Fig. 58.—A, Monograptus priodon, slightly enlarged. B, Fragment of the same viewed from behind. C, Fragment of the same viewed in front, showing the mouths of the cellules. D, Cross-section of the same. From the Wenlock Group (Coniston Flags of the North of England). (Original.) and Dicranograpti of the Llandeilo, and the double-celled Diplograpti and Climacograpti of the Bala group, have now disappeared. In their place we have the singular Retiolites, with its curiously-reticulated skeleton; and several species of the single-celled genus Monograptus, of which a characteristic species (M. Priodon) is here figured. If we remove from this group the plant-like Dictyonemœ, which are still present, and which survive into the Devonian, no known species of Graptolite has hitherto been detected in strata higher in geological position than the Ludlow. This, therefore, presents us with the first instance we have as yet met with of the total disappearance and extinction of a great and important series of organic forms.
The Corals are very numerously represented in the Upper Silurian rocks some of the limestones (such as the Wenlock Limestone) being often largely composed of the skeletons of these animals. Almost all the known forms of this period belong to the two great divisions of the Rugose and Tabulate corals, the former being represented by species of Zaphrentis, Omphyma, Cystiphyllum, Strombodes, Acervularia, Cyathophyllum, &c.; whilst the latter belong principally to the genera Favosites, Chœtetes, Halysites, Syringopora, Heliolites, and Plasmopora. Amongst the Rugosa, the first appearance of the great and important genus Cyathophyllum, so characteristic of the Palæozoic period, is to be noted; and amongst the Tabulata we have similarly the first appearance, in force at any rate, of the widely-spread genus Favosites—the "Honeycomb-corals." The "Chain-corals" (Halysites), figured below (fig. 59), are also very common examples of the Tabulate corals during this period, though they occur likewise in the Lower Silurian.
Amongst the Echinodermata, all those orders which have hard parts capable of ready preservation are more or less largely
Fig. 59.—a, Halysites catenularia, small variety, of the natural size; b, Fragment of a large variety of the same, of the natural size; c, Fragment of limestone with the tubes of Halysites agglomerata, of the natural size; d, Vertical section of two tubes of the same, showing the tabulæ, enlarged. Niagara Limestone (Wenlock), Canada. (Original.) represented. We have no trace of the Holothurians or Sea-cucumbers; but this is not surprising, as the record of the past is throughout almost silent as to the former existence of these soft-bodied creatures, the scattered plates and spicules in their skin offering a very uncertain chance of preservation in the fossil condition. The Sea-urchins (Echinoids) are said to be represented by examples of the old genus Palœchinus. The Star-fishes (Asteroids) and the Brittle-stars (Ophiuroids) are, comparatively speaking, largely represented; the former by species of Palasterina (fig. 60), Palœaster (fig. 60), Palœocoma (fig. 60), Petraster, Glyptaster, and Lepidaster—and the latter by species of Protaster (fig. 61), Palœodiscus, Acroura, and Eucladia. The singular Cystideans, or "Globe Crinoids," with their globular or ovate, tesselated bodies (fig. 46, A, C, D,), are also not uncommon in the Upper Silurian; and if they do not become finally extinct here, they certainly survive the close of this period by but a very brief time. By far the most important, however, of the Upper Silurian Echinodenns, are the Sea-lilies or Crinoids. The limestones of this period are often largely composed of the fragmentary columns and detached plates of these creatures, and some of them (such as the Wenlock Limestone of Dudley) have yielded
Fig. 60.—Upper Silurian Star-fishes. 1, Palasterina primœva, Lower Ludlow; 2, Paloeaster Ruthveni, Lower Ludlow; 3, Palœocoma Colvini, Lower Ludlow. (After Salter.) perhaps the most exquisitely-preserved examples of this group with which we are as yet acquainted. However varied in their forms, these beautiful organisms consist of a globular, ovate, or
Fig. 61.—A, Protaster Sedgwickii, showing the disc and bases of the arms; B, Portion of an arm, greatly enlarged. Lower Ludlow. (After Salter.) pear-shaped body (the "calyx"), supported upon a longer or shorter jointed stem (or "column"). The body is covered externally with an armour of closely-fitting calcareous plates (fig. 62), and its upper surface is protected by similar but smaller plates more loosely connected by a leathery integument. From the upper surface of the body, round its margin, springs a series of longer or shorter flexible processes, composed of innumerable calcareous joints or pieces, movably united with one another. The arms are typically five in number; but they generally subdivide at least once, sometimes twice, and they are furnished with similar but
