THE GEOLOGIST. 
MAY 1862. 
AVHAT AEE THE VEXTEICULITES? 
The question wliich heads this article is not a new one. An old 
one, indeed, it is ; and, common as chalk flints and chalk ventriculites 
are, it does not show much energy on the part of cretaceous — we do 
not know how else to single them out — geologists and palaeontolo- 
gists, that this old question has never yet been answered. 
The only man who has ever worked properly on the subject is Mr. 
Toulmin Smith, who many years ago laboured hard and well on these 
curious organisms, and then retired on his laurels. But Mr. Smith, 
like all men who have devoted themselves to a special subject, is full 
of prejudices — we do not mean to say errors — and no progress in our 
Fig. 1. — Portion of Pliat Nodule, with shells attached to Ventriculite. 
knowledge can be hoped to be made until these prejudices are at- 
tacked. Mr. Smith, having luilt his castle, is not likely to strengthen 
it until its walls have been undermined, or at least have been battered 
VOL. V. Y 
