Bulletins of American paleontology (Bull. Am. paleontol.) Vol 109114

BULLETINS
OF

AMERICAN
PALEONTOLOGY

VOL. XXVIII

1943-44

Paleontological Research Institution
Ithaca,
U.

New York
S.

A.


(*JUfc 251944

3/H

I

1

» * *

3

1

T

»


CONTENTS OF VOLUME XXVIII
Bulletin No.

109.

Studies of Paleozoic Nautiloidea I-VII
By Rousseau H. Flower

110.

Three Forks Fauna

in

Plates

Pages

1-6

1-140

7

141-158

the Lost River Range,

Idaho

By Ewart M. Baldwin
111.

112.

113.

114.

_

Contributions to the Paleontology of Northern
Peru. Part VII. The Cretaceous of the Paiti

Region
By Axel A. Olsson
8-24
Notes on Eocene Gastropods, chiefly Claibornian
By Katherine V. W. Palmer
25-26
New Foraminiferal Genera from the Cuban Middle
Eocene

By W. Storrs Cole and Pedro J. Bermudez
27-29
The Larger Foraminifera from San Juan de los
Morros, State o" Guarico, Venezuela
By C. M. Bramine Caudri
... 30-34
Index
___
__
__

159-304

305-330

331-350

351-404
405-412



BULLETINS
OF

AMERICAN
PALEONTOLOGY

VOL. XXVIII

NUMBER

I09

19-3-3
Paleontological Research
Institution
Ithaca, New York
U. S. A.


Condensed Table of Contents of Bulletins of American
Paleontology and Pal^ontographica Americana*
bulletins of american paleontology
Volume

I.

(Nos. 1-5).

354 pp., 32 pis.

..

$ 8.00

...

Mainly Tertiary Mollusca.
II.

III.

10.00

(Nos. 6-10). 347 pp., 23 pis.
Tertiary Molluscs and Foraminifera, Paleozoic faunas.

(Nos. 11-15). 402 pp., 29 pis.
Mainly Tertiary Mollusca and Paleozoic sections and
faunas.

IV. (Nos. 16-21).

MI

pp., 26 pis.

8.00

-,.

-

5.00

Mainly Tertiary Mollusca and sections of Paleozoic sections and faunas.
V. (Nos. 22-20).
407 pp., 68 pis.
Tertiary fossils mainly Santo

8.00

Domingan, Mesozoic and

Paleozoic fossila.
268 pp., 59 pis.
Claibornian Eocene pelecypods.

VI. (No. 31).
VII.

6.00

.

(No. 32). 7?0 pp. 30 ;>ls.
12.00
Claibornian Eocene scaphopods, gastropods and cephalopods.

VIII. (Nos. 33-36).

357 pp., 15 pis.

..

5.00

Mainly Tertiary Mollusca.
IX. (Nos. 37-39).

4C2 pp., 35 pis.

7.00

Tertiary Mollusca mainly from Costa Rica.
X. (Nos. 40-42).

382 pp., 54 pis.
Tertiary forams and mollusks mainly from T -inldad and
Paleozoic fossils.

XL

(Nos. 43-46). 272 pp., 41
Tertiary, Mesozoic and

pis.

8.00

5.00

Paleozoic

fossils

mainly

from

Venezuela.
XII. (Nos. 47-48).

494 pp., 8 pis

6.00

Venezuela and Trinidad forams and Mesozoic invertebrate bibliography.
XIII. (Nos. 49-50).

264 pp., 47 pis.

6.00

Venezuelan Tertiary Mollusca and Tertiary Mammalia.
XIV. (Nos. 51-54). 306 pp., 44 pis.
Mexican Tertiary forams and Tertiary mollusks of Peru
and Colombia.
*

:ion.

Complete titles and piice
All volumes available.

liat

of ail

6.60

numbers may be had on apphca-


BULLETINS

OF

AMERICAN PALEONTOLOGY

Vol. 28

No. 109

STUDIES OF PALEOZOIC NAUTILOIDEA
I.

II.

III.

Tissue remnants in the
CERAS

A

piiragmocone of Rayonno-

THE DEVONIAN OF

GOXIOCERAS FROM VIRGINIA

WERNEROCERAS

I- VII

IN

NEW YORK

IV. Investigations of actinosiphonate ceptialopods

New

Ordovician cephalopods from eastern North
America
VI. Some Silurian cyrtoconic cephalopods from Indiana
with notes on stratigraphic problems
VII. Annulated orthoceraconic genera of Paleozoic NauV.

