86 CATALOGUE OF THE KECEST FOEAMINIFEKA OF 



near low water, or taken from shore-pools. The dredgings fairly 

 represent the coast from Berwick Bay on the north, to Seaham on 

 the south, the depth varying from 10 to 45 fathoms. I am much 

 indebted to my brother, Mr. George S. Brady, and to Mr. George 

 Hodge, for the careful preservation of material from the various 

 localities worked over. The littoral sands examined have been 

 taken chiefly from the Northumberland coast at intervals between 

 Alnmouth and Tynemouth. The sea-beach to the south of the 

 Tyne is composed for the most part of shingle and gravel, derived 

 in great measure from ballast cast at sea, and its unfavourable 

 nature has deterred me from spending much time in searching it. 



The quantity of material from each locality has generally been 

 ample, and a uniform method has been pursued for the separa- 

 tion and the collection of the Eoraminifera. The sands were first 

 thoroughly dried, and the coarser portions, separated by sifting, 

 examined, without further treatment, by means of a magnifying 

 glass. Professor Williamson's method of "floating" was adopted 

 as the best means of saving time and labour in the examination 

 of the fine sittings. This process depends for its efficacy on the 

 light specific gravity of the shells, owing to their chambers con- 

 taining air ; and practically it works exceedingly well for the 

 minuter forms. The only precaution which seems to be requisite 

 is, that the material should be very carefully dried at the outset ; 

 if this be not done the sarcode, impregnated with saline matter, 

 retains its form and partially fills the cavities of the shells, 

 thereby rendering them too heavy to float. The larger thick- 

 shelled species, whether porcelanous or arenaceous, cannot be 

 separated in this way. 



In a somewhat different category, and worthy of separate 

 mention as a locality for Foraminifera, are the brackish-water 

 pools of the marshy ground in Hylton Dene, near Sunderland.* 



* To the student of the lower forms of animal life Hylton Dene may be looked upon as 

 a thing of the past ; like Prestwiek Car and Boldon Flats it has, alas, fallen a -victim to 

 the "march of civilization" so called, -which is fast invading the pleasant resorts of the 

 naturalist, converting- good collecting-grounds into bad pastures. When we visited the 

 place a few weeks ago the pools were dry — the marsh was cut and scored in all direc- 

 tions with draining channels, and we wandered about conscious that it was the last 

 opportunity we might have of obtaining any of the rarities for which this was the only 

 locality in our district. 



