The thorax of Neolenus consists of seven segments, and the appendages are well shown (pl. 17, fig. 1; pl. 18, figs. 1, 2; pl. 20, fig. 1.), The endopodites of successive segments vary but little, all are slender but compact, and consist of a long coxopodite with six short, rather broad segments beyond it. In the figures, the endopodites extend some distance in a horizontal direction beyond the edges of the dorsal test, as many as four segments being in some cases visible, but measurements show that the appendages tended to fall outward on decay of the animal. The dactylopodites are provided with terminal spines as in Triarthrus. The coxopodites are long, straight, and slender. They are well shown on only one specimen (pl. 18), where they are seen to be as wide as the basipodite, and the endobases are set with spines on the posterior and inner margins. They are so long that those on opposite sides must have almost met on the median line. The segments of the endopodites are mostly but little, if any, longer than broad, and at the distal end each shows two or more spines. The propodite and dactylopodite are notably more slender than the others. The exopodites of the thorax are broad and flat, and each shaft has two distinct parts with different kinds of setæ. The posterior edge of the proximal lobe is fringed with a slender, flat, overlapping hairs which are a little longer than the width of the lobe, and stand at an angle of about 60 degrees with the direction of the axis of the appendage. The outer lobe is at an angle with the main one, and has short, very fine setæ oh the margin. One or two specimens show some evidence of a joint between the inner and outer lobes, but in the great majority of cases they seem to be continuous; if originally in two segments, they have become firmly united. The exopodites of the thorax, like those of the cephalon, are directed diagonally forward and outward. (pl. 21, fig. 6; pl. 22.)
The pygidium of Neolenus serratus is large, and usually shows five rings on the axial lobe and four pairs of ribs on the sides. There are five pairs of biramous appendages belonging to this shield, and behind these a pair of jointed cerci. That the number of abdominal appendages should correspond to the number of divisions of the axial lobe rather than to the number of ribs on the pleural lobes is of interest, and in accord with other trilobites, as first shown by Beecher.
The endopodites of the pygidium have the same form as those of the thorax, are long, and very much less modified than those of any other trilobite whose appendages are known. On some specimens, they extend out far beyond the dorsal test, so that nearly all the segments are visible (pl. 17, fig. 3; pl. 18; pl. 19; pl. 20, fig. 1), but in these cases are probably displaced. The segments are short and wide, the whole endopodite tapering gradually outward. The dactylopodite bears terminal spines, and the individual segments also have outward-directed spines.
The cerci appear to have been long, slender, very spinose organs much like the antennules, but stiff rather than flexible. They are a little longer than the pygidium (pl. 17, figs. 1, 2), and seem to be attached to a plate on the under surface of the posterior end and in front of the very narrow doublure. The precise form of this attachment can not be determined from the published figures. They bear numerous fine spines (pl. 17, fig. 3).
Doctor Walcott has found on several specimens of Neolenus remains of organs which he interprets as epipodites and exites attached to the coxopodites. A study of the specimens has, however, convinced me that both the large and small epipodites are really exopodites, and that the exites are badly preserved and displaced coxopodites. Detailed explanation of this interpretation is given below in the description of the several specimens involved.
Description of Individual Specimens.
Doctor Walcott was kind enough to send me eight of the more important specimens of Neolenus figured by him, and since my interpretation of them does not agree in all respects with his, I have thought it fairer to the reader to present here rather full notes explaining the position I have taken. I understand that since I communicated my interpretation of the epipodites and exites to him, Doctor Walcott has submitted the specimens to several palæontologists, who consider that epipodites are really present. Since I am not able to convince myself that their conclusion is based upon sound evidence, I give here my own interpretation. There is of course, no a priori reason why trilobites should not have had epipodites.