with in New Zealand, only those from the Lower Pliocene Wairoa formation are exactly similar. From the same Italian stage d'Orbigny described Bulimina echinata; this distinctive and uncommon form occurs in the North Canterbury Bourne Sandstone, of Lower to Middle Pliocene age, and has recently been recorded by Parr (1939, p. 67) as restricted in Australia to the Kalimnan (Lower Pliocene). Parr also records Rectobolivina striatula Cushman as ranging from Kalimnan to Recent; in New Zealand, too, it covers this range, but extends down to the Uppermost Miocene, a horizon doubtfully recognised in Australia. In the Opoitian (Lowest Pliocene) also a modern Globigerinid assemblage appears for the first time, characterised by Globigerinoides rubra (d'Orb.), G. sacculifera (Brady), Globorotalia truncatulinoides (d'Orb.) (none of which are known elsewhere before late Tertiary), Globorotalia inflata (d'Orb.), and G. crassula Cush. and Stewart.