TILOIDS

By
Rousseau H. Flower
Museum

University of Cincinnati

August

10,

1943

Paleontological Research Institution
Ithaca,

New York

U. S. A.


nw


CONTENTS
Text
Page
I.

Tissue Remnants in the Phragmocone of Rayonnoceras
text

(Pp. 5-13;

fig.

pi.

1;

1,

5

pars.)
5

Abstract
Introduction

5

—

Rayonnoceras

R. malloti Flower, n. sp.

.

—

—

10
12

-

13

References
II.

Werneroceras

in the Devonian of New
(Pp. 14-21; pi. 1, pars.)

Abstract
Introduction

_

York

14
-

-

Stratigraphic position

Werneroceras
References
III.

A Gonioceras from

plebiforme
-

—

(Hall)

21

Virginia

(Pp. 21-29;

—

Abstract
Introduction

pi.

2,

pars.)

-

Distribution of Gonioceras in America
Gonioceras hubbardi Flower, n. sp.

References

IV. Investigations of Actinosiphonate Cephalopods _
(Pp. 30-67; text fig. 2; pis. 2-6, pars.)
_
Abstract
— _
Introduction
_
Structure of actinosiphonate deposits
Chazyan actinosiphonate cephalopods
Valcouroceras Flower, n. gen.
V. bovinum Flower, n. sp.
—
V. obesum Flower, n. sp. _
V. cyclops Flower, n. sp.
-

V.

cf.

V.,

sp.

V., sp.

Bipectinate

—

seeleyi
1

14
14
15
19
21

(Ruedemann)

-

2

actinosiphonate deposits

-

-

.__

21
21
22
2G
29

30

30
30
35
37
43
45
46
47
48
49
50
51


2)

(

53
55
57
62
64
"7

Actinomorpha Flower, n. gen.
A. pupa Flower, n. sp.

V.

New

Aetinosiphonate deposits of Archiacoceras
Discrete annulosiphonate deposits
Conclusions
..
References
Ordovician Cephalopods of Eastern North America
(Pp. 68-82; text

fig. 3;

68

pis. 2, 4-5, pars.)

Actinoceras Bronn
Actinoceras arcuanotum Flower,
Eorizoceras Flower, n. gen. ._
E. platyceroides Flower, n. sp.
Eo' ripte oceras Flower, n. gen.
E. minutum Flower, n. sp.
Graeiloceras Flower, n. gen.
G. longidomum Flower, n. sp.
Centrocyrtoceras Foerste ....
C. mozolai Flower, n. sp.
Trocholites Conrad
T. ruedemanni Flower, n. sp.
T. gracilis Flower, n. sp. ....
References

68
68
69
70
71
71
72
74
75
75
76
79
81
82

.

n.

sp.

.

-

.

..

.

VI.

Seme

Silurian Cyrtoccnic Cephalopods of
Siratigraphic Problems
_
(Pp. 83-101;

with notes on

Indiana

83

Pis. 1-5, pars.)

Abstract
Introduction
Silurian cephalopod faunas in Indiana
Pentameroceras Hyatt
P. cumingsi Flower, n. sp.
Tetrameroceras Hyatt
T. faberi Flower, n. sp.
Laureloceras Flower, n. gen.
L. cumingsi Flower, n. sp. ...
References

__.

_

..

..

.

83
83
83
89
93
95

.

.

..

...

.

.

...

.

95
97
98
100

.

...

VFI.

Annulated Orthoceraconic Genera of Paleozoic Nautiloids
(Pp.

...

_ 102

102-128.)

Abstract
Introduction
Proposed generic names
.._
Genera proposed by Shimizu and Obata
..

.

Family Spyroceratidae
_._
_
Family Hammelloceratidse
Family Cycloceratidae
Family Eskimoceratidae
Genera proposed by Shimizu and Obata for shells of the
external aspect of Spyroceras.
(Spyroceratidae and Hammelloceratidae Shimizu and Obata) _
Eospyroceras
__.
__.
___.
Hypospyroceras
_._
_._
Subspyroceras
._

_

._

_

Ana spyroceras
Cedarvilloceras
Ccr:.yoccras

_

_

____

__

102
102
103
110
110
111
111
111

Ill
ill
113
113

H4
115

H6


(3

Hammelloceras

)

117

__

—
_
Porteroceras
__
118
Genera of annulated cephalopods with transverse markings
.__
proposed by Shknizu and Obata
119
Family Cycloceratida?
Family Eskimoceratidae
Pseudeskimoceras
Kogenoceras

_
_.

