114 
' } 
V 
IOWA ACADEMY OF SCIENCE Vol. XXIV, 1917 
four meridians instead of converging to a common point are 
disposed in two pairs; the members of each pair are joined 
at their polar extremities and the two pairs in turn are con- 
nected at each pole by a short shallow . rectilinear depression 
which is similar to the meridional depressions. These two short 
diametrically-separated linear depressions may be called polar 
lines. They are of unequal length, — one being 7.1 and the 
other 4.5 millimeters long. The midpoint of each line may be 
regarded as the mathematical terminus of the polar diameter 
or axis of the specimen. The two polar lines are parallel to 
each other. 
This arrangement of the meridians and the short connecting 
lines across the poles divides the spheroidal body into tetrahedral 
parts. It is evident that the sum of the angles between the 
meridians (produced if necessary) at the poles equals 360 de- 
grees. The four angles about either pole differ greatly in size 
but corresponding angles- at opposite poles have approximately 
the same magnitude. See Plate V, figures 1, 2. 
In an attempt to saw through the specimen along the equa- 
torial plane the pressure of the vise caused it to break into two 
parts. The break, or rather cleft, followed two opposite meri- 
dians as far as the ends of the polar lines whence the cleft fol- 
lowed a narrow axial rectangular plane which terminates in 
these lines. After this mishap no further effort to cut the 
specimen was made since the break reveals no suggestion of 
internal structure other than that just described. It is ad- 
mitted, however, that if the specimen is a fruit and if the parts 
are preserved, that the critical structures are within the “quar- 
ters” limited by the meridians. 
From the manner in which the specimen parted when under 
the pressure of the vise it would appear that planes of weakness 
are present and that these extend inward from the meridional 
lines and possibly suggest that the specimen is a concretion or 
a part of a concretion of the type of some of the septaria or 
turtle stones. Moreover, the fact that the other two specimens 
brought in from the same formation are doubtless concretionary 
adds weight to the hypothesis that the third specimen also may 
be of the same origin. 
On the other hand the tetrahedral division, the fragments of 
what may represent an epicarp, and the precise arrangement of 
