Chapter XX: Appendix: IV

NOTES ON THE FOSSIL CORALS COLLECTED BY MR. A. P. LOW AT BEECHEY ISLAND,
SOUTHAMPTON ISLAND AND CAPE CHIDLEY, IN 1904.
(_By Lawrence M. Lambe, F.G.S., F.R.S.C._)

BEECHEY ISLAND, LANCASTER SOUND.

_Acervularia austini_ (Salter). 1852. Sutherland’s voyage*,
appendix, p. ccxxx, Strephodes? Austini, pl. 6, figs. 6, 6a.

The type specimens of this species were obtained at Cornwallis, Beechey and Griffiths islands. A number of corals in Mr. Low’s collection, from Beechey island, appear to belong to this species, judging from Salter’s description and figures and those of Houghton in the Journal of the Royal Dublin Society, vol. 1, 1856-57 (1858), p. 246, pl. X., figs. 2, 2a.

In Mr. Low’s specimens the inner structure is fairly well shown. The larger septa pass to the centre of the corallites where they are slightly twisted, and together with the arched, rather vesicular tabulæ, form a definite central area that appears at the bottom of the cups as a more or less distinct boss. The septa (averaging from thirty to forty in number) bear arched carinæ on their sides. The corallites are slightly larger than those of _A. gracilis_† (Billings), from Grand Manitoulin island, Lake Huron (Niagara group), otherwise the specimens could with equal propriety be referred to the Lake Huron species. The size of the corallites varies in _A. austini_ from about 3 to 8 mm. in diameter, in Mr. Low’s specimens up to about 10 mm. across, but in _A. gracilis_ the corallites seldom reach a diameter of 7 mm. If by a direct comparison it is found that Mr. Low’s specimens are without doubt properly referable to _A. austini_, and if it can be shown that the size of the corallites cannot be relied on as a specific character, then _A. gracilis_ may have to be regarded as identical with _A. austini_.

Two specimens of corals from Beechey island are not referable to any genus with which the writer is acquainted. In these specimens the structure is revealed, by weathering at the calicular surface and in horizontal and longitudinal sections, as well as in sections obtained by rubbing down and polishing. As the writer is unable to place this coral, to his satisfaction, in any described genus, it is thought best to establish a new genus for its reception. The main generic characters are enumerated below with a brief description of the species which the writer has much pleasure in naming after Mr. Low.

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* Journal of a voyage in Baffin’s bay and Barrow straits in the years 1850-1851 by Peter C. Sutherland, M.D., M.R.C.S.E., 1852.

† _Strombodes gracilis._ 1865 Geological Survey of Canada, Palæozoic Fossils, vol. 1, p. 113, fig. 94, by E. Billings; and _Acervularia gracilis_, 1900, Contributions to Canadian Palæontology, vol. IV, pt. II, pl. XIV, figs. 2, 2a, by Lawrence M. Lambe.

_Boreaster._ Gen. nov.

Corallum composite, massive (or thickly incrusting), made up of intimately connected polygonal corallites communicating with each other by means of mural pores. Septa in the form of longitudinal lamellæ, twelve in number. Tabulæ simple.

This genus resembles _Favosites_ in having numerous pores in the walls of the corallites, but differs from it in the possession of lamellar septa somewhat similar to those of _Columnaria_, _Nyctopora_ and _Lyopora_. From these three genera, however, _Boreaster_ differs in having 12 septa only, of two alternating sizes, to a corallite. _Columnaria_ and _Lyopora_ are without mural pores. _Nyctopora_ was described by Nicholson as having pores, but in well preserved specimens from the type locality, examined by the writer, mural pores were not seen; it possesses 16 septa of two orders. _Boreaster_ and _Calapœcia_ resemble each other in both having pores, but in the latter genus the corallites are not intimately united under any circumstances, and the septa are in the form of spine-bearing ridges.

