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DAVENPORT ACADEMY

Ne WR Aves SC lLENCES.

LSI Py a ae

1885 1889.

DAG ENP OIRGy SION eAs: PUBLISHED BY THE ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES

AD 1893.

PUBLICATION COMMITTEE 1893.

Mrs. M. L. D. PUTNAM, Chazrman. Rev. W. H. BARRIS. Dr. C. H. PRESTON. Pror. SAMUEL CALVIN. Dr. JENNIE McCOWEN.

The authors of the various papers are alone responsible for what is contained in them,

The date of the printing of each sheet is printed in each signature line.

EDWARD BORCHERDT, PRINTER.

ic @) oa awe Os om

Tue Fifth Volume of the Proceedings of the Davenport Academy of Natural Sciences is submitted to the scientific public with the hope that it may be found on the same plane of werth and interest with the volumes heretofore issued.

Valuable work in various fields is shown. Of special interest are the five botanical papers of the late Dr. C. C. Parry, and to him also fell the kindly task of preparing the memorials, herein contained, of the late Prof. D. S. Shel- don, LL. D., first President of the Academy, and of the late R.Smetham. The last work of Dr. Parry’s life was the paper on “Ceanothus, L.” Only those most intimately connected with the publication of the Proceedings of the Davenport Academy of Natural Sciences can appreciate how much of success was due to the fertile brain, untiring energy, and well-earned, world-wide repu- tation of Dr. Parry. Many an early morning hour found him, after a brisk walk from his country home, in consultation with the Chairman. The last pages of Volume V., fresh from the press, were brought by him to the train, Septem- ber 22, 1889, as the Chairman started on a journey across the seas. The fare- well words were spoken, the last grasp of the hand taken, for in a brief time February 22, 1890— Dr. Parry took the longer journey from whence no traveler returns. The publication since then has taken a long rest, ostensibly waiting for the ““Index”—really paralyzed by the repeated inroads upon the member- ship made by death and removals. :

Among the prominent supporters of the Academy who have been called away was the late Charles E. Putnam, who contributed so much to the perma- nent value of its publications, and whose efficient administration as President closes this Volume. The late James Thompson, whose sudden death occurred a few hours after his reélection to the Presidency, was a member of the Publi- cation Committee. The removal of our former enthusiastic Curator, Prof. W. H. Pratt, to Minneapolis, is felt as a very serious loss.

Other willing and able hands are taking up the work in various lines, and continued generous support by the community at large, and accumulating be- quests to the Endowment Fund, give every reason for encouragement in the future. Prof. Samuel Calvin, lowa State Geologist, and Dr. Jennie McCowen are now on the Publication Committee. Prof. W. H. Barris, whose reputation as a geologist needs no mention, has taken the place of Prof. Pratt, as Curator.

On December 14, 1892, the twenty-fifth anniversary of the founding of the Academy was celebrated by a successful entertainment, one delightful feature of which was the reading by the Secretary, Dr. Jennie McCowen, of a most carefully-prepared paper, giving a concise résumé of the history and work of

1V PREFACE.

the Academy. Many letters of congratulation from distant friends were read. The marked increase of the library since the distribution of the Proceedings is very gratifying. It now contains over 28,000 volumes, which are housed in the fire-proof building of the Academy.

The Synopsis of Proceedings —in which will be found, page 248, a revision of the Constitution and By-Laws, as adopted March 25, 1887 —is brought down in this volume from 1885 to 1888, inclusive. A completed index of the five volumes thus far published is appended, for the preparation of which the Academy is indebted to Prof. W. J. McGee, of the United States Geological Survey, and his able assistant, Mr. Van Doren. The portrait of the late Prof. D. S. Sheldon, LL. D., as frontispiece of Volume V., was the gift of his former pupils of Griswold College, through the efforts of Mr. George F. Henry, of Des Moines.

It is the purpose of the Academy to publish hereafter in brochure form all papers accepted, as soon as possible after presentation. In pursuance of this plan, the following have already been issued as part of Volume VI.:

1. Bibliography of Iowa Antiquities, by Frederick Starr, Ph. D., of Chicago

University.

2. Ancient Grooved Rocks in Arkansas, by W. A. Chapman.

3. Buddhism in America, by Edward L. Berthoud, of Golden, Colorado.

Among other papers promised are one by Prof. Calvin, of the State Univer- sity, and one by Prof. Barris on the local geology of Davenport.

The portraits of Dr. C. C. Parry and C. E. Putnam will also be contained in Volume VI., with biographical sketches.

CON TENTS:

Preface, ; : ; : ; > : : : : : On Certain Recent, Quaternary, and New Fresh- Water Mollusca 2. Ellsworth Call,

On Pyrgulopsis, a New Genus of Rissoid Mollusk, with Descriptions of two New Genera— Pe. Ellsworth Call and Harry A. Pilsbry, .

