The Evolution of Certain Liassic Gastropods, with special reference to their Use in Stratigraphy

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Abstract
I. Historical and Introductory Notes. Gastropods are very suitable for evolutionary studies, for the shells are frequently well-preserved in fossils; while, owing to the mode of coiling, the development may be observed in any complete individual without breakage of the shell. Such studies on fossil Gastropods have shown that they illustrate clearly many of the biological principles that have been demonstrated by investigators of other groups, such as the Ammonites. But, although Gastropods afford excellent material for palæontological researches of this nature, it is well known that apart from, systematic work by numerous palæontologists, they have been comparatively neglected in this country. Further study is particularly desirable, since they are frequently abundant in formations where the fossils that are generally used in zoning are not common, and it is probable that a clearer understanding of the Gastropods will make it easier to correlate such rocks. On the Continent a great deal more attention has been paid to the classification of fossil Gastropods, by E. Koken and P. Fischer, and more recently by Dr. A. E. M. Cossmann; the last-named author has produced several valuable monographs on the various groups, and his comprehensive ‘Essais de Paléoconchologie Comparée’ mark a great advance in the study of those fossils. In the course of his work that author has found it necessary to subdivide many of the genera that had been proposed by earlier workers, and has shown that many of the older names cannot be applied so broadly as has been customary. Very

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