This interesting coral may be conveniently grouped, with the _Favositidæ_, as its generic affinities appear to place it close to _Calapœcia_.

_Boreaster lowi._ Sp. nov.

Corallum growing in irregularly shaped masses with an unevenly undulating surface; composed of small, polygonal corallites so closely united that all trace of the line of contact between contiguous walls is apparently lost. Corallites opening at right angles to the surface, averaging about 75 mm. in diameter and generally five or six sided, as seen in transverse section, the sides of the polygons being distinctly unequal. Walls of corallites thin but less so where they bound the calyces. Septa lamallar, apparently 12 in number, of two sizes, primary and secondary, alternating, the former stout and relatively large, the latter rudimentary and observed with difficulty, especially in the calyces where the six primary septa are paramountly evident, are slightly exsert and apparently connect with the nearest and corresponding ones of contiguous corallites. Pores relatively large, oval, their greater diameter vertical, in a single longitudinal row between each pair of primary septa so as to interrupt the continuity of the secondary septa which are greatly reduced and in transverse sections are only observed in places. Tabulæ not numerous, in the form of simple, flat transverse diaphragms.

The two type specimens have a maximum length of 50 and 70 mm. with a thickness or height of 25 and 30 mm. respectively.

_Favosites gothlandica_, Lamarck.

There are three examples of this coral, of which two show spiniform septa in the corallites. The smaller of the two specimens, in which septa are seen, is preserved with a small corallum of _Acervularia austini_ in the same piece of limestone.

The horizon indicated by the first and last of the above three species of corals from Beechey island would be about that of the Niagara formation.

SOUTHAMPTON ISLAND, HUDSON BAY.

_Streptelasma robustum_, Whiteaves.

This large and well marked species, described originally from the Galena-Trenton of the Lake Winnipeg region, is represented by a number of more or less fragmentary specimens. The inner structure is well shown in transverse and longitudinal sections.

_Favosites gothlandica_, Lamarck.

Over forty specimens from this locality are referable to this well known species. In many of them are seen the spiniform septa, characteristic of all Silurian favosites, and distinguishing them from all Devonian forms which apparently without exception possess linguiform septa. It is possible that more than one species may be here represented. The range in size of the corallites in _F. gothlandica_ has been noticed by the writer in his ‘Revision of the genera and species of Canadian Palæozoic corals*,’ 1899-1900, but in the present collection the fragmentary condition of most of the specimens does not admit of characters dependent on the outward form of the corallum being used with any degree of certainty.

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* In this report the reader will find extended references to the structure of the majority of the species mentioned in these notes.

_Syringopora verticillata_, Goldfuss.

A single specimen of this species was obtained at Southampton island. Its corallites average about 4 mm. in diameter and are rather lax and irregular in their growth, the result of which is that the connecting tubes are poorly developed and comparatively distant. This particular mode of growth is admirably shown in specimens, in the possession of the Survey, from the north end of Lake Timiskaming.

_Halysites catenularia_, L.

Represented by a small corallum, round which has grown a stromatopora. This coral exhibits the structure characteristic of the typical form of the Niagara formation, viz., moderate sized corallites, oval in transverse section with narrow tubules intervening. Four corallites are included in a space of 8 mm.

This form also occurs in the Guelph limestone of Ontario.

A second and particularly interesting specimen was obtained by Mr. Low at Southampton island. It differs from the typical form in having corallites of noticeably large size, and agrees in this particular with a specimen from the Guelph limestone at Durham, Ont. (J. Townsend, 1884), in the museum of the Survey. The Durham fossil has not the finer details of structure sufficiently well preserved to show the minute tabulæ of the tubules, but in Mr. Low’s specimen longitudinal sections of the tubules clearly reveal the highly arched, close set tabulæ within. There are three corallites in a space of 12 mm., as in the Durham specimen, and the tubules have a width of about ·75 mm.

_Plasmopora follis_, M.-E. and H.

