Fossil Collection by Kozmic Dreams

I have many fossils in my collection, but I have chosen my favorites to bring to you. I have also included some information about them.

Above is an opalized, pyritized ammonoid. This species of ammonoid is called Quenstedticeras. It is a Russian ammoniod from the Jurassic period. It was found along the Volga River.

The egg above is called a Septarian. The second view is a close-up of the internal calcite crystals. It was formed during the Cretaceous period (50-70 m.y.a.) when the Gulf of Mexico reached what is now Southern Utah. When sea life that was killed during volcanic eruptions started to decompose, they were chemically attracted to the sediment around them and formed mud balls. As the ocean receded, the balls were left to dry and crack in the sunlight. Due to their bentonite content, they also shrank at the same time, trapping the cracks inside. As decomposed calcite from the shells settled down into the cracks in the mud balls, calcite crystals formed. A thin wall of calcite was transformed into aragonite, separating the bentonite heavy clay exteriors from the calcite centers. Because of this, the nodules are called septarians.

The word "septarian" is derived from the Latin name, Septem, meaning seven. This relates to the fact that the mud balls cracked with seven points in every direction, thereby creating the beautiful design.

Septarians are composed of calcite (the yellow centers), aragonite (brown lines) and limestone (outer gray rock). Occasionally, the fossil or some of the fossils which started the formation of the rock is noticeable in the rock.

cystoid and starfish plate ebay.jpg (87201 bytes)

cystoid and starfish plate.jpg (79525 bytes)

This squared off block of limestone preserves two side by side specimens of the cystoid Pleurocystites filitextus. This cystoid species has fine lines preserved on the plates. The specimens here not only preserve that ornament but also three pore rhombohedrons each as well as a long pair of tentacles. A long-armed starfish is also preserved on the plate. It is from the Middle Ordovican, Bobcaygeon Formation.

This paw is from Ursus spelaeus, the extinct ice age cave bear. It is over 11 inches long. Over 10 feet tall, this bear lived 12,000-50,000 years ago.

Pinnixa galliheri rathbun (type of crab)

Crab itself is approximately 3/4" wide

Monterey Formation

Aguajito Shale Member

Miocene Age

Carmel Valley, CA