By the kindness of Dr. Bowerbank, Messrs. Wetherell, Bean, Leckenby, and Rose, in permitting me to see the specimens in their respective cabinets, and to whom, as well as to Mr. Rupert Jones, I must express great obligations for much valuable information, the accompanying list of the Red Chalk fossils of Speeton, Hunstanton, and Muswell Hill has been compiled. To the Council of the Geological Society, I am also indebted for permission to figure from the Society's Museum the Inoceramus Crispii, on pl. i. fig. 4.
LIST OF FOSSILS FROM THE RED CHALK.
| Speeton | Hunstanton | Muswell Hill | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Cristellaria rotulata, D'Orb. [Pl. II.] fig. 8 Sowerby's Min. Conchology, tab. 121, page 45. (In the collection of Mr. Jones.) | × | ||
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Siphonia pyriformis. [Pl. II.] fig. 2 Goldfuss Petrifacta, tab. 6, fig. 7, page 16. (In the collection of Mr. Rose.) This is probably the head of the next. | × | ||
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Spongia paradoxica. [Pl. II.] fig. 1 Geol. Trans. 2, tab. 27, fig. 1, page 377. (In the collections of Mr. Rose and Author.) | × | ||
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Bourgueticrinus rugosus. [Pl. III.] fig. 5 D'Orbigny's Hist. des Crinoides, tab. 17, fig. 16-19. (In the collections of Mr. Rose and Author.) | × | ||
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Pentacrinites Fittonii Austin's Crinoids, page 125. (In the collections of Mr. Rose, Author, and Mr. Wetherell.) | × | × | |
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Cardiaster suborbicularis, Forbes. [Pl. II.] fig. 3 Gold. tab. 45, fig. 5, page 148. (In the collections of Mr. Rose and Author.) Mr. Rose's specimen is far better than the one figured. | × | ||
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Cidaris Gaultina (?), Forbes, Dec. v. [Pl. III.] fig. 7 (In the collection of Mr. Rose.) | × | ||
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Spines with 8 ridges, 10 ridges, and 20 ridges (In the collections of Mr. Rose and Mr. Wetherell.) | × | × | |
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Diadema tumidum, Forbes, Dec. v. [Pl. III.] fig. 6 (In the collection of Mr. Rose.) | × | ||
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Serpula antiquata. [Pl. III.] fig. 4 Sow. Min. Con. tab. 598, fig. 4, page 202. (In the collection of Mr. Rose.) | × | ||
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Serpula irregularis. [Pl. III.] fig. 3 (In the collection of Author.) | × | ||
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Serpula triserrata. See notice, page 18 (In the collection of Mr. Rose.) | × | ||
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Vermicularia umbonata. [Pl. III.] fig. 2 Mantell's Geol. of Sussex, tab. 18, fig. 24, page 111. (In the collections of Mr. Rose and Author.) | × | ||
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Vermicularia elongata, Bean MS. [Pl. III.] fig. 1, 1a (In the collections of Mr. Bean, Dr. Bowerbank, and Author.) | × | ||
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Cytherella ovata, Rœmer. [Pl. II.] fig. 7 Jones, Cretaceous Entomostraca. Pal. Soc. page 29. (In the collection of Mr. Jones.) | × | ||
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Idmonea dilatata D'Orbigny's Terrains Crétacés, tab. 632. (In the collection of Mr. Bean.) | × | ||
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Diastopora ramosa, Dixon Geol. Suss. page 295. (In the collection of Mr. Bean.) | × | ||
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Ceriopora spongites Goldfuss, page 25, tab. 10, fig. 14. (In the collection of Author.) | × | ||
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Terebratula capillata. [Pl. IV.] fig. 4, 4a, mag. surface Davidson's Cretaceous Brachiopoda, plate 5, fig. 12, page 46. (In the collections of Mr. Rose and Author.) | × | ||
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Terebratula biplicata. [Pl. IV.] fig. 1, 1a, mag. surface David. plate 6, fig. 34. (In the collections of Dr. Bowerbank, Mr. Rose, and Author.) | × | ||
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Terebratula Dutempleana David. 6, fig. 1. (In the collection of Mr. Rose.) | × | ||
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Terebratula semiglobosa. [Pl. IV.] fig. 2, 2a, mag. surface David. plate 8, fig. 17. (In the collections of Dr. Bowerbank, Mr. Bean, and Author.) | × | × | |
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Kingena lima. [Pl. IV.] fig. 3, 3a, mag. surface David. plate 5, fig. 3, page 42. (In the collections of Mr. Rose and Author.) | × | ||
| Avicula, cast of. (In the collection of Mr. Bean.) | × | ||
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Exogyra haliotoidea. [Pl. II.] fig. 10 Sow. M. C. tab. 25, page 67. (In the collections of Mr. Rose and Author.) | × | ||
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Inoceramus Coquandianus. [Pl. I.] fig. 1 D'Orb. Ter. Crét. tab. 403, fig. 6-8. (In the collection of Author.) | × | ||
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I. Crispii. [Pl. I.] fig. 4 Mant. G. S. tab. 27, fig. 11, page 133. (In the collections of Mr. Rose and Geol. Soc.) | × | ||
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I. tenuis. [Pl. I.] fig. 5 Mant. G. S. page 132. (In the collections of Mr. Rose and Mr. Wetherell.) | × | ? | |
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I. gryphæoides Sow. M. C. tab. 584, fig. 1, page 161. (In the collection of Mr. Rose.) | × | ||
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I. læviusculus, Bean (In the collection of Mr. Bean.) | × | ||
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I. sulcatus Sow. M. C. tab. 306, page 184. (In the collection of Mr. Rose.) | × | ||
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Ostrea frons. Park. [Pl. II.] fig. 4 Sow. M. C. tab. 365, page 89. (In the collection of Mr. Wetherell.) | × | ||
