The orientations of the apical end of orthoconic nautiloids that occur in abundance on the bedding planes of a sequence of wackestones in the Hemse Beds show two subequal opposing maxima, giving a bipolar orientation pattern. The petrography of the wackestones indicates an early lithification. It is concluded that the rocks represent littoral deposition in a lagoonal environment, and that the nautiloid shell accumulations were caused by stranding in connection with ephemeral incidents. The inferred bathymetry contradicts earlier opinions based exclusively on palaeontological criteria.