342- Mr. H. B. Brady on EUipsoidina. 



succeeding internode of the column ; whilst figures 6 & 7 show 

 the pei-pendicular relations of similar structures taken from 

 other specimens. Altogether Ellijysoidma differs strikingly in 

 the character of its septal and pseudopodial orifices from other 

 genera of Nodosarince ; 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 pm-suing the subject than I have yet had, 

 offer a satisfactory explanation of this appearance. Circum- 

 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 con-oded surface in 

 which crystalline structm-e 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- 

 morpMna liorrida ; 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 -2-5-0 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. 



EXPLANATION OF PLATE Xm. 



luj, 1, Ellipsoidma eUipsoides, 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. 



Fig. 1". The same, end view, x 25 diam._, 



