Here is a very displayable example of Baculites sp. from the Cretaceous of South Dakota. Baculitidae are characterized by an ammonitella (coiled embryonic shell) followed by a long straight shaft. This specimen is a large portion of that shaft. This Baculites has been removed from the surrounding matrix and is very 3-dimensionally preserved. The complex suture pattern is beautifully displayed - the white sutures contrast wonderfully with the dark brown background. This is a very pretty Baculites from the Pierre Shale.