Graceful 3D LeGrand Rhadocrinites & Dichocrinus Crinoids
from Loudon Collection

Description: The Dochocrinus cinctus is the lower fully complete specimen. The Rhadocrinites kirbyi resides gracefully on its side above the Dochocrinus. The aborral cup, arms and pinnules are all exceptionally well preserved. Note that the specimens are fully 3D. They are resting in a most aesthetically pleasing configuration. These are very rare species of crinoids. Le Grand crinoids are renowned for the various colors and hues of the individual species. This association plate is an excellent example of that.

Background: Recently a portion of the collection of Lowell Loudon was
acquired and prepared with modern air abrasion techniques. Loudon was a contemporary of Dr. Burnice Beane, the academic who first discovered the wonderful fauna of the Le Grand quarry site. This collection dates back to the 1930’s. Only about eighty specimens were acquired. I obtained a total of eight specimens. These specimens are quite valuable, as not only do they have historical provenance, but also the quarry itself has been closed to collecting for decades. Fossils from this area are only available when old collections become available. This is a unique opportunity to obtain one of the specimens from the Loudon collection.

For more detailed background and history please reference these web sites:
http://bcrc.bio.umass.edu/crinoid/
http://www.iowahistory.org/museum/exhibits/flowers_iowa_seas/flowers_page8.htm