32 
spheres have been formed from a coalescence of Cyatholiths, or 
whether the Cyatholiths have resulted from the breaking up of 
the coccospheres, or whether the latter are independent 
structures has yet to be decided. The exact affinities of this 
undefined and diffused protoplasm with its coccoliths and 
coccospheres f Bathyhius) are doubtful^ but it is believed to he a 
rudimentary form of the Foraminifera, and to be somewhat 
allied to the ancient Eozoon. A curious point regarding the 
coccoliths has been made known by Dr. Gambel, who believes 
that he has succeeded in demonstrating in them the existence 
of cellulose or a substance closely allied to it. He has also 
shown that bodies similar to, if not identical with coccoliths, 
occur in formations as old as the Lower Silurian of North 
America. Besides these organisms we find in the ooze abun¬ 
dance of Globigerina Bulloides, and Foraminifera of other 
genera with Polycystina in considerable numbers. Many 
diatoms especially Actinocylus, and fragments of inorganic 
matter are present, the nature of the latter varying with the 
locality and evidently regulated by the source and direction of 
the marine currents. On analysis I have found the Atlantic 
ooze to have the following composition: Silica, 25*60; Oxide 
of Iron and Phosphates, 3*80; Carbonate of Lime, 57*81; 
Carbonate of Magnesia, 1*70; Soluble Salts, 6*10; Organic 
Matter, 2 49 ; Water, 2*50; = 100. 
Now turning to the chalk (which is best examined in thin 
sections), we find it to have the same general constitution as 
that of the Atlantic mud, and this connection is more fully 
borne out by the fact that the so-called crystalloids of Ehrenberg 
have been discovered by Mr. Sorby to be of organic origin, an 
opinion which is corroborated by Mr. Huxley, Dr. Wallich, and 
other microscopists. They are in fact coccoliths and coccospheres 
differing in no essential microscopic characters from the bodies 
dredged at this time from the bottom of the sea. If comparison 
is confined to the general lithological characters of the chalk 
and ooze, a great similarity between the two is found to exist; 
but to bear out the assertion of Dr. Carpenter there should be 
actual identity, and it is now proposed to consider whether this 
is carried out in full detail; and even then the question will 