A Defense of our Local Geology —W. H. Barris,

Volcanoes of the Sandwich Islands C. S. Watkins,

Harfordia, Greene and Parry—A New Genus of Eriogonex from Lower California C. C. Parry, : 4

An Ancient Mine in Arkansas —Wm. A. Chapman, :

Description of a New Hydrobia, with Notes on Other Rissoidze— Harry A. Pilsbry,, . ae Oe

Lastarrieza, Remy —Confirmation of the Genus, with Character Ex- tended C. C. Parry,

Mound Explorations at Toolesboro, Louisa County, lowa—E&. P. Lynch, Hf. C. Fulton, C. E. Harrison, C. H. Preston,

Additional Explorations at Toolesboro C. £. Harrison, W. H. Pratt, Contributions to the Mollusca of Florida Chas. 7. Simpson,

Memoranda on a Collection of Fishes from the Ozark Region of Mis- souri— FP. Ellsworth Call,

Iowa Thunder-Storms— Notes for the Summer of ie ree age LAKIA

A Description of the Rockford Shales of lowa Clement L. Were. Mound Explorations in North-western Iowa Frederick Starr,

Preliminary Annotated Catalogue of the Birds of lowa— Charles R. Keyes and H. S. Williams, .

The North American Genus Ceanothus, with an Enumerated List, and Notes and Descriptions of Several Pacific Coast Species C. C, Parry, : : : ;

Chorizanthe, R. Br— Review of Certain Species Heretofore Improperly Characterized or eee Referred; with Two New Species Cig] Paxcry; :

Memorial of Professor David S. Sheldon, LL. D.—C. C. es ;

Ceanothus, L.— Recent Field Notes, etc.— C. C. Parry,

113

162

174 179 185

v1

CONTENTS.

SYNOPSIS OF PROCEEDINGS, 1885-88:

Annual Meeting, January 7, 188s,

Curator’s Report, 1885 —W. H.. Pratt,

Librarian’s Report, 1885 -— Fennie McCowen,

Report of Publication Committee, 1885 Mrs. M. L. D. Putnam, President’s Annual Address, 1885 7. C. Fulton,

Richard Smetham, Reminiscences of C. C. Parry,

Annual Meeting, January 27, 1886,

Treasurer's Report, 1886 —W. H/. Fluke,

Recording Secretary’s Report, 1886 fide M. Pratt,

Librarian’s Report, 1886 Fennie McCowen,

Report of Publication Committee, 1886 A7rs. MW. L. D. Putnam, Curator’s Report, 1886 —W. H. Pratt,

President’s Annual Address, 1886 —C. 2. Putnam,

Resolutions on the Death of Prof. David S. Sheldon,

Presentation of the ee Collection, of the late J. Duncan Putnam,

Annual Meeting, renee 26, 1887,

Treasurer’s Report, 1887 —G P. McClelland, . Recording Secretary’s Report, 1887 Fennie McCowen, Curator’s Report, 1887 —W. H. Prait,

Librarian’s Report, 1887 HZ. A. Pilsbry,

Report of Publication Committee, 1887 Mrs. M. L. D. Putnam, President’s Annual Address, 1887 C. &. Putnam, Constitution and By-Laws, as Revised March 25, 1887, . Resolutions on the Death of C. E. Putnam, Resolutions on the Death of Walker Adams, .

Annual Meeting, January 4, 1888, ; 5 Recording Secretary’s Report, 1888 Yennie McCowen, Librarian’s Report, 1888 H/. A. Pilsbry,

Treasurer's Report, 1888 Nicholas Kuhnen,

Curator’s Report, 1888 W. 77. Pratt,

Report of Publication Committee, 1888 -—— Wrs. W. L. D. Putnam, President’s Annual Address, 1888 Charles E. Harrison, Resolutions on the Death of George H. French,

PROCEEDINGS

OF THE

DAVENPORT ACADEMY

Duele SC LEN CES.

VOLUME V.

FP ASP Ss ES

ON CERTAIN RECENT, QUATERNARY, AND NEW FRESH-WATER MOLLUSCA.

BY R. ELLSWORTH CALL. Read before the Academy, February 20th, 1886.

Tue area which has contributed most of these forms is'little known conchologically. All the knowledge gathered concerning its molluscan fauna is fragmentary, and, for the most part, scattered through many publications, rendering a collation of their information an imperative need. Such a collation has been for some time in progress, and the present writer hopes soon to present a summary of the results.

Of the six species herein described, four have hitherto been charac- terized by me, two of which were, in deference to authority, given only varietal rank. It is now proposed to recognize the varietal names as of specific value, and to republish the original descriptions as ap- plicable to the specific name. This disposition is made in the light of continued and careful study of these forms in conjunction with well- preserved specimens of the species of which they were formerly re- garded as varieties.

[Proc. D. A. N.8., Vou. V.] 1 { April 15, 1886. ]

DAVENPORT ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES.

Ny

RISSOID. Genus AmMnicoLA Gould & Haldeman (1841).

Amnicola dalli, sp. nov. (Plate I., Figs. 4-6.)

Amunicola dalli, Call.— Bull. U. S. Geol. Sur., No. 11, p. 45, Plate VI., Figs. 4-6 (1884).

Shell narrowly umbilicate, obtusely conical, shining, slightly striated, brown or greenish horn color; whorls four, convex, gradually increasing in size; suture regularly impressed, somewhat deep; aperture rounded before, somewhat angular behind, bluish white within ; lip simple, sharp, margins joined by a thick callus, columella rather reflexed.

