PEOTOZOA : FOEAMINIFEEA. 51 



external surface of little spherical masses of sarcode to wliicli 

 he gave the name of coccospheres. The coccospheres are enclosed 

 in a delicate envelope apparently of a calcareous nature, and 

 are studded at nearly regular intervals by the coccoliths. More 

 recently still, it has been discovered by Professor Huxley that 

 both the coccoliths and the coccospheres are imbedded in masses 

 of protoplasmic or sarcodic substance, covering wide areas of 

 the sea-bottom, to which they bear the same relation that the 

 spicules of sponges or of Eadiolaria do to the soft parts of 

 these animals. To this undefined and diffused protoplasm 

 with its contained coccoliths and coccospheres the name 

 Bathybius has been applied by Professor Huxley. Its exact 

 position, as already said, is doubtful ; but it is believed by Dr. 

 Carpenter to be a rudimentary form of the Foraminifera, and 

 to be somewhat allied to the ancient Eozoon. 



DISTRIBUTION OF FORAMINIFERA IN SPACE. The Foraminifera 

 are mostly marine, and are found in almost all seas, though 

 more abundantly in those of the warmer parts of the globe. 

 It is concluded by Dr. Carpenter that 'the foraminiferous 

 fauna of our own seas probably presents a greater range of 

 variety than existed at any preceding period ; but there is no 

 indication of any tendency to elevation towards a higher type.' 

 One of the most remarkable facts about their distribution at 

 the present day, is the existence of a deposit at great depths 

 in the Atlantic, formed almost entirely of the shells of Forami- 

 nifera and very closely resembling chalk. It has, further, 

 been quite recently established that there co-exist with these 

 Foraminifera various animals of a higher grade, some of which 

 closely resemble, or are even specifically inseparable from, 

 well-known cretaceous species. There is, therefore, some 

 reason to conclude that the bottom of the sea at great depths 

 is peopled at the present day by a fauna which is very closely 

 allied to that of the Chalk. 



DISTRIBUTION OF FORAMINIFERA IN TIME. Remains of Fora- 

 minifera have been found in Palasozoic, Mesozoic, and Kainozoic 

 formations. In the oldest stratified rocks with which we are 

 acquainted, viz. the Laurentian rocks of Canada, there occurs 

 a singular body which has been described as the remains of 

 a gigantic Foraminifer, under the name of Eozoon Canadense* 

 If truly organic, as is doubted by some, it is the oldest fossil ' 

 as yet discovered. It appears to have grown in reef-like 

 masses resembling the sessile patches of Polytrema and Carpw- 

 teria, to both of which, as well as to the extinct Nummulitcs, 

 it shows a decided affinity. In the Silurian rocks remains of 

 Foraminifera, some of which are apparently identical with ex- 

 isting forms, have been detected in various places, and it is ' 



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