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One of the foraminifera.

An extensive order of rhizopods which generally have a chambered calcareous shell formed by several united zooids. Many of them have perforated walls, whence the name. Some species are covered with sand. See Rhizophoda.

Pertaining to, or composed of, Foraminifera; as, foraminiferous mud.

f Canada and other regions. By some geologists it is believed to be a species of gigantic Foraminifera, but others consider it a concretion, without organic structure.

A genus of small Foraminifera, which live abundantly at or near the surface of the sea. Their dead shells, falling to the bottom, make up a large part of the soft mud, generally found in depths below 3,000 feet, and called globigerina ooze. See Illust. of Foraminifera.

A division of Foraminifera, including those in which the shell is not porous.

Like, or pertaining to, Lagena, a genus of Foraminifera having a straight, chambered shell.

A genus of Foraminifera, having a porcelanous shell with several longitudinal chambers.

A division of Foraminifera including those that have only one chamber.

A foraminifer having but one chamber.

Resembling in form or structure a foraminiferous shell of the genus Nodosaria. -- n. (Zoöl.)

A genus of extinct Tertiary Foraminifera, having a thin, flat, round shell, containing a large number of small chambers arranged spirally.

A genus of living Foraminifera, forming broad, thin, circular disks, containing numerous small chambers.

A genus of minute living Foraminifera having a globular shell.

A genus of large arenaceous fossil Foraminifera found in the Cretaceous rocks. The species are globular, or nearly so, and are of all sizes up to that of a tennis ball.

A division of Foraminifera, including those having perforated shells.

A division of Foraminifera including those having a manychambered shell.

Many-chambered; -- applied to shells of Foraminifera and cephalopods. See Illust. of Nautilus.

Having a smooth, compact shell without pores; -- said of certain Foraminifera.

slender and coalesce at certain points, forming irregular meshes. It includes the shelled Foraminifera, together with some groups which lack a true shell.