234 



MARINE INVERTEBRATES 



Class 



CRINOIDEA 



Genera 



Fentacrinus 

 Comatula, 



CLASS CRINOIDEA 



FEATHER-STARS AND SEA-LILIES 



The crinoids are inhabitants of deep water, where they grow 

 in great numbers, forming beds of sea-lilies. Their general 

 form, which suggests the lily, and their feather-like manner of 

 branching, give them the two common names of sea-lilies and 

 sea-feathers. They have a long, jointed stalk, one end of which 

 is attached, while the other bears the disk of the animal. From 

 the disk emanate five arms, which divide near the base, making 



The feather-star (Antedon), illustrating the Comatula form of crinoid, 