Summary of Paleozoic annulated cephalopod genera
Phylogenetic notes
_
_

_.
References
_

._

119
120
120
121
121
125
127

Plates

(Roman numerals
Plate
Plate

1.

2.

Plate
Plate
Plate

3.

Plate

6.

4.
5.

refer to the number of the paper in this series to which
the figures on any one plate pertain.)
Rayonnoceras (I), Werneroceras (II), Tetrameroceras (VI) 130
Pentameroceras (VI), Valcouroceras (IV), Gonioceras (III),
Actinoceras (V)
132
Tetrameroceras (VI), Actinosiphonate cephalopods (IV),
134
Valcouroceras (IV), Graciloceras (V)
136
Actinosiphonate cephalopods (IV), Ordovician and Silurian
cephalopods (V, VI) .__.
138
Siphuncles of Archiacoceras (IV)
140

Text figures
2.

Sagittal section of Rayonnoceras
Structure of actinosiphonate deposits

3.

Graciloceras

1.

longidomum Flower,

n.

_
sp.

9

40
73



TISSUE REMNANTS IN THE PHRAGMOCONE OF

I.

RAYONNOCERAS
ABSTRACT

A

small Rayonnoceras from the Chester of Indiana which was buried in
life position is described.

Study of sediments entering the shell
indicate barriers which have since disappeared anil are represented by calThin bands of calcite mark a peculiar but characteristic pattern in
cite.
the phragmocone ami are interpreted as calcified remnants of the partially
The specimen represents a new species and is
distorted cameral mantle.
Other American spethe first record of the genus east of the Mississippi.
cies of Rayonnoceras are briefly reviewed.

normal

its

INTRODUCTION

A

specimen representing a new species of Rayonnoceras from
the Chester of Indiana is mainly of interest for the evidence which
it

presents of tissue in the camerae at the time of burial of the shell

and the

This tissue affected

infiltration of inorganic materials.

the invasion of sediments and influenced the deposition of calcite

in

the shell cavities to

which the sediment

failed

to

penetrate.

Previously the writer (Flower, 1939, pp. 45-51) came to the conclusion that the cameral deposits of orthoceracones were secreted

by a cameral mantle, and traced the probable origin and develop-

ment

of that tissue.

At

the

same time

cameral mantle was preserved
pi.

8,

made

fig.

19)

of the

was

figured

a specimen on which the

in place (pp. 164-165, pi. 7, fig. 8;

and

and

described

specimen described here

(p. 46)

in

mention

was

connection with

the evidence of cameral tissue present at the time of burial of the
shell.

Subsequently the study of a unique specimen of Lcurocy-

cloceras (Flower, 1941) presented a remarkable case of the pres-

ervation of the large blood tubes which were developed in the

cameral mantle of that genus, thereby demonstrating that the
vascular system

may

pass directly from siphonal to cameral

The present study is significant mainly
different mode of preservation of cameral
sue.

in

tis-

recording a rather

tissue and indicates
strongly that hitherto unexplained structures in nautiloids may be
the result of the retention of cameral tissue in a more or less

altered state.


b

Bulletin 109

(3

invading
In order to demonstrate the effect of tissue upon the
orientation
the
briefly
consider
to
necessary
first
is
sediments it
and history of preservation of the specimen concerned. The shell
block of limestone showing good bedding
Study of a section through the protruding adapical end
planes.
surface

the shell showed that the conch lay with the ventral

came

into

my hands

in a

of

dorsum close to the other. Closer inspecportion
tion revealed that sediment was confined to the ventral
repreof the shell, while the dorsal portion was occupied by calcite
senting a complement to the incomplete internal mold formed by
Further, this was adequate to show that the conch
the sediment.

close to one plane, the

had come

to rest

upon

its

ventral surface, as

is

common among

actinoceroids, as the result of the concentration of

heavy cameral

and annulosiphonate deposits on the ventral side of the shell.

The

sagittal section of the

specimen (text

fig.

I,

and

PI.

i,

fig.

The living chamsomewhat broken and the connecting rings are completely destroyed except where they are reinThese facts indicate

forced by heavy annulosiphonate deposits.
that the shell was subjected to considerable damage, probably by
wave action, previous to its burial. After it came to rest on its
ventral surface, sediments entered through the siphuncle, and
i)

reveals

ber

is lost,

more

of the history of this shell.

the adoral septa are

settled into the ventral portion of the camera?.

not

filled

completely by sediments.