To this species is referred a small specimen showing the inner structure fairly well. The corallites vary in diameter from slightly under to a little over 1 mm., and they are mostly less than their own diameter apart with from one to three tubules, in the shortest line, between neighbouring corallites. This species is generally considered to be typical of the Niagara group.

_Pycnostylus elegans_, Whiteaves.

A few specimens weathered so as to show only the inside of the corallites which vary in diameter from 7 to 15 mm. An interesting feature of these specimens is the preservation of the free edges of the septa which are seen to be denticulated, about seven denticles occurring in a space of 2 mm. A re-examination of the type material reveals the presence of these denticles, although they are poorly preserved. Mr. Low’s specimens are referable to the species from the Guelph limestone of Ontario with large corallites (from 13 to 17 mm. in diameter) as in the other and type species from the same horizon and district, the corallites are generally smaller (from 3 to 7 mm. in diameter). As suggested by Dr. Whiteaves in his original description, additional material with corallites of intermediate size may prove the two forms to be specifically identical.

Of the corals from Southampton island, _Streptelasma robustum_ indicates the presence of beds at this locality that belong to the same horizon as those that have been assigned to the Galena-Trenton in the Lake Winnipeg region, and similar beds exposed over a large area to the west of Hudson bay. The beds from which the other species from the same island are derived belong to higher horizons which are, on the evidence of these species, of about the same geological age as those of the Niagara and Guelph formations of Ontario.

CAPE CHIDLEY, HUDSON STRAIT.

A single coral from this locality is represented by two fragments that have apparently been broken from a larger mass. The exact form of the corallum is unknown, but the structure of the corallites is well preserved and clearly seen in longitudinal and traverse sections. Its structural characteristics are quite different from those of any form known to the writer, and it is regarded as representing a new genus and species named and characterized as follows:—

_Labyrinthites._ Gen. nov.

Corallum massive, made up of very slender, long, columnar corallites, upwardly directed and parallel, each one connected along the whole of its length with two or three adjacent corallites in tortuous series separated by narrow interspaces. Tabulæ, complete, distant. No septa nor tubules.

Although the manner of growth of this coral resembles somewhat that of _Halysites_ it could scarcely be referred to that genus, on account of the absence of septa and tubules, although in _Halysites catenularia_ var. _gracilis_ tubules are apparently wanting. The small size of the corallites would not necessarily be considered a character sufficient to constitute generic distinction. Another genus, _Fletcheria_, may be considered, but _Labyrinthites_ has little in common with it. In both, the tabulæ are distant and simple, practically the only point of resemblance unless we notice the small size of the corallites of _Fletcheria_ and the stated rudimentary condition of its septa.

As the want of septa in the Cape Chidley specimens may be due to imperfect fossilization, _Labyrinthites_ is, on account of its mode of growth, provisionally classed with the _Halysitidæ_.

_Labyrinthites chidlensis._ Sp. nov.

Corallum massive, composed of slender, straight, upright corallites with numerous interspaces. Corallites a little less than ·33 mm. in average diameter, quadrangular or five or six sides in transverse outline, with rather thick walls. Each corallite coalesces along its entire length with two or three adjacent ones, giving rise to a meandering succession of tubes inclosing narrow spaces not wider than the corallites themselves. In the specimens examined the corallites reach a maximum length of ·30 mm. In longitudinal sections tabulæ, in the form of thin, flat, transverse plates across the corallites, are observed, between ·5 and 1·5 mm. apart. There are no tubules between contiguous corallites, and the mural union appears to be complete.

Dr. Ami, who is studying the groups of fossils, other than the corals, obtained by Mr. Low at Cape Chidley, informs me that the majority of the Cape Chidley fossils are referable to the Ordovician, whilst two specimens are of Silurian age. The lithological character of the rock in which the coral is preserved appears to more nearly approach that of the Ordovician specimens.

