Geology and Mineralogy considered with reference to Natural Theology/Plate 36

by William Buckland

Plate 36. V. I. p. 256. Note.

Longitudinal section of another shell of Ammonites obtusus from the Lias at Lyme Regis. (Original.)

The greater part of the outer chamber, and the entire cavities of the air-chambers are filled with calcareous spar, and the Siphuncle, (preserved in a carbonaceous state,) is seen passing along the entire dorsal margin to the commencement of the outer chamber. See V. I. p. 265, Note.

Von Buch has found evidence to show that the membranous siphuncle of Ammonites was continued to a considerable distance along the outer chamber, beyond the last or largest transverse Plate. This discovery accords with the analogies afforded by the membranous neck of the siphon of the N. Pompilius, which is continued along the outer chamber from the last transverse Plate to the Pericardium. See Pl. 34. q.^[1]

1. As the body of the animals that inhabited the Ammonites was more elongated than that of those inhabiting of the shells of Nautili, in consequence of the smaller Diameter of their outer Chamber, the place of their Heart was probably more distant from the last transverse Plate, than that of the Heart of Nautili; and the membranous Siphon connected with the Pericardium consequently longer.