6 Norman^ on Diatomacece. 



almost exclusively diatominivorous in the selection of its food. 

 I lately examined the stomach-contents of some specimens 

 which had been kept for a few weeks in a small glass tank^ 

 when the mass was found to consist of fully sixty per cent, 

 of Diatomacese. 



These circumstances are mentioned here merely for the 

 purpose of attracting the attention of those who have the 

 opportunity of studying the subject more fully. It is also 

 quite possible that such investigations may tend to clear up 

 the yet, I believe, disputed point, as to the vegetable or 

 animal nature of these beautiful organisms. 



1. Astrolampra Stella, n. sp.. Norm. (Plate II, fig. 1). — 

 Valve of six rays, rays club-formed in the centre and gra- 

 dually becoming linear towards the margin. Outer edge 

 of disc divided into twelve punctate divisions. 



Habitat. — Sierra Leone, in a gathering kindly communi- 

 cated by Mr. F. Kitton, of Norwich. 



This remarkable disc, I place, provisionally, in Astrolam- 

 pra, its structure having little in common with that 

 genus. The unsymmetrical appearance may be, and in all 

 probability, is owing to my specimen being a double valve, for 

 in the centre is seen a series of six indistinct rays, which I 

 have endeavoured to give in the drawing. 



Altogether it is a remarkable form, and, probably, ought 

 to constitute a new genus. 



By giving it a place in this paper, I hope to call the atten- 

 tion of those who have correspondents at Sierra Leone, to 

 urge them to send material from the coast in that locality. 



3. Surirella Baldjikii, n. sp.. Norm. (Fig. 2). — Valve 

 panduriform, canaliculi conspicuous, widening out towards 

 the margin, absent in constricted jjortion. Centre of valve 

 a smooth cruciform space; the transverse limb being 

 broader than the longitudinal one, and approaching the 

 margin of the valve at its constricted part. Margin of valve 

 striated ; strise 40 in "OOl''' 



Marine, in a deposit from Baldjik, near Varna. 



This deposit is full of beautiful and interesting forms, 

 many of which are new and undescribed. The piece of 

 earthy deposit I picked out of a cargo of bones discharging 

 in the docks. The captain of the vessel informed me that 

 the cliiFs about Baldjik are wholly composed of this white- 

 coloured earth. 



It will be worth while obtaining a larger supply of this 

 material, which is the same that yielded the beautiful little 

 form which Mr. Brightwell has described as Odontidium 

 Baldjikii, 



