I860.] JONES AND PAEKEE — FOEAMINIFEEA. 297 



small Pteropodous shells so common in deep soundings in the Medi- 

 terranean. 



In this instance we have taken in hand the Mediterranean Fora- 

 minifera and their older relatives found in the neighbouring Ter- 

 tiary deposits. We propose, if circumstances permit, to present at 

 another time comparative views of other faunas, such as those of the 

 Atlantic with the fossil Foraminifera of Bordeaux and the Faluns 

 — and those of Australia compared with the well-known Grignon 

 forms, &c. 



Notes on the several Columns in the Table. — Columns Nos. 1 to 11, 

 illustrating the recent lihizopodal fauna of the Mediterranean, will 

 require a detailed history of their interesting contents too long for 

 the present occasion. The value of these columns, as terms of 

 comparison, will be shown in treating of the fossil forms tabulated 

 in Columns Wos. 12 to 28. 



Column No. 12. Blue Clays from Cerajolo and S. Donnino, from 

 S. Lazaro, and from Coroncina. 



These Sienncse clays (for which we are indebted to Professor 

 Meneghini) are exceedingly rich in the Nodosarian and Cristellarian 

 species. They also abound with the Bulimine, Textularian, Bota- 

 lian, and Nonioninc groups ; but are poor in Larjena', Polymorphince, 

 and Polystomellai. The Miliolce are moderately represented, but not 

 proportionately abundant. 



This deposit is amongst the richest of those containing the " Sti- 

 chostegian" Foraminifera that we know of; the only comparable 

 instances being the Malaga and Vienna clays. Several of the Cre- 

 taceous and Jurassic deposits (chiefly clays) are also extremely rich 

 in this group. In the recent state we find the Stichostegia generally 

 rare in littoral deposits. At Birnini they are exceptionally abun- 

 dant ; the shore-sand there being almost as markedly characterizi d 

 with them (though of smaller size) as the Subapennine days are. 

 In column No. 4 we have, from ninety fathoms, a tine series of 

 Stiehostegues, nearly equal to those from Rimini ; but the minor 

 varieties have more delicate shape, with thicker Bhell- walls; con- 

 ditions obtaining in everj group of Foraminifera in deep water. 

 In abyssal depths of the Mediterranean, as well as of the open 

 ocean, the Nodosarian group becomes rare, ami the specimens are 

 very small. 



As to tin' Bulimine group, column No. L2 agrees well with No. 4, 



and is not \ ery dissimilar from NoS. 5, 6, & 7: DUl in the two latter 



(250 and 360 fathoms) most of these forms are of much diminished 

 size. The same may he said of the Textularians. The favourite range 

 of BuUmina and Textularia appears to he (from what we have Been 

 in the Mediterranean anil elsewhere) from 20 to 200 fathoms. 

 Tin' Cassididma are represented by varieties that are usually 



found, in sands and ela\ s, at from aboul 50 I" L50 fathoms. 



Orbulina and Olobigerina (with tluir two allies the so-called 

 Nonionina vphteroides and the SpJurroidina bulloides) ore faithful 

 indicators ol abyssal depths, though occasionally found in -li.il!.>\\ 



