A FORAMINIFEROUS DEPOSIT FROM THE NORTH ATLANTIC. 65 



The mushroom anchor took up not only a nearly pure 

 stratum of foraminiferous ooze, but also a very clayey foramini- 

 ferous stratum, in which were fine and coarse grains of quartz, 

 mica, and other minerals, with pebbles, water-worn, of gneiss, 

 hornblende, black and white limestones. But lavas compact 

 and vesicular were abundant, one specimen weighing over a 

 pound or two. One pebble of dark hard texture is apparently 

 polished on one side, as if abraded by glaciaUaction. 



The ooze contracted into a comparatively small volume, say 

 one-fourth, after being kept in a dry room for a few months. 

 Of the more highly foraminiferous stratum, about 50% was 

 sand and clay insoluble in Hydrochloric acid. The equivalent 

 of over 25% of carbonate of lime was precipitated as calcium 

 sulphate from the filtrate. From the more argillaceous 

 stratum 66% of sand, &c., was insoluble in HC1, while 

 H 2 SO 4 precipitated but a few grains from the filtrate. This 

 rough analysis was verified approximately by specimens of the 

 two strata analyzed more carefully in the laboratory of Dal- 

 housie College by Mr. J. M. Nissen. The difference between 

 the two strata was sufficiently discernible to the naked eye, 

 and clearly so by a close examination with a simple lens. 



The species of foraminifera are fairly numerous. The fol- 

 lowing list of them has the authority of Mr. F. S. Morton, 

 F. R. M. S.. of Portland, Maine, who compared them with the 

 foraminifera described in the Challengers papers and more par- 

 ticularly with those described in a " Synopsis of the Arctic and 

 Scandinavian Recent Marine Foraminifera," by Dr. Alex. Goes of 

 Stockholm, which they more especially resemble. I have also to 

 acknowledge the service of G. F. Matthew, M. A., F. R. S. C., 

 of St. John, New Brunswick, in testing some of my observa- 

 tions. 



Globigerina, inflata Abundant. 



G. dubia Not abundant. 



G. conglobata Not abundant. 



Orbulina universa Not uncommon. 



5 



