132 



HARDWICKE'S SCIENCE -GOSSIP. 



These Encrinites are often spoken of as Zoophytes, 

 — a term which, although still in use among natural- 

 ists, is a bad one, inasmuch as it conveys the idea that 

 the creatures thus named partake of an intermediate 

 nature between animals and plants. At any rate, this 



b 



Fig. n6. Individual of P^w/rt- 

 crinus expanded (mag- 

 nified). 



Fig. 115. Larval stage of 

 Coinatitla {Pentacrinvs Eti- 

 ropatts), nat. size, adhering 

 to a Sea-fir. 



beginners in palaeontology, we regard it as a duty first of 

 all to disabuse the mind of errors, previously to placing 

 before it legitimately-deduced facts. We may say at the 



Fig. 117. Living West Indian Encrinite {Pentacrbtus Capiii-Medtiscf). 



is the popular signification attached to the word 

 zoophyte by the unscientific public. Encrinites have 

 been loosely grouped among Zoophytes, and so have 

 been regarded with the same degree of haziness. As 

 these papers are intended solely for the use of first 



Fig. n8. Triassic 'E.ncriml^ {Encrinus 

 jiioniti/ormis). 



outset, therefore, that none of the Encrinite family 

 have any or the slightest relationship with plants of 

 any kind. They are most nearly related with'com- 

 mon marine animals, belonging to a group having a 



