4.2" Fossil Jellyfish (Essexella) In Ironstone Nodule - Illinois

This is a 4.2", fossil jellyfish (Essexella) preserved in an ironstone nodule from the Carbondale Formation near Essex, Illinois. This specimen is the positive (convex) side of the fossil. It is the the arms and bell (body) of the jelly. Soft bodied organisms are rare in the fossil record making this specimen a unique addition to a collection.

Essexella is a scyphozoan jellyfish, that is to say a true jelly.