74 
EMARGINULA reticulata* 
TAB. XXXIIL — Lower figures. 
Spec. Char. Shell oval, reiieulato-striated^ vertex 
rather acute., principal radii 24 or more. 
Syn. Patella fissura. Linn . &c. 
It is remarkable that this shell is so strictly concordant in 
every character with the recent Patella fissura of Linn, that 
it cannot be separated as a distinct species, a circumstance 
that may be adduced to strengthen the idea of a learned 
gentleman and friend of mine, that many recent shells may 
be the same species as the deeper or older fossils, but are 
more or less degenerated, or have from various causes even 
assumed such new characters as not to be identified, being 
more different than mules. The little we know of this 
subject at present, makes it difficult to comprehend the 
wisdom displayed on the globe, but as the field is open, 
and the enquiry began, I hope it will be improved, as I 
have no doubt of Almighty indulgence, since these relicts 
are so miraculously preserved, not only for our times, but 
for ages yet to come, especially as improvement in this 
science has of late years been very rapid. 
These specimens seem but little changed; they were sent 
from Holywell field with the former, by Mrs. Cobbold m 
1812 . 
