XXXI.—The British and Belgian Carboniferous Bellerophontidæ

Abstract

Bellerophontidæ occur in considerable numbers at certain horizons in the Scottish Carboniferous rocks. Many forms are represented, but few have been described or figured (see Historical Account, Section III). In undertaking the study of these fossils the writer's object was limited, primarily, to figuring and describing the Scottish forms and ascertaining their value as stratigraphical indices in the Scottish Carboniferous rocks. Many forms from the shaly facies have been recorded in Scottish stratigraphical literature under the names of English and Belgian species of limestone facies. Investigation proved that most of these records were invalid, the determinations being erroneous, and that revision of all the Anglo-Belgian Bellerophontidæ was necessary in order to define the Scottish forms. The present memoir embodies the results of the wider investigation.