64 Mr. H. J. Carter on the close Relationship of 



of minute Forarainifera and rounded objects which might he 

 confounded with the proper surface-elevations. But while 

 the sections show that the surface was an irregularly undu- 

 lating one, it also seems to show that the bosses for the most 

 part originated from the accidental incorporation of a larger 

 foreign body than the animal was accustomed to enclose. 



With reference to the resemblance of Alveolina meandrina 

 to Loftusia, as stated in mj paper in the ' Annals' (1876, 

 vol. xvii. p. 192), that can only be taken now for what it is 

 worth. The former is undoubtedly a species of Foraminifera, 

 the latter not. 



As in Parkeria^ there are many foreign bodies to be observed 

 in the test of Loftusia^ probably arising from its unfixed 

 habit in the bottom of the sea, where it would be constantly 

 rolling about in contact with small objects which it might 

 thus incorporate during growth, after the manner of Sponges 

 under similar circumstances. Indeed, as many specimens of 

 Parheria present foreign nucleiform portions which are filled 

 with sea-bottom only, so does Loftusia ; and not only this, but 

 in some instances, both in Parheria and Loftusia, there are 

 parts of the tissue-fibre structure which are almost obscured by 

 the quantity of foreign material (sand, &c.) incorporated with 

 it during growth. 



While, then, there can be little doubt that Loftusia was no 

 more a species of Foraminifera than Parheria, there may be 

 doubt as to the nature of the substance of which the test was 

 formed, since I see no means at present of determining 

 whether this was calcareous or chitinous, from the metamor- 

 phosis which the original structure has undergone by crystal- 

 line infiltration. 



Finally, although it has been stated that Loftusia cannot be 

 considered a species of Foraminifera, it should be remembered 

 that its spiral structure is so much like one that it seems to 

 indicate a close relationship between the Rhizopoda and the 

 Hydrozoa, ex. gr. Amoeba and Hydra. 



? Bradya tergestina, Stache, MS. 



We now come to a fossil (from the Lower White Chalk of 

 Dover) which forms an important link in our series, since it 

 not only presents the coenosarcal stolon-tubulation of Hydrac- 

 tinia echinata on its surface, but the tissue-fibre of Parheria 

 throughout, and the vein-like stellates which are so characteristic 

 of the Stromatopora. It belongs to the British Museum ; and 

 through Mr. H. Woodward's kind help, I am enabled to give 

 the following description of it. 



