Smaller radiate Nummulites of Northwestern Europe

Abstract

After the completion of J. P. H. KAASSCHIETER's monograph on the "Eocene
\nForaminifera of Belgium" (1961), an extensive collection of smaller radiate
\nNummulites from the Belgian Eocene remained without specific determination
\nin the collections of the Utrecht Geological Institute. KAASSCHIETERhad found
\nthat naming these fossils on the basis of the existing literature would lead to
\nvery unsatisfactory results. He felt that a tremendous lot of work in measuring
\nand counting should be needed to arrive at a still dubious ultimate result, for
\nwhich reason he preferred to leave his collections as an heritage to a later
\ngeneration.
\nSince a rapid survey of the material shows no clear pattern of development
\nwithin this group of Nummulites, no single student dared undertake the work.
\nIt was not until early 1963, while A. PAPP stayed in Utrecht for three months,
\nthat he and P. MARKSdeveloped a working scheme and put everybody available,
\nsome fifteen people altogether, to worL.
\nAt the end of these three months the results confirmed the previous opinion
\nthat the Eocene and Early Oligocene smaller Nummulites of the North Sea
\nbasin showed a peculiar evolutionary pattern and that they were of dubious
\nstratigraphic value. Because of these rather disappointing conclusions the work
\nslowed down, although at various time intervals additional data were gathered.
\nEventually, however, the evolution pattern and the stratigraphic results were
\nconsidered to be certainly worth publishing in the context of renewed interest
\nand activities around the Nordic Paleogene.