Length, 3.507"; breadth, 2.30™™.

Habitat and Station.— Mountain streams tributary to Pyramid Lake, North-west Nevada.

For the diagnosis of the lingual dentition I am indebted to Mr. Charles E. Beecher, who has prepared the following description and

illustrations :

“Jaw thin, membranaceous.

“Qdontophore 1.10™™ long, .13™™ wide. In a full-grown example the odontophore has 94 transverse rows of teeth, with the formula 3—I —3-

“Rhachidian tooth short and broad, with the inferior lateral angles produced. Cusp with seven denticles, of which the central one is the largest. The anterior lateral faces are each furnished with a short, strong, conical denticle, and the adjacent lateral margin of the tooth is thickened and slightly produced. Formula for rhachidian tooth:

Ce ee 1-4

“Body of intermediate tooth quadrate; infero-interior angle some- what produced: furnished with a large bullation, into which the infero- interior angle of the succeeding tooth appears to fit as if for articula- tion. Peduncle long and straight. Cusp with seven strong angular denticles, arranged according to the formula 241+ 4.

“Body of the first lateral tooth elongate-triangular, oblique to the direction of the broad peduncle. Cusp inflected, and carrying twenty- three slender denticles.

“Outer lateral tooth hamate, with no marked distinction between the body and peduncle. Free extremity incurved and bearing thirty-four minute denticles. The denticle formula is, therefore,

CALL—ON NEW MOLLUSCA. 3

Bais egy “The apparent articulation of the intermediate teeth, as described

above, was observed in a fragment of an odontophore which presented

a lateral aspect under the microscope. It is not known that this feat-

ure has ever been noted in any other species, although it very proba-

bly occurs in many which have foraminated or bullate teeth. This disposition of the teeth would allow great flexion of the odontophore without their displacement.”

34—23—7— —7—23—34.

Fic. 1.—Lingual dentition of Ammnicola dalli, Call x 400.— Beecher.

a.—Two of the transverse rows of the odontophore, showing the normal position of the teeth. The teeth are considered as opaque.

Analysis: 6—Outer laterals. c.— First laterals. d.—Intermediate teeth. e.— Rachidian teeth.

Fic. 2.— Intermediate teeth ( x 400), showing mode of articulation.— Beecher.

4 DAVENPORT ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES.

This quite distinct form was collected in considerable numbers at Symon’s Stage Station, near the foot of Pyramid Lake, Nevada. Its nearest congener is A. porata Say, from which it differs in elevation, sculpturing, and dentition. Since this last character is the one of chief importance, the description of the dentition is here given. Comparing the denticle formulz of the two forms, thus:

A. porata. 34143 5 a = 5 Eee 5 A. dalli.

Fd 58 31 ae ae 7—23—34, 124

the dissimilarity is strongly marked. Specimens may be seen in nu- merous private collections, and in the cabinets of the Smithsonian In- stitution, the New York State Museum of Natural History, and the Davenport Academy of Natural Sciences.

30—18

18—30,*

VALVATID. Genus VAtvata Miller (1774).

Valvata utahensis, sp. nov. (Plate I., Figs. 1-3.)

Valvata sincera, var. utahensis, Call.— Bull. U. S. Geol. Sur., No. 11, p. 44, Plate

VI., Figs. 1-3 (1884).

Shell operculate, narrowly umbilicate, conical, with minute trans- verse striae, shining, somewhat pellucid, yellowish horn color at apex, white below; spire obtusely elevated, flattened at tip; suture well im- pressed; whorls four, convex, regularly increasing, the uppermost ones with a single well-marked carina, which becomes obsolete on the last whorl; last whorl equals one-half the whole length of the shell; aper- ture circular, slightly angled posteriorly; peristome simple, continuous, joined to the next whorl above by a very slight calcareous deposit ; within white.

Operculum light horn color, corneus, spirally multivolute, slightly produced posteriorly to conform to the shape of the aperture. Denti- tion unpublished.

Length, 4.80% .breadth,, 3.20".

Habitat.— Lake Utah, Utah.

* After Stimpson, Smithsonian Misc. Coll., No. 201, p. 14, Fig. 6; also ibid., No. 144, p. 80, Fig. 158.

CALL ON NEW MOLLUSCA. 5

This form was dredged by the writer, in August, 1883, in great num- bers in Utah Lake, near Lehi, not far from the head of the River Jordan. It is intermediate between Va/vata sincera Say and V. wvirens Tryon. From the first it differs in the unicarinate upper whorls, in being more elevated, in possessing a very much smaller umbilicus, and in its greater size. From the second it differs in color, size, carination, and form of aperture. It resembles, in some respects, /~ wnicarinata De Kay (=F. fricarinata Say), but differs in size, ornamentation, and form of aperture. Specimens may be seen in the Smithsonian Institu- tion, in the New York State Museum of Natural History, in the Daven- port Academy of Natural Sciences, and in the private collections of Beecher, Stearns, Dall, Aldrich, and the writer.

LIMN 4ZID.

Genus Raptx Montfort (1810).

