198 ARTHUR EARLAND ON THE FORAM1NIFERA OF 



Massilina secerns, Schlumberger, 1893, Mem. tioc. Zool. France, 



vol. vi., p. 218, figs. 31—34, pi. iv.,figs. 82, 83. 



Most abundant, the shells forming a large proportion of the 

 entire gathering. The species occurs in similar profusion in the 

 Jersey shore-sands, and at Dog's Bay, Connemara. 



As might be expected, there is a considerable range of form 

 observable. Abnormal and monstrous specimens are of frequent 

 occurrence, and do not call for any special notice ; but two well- 

 marked varieties have been observed which deserve to be 

 recorded. 



Massilina secans, var. denticulata, Costa, sp. 



Quinqueloculina denticulata, Costa, 1856, Atti. Accad. Pontaniana, 



vii., fas. 2, p. 325, pi. xxv., 

 fig. 6, a, b, c. 



This is a handsome and well-marked variety, in which the 

 periphery is extended into an elegantly denticulate keel. It 

 occurs in the Mediterranean, though never in any abundance, 

 and it has not hitherto been recorded in Great Britain. A single 

 very fine and typical specimen was found at Bognor, and several 

 small specimens were observed, which exhibited a tendency 

 towards variation in this direction. (Plate 11, Fig. 4.) 



Massilina secans, var. tenuistriata, var. nov. 



In this variety the entire surface of the test is covered with 

 fine longitudinal striae, which- are roughly parallel with the 

 periphery. The striae vary in coarseness in different specimens, 

 being in some cases as well marked as in Biloculina comata, 

 Brady, while in others they are so fine and close together as to be 

 difficult of detection with less than a 1-in. objective. The variety 

 must not be confused with Halkyard's var. obliquistriata* in 

 which the test has " oblique, somewhat curved grooves ploughed 

 in the surface of the last segment." 



Very rare compared with the type, but a considerable number 

 of specimens have been observed. (Plate 11, Fig. 5.) 



h Sigmoilina secans, d'Orbigny, var. obliquistriata, var. nov., Halk- 

 yard, 1889, Trans. Manchester Mic. Soc, p. 61, pi. i., fig. 7. This variety 

 was subsequently withdrawn by the author; see Trans. Manchester Mic. 

 Soc, 1891, p. 20. 



