New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-10-08
HISTORY MAKING WORMS
Interesting Story Told by Ancient
Fossils Recently Found.


Smithsonian Institution, at washington, is
the author OF recently published paper
on the fossil worms OF British Columbia.
based upon specimens collected during in
vestigations begun in that part OF Canada
years ago. The paper Is entitled Middle
Cambran Annelids." which in plain Eng
lish means the worms of both the earth
and sea from one OF the oldest periods OF
geologic time
Not all worms resemble the plain homely
angle worm or rain worm" but many Of
them living in the sea are covered with
long and beautiful iridescent hairs. some
with scales like fishes. and still others live
concealed in tubes from which protrude
long frills OF brilliantly colored tentacles
Although the average reader may imagine
worms not especially useful except as aids
70 the gardener in loosening the soil. as
bait for the disciples of Izaak Walton or
TO enable the early bird to break his fast
in geology they have an important part
and enable the scientific student 70 esti-
mate time and to study the conditions Of
life In the past ages. In the paper DIT
Walcott makes hrs first report on the anne
lids of British Columbia. AS a rule these
worms have been known only by their
trails and borings in the mud and sand de-
posted in the various periods OF geologic
time.
Very few. of the actual animals have ever
been preserved, the most noted discoveries
being those In Bavaria and Monte Bolca.
In fact Or. Walcott searched for several
years for such fossils in the shales Of Brit
ish Columbia. but not one of these ami
I Of
when he came across them in form Of
mudstone called by biologists Burgess
shale. These worms and other fossils are
pressed fat so that the animal is repre-
sented by only a thin film, which is fOrtu-
nately darker than the shale or rock, and
being unusually shiny. is thus distinguish
able. Even the fine details OF structure are
shown. and often the contents OF these ami
mails appear as q glistening silvery sub
stance.
Despite the fact that these animals are
+ all worms or leeches, the forms vary great
/ ly: some are truly wOrmlike, with varying
rings or segments. others have nearly the
appearance Of tadpoles, with heads, tails
/ and fms; some have a tubular construc-
/ ton and tentacles, while others, with
! feathery spines or scales as exposed in the
/ rocks. present the petal-like appearance Of
| a chrysanthemum.
The different forms OF the annelids, as
/ well as their external and internal char
[ acteristics. are clearly shown by six plates
/ made from photographs Of the actual fos-
/ sis taken by a system Of reflected light
! The description includes several new
/ families and genera, together with eish-
/ teen new species, covering most exhaus-
/ tive list Of specimens taken from points
I along the Canadian Pacific Railroad, near
Burgess Pass and Field, B. c. Nearly all
the specimens come from the Burgess
shale. 3.sOo feet above Field, .or about 1900
feet above sea level
DR.. Walcott's researches relate TO paleon-
tology. which is the historical branch OF
geology and covers the collection and study
of animals and plants found fossilized In
rock. The object OF this science is TO IN
told the past history OF our world as It is
thus revealed 10 us by the remains OF
ancient life imbedded In the layers of the
earths crust.
Dr. WalcOtt shows where new point
of view is opened by the study Of annelids
or fossil worms; the fact that from one
locality eleven genera belonging to widely
he fundamental characteristics OF all the
classes were developed prior to the Middle
Cambrian period. which is the Oldest In the
paleozoic era and Is known 10 scientists as
the age OF invertebrates.
II is absurd 10 venture statement OF
the age OF these animals. but, knowing
that they belonged to the Middle Cambrian
period we can estimate an age Of many
million years-a great age for any specl-
men. but nature has preserved them so
we'll that biologists are now able to com
rare them with the life prevailing to-day
In the annelid paper the scientific names
descriptions and life histories of these
ancient worms are given, and those inter
csted in such technical treatise VIII
lind much desirable information in this
pamphlet, which is publication No. 2ol4 OF
the smithsonian Miscellaneous Collections