Silurian, Fiddler Green, Herkimer, New York
“Sea Scorpion” Eurypterids were both fresh
and salt water dwelling. They were a formidable predator equipped
with a long stinger much like the scorpions of today.
They are believed to be the first creatures to venture
onto land about 420 million years ago during the Silurian Period.
The oldest recorded evidence of their invasion of land was found
in Western Australia near Kalbarri where an amazing trackway
was discovered showing the tracks emmerging from the water and
leaving imprints on the firm sands that were exposed to the air.
The Eurypterid found in the Silurian Formations in
New York lived in fresh water. They are quarried in a very hard
dolomite. The rock is so hard that sparks fly when they dig.
The quarry has not been producing very many nice pieces in a
long time.
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