248

HOWCHINIA BRADYANA (HOWCHIN) ANDITS DISTRffiUTION IN THE LOWER

CARBONIFEROUS OF ENGLANDBy A. G. DAVIS, F.G.S.

[Received 8 March 1951]

CONTENTS

I. INTRODUCTION2. SYSTEMATICS3. PARTICULARS OF LOCALITIES

ACKNOWLEDGMENTSEXPLANATION OF PLATESREFERENCES ...

PAGE248248250252253253

SUMMARY.-The foraminifer Howchinia bradyana (Howchin) is re-describedand re-figured and a lectotype chosen. Previously only known from the typelocality, its distribution is now extended to the midland provinces. Its strati­graphical range has been determined with more certainty than hitherto.

1. INTRODUCTIONIN the course of the D'Arcy Exploration Company's exploratory

drilling in the Lower Carboniferous of the northern and midlandcounties of England the utility of foraminiferal controls was in­stanced by the re-discovery of Howchinia bradyana (Howchin). Therecognition of a comparatively short ranged form as an indicator ofthe proximity of D limestones at depth became an important factorboth in attaining operational objectives and also in correlation.Howchinia bradyana was discovered in 1873 by the Rev. WalterHowchin in the limestone outcrops of Cowburn and Tipalt inNorthumberland and was not again encountered until 1941 when thewriter recognised it in cores from No. 1 boring at Cleveland Hills,Yorkshire. Exploratory drilling during the years 1941-8 has yielded aconsiderable amount of information regarding the distribution ofthis species and it is now known that it makes its earliest appearancein the highest D limestones and ranges upwards to the limestonefacies of P'd. Its acme is probably in B2- P,a where it is sufficientlyabundant to be recovered and recognised in rotary cuttings.

Northumberland still remains the most northern geographicaloccurrence while its southern limit is, at depth, in Nottinghamshire.

2. SYSTEMATICS

Genus: HOWCHINIA Cushman, 1927Genotype Patellina bradyana Howchin, 1888. Monotypic. Lower

Carboniferous. England.

HOWCHINIA BRADYANA (HOWCHIN) 249

Howchinia bradyana (Howchin)Plates 10 and 11

Patellina bradyana Howchin, 1888, p. 544, pI. IX, figs. 22-5.Howchinia bradyana (Howchin) Cushman, 1927, p. 42, pl. 6, figs. 4a-b

(reproduced from Howchin 1888); 1928, p. 179, pl. 23, figs. 1-4; 1933,p. 174, pl. 19, figs. 18-9.

Howchinia bradyana (Howchin) Galloway, 1933, pp. 88-9, pl. 7, figs. 8a-b(reproduced from Howchin 1888).

Howchinia bradyana (Howchin) Cushman, 1940, p. 193, pl. 19, figs. 18-9.Howchinia bradyana (Howchin) Davis, 1945, table facing p, 314.Howchinia bradyana (Howchin) Cushman, 1948, p, 210, pl. 19, figs. 18-9.

Lectotype: The type and original figured specimens have notbeen traced, but in H. B. Brady's collections, preserved inthe British Museum (Natural History), is a set of ten topo­types from Northumberland. PA0403 ' is here selected aslectotype.

Topotypes: P.3l895, PA0342 and P.366l6, the latter consistingof seven examples mounted on a single slide. The writer isindebted to Mr. C. D. Ovey for permission to prepare sec­tions of topotypes P.3l895 and PA0342.

Howchin's original description is as follows:Test free; conical; trochoid; primordial end obtusely pointed; transversesection circular; length equal to two or three times the diameter of the test;inferior side slightly concave; external surface limbate; exhibiting numerousannular, semi-annular, or spiral whorls of raised shell-substance alternatingwith lines of depression; depressed areas bridged by minute crenulations ofthe test, which, as raised transverse lines, connect the limbate septal ridges.Internal structure a simple, undivided and continuous spiral chamber (oralternating semi-annular chambers?). Chamber cavity compressed. Umbilicalregion extending almost the entire length of the shell and of nearly equaldiameter throughout, filled with uniform shell substance. Convolutions ofspire varying from five to twelve; average number ten. Aperture a narrowslit, extending from the periphery to the umbilical margin. Umbilicusdepressed; or frequently, marked by a raised lip extending from the umbilicaltermination of the orifice, forming a low semi-circular wall defining thecentral portions of the test. Length about 1/38 in.; diameter, at base, 1/100in.