PRELIMINARY LIST OF ORGANIC REMAINS FROM BEECHEY ISLAND, LANCASTER SOUND,
IN THE DISTRICT OF FRANKLIN.
(_Determined by H. M. Ami, Assistant-Palæontologist._)

(_A_)—From the bluish-gray impure limestones.

COELENTERATA.

1. _Acervularia austini_ (Salter).

2. _Boreaster lowi_, Lambe.

3. _Clathrodictyon? franklinense._ N. sp.

ECHINODERMATA.

4. Crinoidal fragments.

BRACHIOPODA.

5. _Hindella phoca_, (Salter).

GASTEROPODA.

6. _Hormotoma arctica_, N. Sp.

7. _ ” affinis_, N. Sp.

8. _Lophospira salteri_, (Haughton)

9. _Loxonema rossi_, Haughton.

10. _Holopea borealis_, N. Sp.

11. _Euomphalus beechiensis_, N. Sp.

PELECYPODA.

12. _Orthonota? desiderata_, N. Sp.

TRILOBITA.

13. _Encrinurus arcticus_, (Salter).

OSTRACODA.

14. _Leperditia hisingeri_, Schmidt.

15. _ ” balthica_, (Hisinger) var. _arctica_, Salter.

16. _Isochilina grandis_, (Schrenk) Jones, var. _canadensis_, N. var.

17. _Primitia mundula_, Jones, var. _arctica_, N. Var.

18. _Beyrichia kloedeni_, McCoy.

Besides the above, there are remains of the tracks and trails of Annelida which cannot be identified with any described form, and to them have been given specific designations as follows:—

19. _Eugyrichnites lowi_, N. Sp.

20. _Planolites arcticus_, N. Sp.

(_B_)—From the yellowish-gray, semi-crystalline, limestone:

COELENTERATA.

1. _Strephodes pickthornii_, Salter.

2. Obscure remains of some form of hydroid which appears to indicate the presence of a species of graptolite, too imperfectly preserved for identification.

ECHINODERMATA.

3. Crinoidal fragments.

BRACHIOPODA.

4. _Orthothetes donnettii_, (Salter).

5. _Rafinesquina_? sp. indt.

6. _Hindella phoca._ (Salter).

7. _Glassia_? sp. indt.

8. _Plectambonites_? sp. indt.

GASTEROPODA.

9. _Hormotoma arctica_, N. Sp. Resembles the form figured by Salter in his ‘Geology’ in the Appendix to Sutherland’s ‘Journal of a Voyage,’ &c. Pl. V., fig. 18, 1852.

10. _Hormotoma_, sp., cf. H. _affinis_, N. Sp.

11. _Loxonema_, sp. Resembles some of the forms classed under the designation _L. rossi_, Haughton, but separable from the narrower types to which the species is restricted.

TRILOBITA.

12. _Proetus_, sp. indt. Pygidium.

13. _Encrinurus_??, sp. indt. Portion of the head of an individual, not sufficient for identification.

OSTRACODA.

14. _Primitia_, sp. A very elongate form resembling _P. cylindrica_, (Hall).

15. _Primitia_, sp. No. 2. Distinct from above.

PRELIMINARY LISTS OF THE SPECIES OF ORGANIC REMAINS FROM BLOCKS OF
LIMESTONE FROM SOUTHAMPTON ISLAND.

(_A_)—From a piece of yellowish limestone:

ECHINODERMATA.

1. Crinoidal fragments.

BRACHIOPODA.

2. A strongly camerate form of strophomenoid shell, probably a _Strophodonta_.

3. _Orthothetes_? sp.

4. _Camarotœchia ekwanensis_, Whiteaves.

5. ” sp.

6. _Retzia_, sp.

GASTEROPODA.

7. _Pleurotomaria_, sp. of the type of _P. alta._ Hisinger.

8. ” sp. of the type of _P. perlata_, Hall.

TRILOBITA.

9. _Encrinurus_, sp., cf. _Encrinurus punctatus_, Emmrich.

