TWO GIGANTIC TYPES OE ARENACEOUS EORAMINIFEEA. 
751 
and that the sea-bottom was a soft calcareous mud, and lay at a depth of from ninety to 
one hundred fathoms. A few minute fragments of Molluscan shells resembling columns 
of Pinna , and small pieces of fossil Polyzoa, are the only remains that are to be found 
of animals of higher organization than Foraminifera. 
48. Zoological Relations. — From the details of structure which have been adduced, the 
genus Loftusia would seem to find a natural place at the head of the Arenaceous series 
of Foraminifera, a position corresponding to Alveolina in the Porcellanous group, and 
Fusulina amongst the Vitreous forms. In texture it is similar to the higher Trocham- 
mince. Its general plan, in so far as the primary skeleton is concerned, is simple ; and 
there is no approach to the more complex organization found in the shell of the Num- 
mulite or its immediate allies. Its most striking external difference from the other 
members of the Arenaceous group ( Parkeria of course excepted) is its size; and the 
chief peculiarity of its internal structure consists in the secondary shelly growths neces- 
sary for the support of the enlarged test. 
49. Notwithstanding great diversity in the size and contour of the specimens, their dif- 
ference is attributable to degree of development depending on external causes, rather 
than to specific or varietal distinction ; and with a slight reservation in respect to the 
compressed specimens, I propose to place all under one species, of which the following 
will serve as a description. 
Loftusia, gen. nov. 
Testd libera. \, regulariter rotundatd, axe elongato ; transverse sectd orbiculari ( aut len- 
ticulari ?) ; ex spird bene compositd, cujus orbis guisgue orbem antecedentem penitus am- 
plectitur, constante ; in numerosissimos loculos septis longitudinalibus partita iterum plus 
minusve subdivisos ; structura arenaced ; aperturis (multis, complexis, labyrintheis?). 
L. Persica, spec. nov. L. testd elongatd , ovatd vel fusiformi ; transverse sectd orbicu- 
lari ( vel compressa ?) ; extremitatibus obtusis aut rotundatis ; loculis multis, angustis, 
interne cancellatis, cancellis ad axem versis ; septis perobliguis ; aperturis ( multis , 
complexis, super facie ultimi loculi arcuatd sparsis ?) ; superficie laevigata aut suba- 
renaced, inter dum sulcis subtilibus paribus intervallis inter se distributis in longitu- 
. dinem sculptd. Longa, 1-5 usgue ad 3-5 poll. Lata -5 usgue ad 1-25 poll. Loc. 
Persia, fossilis. 
Distribution . — In respect to distribution but little can be said beyond what appears 
in Mr. Loftus’s Memoir (op. cit., p. 235) and the notes accompanying the specimens 
presented to the British Museum and the Geological Society ; but the information from 
these sources is deficient both in Geographical and in Geological details. In describing 
the geological characters of a section lying “ on the direct road between Kalah Tul and 
Isfahan,” after speaking of a confused series of gypsiferous rocks, which seem £; as if the 
bed had been shot off the side of Mererarl during its sudden elevation,” the author adds, 
“ Masses of gravel-conglomerate lie in the bed of the stream and high up the slopes of 
