NAUTILUS UOMPILIUS. 
315 
Memoir is therefore of high importance, in its 
relation to geology ; for it enables us to assert, 
''^ith a confidence we could not otherwise have 
s^ssumed, that the animals by which all fossil 
Nautili were constructed, belonged to the exist- 
family of Cephalopodous Mollusks, allied to 
the common Cuttle Fish. It leads us further to 
infer, that the infinitely more numerous species 
nf the family of Ammonites, and other cognate 
genera of Multilocular shells, were also con- 
structed by animals, in whose economy they held 
nn office analogous to that of the existing shell 
nfthe Nautilus Pompilius. We therefore entirely 
Concur with Mr. Owen, that not only is the ac- 
ifnisition of this species peculiarly acceptable, 
from its relation to the Cephalopods of the pre- 
sent creation ; but that it is, at the same time, the 
living type of a vast tribe of organized beings, 
^hose fossilized remains testify their existence at 
n remote period, and in another order of things.* 
rably correct, as far as it goes, is yet so deficient in detail that it 
impossible to learn any thing from it respecting the internal 
^'■ganization of the animal. 
1 rejoice in the present opportunity of bearing testimony to 
value of Mr. Owen’s highly philosophical and most admirable 
''Memoir upon this subject; a work not less creditable to the 
^■uthor, than honourable to the Royal College of Surgeons, 
’^nder whose auspices this publication has been so handsomely 
conducted. 
A further important light is thrown upon those species of 
c^sil Multilocular shells, e. g. Orlhoccralites, Baculiles, Ha- 
