RHIZOPODA. 23 



when seen in its ordinary position, its anterior 

 aspect being presented to our view when we look 

 down from above on the septal plane of its ulti- 

 mate segment. In Lingulina and other com- 

 pressed forms, the sides of the shell, when viewed 

 edgeways, are said to present their " periphero- 

 hieraV^ aspect, the same term being also applied 

 to the Nautiloid shells, when viewed in the di- 

 rection of their peripheral margins. 



1 1. Distribution of Foraminifera in space. 



— By far the greater number of Foraminifera are 

 marine. They are found in most seas, preferring, 

 however, those of tropical and southern climes, 

 where an increase may be observed, not merely in 

 the number and variety of the specimens, but 

 likewise in the size which several of the latter 

 attain. Many of the Foraminifera have been 

 dredged from considerable depths, some in a 

 a living state ; and there is reason to believe that 

 extensive deposits of their shells, associated with 

 those of other minute organisms, are in process of 

 formation on several parts of the existing sea 

 bottom, more especially in the North Atlantic, 

 the Eastern Mediterranean, and the Australian 

 Seas. 



Among the more widely distributed animals of 

 the present group may be especially mentioned 

 Orbulina and Glohigerina, both of which forms 

 may be regarded as almost cosmopolitan. 



Specimens of Foraminifera may be obtained for 

 examination from the shakings of dried Sponges, 

 or even from the sand on most parts of the sea 

 coast : but, should they be required for observation 

 of the contained animal, they must be dredged for 



C 4 