After an examination of the type material and many examples inthin rock sections from a number of new localities, it may be said thatHowchin's careful description still stands and only needs slight re­vision. The test is trochoid and consists of a spiral tube wound rounda conical umbilical core of microcrystalline shell structure. Thespiral tube shows in some instances traces of a septum and Howchin'ssuggestion that the tube might form alternating semi-annular cham­bers, is probably correct. These septa may be traces of growth stagesor the laying down of calcium carbonate. The original figures, show­ing the external features, on comparison with the type material, sug­gest that the crenulation or pitting of the test is an exaggeration of

I Registered numbers prefixed by P. refer to specimens preserved in the British Museum(Natural History); other registrations refer to the Geological Survey Museum, London.

250 A. G. DAVIS

the artist. Subsequent reproductions of Howchin's figures (by Cush­man and Galloway) have suffered so much from re-touching that afresh series of figures is required.

The structure of the shell wall is minutely granular as in Endothyraand Fusulina as described by Wood (1949, p. 238). The whorls aremarked out on the exterior by zonal bands of lighter or darkershading. The umbilical plug or core is often coarsely crystalline anddiffers from the wall structure and the surrounding matrix. Thevarying degrees of grain structure may be due to re-crystallisation.

Measurements. Average full-grown individuals:­Height 0'6 mm. Diameter at base 0'25 mm.

Examples are often found which have only attained less than thefirst two whorls (Richmond, Yorks.).

Remarks. Howchinia is at present only known from the EnglishCarboniferous and is regarded as a derivative of Cornuspira Schultze.Lasiotrochus Reichel and Lasciodiscus Reichel both differ fromHowchinia in possessing pillared umbilical plugs and in the extra­ordinary development of an outer coat of fringe-like processes. Boththese genera may be derived from Howchinia and occur in the UpperPermian of Cyprus and Greece (Reichel, M., 1946, pp. 525-29).

Tetrataxis linea Ozawa (1925, p. 9, pl. 2, fig. 1) from the UpperPermian of Japan should be referred to the genus LasiotrochusReichel.

Considerable study of the genera Trocholina Paalzow and Prob­lematina Borneman has been accomplished by Henson (1948, pp.445-59) who has traced their ancestry to the genus Cornuspira.Further, Henson (op. cit., p. 450) hints very strongly that a renewedstudy of Howchinia may reveal cornuspirine affinities.

Trocholina is found in deposits believed to be of Triassic age andupward to the Cretaceous in the Middle East, while Problematinais well known in the Jurassic of Europe and Asia.

Palaeoecology. Howchinia is found associated with other foramini­fera of the genera Endothyra, Cornuspira, Cribrostomum, Tetrataxis,etc., in thin limestones free from muddy or sandy contamination.In the high D, limestones it is often found associated with abundantdasycladaceous algae. In most cases associated foraminifera arepresent in considerable numbers and the circumstances suggest anideal littoral free from sand, silt or black muds and close to or on thefringes of algal grounds.

3. PARTICULARS OF LOCALITIESBelow is arranged by counties, particulars of localities and sites,

depths from O.D. at which specimens were recovered, and of strati­graphical horizons, where identified, and other relevant data.

The stratigraphical horizon shown in each case is that determined

PROC. GEOL. Assoc., VOL. 62 (1951). PLATE 10

23b.

22.

1.

25 •24.

2.

3.

4. 5. 6.

Howchinia bradyana (Howchin), Lower Carboniferous

[To face page 250.

HOWCHINIA BRADYANA (HOWCHIN) 251

by the D'Arcy Exploration Company's geologists, except where theauthority is quoted in brackets.

YorkshireAldjield.-Exploratory boring No.1, 1945, D'Arcy Exploration

Company. Long. 1° 37' 55'6" W., Lat. 54° 6' 28'9" N.Singleexamples occurred at the following depths: 340-43ft.,417-20ft., 426-27ft., 428-29ft. (PA0405.)Horizon: White limestone below the Red Scar Grit.

