260 
PALEONTOLOGY OF NEW YORK. 
its place. The brachidiuin has long, straight jugal processes, the triangular 
anterior plate in numerous specimens shows that the posterior rod-like process 
from the median ridge of that plate extends upward almost to the crura, but 
terminates abruptly and has no connexion whatever with the latter. To dis¬ 
tinguish this peculiar modification of the RsNSSEL^RiA-type, it is proposed to 
adopt the subgeneric term, Beachia.* Rensselaha Suessana, so far as now 
known, is its only representative. 
With our present knowledge the genus Renssel^ria must be recognized as 
the earliest and most primitive type of terebratuloid structure. That this 
genus, and Centronella, together with the plicated group of Terebratula Guer- 
angeri, and perhaps also, the plicated shells incompletely described by Waagen 
as Notothyris, from the Permo-Carboniferous limestones, have had a common 
origin must be regarded as beyond a reasonable doubt. 
The simple loop in all of these forms is but the result of the coalescence of 
the two lateral arms or extended crural processes; and anything more simple 
than the triangular loop of Renssel^ria would be only the discrete processes 
of Amphigenia and the rhynchonelloids. 
Renssel^ria appeared with the Lower Helderberg fauna and, in America, 
disappeared with the Oriskany sandstone. The Terebratula strigiceps, F. Roemer, 
from the lower Devonian of Siegenf has been referred to this genus by Kayser, 
and though the internal charactei s of this species have not been demonstrated, 
its exterior endorses this interpretation. Elsewhere in Europe the existence 
of Renssel^eria has not been satisfactorily established. 
* It is with great satisfaction that I dedicate this interesting generic form to the Hon. Allkn C. Beach, 
of Watertown, N. Y., an earnest advocate and patron of science, who, while Lieutenant-Governoi’ of the State 
in 1870, recognized the importance of establishing the State Cabinet of Natural History as an organization 
for the promotion of scientitic research, as intended by its founders, and, with the aid of a few friends, 
secured the enactment of a law organizing the institution as the “State Museum of Natural History.” The 
purpose of this law was to caio-y into effect the recommendation of the Legislature of 1866 :—to p)lace that 
organization “in the condition i-equired by the present state of science, and to maintain it in full efficiency 
as a Museum of Scientitic and Practical Geology and Comparative Zoology.” 
In this connection I recall with pleasui-e the interest taken in this matter by Hon. William F. Allen, 
at that time State Comptroller, and afterwards Judge of the Court of Ajipeals, who drew the form of this 
bill and aided in securing its passage by the Legislature. 
I See also Quenstbdt, Petrefactenk. Deutschlands; Brachiopoden, p. 343. 1871. 