Radix utahensis, sp. nov. (Plate I., Figs. 7-9.) Radix ampla, var. utahensis, Call.— Bull. U. 5S. Geol. Sur., No. 11, p. 47, Plate

VI., Figs. 7-9 (1884).

Shell globose, somewhat umbilicated, irregularly costate, light horn color, nearly pellucid; spire rather small, conical; whorls four to four and one-half, convex, somewhat flattened above, giving rather a shoul- dered appearance to the whorls, rapidly increasing in size, the last whorl being inflated, with numerous rather marked transverse coste, minutely wrinkled; suture somewhat deep, regularly impressed; aper- ture elongately ovate, effuse, approaching patulous, pearly white within ; outer lip simple, the margin connected by a slight calcareous deposit; columella somewhat twisted, but straight in front. Dentition unpub- lished. Length of largest specimen, 16.82™"; breadth, 8.88 ™™. The average of nine specimens gave a length of 13 40™™, breadth 7.10™™, with about the same ratio for corresponding measurements of aperture.

Length, 23:-40°™ ; breadth; 7:10"™.

Length of aperture, 9.00"; breadth of aperture, 5.go™™.

Flabitat and Station.— Lake Utah, Lehi, Utah.

This is a rare form in Utah Lake, its only locality so far as known. Its nearest affinity is Radix ampla Mighels. In the preceding refer- ence its relation to Polyrhytis kingii Meek has been noted. It was associated with abundant specimens of the Va/vata herein described, and with Fluminicola fusca Haldeman and Spherium dentatum Halde- man. Specimens may be seen as above.

6 DAVENPORT ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES.

Genus LIMNOPHYSA Fitzinger (1833).

Limnophysa bonnevillensis, sp. nov. (Plate I., Figs. 10-13.) Limnophysa bonnevillensis, Call.— Bull. U.S. Geol. Sur., No. 11, p. 48, Plate

VL., Figs. 10-13 (1884).

Shell umbilicated, elongate, ventricose or bullate, somewhat solid, faintly striate and very minutely reticulated below the suture, the last whorl bearing faint longitudinal ridges or costz; spire elevated, acute ; suture deeply impressed; whorls 4 to 4%, very much rounded, some- times tending to geniculation above, the last whorl equal to three- fourths the whole length of the shell, rapidly increasing in size, much swollen, somewhat expanded at base; columella somewhat plicate, slightly callous, regularly arcuate; columella and peristome continu- ous; peristome simple, margins joined by a heavy callus, which is con- tinuous and so reflexed as to partially close the umbilicus; aperture broadly ovate, often patulous, equal to one-half the entire length of the shell, oblique, angled slightly behind.

Fossil, Quaternary. Bonneville Lake beds, Kelton, Utah.

The four largest specimens of the many in the collections give the following dimensions:

SPECIMEN. LENGTH. | BREADTH. er er:. ; in ‘mm. rics mm. x eg is L8H ale es, 15.00 7.80 The IT a melee ae 11.00 5.80 Be Mt daar he aes 9.40 5.20 ‘eV ce a emer rl ie Us|). STREPOMATID.

Genus GONIOBASIS Lea (1862). Goniobasis stearnsiana, sp. nov.

Shell globose, not very elongate, excavated in umbilical region, but not umbilicated, usually coarsely and ob- liquely costate on upper whorls; spire conical, not much elevated; whorls 542-6, scarcely convex, appressed at the suture, body-whorl very large, more than equalling one-half the en-

ING: 3: 3 : . Gon. STEARNSIANA. * 9 tire length, often angulate at periph-

CALL—ON NEW MOLLUSCA. 7

ery, above which it is flattened, many-banded and smooth, or bandless and coarsely multistriate, the striz cord-like and variable in number, coarsely and obliquely wrinkled by the well-marked lines of growth; suture well but irregularly impressed; aperture oblique, trapezoidal, twice as long as broad, effuse, white or creamy-white within, often banded with broad purple bands, slightly retuse at columellar region; peristome simple, sigmoid, a little thickened, somewhat reflexed at base of columella; columella thickened, always white, twisted; parietal wall usually with a thick deposit of callus, which is sensibly thickened near the posterior angle of aperture. Operculum black, otherwise as usual in the genus.

Ffabitat and Station.—-This shell occurred only in a limited area in Dyke’s Creek, a clear and cold mountain stream tributary to the Etowah River, Floyd County, Georgia. Associated with it were numerous speci- mens of Margaritana georgiana \.ea, two species of undetermined C770, Goniobasis vittata Anthony, and Gonzobasis bella Conrad. It has the habit of Anculosa, and is to be sought only in the most swiftly flowing and deepest portions of the stream, on rocks. It is not abundant, the most painstaking examination revealing some two hundred individuals.

The characters given are those which appear to be most constant, though some. of these are variable. The variations, as usual in this family, range through wide limits. Thus, occasional specimens of the smooth and banded type depart so far from the figure that the whorls are loosely coiled and very much rounded; this does not appear to be of varietal value, but is pathologic. The color, again, ranges from light yellow to dark olive, and the peripheral angle becomes almost a carina. The average dimensions of seventeen individuals are, for length, 21.14™™; for breadth, 12.02™. The largest specimen has a length of 26.08™™ and a diameter of 14.00™™.

