CARBONIFEROUS CRINOID ''FINGERS OR ''BRANCHES. 



61 



ally fixed by a plaster-like cement with root-like processes round 

 the edges, which are sometimes seen to form a rough network. 



From my specimens it cannot be said "with certainty whether or 

 not they indicate that it was the " fingers " which sprung from the 

 top of the calyx (and by the aid of which the animal fed itself), 

 or the jointed "branches" which grew from the sides of the 

 column, or both, that had the grasping power. 



Specimens Exhibited. 



1. Crinoid " fingers " or '• branches " twisted round the stems 

 of Crinoids. 



2. " Eootlets " of a Silurian Crinoid. 



3. Corallina officinalis, Linn., showing the calcareous plaster 

 with which it is fixed to stones. 



4. "Cups" of the Crinoids to which the grasping '• fingers" 

 probably belonged. 



5. Bases of young Carboniferous Crinoids. 



ri2fure A. Part of Crinoid " finger " or " branch " twisted 

 three times round a Crinoid stem. Carboni- 

 ferous. 



B. Crinoid " root " twisted round Crinoid stem. 

 Carboniferous. 



c. Base of Crinoid stem fixed by " rooting" processes 

 to a Sun Coral. Silurian. 



S 



