ME. E. T. HIGGINS ON THE OTOLITES OF TISH. 157 



acerosa aud continens, as, without breaking the outer chamber of 

 every shell, the difference coiild not often be determined. 



J^ofe. — From the latitudes and longitudes given above, the 

 ship's course can be readily laid down on a map ; and a more 

 graphic representation will thus be obtained of the distribution 

 of the minute ocean-fauna than can be conveyed in words. 



DESCRIPTION OP PLATE V. 



Fig. 1. Globigerina (Orhulina) universa. 



2. G. {Orbulina) acerosa, n. sp. 



3. G. {Orbulina) continens, n. sp. 



4. G. {Orbulina) continens broken through the internal chambers. 



On the Otolites of Pish, and their value as a test in verifying 

 recent and fossil Species. By E. T. Higgins, Esq., M.E.C.S. 

 &c. (Communicated by Gr. Busk, Esq., Sec.L.S.) 



[Eead May 3, 1866.] 



The object of this paper is an attempt to show that the otolites 

 of fish have a certain distinctive value in determining the genera 

 and species to which they belong, and that the close study of them 

 in the recent forms will enable the ichthyologist to confirm or dis- 

 prove the specific relationship of recent individuals, and the geo- 

 logist to determine the affinity of the fossil species. In making 

 this attempt, it will be necessary to state my belief to what extent 

 fish possess the faculty of hearing, and, in doing so, to indicate the 



