Ever since I’ve figured out what they were, local Pinnid fossil specimens are a personal favorite to find. In examining the remaining shell material in these fossils, I have been able to see the prismatic layer represented on the shell hinge in at least two specimens. The specimens below showRead More →
This was one of my favorite specimens when I pulled it out of the huge chunk of limestone we were working on. You can clearly see the Metacoceras steinkern and there is a thickness of shell material on the inside of the half circle. In the middle portion there isRead More →
Closely related to modern horsetails, Calamites is an extinct genus that existed from the Carboniferous until the early Permian. Horsetails are one of several genera considered to be living fossils. They reproduce using spores, which were similar to Lepidodendron. Both Lepidodendron and Calamites produced cone arrangements of spores. This genusRead More →
Catalog Number: CG-0012 My first Wilkingia find was in soft eroded matrix. I found this specimen while exploring a new locale. A 6 foot by 2 1/2 foot by 7 inch thick slab of limestone that was only 6 inches from the stream bed. With help, I slowly removed soilRead More →
While I have many sources of limestone locally, this specimen of Fenestella was one of my first finds in a new location. A limestone ridge cropped above the stream across the valley floor to the other side. So, while I’ve likely encountered many bryozoans in limestone, this is the firstRead More →
I am finding Pseudorthoceras to be common in the local rocks. I find them often. They are often seen straight on and can be mistaken for crinoid columnials. I also am finding them to be fragile and will readily break apart when attempting to extract them. I was able toRead More →
This specimen came from eroded limestone. It was very light and fragile. The sections averaged about 2.5mm in width. Identification currently is unknown, however it does appear to be a straight shelled species. Eroded Limestone Most of the limestone exposed to the outside environment has an eroded edge. I amRead More →
This specimen is a Sea Pen. Originally, I was classifying local Sea Pen fossils as Pteronites, however over the past 50 years, the naming has started to change. The type species Pteronites was originally named for species found in England (McCoy 1842). In 1978, a new branch named Meekopinna (YanceyRead More →
Crinoid columnal fossils are very common in my digging locale. After finding a mollusc in the shale/limestone boundary above the limestone layer within the mid level shale pit, I noticed a tiny deep slot in the rock matrix. For whatever reason, the original crinoid had eroded away and only theRead More →
My daughter found this Lepidodendron specimen during a quick expedition to explore exposed shale along a steep roadside hill. It was lying alongside the road on a raised dirt pile on top of the soil. PennDot probably unearthed this while making road repairs. This piece is from the neighboring GilpinRead More →