Specimens may be seen in the United States National Museum, Cornell University, New York State Museum of Natural History, Amherst College, Davenport Academy of Natural Sciences, and in the private collections of C. E. Beecher, T. H. Aldrich, and the writer. The species is named in honor of Dr. R. E. C. Stearns, so well known for his researches on the Pacific Coast mollusca.

8 DAVENPORT ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES.

CORBICULID. Genus SPHRIUM Scopoli (1777). Sphzerium uintaense, sp. nov.

Shell thin, small, globose, ventricose, slightly inequilateral, posterior and anterior margins well rounded, very slightly produced posteriorly; um- bones large, subcalyculate, full, rounded, dark, retaining embryonic shell, approximate; basal margin rounded, thus giving a circular outline to shell; epidermis shining, dark straw or olive col- ored, substriate, light yellowish on basal margin ; cardinal teeth microscopic, slightly in advance of the middle region of the umbones, not widely separating; lateral teeth small, short, somewhat upcurved.

Viewed in profile from in front, the point of junc- tion of lower portion of valves with the embry- onic shell appears as a well-marked obtuse angle.

Length, 4.76™"; diameter, 4.02™; number of specimens, eight.

Habitat and Station.— A lake in the Uinta Mountains, Utah, at an elevation of 10,500 feet. The specimens were communicated by Prof.

Fic. 4. a < ra Spuaerm vinraense.. Orson Howard, of Salt Lake City) amide x5 collected by him in August, 1885.

This species is remarkable for its small size, all the specimens seen being mature, and one with fry, and for the great elevation at which it occurred. This is by far the greatest hypsometic range recorded for any lamellibranch. The lake is snow-fed, and therefore its normal temperature must be far below that of waters in which the Cordbzicu- fide usually occur. Its extreme fragility and small size, it is believed, must be coordinated with these features of its environment. Specimens are in the collection of Prof. O. Howard and or the writer.

It may not be altogether improper, in this connection, to advert to the lax usage of naturalists in connection with the terms /adifat and station. They are used as though strictly synonymic, while possessed of a definite and precise meaning. It is proposed, therefore, that the term /adbitat be used in the sense of geographic distribution, while s¢a- tion should be used always and alone to indicate the immediate phys- ical environment of the form considered. Such is the sense herein con- templated.

CALL AND PILSBRY —ON PYRGULOPSIS. 9

ON PYRGULOPSIS, A NEW GENUS OF RISSOID MOLLUSK, WITH DESCRIPTIONS OF TWO NEW FORMS.

BY R. ELLSWORTH CALL AND HARRY A. PILSBRY. Raad before the Academy, February 26th, 1586.

In September, 1883, Mr. R. E. C. Stearns described a rissoid mol- lusk from Pyramid Lake, Nevada, under the name of Pyrgula neva- densis. His description was based, in part, upon material furnished by one of the present writers, which was, at that time, inconsiderable in amount. In the following year the form was collected in almost incredible numbers in the original locality, and studied by Messrs. Call and Beecher in as complete a manner as rather unfavorable cir- cumstances would admit. At that time the generic reference of the species appeared to be unquestionable, and, in the absence of speci- mens of European Pyrgula for comparison, was agreed upon as prob- ably correct. Since this later study of the Nevada form, in which the dentition was illustrated and found to be rissoid, additional data have accumulated, which appear to render impossible the original generic reference. These data consist, in the main, of a careful study of the orig- inal bibliographic matter concerning the institution of Pyrgula as a genus, of the discovery of at least two additional forms which seem to be congeneric with Pyrgula nevadensis, neither of which agree with typical Pyrgula, either in station or understood hypsometric range, and of certain conchologic features that appear in the following diagnosis. In the further absence of any generic group which will include these shells, it has seemed proper to institute for their reception a genus that would do no violence to their conchologic affinities or to their geographic distribution. We therefore propose the name of Pyrgidlopsis for these forms, and define the genus as follows:

PYRGULOPSIS, vez. nov. (Etymolory: Pyrgula, and ofsis—aspect of.) Type, Pyrgulopsis nevadensis Stearns. b) , S Pyrgula nevadensis Stearns.—. Proc. Phila. Acad. Nat. Sci., 1883.

Generic characters: Shell minute, conically turreted, somewhat elongated, imperforate, unicarinate; apex acute; aperture ovate; peri- treme continuous.

[Broc. DIAC N.S; Von. Ve]

w

[May 25, 1886.]

10 DAVENPORT ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES.

Operculum ovate, thin, corneous, spiral, with polar point well forward and approximating the columella.

Jaw thin, membranaceous.

Odontophore with teeth arranged in transverse rows, according to the formula 3-+-1+3. Formula for denticles of rhachidian :

Distribution: Western and South-western United States, in fresh or brackish water.

So far as known to us, the typical European Pyrgw/@. are bicarinate or multicarinate. ‘The type of the genus is the species described by Michelin* as JZelania helvetica. ‘The founders of the genus, Christoforo and Jan, described the same form as Pyrgzla annulata, from a locality in Switzerland. Figures 11 and 12 of Plate II. are drawn from Switzer- land specimens of this form.

