658 MK. F. CHAPMAN ON KAINOZOIC [Nov. 191 I, 



The District near Merj. 



' Limestone south-west of Bigratah, north-east of Merj ' 

 (No. 140). This specimen has been discoloured to an ashen grey. 

 The weathered surface is ironstained, and shows numerous sections 

 of Nummulites gizehensis and N. curvisjrira. 



Horizon. — Middle Eocene. 



' Nummulitic limestone, north-eastern end of the Merj plain.' — 

 A dense cream-coloured limestone, weathering to a ferruginous red. 

 The weathered surface shows etched tests of N. gizehensis (typica). 



Horizon. — Middle Eocene. 



' Limestone with Ecliinolampas. Wells at Merj ' (No. 134). — 

 Two specimens of a nummulitic limestone which is red on the 

 weathered surface. Containing tests of Nummulites gizehensis var. 

 lyelli and N. curvispira. 



Horizon. — Middle Eocene. 



'Nummulitic limestone at the top of the plateau-scarp, south-east 

 of Merj ' (No. 164). A dense, white nummulitic limestone, showing 

 cleavage-surfaces of echinoid-plates on the fractured faces of the 

 rock. In microscope-section the rock is seen to be partly re- 

 crystallized, the matrix being finely crystalline, and the cavities 

 of the organisms in part filled with larger crystals of calcite. 

 Organisms rather obscure. The following genera of foraminifera 

 are present : — Sigmo'ilina, Aheolina, Anomcdina, and JVummulites. 



' Oolitic limestone. Altitude 440 feet above sea-level, on the scarp 

 west of Ptolemeta' (No. 156). — A loosely consolidated beach- or 

 dune-sand, consisting of rolled fragments of shells, Liihoihavnnion 

 and foraminifera (Miliolince of the M. trigonula and other shallow- 

 water types), cemented together by a thin layer of calcareous 

 material. All the fragmentary constituents are calcareous and of 

 organic origin, and are bored in all directions by a perforating 

 organism. This rock resembles the Kathiawar building-stone. 1 



East of Benghazi. 



1 Limestone. Plain east of Benghazi ' (No. 183). An extremely 

 hard, fine-grained limestone, containing shells of gasteropods 

 entirely recrystallized. Under the microscope this rock is seen to 

 be a fine calcareous mud containing echinoid- spines, and forami- 

 nifera (Den talma and Qlohigerina). The rock is brecciated, and 

 in one fragment is a cluster of radiolarian tests, rather poorly 

 preserved. A specimen (No. 185) from an adjacent locality is 

 largely composed of fragments of Lithothamnion, and is in part 

 dolomitized. 



1 See Q. J. O. P. vol. lvi (1900) pi. xxxii, fig. 2. 



