IN THE MUD OF THE LEVANT. 81 



v/hich I ventured to publish,* on the character 

 of these curious forms. After examining my 

 specimens, he had no doubt but that they 

 were the separated prisms of shells, probably 

 Inocerami. 



I have noticed all these minute organisms some- 

 what in detail, as they afford one of the most 

 interesting examples of the variety of microscopic 

 fossils which constitute Chalk that I have met with. 

 With one or two exceptions I have not ventured to 

 attach any specific names to theForaminifera, many 

 of which are probably included in M.D'Orbigny's 

 catalogue ;f but as neither descriptions nor figures 

 accompany the list, and I have had no opportunity 

 of consulting the plates accompanying his original 

 memoir, I have no means of identifying them ; and 

 to coin new terms would only be to add to the 

 confusion which is already too great, owing to the 

 fact that D'Orbigny and Ehrenberg are adopting 

 two distinct and independent systems of specific 

 nomenclature, based upon different modes of 

 observing. 



*0n the real nature of the minute bodies in flints, supposed 

 to be sponge spicula. Annals Nat. Hist. Vol. xvii. p. 467. 

 t Phil. Mag. Lon. and Edin. Vol. xviii. p. 416. 

 M 



