158 



Mr. H. B. Brady. [Apr. 19, 



aggregation of sand-grains of somewhat lighter colour than the rest 

 of the test, in precisely the same way as in Astrorhiza arenaria and its 

 immediate allies. The rounded terminations are shown in the side 

 view, fig. 3, at the point marked a; and on a larger scale in fig. 5. 



With regard to the animal inhabiting the test, there is not much 

 to be said. When examined by Mr. Murray, fresh from the dredge, 

 the tubes were partially filled with dark-coloured sarcode ; and in the 

 preserved specimens, the peripheral portions of the fragments that 

 have been dissected were in this condition. Owing to the intermixture 

 of sand-grains it has been found impossible to examine the tube- 

 contents under high magnifying powers, but they appear in all 

 respects similar to the sarcode found in the tests of many of the 

 larger arenaceous Foraminif era which have been preserved in the same 

 way, namely, a dark, somewhat firm, granular, gelatinous mass, 

 which on drying forms nearly black branching threads. 



There can be no doubt that the organism described in the foregoing 

 paragraphs is the representative of a new type of arenaceous Rhizo- 

 poda, and the generic term Syringammina (ovpi^g, 47709, a pipe, a/iyiio?, 

 sand) with the trivial name, fragilissima, appears appropriate for its 

 designation. In the absence of complete specimens its zoological 

 characters cannot be fully stated, but the following will serve for its 

 identification. 



Syringammina fragilissima, nov. gen. et sp. 



Test free ; consisting of a rounded mass of branching, inoscu- 

 lating tubes radiating from a common centre, and arranged in more 

 or less distinct concentric tiers or layers, which are marked by the 

 formation at intervals of a network of lateral branches. Walls 

 arenaceous, composed of nearly uniform fine sand, with little or no 

 inorganic cement. Apertures terminal, situated at the peripheral 

 ends of the tubes, closed in with loosely aggregated sand-grains. 

 Colour dark grey when wet, drying to a much lighter tint. Diameter 

 about 1\ inch. 



The precise habitat of the specimens is given in the following note 

 from the log of the " Triton : " 



" Station 11. August 28th, 1882,— lat. 59° 39' 30" K, long. 

 7° 13' W. ; depth 555 fathoms; ooze. Surface temperature, 57 0, 2 ; 

 bottom temperature 45°'5 Fahr." 



The position is to the west of the Wy ville Thomson Ridge, and close 

 to the "Holtenia Ground" of the " Porcupine " Expedition. Mr. 

 Murray informs me by letter that " the dredge employed on this occa- 

 sion was of very much lighter description than those generally used in 

 deep-sea dredging. It came up with a large quantity of ooze in the 

 bag, the top layers of which were of pale brown colour, soft 

 and watery, the deeper layers somewhat compact and of slaty hue. 



