Soft Parts of Cephalopods and Trilobites: Some Surprising Results of X-ray Examinations of Devonian Slates.

X-ray studies of slates from Bundenbach and Wissenbach (Lower and Middle Devonian, West Germany) revealed a surprising amount of pyritized soft parts of cephalopods and trilobites. The tentacles of cephalopods, the appendages, the intestinal tract, and the structure of the interior of facet eyes of trilobites (Phacops species and Asteropyge species) were found in a well-preserved state.