As above defined, this genus will include the form described by Mr. John Wolf as Pyrgula scalariformis.t Although the first described species, it was not considered advisable to constitute this form the type of the genus. Being a post-pliocene fossil, it was impossible to indi- cate those characters in the animal itself which are desirable in framing an intelligible diagnosis. These have, so far as the operculum and dentition go, been studied in the Nevada form only. The remaining species to be included are, besides the type, P. mississippiensis, sp.

nov., and P. spzmosus, sp. NOv.

DESCRIPTIONS OF THE SPECIES OF PYRGULOPSIS.

Pyrgulopsis nevadensis Stearns. (Plate II., Figs. 1-10.)

Pyrgula nevadensis Stearns. Proc. Phila. Acad. Nat. Sci., p. 173, figure (1883). Call and Beecher, Am. Nat., Sept. 1884, Vol. XVIII., pp. 851-855; from this paper the present account of the dentition is copied. Calle Bull. U. S. Geol.

Survey, No. 11, 1884.

Shell small, somewhat elongated, variable, turreted, imperforate; whorls 4% —5"%, strongly unicarinate on periphery, otherwise smooth; epidermis shining, light straw color or whitish, white at suture; suture deeply and regularly impressed, made conspicuous by the approximat- ing carina; aperture very oblique, roundly ovate, with an angle on outer edge Comespoedging to the excavated carina, > POSE sharply

sen de ee. p- 37, Plate xxxvii. (1831. ) {Vide American Journal of Conchology, Vol, V., 1869, p. 198, Plate xvii., Fig. 3.

CALL AND PILSBRY ON PYRGULOPSIS. at

angled, well rounded before; peritreme continuous, almost rimate, closely appressed to parietal wall.

Operculum light corneous, spiral, closely fitting the aperture.

The following account and illustration of the dentition is by Mr. Charles E. Beecher, who has devoted much attention to the dentition of this group:

“Jaw thin, membranaceous.

“Odontophore .62™™ in length, and .15™™ in width. ‘There are usu- ally fifty-five transverse rows of teeth, arranged according to the for- mula 3 —1—3, which is common to the family Rissoide.

“Rhachis distinct, occupying one-fourth the width of the ribbon. Rhachidian tooth (Fig. 1) short and broad, with the infero-lateral angles produced and slightly arcuate. On each side of the anterior face is a strong, short, conical process or basal tooth projecting outward and somewhat downward. Basal margin trilobate; central lobe truncate. Cusp curved forward, and extended into a strong denticle with four smaller ones on each side. The formula of the denticles for this tooth would, therefore, be:

7 a ey

1e9

“Body of intermediate tooth* subrhomboidal, with the infero-interior angle slightly produced and with an angulation in the margin above. From this point there is a thickening or ridge extending toward the fixed end. Peduncle longer than the body of the tooth. Upper mar- gin abruptly curved forward and marked by seven denticles, of which the third inner one is usually the largest; the formula for this tooth may be written 2+1+4.

“Inner lateral tooth (Fig. 3) spoon-shaped, with the infero-interior margin angular. Upper anterior margin marked with a fringe of about twenty-four denticles, decreasing in length from the interior extremity. Peduncle straight, wider than the body.

“Outer lateral tooth (Fig. 4) falciform, straight along the peduncle. Anterior margin and extremity denticulated with thirty minute denti- cles, usually decreasing in length toward the distal extremity, but subject to some variation. The denticulate margin extends more than one-third the length of the tooth. Peduncles slender and nearly

straight. “The formula for the denticles is: , 4+1+4 . 30\— 24 7 = a 7 94 30.

“There is a marked variation in the character of the denticles on the intermediate and lateral teeth. On the intermediate they are large,

*Jt is proposed by Mr. Beecher and the senior writer to give to this tooth the name of admedian. In a forthcoming monograph of the Rissoide that name will be constantly so em- ployed.

£2 DAVENPORT ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES.

angular, and somewhat irregular. ‘The lateral teeth are uniformly marked by a regular fringe of slender denticles, which are much smaller on the outer lateral.

“Some portions of the membrane and different specimens show con- siderable variation in the length and strength of the denticles on the lateral teeth, and sometimes their number seems subject to some mutation. The numbers given in the formule were averaged from several enumerations, and represent the comparative denticulation of the teeth.”

DESCRIPTIONS OF FIGURES.

(All figures enlarged to 500 diameters.)

Fic. 1.— Rhachidian teeth. “© 2,—Intermediate teeth.

3.— Inner laterals. 4.— Outer laterals. 5.— A portion of the odontophore, representing the teeth in their natural position.

CALL AND PILSBRY —ON PYRGULOPSIS. [3

This species has a limited distribution, occurring only, so far as present information goes, in North-western Nevada, in Walker and Pyramid Lakes. Living forms have been collected only in the last- named locality.

The description of Dr. Stearns has been amended to form a diag- nosis as complete as very extensive series would permit. The shell is exceedingly variable, ranging from short and stout to long and slender, and from strongly carinate to entirely smooth. Figures 6, 7, and 8 of Plate II. show the smooth forms and the variations to which they are inclined.

