93 
These fossils were at one time supposed to be the fossil remains of 
earthworms : a supposition not now requiring to be further noticed. I 
do not know a more appropriate place to dispose of the fossils repre- 
sented Plate VI. Fig. 12 and 13, than under this genus. These vermi- 
culites are found in the fissile stone of Pappenheim and Gunsterhausen ; 
and have, I believe, no recent prototype. In some, as in Fig. 12, the 
covering itself of the animal is left, intertwined in a remarkably tor- 
tuous manner. In others, as in Fig. 13, the impression only is left. 
Bodies of a similar kind are sometimes formed on the Veronese fossils. 
Similar bodies are sometimes found in the Devonshire Whetstone ; 
but less contorted, and laid more lengthwise. Plate VII. Fig. 2. 
LXX. Serpula. A tubular adherent univalve, variously twisted or 
grouped, and sometimes divided by entire septa. 
The definition which I have here adopted for this genus, and which is 
the Linnjean, with the addition of the form of the shell, will for the pre- 
sent comprise several shells, which, as has been already observed, may, 
when more fully known, be found worthy of forming distinct genera. 
The common small tortuous and intertwined serpulae, S. glomeratct, 
are very frequently found amongst, and attached to, the fossils of this 
and of other countries. Several different varieties, or perhaps species, 
of these shells, result from the different external forms which they 
derive from the longitudinal or oblique rugae which exist on their 
surfaces. Hence their external figure is trihedral, tetrahedral, and 
even hexahedral, according to the number of these rugae. Plate VII. 
Fig. 1, represents a portion of a trihedral serpula, and the polished 
slab. Plate VII. Fig. 6, shows the appearance produced by a section 
chiefly in the transverse direction of the shells of a species which is 
outwardly tetrahedral. 
The serpulite, Plate VII. Fig. 5, seems to merit the term columnar. 
It is formed by a very small tube, disposed in contiguous turns, placed 
one on another, in nearly a horizontal direction, so as to constitute a 
small columniform body. The last and upper turn of the shell is pro- 