Cleveland Hills.-Exploratory boring No.1, 1941, Gulf Ex­ploration Company. Long. 1° 10' 32" W., Lat. 54° 22' 42"N. Poorly preserved examples at 4304£1.Horizon: Third Set or Underset, high P, (Hudson).

Kirkleatham.-Exploratory boring No.1, 1945, D'Arcy Ex­ploration Company. Long, 1° 5' 25'5" W., Lat. 54° 34'59'5" N. Rare, 3615-16ft.Horizon: Ca. 60ft. above Chert Series.

Richmond.-Outcrop sample collected by Dr. R. G. S. Hudson1941. Old Quarry, West of Aske Hall, Gilling Lane. Long.1o 43' 45" W., Lat. 54° 25' 35" N. Plentiful. (PA0404,40407,40416-18,63024,83914-16).Horizon: Third Set Limestone. p a-

NorthumberlandCowburn and Tipalt (outcrops).-D Limestone, as stated by

Howchin in his original description. Brady's topotypes arelabelled more precisely, 'Old High Shd., Tipalt ', Long.2° 30' 46" W., Lat. 54° 59' 53" N. (P.31895, 36616, 40342,40403.)

NottinghamshireEakring Oil Field.-Well No. 151, 1944. D'Arcy Exploration

Company. Long. 0° 58' 51-7" W., Lat. 53° 7' 37" N. Rareat 2636ft. (PA0409) and at 2650ft. (PA0413.)Horizon: P" or D. top.

Hockerton.-Exploratory boring No.2, D'Arcy ExplorationCompany 1948. Long. 0° 57' 37" W., Lat. 53° 6' 54'25" N.Frequent at 2760ft., 2763ft. and 2766£1., associated with adasycladaceous alga.Horizon: ? High D•.

Kirklington.-Exploratory boring No. I, D'Arcy ExplorationCompany, 1947. Long. 0° 57' 54'50" W., Lat. 53° 5'56'85" N. Rare, 2766ft. (PA0408, 40411-12.)Horizon: High Da-

Normanton.-Exploratory boring No.4, 1945, D'Arcy Ex­ploration Company. Long. 0° 55' 19-8" W., Lat. 53°4' 54'9" N. Rare at 2607-10ft.Horizon: Top of Do Limestone.

252 A. G. DAVIS

Widmerpool.-Exploratory boring No. 1. D'Arcy ExplorationCompany, 1945. Long. 1° 3' 15'9" W.,Lat. 52° 51' 34'7" N.Frequent at the following depths: 4836ft. (PA0414),4851ft. (PA0406) and 4966ft. (PA0415.)Horizon: Limestone Shales series with Girtyoceras sphaericaand G. striatus (Stubblefield). P',CP2'

Wysall.-Exploratory boring No.1, D'Arcy Exploration Com­pany, 1948. Long. 1° 6' 19'75" N., Lat. 52° 50' 31'85" N.Erratic boulder of black limestone in superficial depositsexposed in mud pits. (PA041O.)

DerbyshireAlport.-Exploratory boring by Messrs. Steel Bros., 1941.

Long. 1° 47' 50", Lat. 53° 24' 55". Rare at 1204ft. and1207ft. (PA0419.)Horizon: Subzone of Goniatites koboldi (Pro) (Hudson andCotton). Rare at 1378ft. (BC36905 and BC36915.)Horizon: Goniatites crenistria. Lower (P'A) zone (Hudsonand Cotton). Rare at 1605ft. (BC3716a and BC36176.)Horizon: Prolecanites Beds. Subzone of Beyrichocerasdelicatum (Upper B2) (Hudson and Cotton). (BC3750S,BC3751S, and BC3753S.) Rare at 1644ft. and 1671ft.Horizon: Alport Limestone, Palaeosmilia murchisoni (D,Zone). (Hudson and Cotton). (BC37545A, BC37545 andBC3758S.)

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The writer wishes to express his greatest thanks to all who haverendered assistance to him in this work. First, to the Chairman andDirectors of the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company Limited, for per­mission to publish results obtained by their subsidiary, the D'ArcyExploration Company, and to Dr. G. M. Lees, F.R.S., who en­trusted him with this research, and to his colleagues, Mr. P. C.Betambeau, Dr. P. E. Kent, Messrs. A. H. Taitt and M. W. Strong,for facilities in the field and the laboratory.