Pyrgulopsis mississippiensis, sp. nov. (Plate TL, Figs. 14-16.) Pyrgula scalariformis, var. mississippiensis Pilsbry.— Am. Nat., Jan. 1886, p.

75. No description.

Shell minute, pupiform, elevated, imperforate; whorls 514-6, flat- tened, with a well-marked carina on lower third, which becomes cen- tral on periphery of last whorl, body-whorl equal to one-half entire length of shell and bluntly angulated at position of carina; epidermis —,; suture distinct, deeply impressed only at commencement of last whorl and below, above last whorl covered by carina; aperture narrowly ovate, broadly rounded before and narrowly rounded behind, very oblique; peritreme continuous, almost rimate, slightly reflected over the parietal wall; lip simple, sharp.

Animal unknown.

This form has hitherto occurred only in the Mississippi River, near the mouth of Rock River, on the Illinois side Rock Island County, Illinois. Many dead specimens have been taken, but, as yet, no living ones. It differs in important particulars from the P. scalariformis, Wolf, which is “carinate its entire length,” has a different aperture, and is markedly different in the character of the sutures. Our species is ecarinate on all whorls above the body-whorl, the carina being de- pressed and filling entirely the suture. The outlines of the apical whorls are wholly unlike the figured type of Wolf’s species. The aver- age measurements of the four specimens upon which the preceding description is based are, for length, 4.66™™; for breadth, 1.61™™, The proportions of length and breadth, while variable, do not vary within so wide limits as the P. xevadensis. ‘The individual measurements are as follows:

Specimen z.— Length, 3.58™™; breadth, 1.60™™.

2. Beyer : : rig ls (See a oer « oy 5oum : 6 if 64mm, vee is 2 4omn ; iT. 64cm:

[4 DAVENPORT ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES.

Pyrgulopsis spinosus, sp. nov. (Plate II., Figs. 17-19.)

Shell minute, imperforate, turreted, unicarinate, carina modified into spinous processes on last three whorls, darker colored than balance of shell; whorls 5—51'%, first two rounded, destitute of spines or carina, the last three somewhat geniculate, angled at location of carina, body-whorl large, sometimes with an occasional spine below the carina; epidermis light horn color, nearly white at apex, with microscopic longitudinal revolving striz, shining; aperture roundly ovate, slightly longer than broad, rounded anteriorly; peristome not continuous, sharp, simple, slightly reflected near the columella, sug- gesting a faint umbilicus; suture slightly impressed.

Operculum spiral, reddish horn color.

Specimen r.— Length, 3.86™™,; breadth, 2.34™™.

ig 2— “* grooms % rihreke z en g.005" 1.5 ara

Flabitat.— Comal Creek, a clear stream at New Braunfels, Texas, on rocky bottoms. It was associated with numerous specimens of Goniobasis pleuristriata Say, Amnicola (species undetermined), and Bythinella (species undetermined).

In some particulars this form may be compared with Stimpson’s genus Potamopyrgus. It differs radically, however, in the character of the spinous processes, which in that type are epidermal, while in our form they are true testaceous products. It is the only spinous rissoid described from the United States.

Pyrgulopsis scalariformis Wolf. (Plate 1]., Fig. 13.) Pyrgula scalariformis Wolf.—Am. Jour. Conch., Vol. V., p. 198, Plate xvii,

Fig. 3 (1860).

“Shell turreted, slender; whorls 6, chalky white; suture deeply im- pressed; carinate its entire length on the lower edge of the whorls; mouth small, ovate, but slightly connected with the last whorl. Length, one-half inch. ;

“Post-pliocene; abundant on the Tazewell shore of the Illinois River.” (Wolf. )

No other locality has been recorded, and no living specimens have ever been taken. ‘The figure is a copy of the original, and has been the main reliance in referring the species to this genus. We have not been able to procure from the author either the types or authentic specimens for examination.

BARRIS—A DEFENSE OF OUR LOCAL GEOLOGY. 15

A DEFENSE OF OUR LOCAL GEOLOGY. BY W. H. BARRIS.

[Being a criticism of a pamphlet en the “Geology of Scott County, Lowa, and Rock Island County, Illinois,” by A. S. Tiffany. Originally read as an address before the Academy, it is published in such form, rather than as a more rigidly strict scientific paper. |

Read before the Academy, February 2bth, 188.

Ir was an unfortunate venture when the author of this pamphlet proclaimed in the “Naturalist’s Directory” that his fov¢e consisted in “the correct naming of fossils.” His friends had a right to expect that in his first paper on the subject, a claim so conspicuously set forth would be fully substantiated. They certainly were not prepared to recognize within a few pages no less than one hundred and eighty blun- ders in the correct naming of fossils.* ‘The printers of the pamphlet, realizing that their reputation for accuracy might be compromised by the occurrence of such blunders, remonstrated; but they were over- ruled, and given to understand it was just as it should be.

It certainly was unfavorable for the kind reception of the pamphlet that blunders should be allowed to accumulate in such numbers. One, two, or more, might be overlooked; but the presence of so many errors gives rise, most naturally, to the suspicion that the same want of care, thought, and judgment that led to such blunders, even in the naming of fossils, might equally fail to grasp the nice distinctions on which genus and species are founded; in other words, blunders in the correct naming of fossils might pave the way for blunders in their iden- tification. The suspicion is confirmed by the result.

