CALCAREOUS ALGAE OF THE MIDDLE EAST 7 



in the plant and the fossil leaves no doubt, when well-preserved, of the state of 

 evolution attained. Others calcify daintily and capriciously, each consistent for its 

 genus, but anywhere between the stem-cell and near the tips of the finest outer 

 branches. Both of these extremes are known ; and whilst distinctive enough both 

 morphologically and stratigraphically, leave doubt as to what pattern of dasyclad 

 alga formed them, and where it should be placed within the family. 



Middle Eastern Dasycladaceae were originally studied by me for their stratigraphic 

 value, as explained below, and hence largely by comparison with those from else- 

 where. In rock collections made for general survey purposes, rather than primarily 

 for the amassing of good algal material, and showing frequently poor preservation, 

 many occurrences have come to light which otherwise would have remained unknown, 

 whilst on the other hand some of these specimens remain tantalisingly incomplete for 

 palaeobotanical study. Nevertheless it may be said here that the Middle East 

 mirrors and sometimes supplements the European record of dasyclad evolution from 

 Permian to Eocene. Apart from very many points of detail, such as additional 

 genera or species, extensions of generic range, and the filling in of geographical species- 

 occurrences between East and West, there are several discoveries of especial interest, 

 confirming earlier hypotheses or offering evidence for the probable ancestry of well- 

 known genera. 



The present work originated as part of a study of the calcareous algae generally of 

 the Middle East, undertaken as part of my duties for Iraq Petroleum Company Ltd. 

 Commissioned early in 1953 by Dr. F. R. S. Henson, then in charge of the Company's 

 geological research activities, it was undertaken as a section of a project for elucidat- 

 ing the stratigraphical value for economic purposes of microfossil groups other than 

 the foraminifera, and the results in this direction has been summarized elsewhere 

 (Elliott, i960). Many tens of thousands of thin-sections, prepared from well and 

 surface samples, have been examined, as well as large quantities of rock and sand 

 samples. This material came primarily from Iraq, Qatar, Oman and the Hadhra- 

 maut, where Iraq Petroleum and its associated companies operated, but much 

 comparison material from the countries bordering the Mediterranean, and from the 

 remainder of the Middle East, has been examined also, as well as Recent algae in the 

 collections of the British Museum (Natural History) and elsewhere. Of those 

 within the Company who have sent me dasyclad material for study, my thanks are 

 offered to Messrs. H. V. Dunnington, E. Hart, D. M. Morton, K. al Naqib, A. J. 

 Standring, W. Sugden, R. Wetzel, E. Williams-Mitchell, and Drs. R. C. van Bellen, 

 Z. R. Beydoun, M. Chatton, and T. Harris. Of my many French friends and 

 correspondents, I would single out for especial mention Professor J. Emberger, 

 formerly of Algiers, who in exchanges has sent me many fine dasyclad rock-samples 

 from the North African sector of the Tethys. At the British Museum (Natural 

 History) members of the staffs of both Botanical and Palaeontological Departments 

 have afforded me every facility, and I remember with gratitude the kindness and 

 interest of the late W. N. Edwards, former Keeper of the latter department. Thanks 

 are due to all those who have corresponded with me on dasyclad matters, from all 

 over the world and too numerous to list here. Mr. R. C. Miller, when Senior Tech- 