The

siphuncle

is

Close inspection reveals that

the sediments do not quite attain the septal necks on the dorsal

The dorsal line of contact of sediment and calcite is somewhat irregular, but approximately parallel to the bedding plane,
and the upper portion of the siphuncular cavity is not filled. As

side.

a result, casual inspection of the section fails to give a correct

impression of the strongly cyrtochoanitic condition of the siphuncular segments on the dorsum.

Were this all, the specimen would be an interesting but extremely typical example of the development of an incomplete inmold in an orthoceracone. However, at one point a clear
shown in the dorsal wall, which has permitted sediments
enter a single camera from above.
Under normal circum-

ternal

break
to

is

stances the sediment entering from above would be expected to
sink and mingle with that entering through the siphuncle, but here

Tissue Remnants in Rayonnoceras

7

something has happened

to

:

merly occupied by some substance,
structed the invading matrix.

A

now

tissue

is

Further, from what

is

known

a space for-

filling of

which

missing,

ob-

at once suggested, sub-

sequently decaying and leaving a cavity to be
calcite.

7

keep the two masses of sediment apart,
This calcite,
calcite.

for they are widely separated by a mass of
by its position must represent the inorganic

by

Flower

filled in

geodically

presence of

of the

tis-

sue in the camera? of cephalopods from other sources, this conclusion seems the only logical one which can be drawn from the
present specimen.
ing

somewhat

It is

not improbable that cameral tissues, be-

protected in location, might persist in the shell

mass and the siphonal tissues.
Thev would not be found unaltered, as was noted in Gcisonoceras
teicherti (Flower, 1939) but would probably be more or less subject to decay which would cause them to separate from the shell
entirely or in part, and might produce some very marked modifications in their original form, thickness, and areal extent.
If cameral tissue is present in a eamera which has been inafter the

removal

vaded by matrix,

of the visceral

it

is

quite possible that

better state of preservation in less
shell.

Inspection of

to the exterior
to

it

may

be found in a

exposed camerae

more adapical camerae which

through breaks

of the

same

are not open

in the shell wall, reveals structures

which no other explanation seems

to be applicable.

In the inspection of these camerae four types of calcite can be

observed.

First, there is a dark, fine-grained calcite

replaced original organic calcareous deposits of the
the ventral side this has replaced the

siphonal

clearly about the three adapical septal necks

the fourth.

Also, close to the ventral wall,

and
it

which has

On

shell.

deposits,

seen

less clearlv

on

has replaced the

original cameral deposit, episeptal in this species.
inite in the

Equally defspecimen, though somewhat more obscure in the pho-

tograph, are the cameral deposits close to the dorsal wall in the
adapical two camerae. Hie appearance of the original calcareous
deposits in this section

is

very different from that of am- of the

following types of calcite, which are therefore to be attributed to
other sources.

Bulletin 109

The second type

calcite

of

consists

of

fine-grained,

possibly

cyrtocrystalline material, which forms a series of thin white lines.

These lines occupy approximately similar positions in the adapical
two camera? on the dorsum, and traces of them in a somewhat distorted condition can he noted in the next two dorsal cameras.
Adjacent to the lines of white cryptocrystalline calcite are broad
bands of white

though composed

calcite, clearly crystalline,

of rel-

atively small crystals. These separate the white bands noted above
from the fourth type of crystal, and in places grade into the last

type,

which consists

The

last

two types

ties in the shell

gins with

;

darker colored coarse crystals of

of

here, as

numerous

calcite.

of calcite represent the geodic filling of caviis

usual in such cases, crystallization be-

fine small crystals

around the periphery

the cavity and ends witli the deposition of coarse and rather

regular crystals at the center.

However, the

of
ir-

thin white lines re-

main to be explained, and must represent the position of some
substance which controlled the pattern of calcite deposition. The
course of these lines is shown in text figure i, though no attempt

made to differentiate the two types of calcite which tomake up the geodic filling. It is apparent from the con-

has been
gether

must represent a strucwas deposited in the camera?.
Further, the form of the line suggests that it was a thin tissue,
which, if stretched out, would approximately line the camera?.

The conclusion seems unavoidable that this represents a portion
of the original cameral tissue which has become separated in part
from the septa, to which it was originally attached, and was lying
in a somewhat distorted condition in the camera?.
dition of the specimen that the white lines

ture which

was present before

The course of
when its details

calcite

more strongly
examined and compared with conclusions
reached on the form of the tissue from other data. At the adapical end of the specimen (text fig. i) the mantle line lies close
the line suggests this explanation

are

against the septum, and continues along the cameral deposit and

the dorsal wall of the camera.

