BRACHIOPODA. 
7 
coils are directed outward and upward toward the cardinal angles of the valves 
and their variation in size and direction is in keeping with the differences in 
the marginal outline of the shell. The number of revolutions of the ribbon 
exceeds that in any other genus of brachiopods. There is no loop ; its position, 
however, is indicated by a pair of short spinous processes originating on the 
primary lamellae soon after their junction with the crura, and which are 
directed inward with a slight convergence. 
The muscular area has about the same extent as that of the pedicle-valve, 
though less distinctly impressed and generally more elongated. It is consti¬ 
tuted of two pairs of adductor impressions with their surfaces radiately or pal- 
mately striated. The anterior pair are central, narrow at their posterior ex¬ 
tremities which are embraced by the broader po.sterior scars. 
A faint median septum is sometimes present. In some instances of import¬ 
ance the socket walls are supported by septa which may be considerably pro¬ 
duced over the bottom of the valve. 
In both valves the genital region is distinctly punctated, but vascular mark¬ 
ings are rarely observed. 
Type, Anomites striatus, Martin (1809). Carboniferous limestone. 
Obseevations. — Historical. This most prolific genus received its designation 
first in 1814, when its distinguished author, Mr. James Sowerbt, read a com¬ 
munication before the Linnean Society entitled: “ Some account of the spiral 
tubes or ligaments in the genus Terebratula, Lam., as observed in several species 
of fossil shells.” The name was based upon the discovery of the spiral brachial 
supports in the species Anomites striatus, Martin. This contribution was not 
published until 1818 (Transactions of the Linnean Society, vol. xii, p. 514). 
Meanwhile, in the second volume of the Mineral Conchology (p. 42,1815), Sow- 
ERBY published and described the genus, citing as the only example the Anomites 
cuspidatus, Martin. Davidson has shown* that the author’s intention was still 
to regard A. striatus as the type, for appended to his paper in the Linnean 
Society’s Transactions is the remark: “ I suspect A. cuspidatus figured since the 
* Introduction to British Fossil Brachiopoda, p. 81, foot note. 
