FOUAMINIFERA. 227 



Ceylon species, on the other hand, there may be a whole series of globular segments 

 opening directly one into the other. 



The generic name was first applied in the ' Report and Proc. Belfast Nat. Field 

 Club,' 1873, by Joseph Wright, to two fragmentary specimens, and no definitions 

 were then given. Later, the name was definitely given to the genus by Rupert 

 Jones, in 1875. Brady, in 1884, named and described the species R. globulifern, 

 and Wright, also in 1884, figured another species, Ramulina aculeata, from 

 specimens found in the cretaceous rocks of Kerry, Ireland. Mr. Wright, who 

 was consulted by Professor Herdman, at first recognised the resemblance of this 

 species from Ceylon to his 7?. aculeata ; but further investigation suggested that it is 

 a new species, and with that opinion Mr. Wright now concurs. 



The differences leading to this conclusion are that (1) the spinous processes are not 

 developed to such an extent on the Ceylon species as on R. acideata, and (2) the 

 cretaceous species only occurs in small fragments and does not show the complex and 

 extensive mode of growth seen in this specimen from the Indian Ocean. 



This foraminifer consists of a mass of anastomosing calcareous tubes, inextricably 

 commingled, and assuming two principal forms of growth. Many specimens show a 

 long series of globular segments, arranged irregularly, and opening directly into one 

 another by large openings. These globular chambers at intervals give off numerous 

 radiating straight tubes, varying in length from quite small outgrowths to 

 1*25 centims., with a diameter of 1'5 millims. to 2 millims. These straight portions 

 may run in the same direction, separating but little, and becoming more compact 

 (see text-fig., C), or they may at once diverge and radiate from a common centre. 



A. B. C. 



Three masses of Ramulina herdmani. Natural size. 



Eventually they reach either the globular chambers or other straight tubules with 

 which they fuse, the cavities becoming continuous (see also Plate, figs. 1-6). 



The radiating straight tubes I shall term the pipes, and the globular chambers 



2 G 2 



