DR. MANTELL ON BELEMNITES, ETC. 
179 
contains the remains of at least three genera of naked Cephalopods ; namely, the 
Belemnite, Belernnoteuthis, and a true Calamary with a horny dorsal gladius or pen. 
In the two last, vestiges of an ink-bag, or of its inspissated contents, are generally 
manifest ; but I have never detected the slightest trace of the existence of such an 
organ in natural connection with any part of a Belemnite ; and I learn from M. Van 
Breda, that in the very large collection of Belemnites of the late Count Munster, 
there was not one unequivocal instance of this kind. If in the specimens figured 
in the Bridgewater Essay, Plate 44', fig. 7, the ink-bag be in its natural position, and 
not merely in accidental apposition with the basal chamber of the phragmocone of 
a Belemnite, of course the question as to whether this genus of Cephalopods was 
furnished with such an organ, is decided in the affirmative. 
In conclusion, I would state, that although I am of opinion that the body and soft 
parts, and consequently the true characters of the animal of the Belemnite, have yet 
to be discovered, I do not question the soundness of the views of the correlation of 
cephalopodal organization, and of the physiological inductions resulting therefrom, 
enunciated in the memoir on the Belemnite by the Hunterian Professor. That the 
unknown animal of the Belemnite closely approached the Belernnoteuthis, both in 
form and structure, is highly probable, but proofs are yet required to confirm the 
inferences of the physiologist. 
19 Chester Square, Pimlico, 
February 1848. 
Description of the Plates. 
All the figures are from specimens in my possession, and of the natural size, with 
the exception of fig. 3, Plate XV., which is much reduced, the original specimen being 
twenty-two inches long. 
PLATE XIII. 
Figs. II. III. V. Phragmocones of Belernnoteuthis antiquus. 
a. The basal or upper or anterior part, forming a chamber for the ink-bag, 
and probably other viscera. 
h. The apical or distal termination of the shell. 
Fig. I. The apical portion of the phragmocone of a Belernnoteuthis invested with 
the external integument ; at a, a, a, is seen the corneo-calcareous layer 
which lies beneath. 
2 B 
MDCCCXLVIII. 