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O. vesicularis, Lam. [Pl. II.] fig. 5 Sow. M. C. tab. 392, page 127. (In the collection of the Author.) | × | ||
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O. Normaniana D'Orb. tab. 488, fig. 1-3, page 746. (In the collection of Mr. Rose.) | × | ||
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Pecten Beaveri Sow. M. C. tab. 158, page 131. (In the collection of Mr. Rose.) | × | ||
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Spondylus latus Sow. M. C. tab. 80, fig. 2, page 184. (In the collection of Mr. Rose and Author.) | × | × | |
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Ammonites alternatus ? Woodward, Geol. Norfolk, tab. 6, fig. 23. | × | ||
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Ammonites complanatus Sow. M. C. tab. 567, fig. 1. (In the collection of Mr. Rose.) | × | ||
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A. rostratus Sow. M. C. tab. 173, page 163. (In the collection of Mr. Rose.) | × | ||
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A. serratus, Parkinson Sow. M. C. tab. 308, page 3. (In the collection of Mr. Rose.) | × | ||
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Belemnites attenuatus. [Pl. IV.] fig. 5 Sow. M. C. tab. 598, fig. 2, page 176. (In the collection of Author.) | × | ||
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B. minimus. [Pl. IV.] fig. 8 Sow. M. C. tab. 598, fig. 1, page 175. (In the collections of Messrs. Bowerbank, Bean, Rose, Wetherell, and Author.) | × | × | × |
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Belemnites Listeri. [Pl. IV.] fig. 6 Phil. Geol. York. tab. 1, fig. 18. (In the collection of Author.) | × | ||
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B. ultimus, D'Orb. [Pl. IV.] fig. 7 Sharpe, Chalk Moll. tab. 1, fig. 17. (In the collections of Mr. Bean and Author.) | × | ||
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Nautilus simplex. [Pl. I.] fig. 3 Sow. M. C. tab. 122, page 122. (In the collections of Mr. Rose, Mr. Wetherell, and Author.) | × | × | |
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Otodus appendiculatus Ag. vol. iii., page 270, tab. 32. (In the collection of Mr. Wetherell.) | × | ||
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Tooth of Saurian (In the collection of Mr. Bean.) | × | ||
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Vertebra of Polyptychodon (?) (In the collection of Author.) | × |
Siphonia pyriformis is probably the head of Spongia paradoxica. In the cabinet of Mr. Rose is a mass of the latter, to which a head similar to the one figured is attached.
Bourgueticrinus rugosus. The diameter of the specimen figured is 3/4 of an inch, the depth of each plate 3/16. The surface of attachment is covered with very fine mamillæ, in rays of seven in number; a smaller specimen in possession of the author measures 3/8 of an inch in diameter and 1/8 in depth.
The serpula represented in Plate III. fig. 3 varies in its irregular growth from the specimens figured on the same plate. This character perhaps can scarcely be regarded as a specific difference; both V. elongata and the serpula under consideration have the same thickness of the calcareous tube. The former occurs only at Speeton and the latter at Hunstanton; in order to distinguish the two, the title "irregularis" may be applied to the latter as a variety.
Serpula triserrata, a species found on a specimen of Ammonites complanatus, is distinguishable by its three serrate longitudinal ridges. A similar form occurs on ostreæ from the Kimmeridge clay of West Norfolk.
Terebratula semiglobosa is common at Speeton, but very rare at Hunstanton. T. biplicata is very common at Hunstanton, but is not known at Speeton.
Inoceramus læviusculus, Bean, a large smooth species something like I. Cuvieri.
The Ammonites alternatus of Woodward is now lost; it was probably a variety of A. serratus, Park.
Belemnites minimus is sometimes two inches long in the Hunstanton Cliff.
The vertebra of Polyptychodon would be, if perfect, about six inches in diameter and three in thickness.
The small specimen shown in Plate II. fig. 9 evidently belongs to the Turbinolian family of corals, and possibly to the genus Trochocyathus instituted by Messrs. Milne-Edwards and J. Haime, in 1848. The specimens as yet obtained are not sufficiently numerous nor perfect for a rigid comparison with other forms, or to admit of a sufficiently detailed description should the species prove to be new. The constricted form of growth is very common in the Parasmilia of the Upper Chalk, and has no specific value.
The characteristic fossils of the Red Chalk at Speeton are Terebratula semiglobosa, Belemnites minimus, and Vermicularia elongata; and at Hunstanton, Terebratula biplicata, Belemnites minimus, and Spongia paradoxica.
In conclusion, I have endeavoured all along to confine myself to facts, and to abstain from theories, because I think the Geologists' Association ought rather to follow in the steps of learned men than to wish to take the lead. I am sure by doing so we shall gain respect. If the strictly scientific workers see we wish to acquire information, rather than to purchase an empty name, they will hold out the right hand of fellowship and help us mightily; whilst, on the contrary, if they perceive we aspire too much, and attempt to grasp what we cannot hold, then well-merited ridicule will undoubtedly be ours. The Geologists' Association was only formed to bring amateurs together, to give them a place to meet in, and a room where they could speak on kindred subjects. I trust the members will always use the opportunity, and not be afraid to speak, ever remembering that each one has some little knowledge which his neighbour has not, and that when each helps his fellow, much must be the gain at last.
