A Monograph of the Trilobites of North America: with Coloured Models of the SpeciesGreen, Jacob
Science
A Monograph of the Trilobites of North America: with Coloured Models of the Species
Green, Jacob
Paleontology -- North America; Trilobites -- North America
The only portions of this fossil which have yet been found, are the
abdomen and tail. The abdomen is composed of three joints; the first
passes from the side lobes completely over the body, and on its upper
surface, near the middle of the back, there is often a minute elevated
pimple. The other two, pass obliquely from the lateral lobes, and are
interrupted in their course over the body. The tail, or posterior
portion, is expanded, something like that of the Isotelus or Dipleura,
and has a deep puncture on each side, about half the distance between
its terminal border and the last articulation of the abdomen. The
lateral lobes are unlike those of any other genus. They form narrow
cuneiform appendages to the sides; near the first joint of the abdomen
they are crossed transversely by an elevated ridge, from which they
gradually taper along the sides of the body, and appear to inosculate
in a delicate point at the central border of the tail. The abdominal
articulations do not pass over these lobes, but just below the last
joint, a little transverse furrow, in perfect specimens, may be
noticed. The largest specimen of this fragment I have seen is exactly
half an inch in length.
This fossil occurs in black shaly limestone, on the canal near Cahooes
Falls, in the State of New York, and at a number of other places in
that State.
I have named this species in compliment to my early friend, Professor
Theodore Romeyn Beck, M. D., well known both at home and abroad, as
the learned author of the work on Medical Jurisprudence. Some time
after commencing this little Monograph, I communicated my plan to Dr.
Beck, and was surprised and gratified to find that he was also engaged
with the same inquiries, and that he was then busy in arranging and
examining the unique collection of trilobites belonging to the Albany
Institute. Without the smallest hesitation, he placed all his specimens
at my disposal, and has facilitated otherwise my undertaking, by every
means in his power.
Genus Nuttainia. _Eaton._
Professor A. Eaton, in his Geological Text Book, has proposed the
Genus Nuttainia, to include two remarkable trilobites which could not
properly be arranged in any of the previously established genera. The
two fossils here grouped together, bear no generic relation to each
other. The first species which he calls N. Concentrica, belongs to the
genus Cryptolythus, which was proposed before the appearance of his
work, and has therefore been noticed in another place.
The genus Nuttainia is thus characterized by its author: "Head in
three lobes, the middle one most prominent; the two lateral lobes
sub-hemispherical, or sub-quadrantal; the whole head bordered
anteriorly with a punctured fillet; body distinctly three lobed, middle
lobe sub-cylindric, and not so broad as the side lobes."
Nuttainia Sparsa. _Eaton._ Cast No. 35.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account