On

the adoral surface a portion

broken loose, and has slipped downward a little.
Further, there is to be noted here a peculiar arching of the mantle away from the ventral surface, also seen more clearlv in the
next camera orad.
Continuing the line, a slight break is to be
of this line has

seen at the tip of the septal neck, also seen

more

clearly in the


Tissue Remnants in Rayonnoceras

next camera.

Inasmuch

as this

is

:

Flower

the point at which the connect-

ing ring and enclosing tissue were attached, the break

The

is

to be

around the
It follows the margin of the
septal neck into the next camera.
camera to the tip of the next septal neck at which a break is again

expected precisely here.

seen, this time a

the tissue
is

tissue then continues

more conspicuous

remnant

is

less

In the third camera

clearly modified by the sediment penetrating

a faint

remnant

The course

is

this

its

position

from above.

Only

preserved in the next adoral camera.

of the

white lines

is

previously for cameral tissue, but

in

one.

completely preserved, and

not precisely that postulated
it

specimen not only have most

must be remembered that
of the soft parts

been re-

moved, permitting the entry of sediment through the siphuncle,
but the shell had suffered breakage, indicating some transporta-

M

Figure 1. Sagittal section of Rayonnoceras malotti Flower, n. sp. oriented with the dorsum up, the position in which it was buried. Original shell
parts are in solid black.
Matrix which has entered both from the
adoral end of the siphuncle and from the break in the dorsal wall. C Calcite occupying portions of shell not filled by matrix
infiltrated inorganic
material.
B Cryptocrystalline calcareous bands representing position of
cameral mantle at time of burial and solidification.

M—

—

—

;


10

Bulletin 109

10

There

tion previous to burial.

is

certainly

ample opportunity for

interval, and the retention of
dissolution of cameral tissue in this
circumstances is remarktrace of cameral tissue under these

any

able.

pulled

has been
Apparently previous to calcification the mantle
the lobe
and
camera,
the
of
loose from the adoral surface

thus formed has tended to slump

havior of the mantle
only

is

in this

way

downward

The

slightly.

seems to be characteristic

there indication of such folding, but

there

is

a

;

be-

not

similar

time of chalarching of an inorganic mineral deposit, though this
(Flower
cedony, in the holotype of Harrisoccras orthoceroides

[939A) which appears to represent the same phenomenon.
more
Quite possibly the retention of cameral tissue is a much

common

factor in nautiloids than has hitherto been supposed. Its

presence has been suspected by the writer in the region surrounding the siphuncle in several pseudorthoceroids, also in the camera
of holochoanites,

The

field is

where

it

has a somewhat different distribution.

largely an unexplored one, and one rich in possibili-

ties.

Genus

The Actinoceroidea
taining their

RAYONNOCERAS

Croneis

are essentially an early Paleozoic group, at-

maximum

expression in the Ordovician.

types appear in the Silurian, but only two genera are

Some new
known in

Ormoceras Stokes and Metarmenoceras Flower,
which only Ormoceras is known to extend from the Lower
(Flower, 1940.)
the Middle Devonian.
the Mississippian and
It is surprising, therefore, to find in

the Devonian,
of

to

Pennsylvanian a new type of actinoceroid which appears both

in

Europe and America, the genus Rayonnoceras Croneis, which
The genus was forcontains the largest known actinoceroids.
merly referred

to the Actinoceratida?, but the writer lias suggest-

ed (1940) that it might lie placed in the Sactoceratidae instead,
a change which is supported by some structural features and

which

is

overwhelmingly suggested by the range

of

the genera

involved.

Schindewolf (1933) has differentiated Carbactinoceras which


Tissue Remnants in Rayonnoceras

11

was proposed
it

as a

new

:

Flower

genus, though the author remarked that

might possibly be regarded as a subgenus

The

11

of

Rayonnoceras.

two groups are distinguished on the basis of the following

characters

Rayonnoceras

Carbactinoceras

Siphuncle broad, ventral

Siphuncle narrower, subcen-

Necks

tral

relatively long, not less

Necks shorter than brims
Cameral deposits episeptal

than brims

Cameral

deposits

episeptal

and hyposeptal

The

only

status of Carbactinoceras as

a

subgenus seems more

in

keeping with the instability of these characters which vary con-

among

siderably

the

plete intergradation

species

and which strongly suggest com-

between the two extreme types.

—

American species of Rayonnoceras. Rayonnoceras hassleri
Foerste and Teichert (1930) is unfortunately based upon a specimen the label of which is lost. It is believed from the lithology
and the resemblance to R. solid if or me Croneis to be from the
Fayetteville of the

two

Upper Mississippian

of

Arkansas.

