342 Mr. H. B. Brady on Ellipsoidina. 
succeeding internode of the column; whilst figures 6 & 7 show 
the perpendicular relations of similar structures taken from 
other specimens. Altogether Lliipsoidina differs strikingly in 
the character of its septal and pseudopodial orifices from other 
genera of Nodosarine ; and it exhibits no tendency to assume 
the radiate corona, the circular lip, or the pouting aperture 
common to some portions of the group. 
It has been stated that the texture of the shell is singularly 
delicate. This is especially true of the inner chambers, which 
have at the same time a roughened surface not easy to account 
for. It can scarcely be called crystalline ; yet it seems to pre- 
sent minute angles which sparkle in a strong light, as though 
covered with a glistening dust. I can scarcely, without more 
opportunity for pursuing the subject than I have yet had, 
offer a satisfactory explanation of this appearance. Cireum- 
stances lead me to think that the peculiar condition of surface 
arises from the partial re-solution of an originally smooth and 
thicker shell-wall, in the process of supplying the increased 
requirement for calcareous matter in the formation of the later 
chambers. The appearance is that of a corroded surface in 
which crystalline structure or lines of deposit may have 
been rendered apparent by unequal solution. My friend Dr. 
Alcock has remarked a subcrystalline condition (which I have 
also many times observed) in the fistulose outgrowths of Poly- 
morphina horrida ; but this is of a somewhat different charac- 
ter, and may be referred to a quite distinct cause. 
Another point also I must pass over, equally without com- 
ment, for want of sufficient material for definite conclusions. 
In the innermost chamber of one of the shells which were 
broken in order to ascertain the internal arrangement, a very 
minute nucleolar body was found slightly adhering to the in- 
terior of the cell-wall. It was a slightly rough, transparent, 
multicellular, calcareous shell, as represented in fig. 12, and 
about +4, inch in its long diameter. It apparently had existed, 
free, in the body of the sarcode, and had no structural con- 
nexion. with the general shell-wall. Without the opportunity 
of making search in other examples for bodies of the same or 
similar nature, it would be useless to attempt to define its 
office. | 7 
EXPLANATION OF PLATE XIII. 
Fig. 1. Ellipsoidina ellipsoides, side view, x 25 diameters. The neck in 
this figure and in fig. 2, indicated by dotted lines, and the corre- 
sponding portion in the centre of 1* are inserted on the autho- 
rity of Prof. Seguenza’s drawings. | 
ig. 1*. The same, end view, x 25 diam.; 