For the loan of material from Richmond (Yorks.), his thanks aredue to Dr. R. G. S. Hudson who also used his good officesto arrangeloans of material from borings by Messrs. Steel Bros., and the GulfExploration Company. His sincere thanks are due to Dr. C. J.Stubblefield, F.R.S., for the loan of slides and specimens from theGeological Survey Museum collections.

Lastly he thanks Mr. C. D. Ovey for facilities for the study of thetype material under his charge at the British Museum (NaturalHistory).

PROC. GEOL. Assoc., VOL. 62 (1951). PLATE 11

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Howchinia bradyana (Howchin), Lower Carboniferous,

[To face page 252.

HOWCHINIA BRADYANA (HOWCHIN) 253

EXPLANATION OF PLATESPLATE 10

Fig. 1. Howchin's original figures of Patellina bradyana 1888, 22 and 23a, sideviews; 23b, basal view; 24, section above base; 25, vertical section.

Figs. 2-6 Howchinia bradyana (Howchin).Fig. 2. Lectotype. Side view. Tipalt, Northumberland. x 200. (P.40403.)

3. Topotype. Vertical section. Tipalt, Northumberland. x 200. (P.40342.)4. Approx, horizontal section near base. Richmond, Yorks. x 200.

(P.40407.)5. Vertical section. Kirklington, Notts. x 200. (P.40408.)6. Oblique equatorial section. Richmond, Yorks. x 200. (83914.)

PLATE 11Figs. 1-10. Howchinia bradyana (Howchin).Fig. 1. Sub-axial section. Richmond, Yorks. x 200 (P.40404.)

2. Axial section. Alport, Yorks. Depth 1204ft. x 200. (3690S.)3. Approx. axial section. Aldfield, Yorks. Depth 427ft. x 200. (P.40405.)4. Axial section. Alport, Yorks. Depth 1207ft. x 200. (BC3691S.)5. Axial section, young individual. Widmerpool, Notts. Depth 4851ft.

x 200. (P.40406.)6. Approx. axial section. Richmond, Yorks. x 200. (63024.)7. Approx. equatorial section about the third whorl, showing septa. Alport,

Yorks. x 200. (3690S.)8. Sub-axial section. Richmond, Yorks. x 200. (83914.)9. Axial section, young individual. Richmond, Yorks. x 200. (83914.)

10. Axial section of young individual. Richmond, Yorks. x 200. (83914.)

REFERENCESCUSHMAN, J. 1927. An outline of a reclassification of the Foraminifera. Contr.

Cushman Lab. Foram. Res., 5 (3), pt. 1, 105 pp.---. 1928. Foraminifera, their classification and economic use. Sharon,

Mass. 401 pp.---. 1933. Ibid, 2nd ed. 349 pp. With an il\ustrated key to the genera of the

Foraminifera. 40 pis.---. 1940. Ibid, 3rd ed. 535 pp.---.1948. Ibid, 4th ed. 605 pp.DAVIS, A. G. 1945. Micro-organisms in the Carboniferous of the Alport Boring.

pp. 312-18. in Hudson, R. G. S. and G. Cotton. The Lower Carboni­ferous in a boring at Alport, Derbyshire. Proc. Yorks. Geol. Soc., 25,254-330.

GALLOWAY, J. J. 1933. A manual of Foraminifera. Bloomington, Indiana.483 pp.

HENSON, F. R. S. 1948. Foraminifera of the genus Trocholina in the Middle East.Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., London (2), 14, 445-59.

HOWCHIN, W. 1888. Additions to the knowledge of the Carboniferous Foramini­fera. Journ. Roy. Micr. Soc., London, pt. 2, 533-45.

OZAWA, Y. 1925. Palaeontological and stratigraphical studies on the Permo­Carboniferous Limestone of Nagato, pt. 2, Palaeontology Imp. Univ,Tokyo Coli. Sci. Journ., 45, 1-90.

REICHEL, M. 1946. Sur quelques foraminiferes du Permien meditterraneen,Eclog. Geol. Helv., 38, 524-60.

WOOD, A. 1949. The structure of the wall of the test in the Foraminifera, its valuein classification. Quart. Journ. Geo!. Soc. Lond., 104, 229-55.