We are confronted with the statement that from the Corniferous limestone developed in this locality have been gathered over two hun- dred and forty-six species of fossils. We infer the utter improbability that this number of species are found in this locality, from the follow- ing considerations :

First. The character of the rock is against it. Professor Hall, of our first State Geological Survey, writing of the Corniferous limestone of our vicinity, says: “The large amount of shaly matter mingling with the material of the rock, or occurring as shaly seams between the beds, would appear to render the condition of the ancient ocean unfit for the

* The errors noted are distributed as follows, viz.: In the first list, page 7, 44; in the second list, page 17, 57; in the third list, page 24, 45; in the fourth list, page 28, 18; in the fifth list, page 29, 3; in the text, 18; making a total of 18s.

16 DAVENPORT ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES.

development of animal life. In nearly all the exposures observed it contains few fossils.” * Professor Hall had access only to the expos- ures above the city. Since that time quarries have been opened below. The general character of the rock, to some extent, still prevails. That it is unfavorable to the preservation of fossil remains is apparent from the condition in which they are found. It holds them firmly, and gives them up reluctantly. Ground into small fragments before the deposi- tion of the rock, they are compacted into its substance. If large frag- ments occur, they are generally broken or crushed. Even where a somewhat perfect external form appears, in the majority of cases the finer markings and the delicate organs, on the preservation of which identification depends, are obliterated beyond all hope of restoration. As a general rule, the rarer the fossil the more damaged is its condi- tion. Of the genus Stereocrinus, one of our Crinoids, of which scat- tered fragments had been found from time to time, it was not till after six or seven years of exploration that a specimen was found in a sufficiently good condition to warrant description and illustration. In a single instance a reef is formed, abounding in fossils on its upper sur- face. The most noticeable fact is not the abundance of differing spe- cies, but the recurrence of so many individuals of the same species. While they exist in numbers partially weathered, it is to the exclusion of every other form. At the same time, it is so difficult to extricate the individual from the mass, that it would be impossible to find a sin- gle well-preserved specimen in any cabinet in the city. From such a character of the rock, we deduce that no great number of species may be expected.

As a second consideration, the limited exposures of the rock are against it. In this respect, geologists at a distance, who have never visited us, find it difficult to realize our situation. In proportion as the exposures of a rock are multiplied, extended, as they often are, along a river or some other natural exposure, or cropping out at inter- vals throughout a State, in that proportion we look for abundance of species. We emphasize this fact. Our whole Corniferous limestone in its fossiliferous portion comprises simply two or three slight expos- ures above the city —now almost obliterated —a slight show between Rock Island and Moline, also at Milan, and two or three small, insig- nificant quarries below the city. This is the whole extent of the fossil- bearing limestone as exposed in our vicinity. We are told that out of this have come two hundred and forty-six species of fossils.

* Geology of Iowa, Vol. I., p. 84.

BARRIS—A DEFENSE OF OUR LOCAL GEOLOGY. I7,

A third consideration opposed to such statement is this: The ex- perience of all other geologists is against it. No geologist from abroad ever visited our quarries without a disappointment, both as to the num- ber of fossils obtained and the unsatisfactory condition in which they were found. I might appeal to every member of the Academy who has ever wrought in this rock, as to the want of success that has inva- riably attended his labors. A whole summer’s work may be summed up thus: Much time spent, many visits made, and few fossils found. And hence the universal surprise expressed at the statement of the au- thor of this pamphlet, that in this meagre locality he had collected no less than two hundred and forty-six species of fossils.

Taking into consideration the character of the rock, the fewness of its exposures, the uniform testimony of all other workers in the rock, the statement of the author as to the number of species collected will never be credited by any practical geologist. There will be a suspi- cion that the number of blunders in the matter of identification will equal, if not far exceed, the number of blunders already referred to.

As a fourth consideration, such a number of species is not favored by a comparison of this with other localities. A test case might be reached, could we find elsewhere in the Corniferous limestone an expos- ure as limited as ours, and with rock of similar character. Failing to do so, and using such material as I have access to, I compare the small with the great. Certain facts in the geology of the State of Michigan may aid us in this matter.

It will be remembered that Professor Rominger, the present State Geologist, has drawn no line between the Corniferous limestone and the Hamilton group, but treats them as one formation. It extends on the eastern shore of Lake Michigan from twenty to twenty-five miles, with a far greater exposure on the western shore of Lake Huron, bordering rivers, inland lakes, and islands. In places, particular exposures are measured, not as ours, by the rod, but by the mile. Professor Win- chell, of the first Geological Survey, writes: “Twenty rods west of this locality is amore considerable exposure, extending along the beach for three-quarters of a mile, and forming an escarpment which, at some points, attains an elevation of thirty-five feet.” *

Professor Rominger says of Khagashewung Point: “For more than a mile’s length it is lined with vertical rock bluffs, about fifteen feet high.” +

* Report on the Grand Traverse Region, p. 41.

{ Geological Survey of Michigan, by Professor Rominger, Vol. III., p. 58. [Proc. D. A. N.S8., Vou.