676 WVlarvels of the Universe 
lite. The micro-life of the Indian Ocean is the least known of the three ocean basins. The creatures” 
of this class in this ocean approach more nearly those of the Pacific than those of the Atlantic, both 
as regards abundance and variety of shapes of the Radiolarians. From many sources of research 
undertaken at various times, and in several parts, it may be assumed with great probability that 
the major part of this basin, like that of the Pacific, is covered with Radiolarian ooze. 
The Atlantic Ocean, in all parts of which the microscopic life has been examined, has shown 
the constant presence of Radiolaria, inferior both in quality and quantity, and pure Radiolarian 
ooze such as has been found on the floors of the Pacific and Indian Oceans has not yet been 
discovered. 
The naturalists of the Challenger found Radiolarians universally distributed throughout the 
waters and spread over the floors of the two 
great oceans—the Pacific and the Indian—the 
relative abundance and the species differing, 
however, with change of locality. 
Dr. John Murray found rich supplies of 
Radiolaria in the alimentary canal systems of 
several marine animals, while Jelly-fish and 
crustacea which live partly at the surface and 
partly at various depths, swallow large quantities 
of them. 
Within the last few weeks Dr. John Martin 
found a little patch of beautiful iridescent 
colour on the surface of the calm water off 
Whitby, after a heavy storm. It consisted 
of a number of extremely minute shells of 
Radiolaria, which, as we have seen, are 
capable of sending out extensions of their 
body substance for the purpose of loco- 
motion and for drawing in food. The 
shells were of magnificent forms and _ iden- 
tical with those found in the West Indies 
and along the coasts of Florida and the Gulf 
of Mexico. Like the majority of Radiolaria, 
they were composed of flint. The finder 
Photo by] _—— [Pickner Edwardes. rightly believes they were carried by the 
AN ENGLISH QUEEN BEE. agency of the Gulf Stream to the Yorkshire 
The mother of the hive. Her long body distinguishes 
her from the drones and workers. 
coast. 
The coloured illustration which accompanies 
this article contains a collection of characteristic Radiolaria. They are all possessed of long Latin 
names which describe the characteristics of each species; for instance, the central figure is called 
the “ Wing-helmet.” That on its left, like the letter Y, is the ‘‘Star-shell.” That above the 
central specimen, ‘with long twisted spikes, is the ‘‘ Shell with Six Points.”’ That to the north-east 
of the centre is the “ Basket-urn,” or ‘‘ Wicker-pitcher.’’ The thorny specimen under this is a 
“ Beautiful Crown.” The specimen occupying the central position on the lower line is a “ Net- 
goblet.”” The average dzameter of these specimens is about the two-hundredth part of the diameter 
shown in the illustration ! 
Detailed descriptions of the Radiolaria will apply almost equally well to the Polycystina, because 
Muller, Nicholson and several other marine biologists classify the Polycystina as a Family of the 
Order Radiolaria. Generally speaking, however, fossil Radiolaria are spoken of as Polycystina., 