Indeed,

from the same horizon and region, are very similar.
R. solidiforme possesses septa which "extend horizontally out for a certain distance from the dorsal side
of the septal foramina, whereas in R. bassleri they rise immediately upward from the foramen."
(Foerste and Teichert, 1930,
It might be noted that the remarkable course of the
p. 210.)
these

species, both probably

septa in R. solidiforme
of the

served
tening.

is

almost certainly the result of distortion

specimen under pressure, as the same

are such as might possibly vary

conch

may

effect lias

been ob-

numerous other cephalopods, always attributed to flatThe other characters by which the species are separated

in

of the

same

species,

and

it

among
is

different

parts

of

the

probable that the two forms

be conspecific.

R. buffaloense Foerste and Teichert

is

a small form, the holo-

type obviously somewhat distorted by pressure but with strongly

oblique sutures which are apparently original.

Caney

shale of

Oklahoma.

It is

from the


12

Bulletin 109

12

form with nearly

in size,
vaughanianum
and
siphuncular
and
sutures
oblique
possesses more

R. girtyi Foerste and Teichert

is

a larger

closely resembles R.

straight sutures,

but that species

segments which are longer

proportion

in

their

to

(see Foerste and Teichert,

vaughanianum (Girty)

R.

width.

a

is

1930)

oblique sularge species with a strongly eccentric siphuncle and
Both species are from Oklahoma in boulders of the Caney
tures.
shale regarded as of St. Louis age.

A new

from the Chester

species

Rayonnoeeras malotti Flower,

The conch
fragment

of

23

is

n.

of

Indiana

is

Plate

sp.

described below.

fig.

1,

1;

Text

fig.

1

A

orthoceraconic, slightly depressed in section.
chamber has a width of 25 mm. and a height

of a living

mm.

The

holotype, consisting of a portion of a mature

phragmocone, expands vertically from 16 mm. to 18 mm. in a
There are seven camera? in a length equal to
length of 15 mm.
the adoral shell height of 18

mm., but

in the adoral portion of

measured the cameras decrease in depth from 3 mm.
mm., showing that this represents a mature phragmocone.
The depth of the camerae in the ephebic portion would be somewhat greater, and their number in a similarly measured length

the region
to 2.5

slightly

The

less.

sutures are not exposed, but are evidently

oblique, as can be determined

from

the

vertical

section,

obliquity being equal to the depth of an ephebic camera.

the height of the shell

is

17 mm., the siphuncle

eter at the septal foramen,

The connecting

in the

ter

and

is

2.5

is

mm. from

5

mm.

the

Where
in

diam-

the ventral wall.

rings are destroyed, but their outline can be traced

adapical part of the shell by the external outline of the bet-

developed of the annulosiphonate deposits.

the neck, the neck being

.5

mm.

The brim is twice
The area of adnation
where it is much greater

in length.

can be seen on the ventral side only,
than the brim, and extends halfway to the ventral wall of the
shell.

Mural deposits are present in the camerae of the holotype. Deposits of the siphuncle are typical of the genus, but not far
enough
developed

in

the fragmentary specimen to

vascular system.

show

the course of the


Tissue Remnants in Rayonnoceeas

13

The

species

the camera;

is

:

Flower

13

small, for the gerontic portion of

was evidently

retained in the holotype.

The markedly

ventral

siphuncle and the obliquity of the sutures separate this species

from

all

The

others.

closest relative appears to be R. buffaloense

Foerste and Teichert, of the Canev shale, but in that species the
septa are deeper, the siphuncle more central, and the camera;

much

Our

deeper.

species

—University
Occurrence. — From
Type.

of

is

further distinctive for

Cincinnati

its

small

Museum, No. 24078,

size.

holo-

type.

locality

the Chester of southern Indiana.

and horizon are unknown.

The specimen came

Exact
into

my

hands unlabeled, among miscellaneous material collected by Dr.
Dr.
E. A. Logan and his students, and was nearly thrown out.
C.

A. Malott has kindly examined the specimen and the block

from which

it

tively assigned
of

its

was
it

cut,

and on the basis

to the Paoli

member

fragmentary nature the specimen

of lithology has tenta-

of the Chester.
is

In spite

of interest not only for

the features of morphology and preservation discussed above, but
in being the only
in the

specimen of a Rayonnoccras so far recognized

Chester group of Indiana.

