338 Mr. H. B. Brady on Elllpsoidina, 



absence, in short, of every mark that would indicate the plu- 

 rality of chambers, are characters which accord well with those 

 of Oolina, whilst those of Ellipsoidina have their origin, as we 

 may readily understand, in the arrangement of the chambers. 



" It must still be noted, however, that this genus presents 

 certain peculiarities altogether dependent on the disposition of 

 the various portions of the shell. In general the chambers of 

 a multilocular shell are in direct communication with each 

 other by means of apertures or pores variable in size and form, 

 so that each cell opens into the interior of that which imme- 

 diately follows it. This is not the case in Ellijysoidina^ the 

 cells of which have no apertures ; and should a perforation be 

 found in the base of the tube at the anterior portion of each 

 chamber, this is not in communication with the succeeding ones, 

 whilst the extremities of their tubes are adherent to the ante- 

 rior portions of the enveloping chambers. 



" Distribution. — The three species of Ellipsoidina^ that up 

 to the present time I have been able to observe, belong to the 

 Miocene epoch, and appear in the marls of many localities 

 around Messina, and not far distant from it." 



Then follow the descriptions of three forms differing in little 

 beyond the mere variations of external contour indicated by 

 the trivial names assigned to them — E. ellipsoides^ E. ohlonga^ 

 and E. ahhreviata. I gather, from a letter received but lately 

 from Prof. Seguenza, that he has abandoned this subdivision, 

 a conclusion in which, judging by analogy, I should entirely 

 agree ; so that it is needless to repeat the details of their sup- 

 posed differences. The precise localities given are, for the 

 first-named (typical) form, the beds in the neighbourhood of 

 Scoppo, Gravitelli, Scirpi, and S. Licandro, in all of which 

 places it is very common, and those of Masse, in which it is 

 rare. The second form is stated to be found near Scirpi, 

 Scoppo, and Masse, but always rare ; and the third at Scirpi 

 and Scoppo, likewise uncommon. 



The genus may be regarded, therefore, as represented by 

 one species only, having the following characters : — 



Ellipsoidina ellipsoides^ Seguenza. 

 Shell oval, oblong or subspherical ; posterior extremity rounded, 

 anterior more or less obtuse, sometimes terminating in an 

 elongate tube-like process, which is either cylindrical or 

 somewhat obconical. Chambers numerous (two to five). 

 Colour white, opaque; young and small specimens sub- 

 hyaline. Surface smooth. Length -^V to -V inch. 



