The name was originally applied to mud collected from the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean when planning the location of the first transatlantic telegraph cables and it was mainly composed of the shells of Globigerina bulloides.

[2] Globigerina is a marine microorganism characterized by its spherical, coiled shell known as a test.

The test of Globigerina is constructed from calcareous material and contains pores in a cylindrical pattern, allowing for the exchange of substances.

However, upon death or fossilization, these spines break, leaving behind short, blunt remnants that create a rough texture on the surface, referred to as a hispid appearance.

The aperture, or opening, of the test is located at the top and takes the form of a high umbilical arch.