FOSSILS OF THE TACONIC SLATE. 
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Fig. 3. Is an imperfect fossil, which I have suffered to remain for the present without a 
name. It appears more in the character of a land than of a marine animal. It belongs 
probably to the Annelides, but it is unsafe to speak with much confidence on the character 
of imperfect specimens. It is associated with the trilobites of the black slate. It is remark¬ 
able that this locality has not furnished two specimens alike, or of the same genus or species. 
Several days’ works by experienced observers have been spent here, and a great quantity 
of slate carefully examined : the success, however, has been quite disproportionate to the 
labor bestowed. 
Plate XV. exhibits three species of JVereites. 
Fig. 3. JVereites jacksoni, a name conferred from respect to my esteemed friend Dr. C. 
T. Jackson. It is the largest species yet discovered. 
Fig. 2. JY. loomisii, is named in honor of my friend Prof. Loomis, of Waterville College, 
Maine, to whom I am greatly indebted for specimens and assistance while engaged in the 
examination of the rocks of that State. 
Fig. 1 . JY. pugnus , a very remarkable fossil, as will appear from the additional figure 
given of its termination on Plate XVI. 
Plate XVI. fig. 6. JYereites lanceolata, is a beautiful species, not very abundant at Water¬ 
ville, but is finely preserved. 
Fig. 5. Myrianites sillimani , closely resembles the murchisoni, but is larger and more 
distinctly knotted. I have named it with reference to the editor of the American Journal 
of Science. 
Fig. 4. JY. pugnus. I am disposed to consider this as the caudal extremity, rather than 
the head. It is the only one which has exhibited distinctly a termination. 
Fig. 3. JY. gracilis. Only one specimen has been discovered of this species. 
Fig. 2. JY. deweyi , is a very beautiful nereite, which I have named after my distinguished 
friend Prof. Dewey of Rochester, who in his early geological investigations gave much 
time to the lower taconic rocks. 
Fig. 1. JMyi'ianites murchisoni , named after the celebrated author of the Silurian system. 
Plate XVII. I have figured two fucoids, which are associated with the fossils of this slate 
in Washington county, Fucoides Jlexuosa and rigida. The first is a long llexuose leaf: 
it sometimes appears on the flagging stone of McArthur’s quarry, two feet in length. The 
other is much smaller, and appears rather stiff and rigid. Fragments of both species are 
common in the slate, sometimes quite obscure, especially when weathered, in which case 
they lose their black color. 
Such are the fossils of the Taconic slate ; few, indeed, but of an exceedingly interesting 
character. We can hardly expect, however, that the species will be greatly multiplied, or 
that the localities will be numerous. 
In addition to the fossils of this slate, I have one more to add, of a singvdar character. 
It appears to be a tube, perhaps the earthy case of an annelide. Of its organic nature 
there is no doubt; and that it was a tube , there is not much doubt, as it appears to be 
partly crushed. It is represented in fig. 10. 
