchiata and the 

 Tunicata. 



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