Foraminifera of the Oolite, Lias, &c.—The occurrence of certain genera in particular rocks has been incidentally noticed in the previous descriptions, and it is needless to particularize any localities of the Oolite, Lias, and other secondary deposits. It must suffice to state that Dr. Carpenter, Prof Williamson, Prof Phillips, Mr. Sorby, Mr. Rupert Jones, and other able observers, have figured and described foraminifera from the strata between the Chalk and the Carboniferous formations: the report to be drawn up by the two first-named gentlemen for the British Association, will present a resume of the British fossil genera and species.
It is deserving record, that no vestiges of foraminifera have been found in the Wealden strata; the fluviatile origin of those deposits renders it improbable that the remains of these marine organisms should occur in great numbers, yet from, the estuary character of some of the beds, the presence of foraminifera might be expected.
Foraminiferous Deposits of the United States.—Dr. Bailey has made us familiar with the foraminiferous rocks of North America. The various memoirs on this class of fossil animalculites, and on the diatomaceæ (ante, [p. 93].), published in the American Journal of Science, and in the Smithsonian Transactions, attest the acumen, and unwearied spirit of research, of this able observer. Not only from the United States, but from numerous localities in Asia and Arabia, Dr. Bailey has transmitted me specimens of limestones containing foraminifera, chiefly of the genera Rotalia and Textularia.[333]
[333] From Beyrout, Damascus, the Mount of Olives, Anti-Libanus.
In the calcareous marls of the Upper Missouri river, extending nearly to the Rocky Mountains, similar fossils are met with.
In the interior of Florida, the white orbitoidal limestone is traversed by flint; and the calcareous and siliceous masses are full of microscopic foraminifera.[334]
[334] Smithsonian Contributions, vol. ii. p. 161.
FORAMINIFERA OF THE CARBONIFEROUS FORMATIONS.
Foraminifera of the Carboniferous Formations.—In the carboniferous limestones of England, the late Mr. Bowman, Prof. Tennant, and Mr. Darker, detected shells of foraminifera, apparently of the genus Fusulina.[335] Prof. Phillips mentions the occurrence of nautiloid foraminifera in the palæozoic limestones of Carrington Park, South Devon, and Yorkshire.[336]
[335] Edinburgh New Phil. Journal, vol. xxx. p. 44.