The _Ammonites_, a curious genus of Cephalopoda, which made their first appearance in small numbers towards the close of the preceding Triassic period, become quite special in the Secondary epoch, with the close of which they disappear altogether. They were very abundant in the Jurassic period, and, as we have already said, each zone is characterised by its peculiar species. The name is taken from the resemblance of the shell to the ram’s-horn ornaments which decorated the front of the temple of Jupiter Ammon and the bas-reliefs and statues of that pagan deity. They were Cephalopodous Mollusca with circular shells, rolled upon themselves symmetrically in the same plane, and divided into a series of chambers. The animal only occupied the outer chamber of the shell; all the others were empty. A siphon or tube issuing from the first chamber traversed all the others in succession, as is seen in all the Ammonites and Nautili. This tube enabled the animal to rise to the surface, or to sink to the bottom, for the Ammonite could fill the chambers with water at pleasure, or empty them, thus rendering itself lighter or heavier as occasion required. The Nautilus of our seas is provided with the same curious organisation, and reminds us forcibly of the Ammonites of geological times. Shells are the only traces which remain of the Ammonites. We have no exact knowledge of the animal which occupied and built them. The attempt at restoration, as exhibited in Fig. 91, will probably convey a fair idea of the Ammonite when living. We assume that it resembled the Nautilus of modern times. What a curious aspect these early seas must have presented, covered by myriads of these Molluscs of all sizes, swimming about in eager pursuit of their prey! The Ammonites of the Jurassic age present themselves in a great variety of forms and sizes; some of them of great beauty. _Ammonites bifrons_, _A. Noditianus_, _A. bisulcatus_, _A. Turneri_ (Fig. 90), and _A. margaritatus_, are forms characteristic of the Lias. [Illustration: Fig. 90.--Ammonites Turneri, from the Lower Lias.]