Researches on the Visual Organs of the TrilobitesLindström, Gustaf
Science
Researches on the Visual Organs of the Trilobites
Lindström, Gustaf
Trilobites
The cephalic eyes have been often described and delineated. Most
detailed are the descriptions and figures given by SALTER in the
Memoirs of the Geological Survey Dec. II. pl. 1. In the figure 4 a
part of the surface is shown in well preserved state. He says that
»the cornea is ... present and distinctly convex over each lens, the
intermediate portions being ornamented with tubercles and granules».
He thinks also that there are undeveloped or small lenses between the
larger. His fig. 5 represents the frames around the lenses, these being
probably lost. His explanation of fig. 6 I cannot understand. There are
weathered or spoilt lenses figured.
There is no doubt that the granulated surface of the head continues
between the more or less free lying lenses as shown here in a new
figure taken from a specimen from Dudley, fig. 47. The granules of
the surface are larger and more rare between the ocelli than for
instance in Dalm. imbricatulus. Small lenses, undeveloped as SALTER
calls them, may in fact only be such granules of somewhat larger size
than usual. Lenses having the appearance as in SALTER'S fig. 6, as if
a covering was partially destroyed and the lens visible below it, I
have also found in Swedish specimens, as represented in fig. 47. In a
vertical section, fig. 50, a delicate covering integument is seen and
the oval lenses lie regularly with their frames around them quite as
in Dalmanites obtusus and in horizontal sections, figs. 48, 49, there
are also the same sort of black, irregular dots, being the sectioned
tubes of the surface between the lenses. But in another feature there
is great interest. Beneath each lens there are fascicules of tiny rods,
twice as long as the lenses. They are represented in a vertical section
in fig. 50 and in a tangential section in fig. 49.
As our imperfect knowledge of so delicate anatomical structures in
fossil crustaceans does not admit of secure comparisons with the visual
organs of recent crustaceans, no suggestion can be given to interpret
their nature. Probably they have no connection with the structure of
the eyes and it is not even certain that they are of organic origin.
=Dysplanus= BURM.
If there were no other characters to distinguish this genus from
Illænus its strangely deviating hypostoma must do it. We have examined
two species and in both the hypostoma is almost oval, evenly rounded
both anteriorly and posteriorly. Near the anterior border two narrow,
long hornlike wings project. They are flattened, thin and lamellar from
the basis and end in a hollow, acuminated point.
=D. centrotus= DALM.
Pl. III figs. 53-56.
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.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account