REFERENCES
Flower, R. H.
1939. Study of the Tseudorthroceratidce.
Paleont. Amer., vol. 2, No. 10,
214 pp., 9 pis., 22 figs.
1939A. Harrisoceras, a new structural type of orthochoanitic nautiloid.
Jour. Paleont., vol. 13, pp. 473-480, pi. 49.
1940. Some Devonian Actinoceroidea. Jour. Paleont., vol. 14, pp. 442-446,
pl.

61.

Foerste, A. F. and Teichert, C.
1930. The actinoceroids of east-central North America.
Bull., Sci. Lab. Jour., vol. 25, pp. 201-296, pis. 27-59.

Denison Univ.

Schindewolf, O. H.
1939. Bemerkungen zur Ontogenie der Aetinoceroidea und Endoceran
(Cephal., Nardil). Neues Jahrb. fur Min., etc., Beil.-Bd, 74, Abt. B.,
S. 89-113, 8 figs.


I4

Bulletin 109

14

II.

THE DEVONIAN OF
YORK
NEW

WERNEROCERAS

IN

ABSTRACT
On the basis of an exceptionally large and well-preserved specimen, the

The species is regarded
description of Werneroceras plebiforme is revised.
the Maras occupying the uppermost beds of the Union Springs member of
cellus instead of the

Cherry Valley member.

INTRODUCTION
oldest ammonoid known from the Devonian of New York
Werneroceras plebiforme (Hall) which was previously reported only from a single locality, Cox's ravine, at Cherry Valley,
New York. The same exposures constitute the type section of
the Cherry Valley limestone, though extending also into underDuring the summer of 1939
lying and overlying formations.
two exceptionally well-preserved specimens were found at Stockbridge Falls, Oneida Creek, Madison County, New York. These

The

is

specimens were in loose pieces, which were obviously from one
of several thin limestone

member

Springs

of the

hands

in

Union

the upper part of the

Marcellus shale.

In the spring of 1941

additional specimens were obtained, this time in place, in the up-

permost

of these thin limestone

This discovery establishes a
suggests

actually

that

it

than was formerly believed.
viously

is

probably due

bands

new

at the

probably

is

That

same

locality.

locality for the species,

it

much

wider

has not been reported pre-

in part to the fact that the shales

lying the Cherry Valley limestone are usually exposed in

not suitable for extensive collecting.
fossil

hunters

is

and

ranging
undercliffs,

Further, the attention of

more generally directed

to the

more

difficult

but

richer collecting of the Cherry Valley limestone rather than to
the relatively barren layers beneath, which have a smaller and a

not very spectacular fauna.

The new

material

only the largest

is

of further interest in that

representative of the

species

it

supplies not

known, but

also

shows better surface features than any other known specimen,
and indicates that the umbilical spines increase in prominence in
the mature part of the shell, and are not confined to the earl)
whorls as

all

previous descriptions would lead one to believe.


Werneroceras

15

The

find

is

in

New

York: Flower

of further interest in that

intriguing stratigraphic problem, as there

15

involves a minor but

it

is

some question

as to

whether the "Anarcestes bed" should he placed in the Cherry
Vallev or in the Union Springs member of the Marcellus shale.

STRATIGRAPHIC POSITION
It

lent

may

he safely assumed that Werneroceras occurs at equiva-

horizons at Stockbridge Falls and at Cherry Valley.
species

than 4 inches

in thickness.

in

is

In both

more

limited to a horizon certainly not

localities the

Further,

it

fine-bedded limestones and very

occurs in a type of lithology,

thin-bedded

black

shales,

are notable for the retention of fine stratigraphic divisions

which

over relatively wide areas.

The Cherry Valley

locality

has yield-

ed a considerable suite of specimens from a single bed, sometimes
so abundantly as to retain four individuals

than a foot square.

The Stockbridge

on a slab

slightly less

locality has a less

impos-

ing record, hut has yielded a total of eight specimens, of which
all except two were
and are sufficient evidence to
indicate that here also the Werneroceras is a good horizon marker,
though certainly less abundant.

five

were

little

better than impressions, but

collected from limestones in place,

On

lithological basis the Werneroceras bed occurs
mass which overlies the basal shales of the Marcellus and which constitutes the type section of the
Cherry
Valley limestone.
However, as is shown below, this section is
atypical and differs from all other sections of the limestone in
carrying a great mass of calcareous material which is elsewhere
represented by Union Springs shales with thin interbedded limea

strictly

in the limestone

stones.

On

Werneroceras bed occurs at
upper part of the Union Springs shales.
The limestone layer which it occupies, there about three inches in
a similar lithological basis the

Stockbridge Falls

in the

thickness though varying from
cretionary,

is

I

inch to 5 inches and quite con-

lithologically identical with at least six other beds of

limestone occurring at intervals farther
distance of about fifteen

come

less

feet.

down

in the section for a

Farther down, limestone bands be-

concretionary and gradually increase in thickness until

they blend gradually with the top of the Onondaga.

