Helix labyrinthica, Say (Figure 176), a land-shell now
inhabiting the United States, was discovered in this series by Mr. Searles Wood
in Hordwell Cliff. It is also met with in Headon Hill, in the same beds. At
Sconce, in the Isle of Wight, it occurs in the Bembridge series, and affords a
rare example of an Eocene fossil of a species still living, though, as usual in
such cases, having no local connection with the actual geographical range of the
species. The lower and middle portion of the Headon series is also met with in
Hordwell Cliff (or Hordle, as it is often spelt), near Lymington, Hants. Among
the shells which abound in this cliff are Paludina lenta and various species of
Lymnea, Planorbis, Melania, Cyclas, Unio, Potamomya, Dreissena, etc.
Among the chelonians we find a species of Emys, and no less than six species of
Trionyx; among the saurians an alligator and a crocodile; among the ophidians
two species of land-snakes (Paleryx, Owen); and among the fish Sir P. Egerton
and Mr. Wood have found the jaws, teeth, and hard shining scales of the genus
Lepidosteus, or bony pike of the American rivers.
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