110 



those who assert the organic origin of the specimens, and supplies 

 the characteristic feature that has led to its classification with 

 the Nummulinida?. Similar tubuli or stoloniferous passages, 

 filled with mineral matter, are seen in the Monte Soinma speci- 

 mens passing through the calcareous layers, and communicating 

 with the intermediate bands. These tubuli are supposed by the 

 authors to mark the main passages along which the fluid or gases 

 penetrated. 



The photographic figures given in illustration of the work are 

 extremely suggestive of the anomalous Laurentian fossil, although, 

 judging from the plates, the cell walls and canal system lack the 

 definiteness and clear outline of the type specimens. Sir J. W. 

 Dawson has given a short rejoinder to Professors Johnston-La vis 

 and Gregory, in Nat. Science of June, 1895, in which article he 

 says — " I must emphatically deny that they resemble either in 

 composition, mode of occurrence, or form and structure the 

 Laurentian Eozoon of Canada." Noth withstanding this rejoinder 

 the latest evidences tend to weaken the proofs of the organic 

 origin of this doubtful object rather than confirm the conclusions 

 which in the early years of its discussion were generally accepted. 

 One result of this prolonged discussion has been to illustrate in 

 how many instances petrological structure may simulate organic 

 features, and emphasizes the caution that should be exercised in 

 referring doubtful structures, especially when included in altered 

 and metamorphic rocks, to organic agencies. 



The discovery of Foraminifera in the Cambrian rocks of 

 southern New Brunswick by Messrs. W. D. and G. F. Matthew 

 is of considerable interest. So far as I am aware, this is the first 

 case in which Foraminifera have'been noted in rocks of Cambrian 

 age. They were discovered in the first instance by sectioning the 

 phosphatic nodules contained in the St. John series near the base 

 of the Lower Cambrians, and are associated with a group of 

 fossils of a distinctive character, which Mr. G. F. Matthew has 

 described in the Transactions of the New York Academy of 

 Science, vol. XIV. (1894-95), as "The Protolenus Fauna." ' The- 

 Foraminifera are referred to the genera Orbulina and Globigerina, 

 two of the commonest genera of the present seas, and whilst seven 

 new species are described, the remaining one, Orbulina universa, 

 is said to be indistinguishable from the same species which makes 

 up so large a proportion of the Atlantic ooze of to-day. Without 

 calling in question Mr. Matthew's determination, it is well to 

 remember that extreme caution is demanded in the determination 

 of fossils of so great a geological age, and particularly those (as 

 in the case of the genera referred to) which have a spherical form r 

 as this is more easily simulated by inorganic structure than any 

 other outline. The previous records for the geological distribu- 