10. _Proetus_, sp. indt.

OSTRACODA.

11. _Primitia_, sp. indt.

(_B_)—From a small piece of drab coloured dolomitic limestone:

BRACHIOPODA.

1. _Orthis_, sp. of the type of _Orthis (Dinorthis) subquadrata_, Hall.

2. _Rhynchonella_, sp.

3. _Glassia_?, sp. indt.

OSTRACODA.

4. _Primitia_, sp. indt.

(_C_)—From a small piece of dark-brown bituminous shale:

PISCES.

1. Obscure remains of some species of fish, too imperfectly preserved for identification. This shale appears to resemble the Niobrara-Benton shale of the Manitoban region.

(_D_)—In a small piece of buff limestone:

BRACHIOPODA.

1. Small shell of the type of _Glassia_, possibly the same as the _Glassia variabilis_, (Whiteaves) from the Silurian of the Ekwan river district.

2. _Rhynchospira_, sp. or _Retzia_, sp. A finely ribbed shell, not sufficiently well-preserved to be identified with any degree of certainty.

3. _Conchidium_, sp. a small and immature form of what appears to be the _Conchidium decussatum_, Whiteaves.

GASTEROPODA.

4. _Murchisonia_ (_Hormotoma_), sp. indt.

5. _Loxonema_, sp. An imperfect individual with seven whorls preserved, having an apical angle of 10°, and would require at least three more volutions to complete the shell at this stage.

(_E_)—In impure limestone:
BRACHIOPODA.

1. _Strophomena (Rafinesquina) alternata_, (Emmons) Conrad. Three valves of this species appear to be represented in this small slab of rock, and exhibit the characteristic sculpture and other surface characters.

(_F_)—In cream-coloured dolomite:

BRACHIOPODA.

1. _Camarotœchia_, sp. possibly the same as the _Camarotœchia ekwanensis_, Whiteaves.

OSTRACODA.

2. A very large Ostracod, which is not in a good state of preservation, but which, from its size and general characters appears to be close to _Isochilina grandis_.

(_G_)—In a drab-coloured limestone.

BRACHIOPODA.

1. _Strophomena_, sp. of the type of _Strophomena euglypha_, Sowerby. The sculpture of this shell is very much like that of _Strophomena (Rafinesquina) alternata_, Conrad.

2. Pentameroid shell, not sufficiently well preserved to state definitely whether it is _Pentamerus oblongus_ or not, but it strongly resembles a dorsal valve of this well-known form from the Silurian of Europe and North America.

This rock resembles strongly the rock of Mansfield island, where Dr. Bell obtained a number of fossils, determined by the writer to be Silurian, and possibly homotaxial with the Wenlock and Niagara formations.

(_H_)—In a dark dolomitic limestone.

BRYOZOA.

Some species of bryozo appear in the collection.

BRACHIOPODA.

1. _Strophomena_. sp.

2. _Strophomena_, sp., cf. _S. acanthoptera_, Whiteaves.

3. A rhynchonelloid form which appears to be the _Camarotœchia ekwanensis_, Whiteaves.

4. A smooth form of shell which may be the _Glassia variabilis_, Whiteaves.

OSTRACODA.

5. Undetermined forms or imperfectly preserved forms.

(_I_)—In a rather dark buff-weathering limestone:

BRACHIOPODA.

1. _Leptæna (Plectambonites) sericea_, Sowerby. A form with winged extremities of hinge area.

2. _Strophomena_, of the type of _S. nitens_, Billings.

3. _Orthis_ (_Dalmanella_), sp., cf. _D. testudinaria_, Dalman.

4. _Rhynchonella_, sp. type of _R. neglecta_, Hall. This may be the _Camarotœchia ekwanensis_, Whiteaves.

5. A smooth brachiopod which may be a _Glassia_.

(_J_)—In a small slab of drab-coloured limestone.

