These brachiopods strengthen the assignment of the bryozoans to RHOMBOTRYPELLA (see Duncans report of 6/15/67).

I have also re-examined 66AHx246 (USGS 22842-PC) and suggest that the other rhynchonelloid reported in my letter of 5/19/67 is probably SEPTACAMERA. The association is, therefore, even more strongly suggestive of a Permian age.

Concerning Permian in the Glacier Bay area, the collection 66AHx115 is definitely Permian as I reported last year (report on shipment A-75-7 dated 2/28/75, copy enclosed).

As you can see, the common tie among these three collections is SEPTACAMERA, and there can be no doubt about the identifications in 66AHx115. I do not know the precise geographic relationships, but from your map in PP 632, there does not appear to be more than about .25 miles separating them.

Consequently, it is reasonable to assign all three collections to the Permian, most likely with a late Leonardian (Antinskian) age.

The collection is being retained.

Dear Dave:

In response to your letter concerning collection 66AHx246 from shipment A-66-10, the material has been processed, assigned our number USGS 22842-PC, and examined by four paleontologists. No conodonts or other microfossils are present. Because of the evidence of silicification on the surfaces of the rock, the material was dissolved in hydrochloric acid and several crudely silicified brachiopod specimens were secured.

I have examined the brachiopod fragments and, although there is not enough well-preserved material to make a definite age assignment, I suggest that the collection is possibly of Permian age. The more abundant forms are large rhynchonelloids, one specimen of which may be a Rhynchopora; at least one other kind of rhynchonelloid is present. Fragmentary spiriferoids, perhaps Spiriferella, and a rhipidomellid fragment complete the list of recognizable brachiopods.

By comparison with other similarly preserved fossils from southeastern Alaska, my best guess is that this represents a Permian assemblage. The nearest previously reported Permian (in Bull. 699) is from Porcupine Creek, as you know, and I would suggest a possible correlation. However, a better preserved and more diverse assemblage is needed before any definitive statement can be made.