On Lingulasma , Etc .— Ulrich. 
389 
tinctly intermediate between the two families, with the compo¬ 
sition and general outer aspect of the shell favoring an alliance 
with the Lingulidce and probably outweighing the internal 
points of resemblance to the trimerellids. The course which 
would, perhaps, be the least objectionable, and that may be 
adopted ultimately, would be to establish a new family for the 
reception of Lingulasma and, possibly, Lingitlops Hall. 
However, considering the present limited extent of our know¬ 
ledge concerning the internal characters of the large majority 
of paleozoic linguloid shells, the adoption of such a course 
now would be, to say the least, premature. Still, I must con¬ 
fess, the word premature embraces all my objections, since 
I am thoroughly convinced that Lingula , as now constituted, 
includes several widely divergent t} r pes, and that, when the 
species are once studied with a view to their internal peculiar¬ 
ities, the genus will have to undergo great restriction and sub¬ 
division. 
The Obolidoe might be considered in this connection, but, as 
they are doubtlessly removed a step further than either the 
trimerellids or lingulids, it is scarcely necessary. Their posi¬ 
tion seems to be about intermediate between Dinobolus on the 
one hand and Discina on the other. 
Lastly, it may be remarked, that in Lingulasma we have not 
yet the u generalized form ” which Davidson and King thought 
might yet be discovered, “ bringing Discina and Lingula , also 
OboluSj into close myotic relationship inter se and with Dino¬ 
bolus. ” No, Lingulasma is only another descendant of that 
as yet undiscovered type. Still, the new genus affords at 
least a partial verification of their expectations, since its posi¬ 
tion is unquestionably between Lingula and Dinobolus. 
LINGULASMA SCHUCHERTI, n. sp. 
Figs. 5, 5a, 5 c, and 5d. 
Shell large, oblong, subpentagonal. Front margin nearly 
straight or very gently convex, faintly bisinuate, the middle 
portion produced very slightly. Anterior angles narrowly 
rounded. Sides almost straight, parallel for nearly three 
fourths of the whole length, then rounding rather abruptly 
into the very slightly convex postero-lateral margins. Pos¬ 
terior extremity of brachial valve narrowly rounded, that of 
the pedicle one sub-acutely terminated by the beak which pro¬ 
jects somewhat beyond the beak of the brachial valve. Valves 