1. Obscure remains of _algæ_ or other plants.

(_K_)—In a slab of yellow weathering dolomite:

1. _Camarotœchia ekwanensis_, Whiteaves.

2. Smooth and small _Glassia_-like brachiopod, too imperfect for identification.

3. Obscure remains of a trilobite, indeterminable.

(_L_)—In a drab-coloured limestone:

1. _Pentamerus oblongus_, Sowerby. These forms resemble closely those determined by the writer in Dr. Bell’s collections from Mansfield island.

(_M_)—In a dark mottled buff and gray dolomitic limestone:

BRACHIOPODA.

1. _Strophomena_, sp., of the type of _S. hecuba_, Billings.

2. ” _(Rafinesquina) alternata_, (Emmons) Conrad. This limestone appears to be homotaxial with the Trenton of Ontario and the Galena-Trenton of the Manitoba region.

(_N_)—In a yellow weathering dolomitic limestone:

BRACHIOPODA.

1. _Strophomena_, sp., or strophomenoid shell with _alternata_-type of sculpture.

2. _Camarotœchia_, sp., cf. _C. ekwanensis_, Whiteaves.

3. _Glassia_?, sp. indt.

OSTRACODA.

4. _Leperditia_, sp., cf. _Leperditia hisingeri_, Schmidt.

5. _Primitia_, sp. indt.

(_O_)—In a drab coloured dolomitic limestone:

CEPHALOPODA.

1. A portion of some gyroceran or orthoceratite shell; resembles in some respects the external characters of _Orthoceras nicolleti_ figured in Vol. iii., part 11, of the Palæontology of Minnesota, Pl. 55, fig. 1.

(_P_)—In a yellowish-gray dolomitic limestone:

CEPHALOPODA.

1. _Actinoceras keewatinense_, Whiteaves. Several siphuncles of this species recently described by Dr. Whiteaves occur in the collections from Southampton island.

(_Q_)—Collections of Stromatoporoids from Southampton Island:

Sixty-three microscopic sections have been submitted to a preliminary examination, and the following species among others, appear to occur:—

1. _Clathrodictyon regulare_, Rosen.

2. ” _fastigiatum_, Nicholson.

3. ” sp., cf. _C. striatellum_, Nicholson.

4. ” (?) _crassum_, Nicholson.

Some of these are parasitic on _Favosites Gothlandicus_, Lamarck. They are referable to the Silurian, about the age of the Niagara.

PRELIMINARY LIST OF ORGANIC REMAINS FROM LOOSE BLOCKS OF LIMESTONE, CAPE
CHIDLEY.

(_A_)—From the drab-coloured limestone:

POLYZOA.

1. _Pachydictya_, sp. indt.

BRACHIOPODA.

2. A strophomenoid shell with sculpture of _Strophomena varistriata_ type occurs in the collection with _Sieberella galeata_.

3. _Trematospira_, sp. indt.

4. _Conchidium decussatum_, Whiteaves.

5. _Clorinda_, sp. probably a new form which I would designate, _Clorinda lowi_, N. Sp.

6. _Sieberella galeata_, Dalman. A form which is very near the type of this cosmopolitan species. If it prove a variety or mutation, I should designate the same as var. _Chidleyensis_, N. var.

The above are all of Silurian age.

(_B_)—From a dark gray impure limestone resembling that of the Black River and Trenton formations of southern Canada:

CEPHALOPODA.

1. _Eurystomites undatus,_ Emmons.

2. _Plectoceras obscurum_, Hyatt; or some closely related species.

3, 4 and 5. Three species of _Orthoceras_, as yet undetermined. They are not well preserved and require better specimens before they can be identified. These are probably of the age of the Trenton of southern Canada.

(_C_)—From a slab of bituminous shale:

1. _Asaphus latimarginatus_, Hall. I cannot distinguish this form from the species usually designated in Canada as _Asaphus canadensis_, Chapman, from the Utica shale.