Although


16

Bulletin 109

16

Werneroceras has not been found
Springs shale,

horizon

its

Stockbridge by the

final

Union

in the type section of the

doubtless represented there as at

is

limestone band of the Union Springs

member.

The discrepancy

in lithology

between the type section and more

westerly sections of the Cherry Valley limestone

is

largely re-

between

opinion

sponsible for the apparent difference of

the

Werneroceras from the Union
Springs member, and Miller (1938) in citing it from the Cherry
Clearly faciological changes
Valley member of the Marcellus.
writer

(Flower, 1936)

are such that

it

in

citing

not possible to

is

draw

boundary

a precise

at the

base of the Cherry Valley limestone on the basis of lithology which
equivalent in

will be exactly

of

academic

the section

all

The matter

sections.

is

largely

inasmuch as only a very small interval of
involved.
More important, however, is the possi-

interest,
is

recognizing restricted horizons in this part of the section

bility of

by means of the fauna.

The lower

part of the

Union Springs

shale has never been sub-

jected to sufficiently systematic collecting to permit any conclusions as to the possibilities of faunal segregation of

ments.

The lowest

part of the section which has

minor

come

ele-

to the at-

tention of the writer consists of the upper eight feet of the shale
as

known from Cherry

fauna here

is

Springs shale.
marcellense

is

Valley and more western

that generally considered

Styliolina fissurclla

abundant

A

is

The

localities.

of

the

Union

dominant, Lunulicardium

in all sections,

considerable vertical thickness and

horizon marker.

is

typical

though

it

extends over a

clearly useless as a precise

Bellerophon-like gastropod occurs, which at-

Cherry Valley section,
and may readily be mistaken for the unfortunately little known
Tornoceras which occurs in this part of the section at the three

tains considerable size particularly in the

localities

which

I

have collected most

Stockbridge and Union Springs.
enka,

aff.

Less

closely,

common

P. ventricosa, one of the few species

Cherry Vallev,
is

a large

Paii-

which appears

to

continue into the overlying Cherry Valley limestone. All of these
forms are found in association with the Werneroceras at Stockbridge Falls, where the fauna as well as the lithology suggests the
Union Springs and not the Cherry Valley.

WernerocEras

17

The
I

thin shale

in

New

York: Flower

17

hand between the Werneroceras layer and what

propose to regard as the base of the Cherry Valley limestone,

the lithological boundary as developed
from Stockbridge Falls west to Union Springs, seems to contain
no diagnostic species. In it occur large concretions, though they
are never continued to form a band of limestone in these regions.
The Cherry Valley section is exceptional in this respect.
The lower member of the Cherry Valley is a massive block of
Lithologically it
limestone which rarely contains .cephalopods.
is identical to the upper layer, though inclined to be finer grained

and less crystalline at the base. This layer I have found to contain Aulopora, sp. in great numbers, which I have never observed
anywhere in the upper layer. It also contains abundant Proetus
haldcmani Hall, Leiorhynchus limitare, and several small gastro-

accepting momentarily

pods. Marcrochiliiw ononc'agaensis Clarke,
this layer, but the species is not

I

have found only

common and may

occur

in

in the

overlying cephalopod beds.

The Aulopora, abundant Proetus

and small

to

layer.

It

gastropods

seem

be

excellent

criteria

also contains a large thick-shelled Coleolus,

apparently closer to the C. crenatocinctum Hall of the

of

this

which

is

Onondaga

than to the species which he described from the Cherry Valley
limestone, C. aciculatum, a smaller form with a curved apex, and

no known surface ornament.
have found

in this

tites.

The

mass

of the

The

only cephalopods which

I

bed consist of inadequate fragments of Agonia-

shaly partings which separate this from the overlying

Cherry Valley limestone sometimes contain poorly
Although these specimens have been
carefully examined with a comparison with A. nodijeris in mind,
preserved Agoniatitcs.

they

fail

to

show any

trace of the nodes

which characterize that

species.

The fauna

of the

upper half

consists largely of cephalopods.

Cherry Valley limestone
These are confined to a few

of the

layers near the middle of the bed.

planes

is

exceedingly

of weathering.

ognized, each

difficult

Extraction along bedding

except under propitious conditions

In general three cephalopod horizons can be rec-

marked by

a

bedding surface, though occasionally

the shells are packed so thickly and so deeply that the beds are