Enoploclytia Sussexiensis. [Lign. 169], fig. 4.—The claws of this species are readily distinguished from the former by their broader and stronger proportions, and spinous character; the pincers are strong and tuberculated, and the moveable finger is more curved and shorter than its opponent. The entire crust of this lobster is muricated, or beset with spines and sharp tubercles.[444]
[444] Foss. South D. tab. xxx. fig. 3. In the beautiful work of the late Mr. Dixon, on the Fossils of Sussex, there are figures of very fine specimens of these two species of Enoploclytia (plate xxxviii*.) with detailed descriptions by Prof. Bell (p. 344); but unfortunately, from inadvertence, no reference is made to my former drawings and descriptions of these fossil Lobsters of the Chalk, and new names are given by the Professor; E. Leachii appearing as "Palæastacus macrodactylus," and E. Sussexiensis as "P. Dixoni." I need scarcely remind my readers that according to the established rules of Nomenclature the earlier specific names must be preserved; and that, Prof. M‘Coy having already indicated the distinction of these fossils from the recent Astacus by providing an appropriate generic appellation, these new names are altogether inadmissible.
Claws of other Astacidæ have been found in the Chalk of Sussex and Kent; one species in particular is distinguished from those previously described by its short curved pincers, and granulated surface;[445] and remains of other species of Enoploclytia, from near Cambridge and Maidstone, are described by Prof. M’Coy.
[445] This species may be named Astacus cretosus, to indicate its geological habitat.
The "Lobster-clays" in the Lower Greensand, or Neocomian, beds at Atherfield afford numerous fine specimens of a small long-clawed crustacean, allied to Astacus; a fine specimen is figured in the Geology of the Isle of Wight, title-page vignette, and see page 232. One or more species, apparently distinct from those of Atherfield, have been discovered by Mr. Beckles in beds of clay that appear to occupy the line of junction between the Wealden and Greensand, on the Sussex coast, between Pevensey and Bexhill.
Imperfect claws of Astacidæ have also been found at other places in the Shanklin Sand; and I have collected from the Galt at Ringmer, the abdominal segments of a small species, resembling Meyeria ornata, [Lign. 170].
Lign. 170. Fossil Crustacean. Speeton Clay. Yorkshire.
Meyeria ornata: nat. (Phillips and M’Coy.)
The carapaces of two or three small Astacidæ, sometimes with the abdominal segments attached, as in the beautiful fossil figured in [Lign. 170], are found in the Speeton Clay, near Scarborough. In this example the post-abdomen and its appendages are entire, and traces remain of the antennæ and some of the feet. These specimens are commonly imbedded in masses of indurated clay, as the fern-leaves in the Carboniferous ironstone, and are discovered by splitting the nodules through their longest diameter. The carapace of another small species (Glyphea rostrata)[446] occurs in the Oolite of Scarborough. My friend, the Rev. J. B. Reade, has also discovered an example of this species in that rich repository of organic remains, the Kimmeridge Clay, at Hartwell, Bucks.