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TRILOBITESThe trilobites were dwellers of the ancient seas and are now all extinct. They had thick, tough, outer coverings and were composed of many segments, each of which bore a pair of limbs. They are related to modern-day arthropods (spiders, scorpions, etc.)
AMMONITESThe ammonites were any of a number of cephalopods (related to modern squids, octopus, etc.) that had a flat, spiral shell. They became extinct about the same time as the dinosaurs.
 A typical ammonite.
BRACHIOPODSThe brachiopods were a class of animals having two shells that surrounded their soft bodies. Each animal had a pair of tentacles the animal used to bring microscopic food into its mouth. They were marine animals and looked like clams but were not closely related. A major difference is that the shells are on the top and bottom of the animal rather than on each side. During the Paleozoic Era, they were very common. There are still about 300 species of brachiopods living today. They live permanently attached to the sea floor. Also called lampshells.
 
BRYOZOANS
CORALSCorals are reef builders. Each coral colony is made up of polyps, tiny individual animals, that create a hard skeleton around themselves. After many years these colonies may form entire reefs.
HORSETAIL RUSHESMost horsetails grow in wet, swampy areas or at the edge of ponds or lakes. They have hollow stems that are jointed. At each joint is a ring of small tooth-like leaves. Some stems have many branches. Today, horsetails are small plants, but in the ancient past, they grew quite large.
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