On the Occurrence of a Macrurous Decapod (Anthrapalæmon? Woodwardi, sp. nov.) in the Red Sandstone, or lowest group, of the Carboniferous Formation in the South-east of Scotland

Abstract

I have had the honour on two previous occasions (with the permission of the Director-General of the Geological Survey) to bring under the notice of the Society two important additions to the Carboniferous fauna of Scotland, Astrocrinites ? Benniei (mihi), and Productus complectens (mihi). Again the pleasure devolves upon me of calling attention to a further discovery of considerable palæontological interest—the occurrence of a Macrurous Decapod, probably referable to the genus Anthrapalæmon , Salter, in the basement beds of the Carboniferous formation, as developed in the neighbourhood of Dunbar. To the prolific hammer of Mr. James Bennie, whilst engaged in his duties as one of the collectors of the Geological Survey of Scotland, we are again indebted for the valuable and unique fossil in question. The specimen, with its counterpart, was forwarded by Mr. Bennie as a Crustacean, amongst a collection of plants from the Red Sandstones of Belhaven Bay, near Dunbar. I at once saw that it was not only a Crustacean, but a member of one of the higher divisions of the class,—a fact of very considerable interest, in so far that it extends the range of the Macrura, if I am correct in so referring the fossil, downwards to a lower horizon than they have hitherto occurred at in this country. After a careful examination, I came to the conclusion that the form was closely allied to Salter's genus Anthrapalæmon , and, in the absence of any further evidence than is afforded by the specimen, must be regarded as a