300 H. L. Han-kins — A Neic Fihularia from Nigeria. 



of the interradial suture. The test is tliinner than at the peristome, 

 and the edges of the periproct show no trace of bevelling. 



llie Apical System. — The apical system is central, and, as is usual in 

 Clypeastroids, shows no signs of the plate sutures. The raadreporite 

 is in the centre of the system, and is prominent. It is multiporous. 

 the greatest number of perforations being congregated in its posterior 

 part. There are four genital pores, all considerably larger than those 

 of the petals. They pass through the test at the same distance from 

 the apex as do the proximal petal-pores, so that either they are at the 

 outer margins of the genital plates, or else the latter project con- 

 siderably into the interambulacra. The ocular pores are very minute, 

 and can witli diflS.culty be seen, even after etching with acid and 

 staining the specimen. They are slightly sunken below the surrounding 

 level of the test. 



Comparison ivith other species. — In view of the fact that all the 

 specimens are very much elevated, and the broken specimen (K) shows 

 no trace of interradial buttresses, I refer the species to Fihularia as 

 Clark has recently defined the genus (Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., ser. viii, 

 vol. vii, p. 605). Probably, if any sound generic distinction separates 

 the Thagastea of Pomel from Fihularia, it should join the former 

 group ; but I am not satisfied that the genus is distinct. The only 

 anomalous feature in F. fiigerice, which renders its generic position 

 doubtful, is the slight inflation of the petals, and the shallow grooves 

 which connect the pores in that region. It is possible that this may 

 mark an important difference, since tlie opposite conditions prevail in 

 most Fihularice, but with the material available it seems best to 

 admit the species to that genus. 



The only species with which I am acquainted that bears any close 

 resemblance to F. nigerice is the F. {lliagastea) luciani (de Loriol, 

 1880), originally described from the Middle Eocene of Egypt, and 

 recently discovered by Dr. J. W. Gregory at the same horizon in 

 Cyrenaica. The proportionate height (compared with the length) of 

 F. nigerice is, however, persistently greater than in either de Loriol's 

 or Gregory's specimens. Adding to this extreme elevation of the test 

 the peculiarities of the petals and the carinate shape of the test, 

 sufficient contrasts exist to distinguish at once the Nigerian species 

 from F. luciani. These same features serve to separate F. nigerice 

 from all other species of the genus, since F. luciani is the most elevated 

 of all previously described. 



Locality and Horizon. — The specimens were collected at Bende, 

 Southern Nigeria. 



The exact horizon of F. nigerice cannot be ascertained. It might 

 well be ascribed to the Lower Tertiary, probably Lower or Middle 

 Eocene, since the genus Fihularia was apparently not well established 

 before then. The elaboration of the petals tends to support the view 

 that it is by no means the earliest species of the genus. It is, however, 

 within the bounds of possibility that it may be of Maestrichtian age, 

 though its general characters render it more likely, to my mind, tliat 

 it belongs to a later horizon. 



The specimens are preserved in the Department of Geology, British 

 Museum (Natural History). 



