58 Geological Society : the Rev. W. B. Clarke 



group. In the non-locomotive root-footed Crinoids the hase is com- 

 posed of many root-like branches, radiating in a more or less hori- 

 zontal or downward direction from the lower part of the column, 

 each branch bifurcating several times in an irregular manner. The 

 branches are perforated by a central foramen, and appear to be com- 

 posed in individuals of all ages, of a solid calcareous substance in- 

 capable of motion. 



Mr. Pearce divides his locomotive Crinoidea into two sections, 

 Branch-footed and Sucker -footed. The branch-footed are charac- 

 terised by the organ of attachment, or foot, being composed of a 

 number of jointed branches, in some species simple, in others bifur- 

 cating, or dividing in an irregular manner, and generally terminating 

 in a minute blunt point. Each joint has a central foramen, and is 

 articulated by alternate radiating ridges and grooves, admitting of 

 the greatest degree of flexibility, forming an organ which the author 

 regards as well adapted to crawl along the bottom of the ocean, or 

 to steady the animal against the motion of the water. The columns 

 of this group are generally furnished with side-arms, extending to a 

 greater or less distance from the foot, and sometimes the whole 

 length of the column. Examples are, Apiocrinites ellipticus from the 

 chalk, Pentacrinus Briareus from the lias, Actinocrinites tessellatus, 

 Platycrinites gigas, and several undetermined species from the moun- 

 tain limestone ; also Cyathocrinites goniodactylus, and several unde- 

 termined species from the Dudley limestone. 



The sucker-footed locomotive Crinoids have the column destitute of 

 side-arms, and terminating at its inferior extremity in a blunt point. 

 Mr. Pearce subdivides them into Crinoideform and Comatuliform. 



The following table exhibits Mr. Pearce's views of the classification 

 of the family Crinoidea. 



Fam. Group. 



Non-loco- 

 motive 



1 



locomotive ■ 



Division. 



Solid-footed . 

 Root-footed.... 

 Branch-footed. 



Sucker-footed • 



Subdivision. 



Crinoideform 

 Comatuliform. 



Genus. 



Apiocrinites 

 Encrinites 

 Cyathocrinites 

 Eugeniacrinites 



Cyathocrinites 



Apiocrinites 



Pentacrinus 



Actinocrinites 



Platycrinites 



Cyathocrinites 



Actinocrinites 



Apiocrinites 



Species. 



rotundus. 



moniliformis. 



tuberculatus. 



nutans. 



quinqueangularis. 



rugosus. 



ellipticus. 



Briareus, jun. 



tessellatus. 



gigas. 



goniodactylus. 



moniliformis. 



fusiformis. 



" On an entirely new form of Encrinite from the Dudley Lime- 

 stone." By J. Chaning Pearce, Esq., F.G.S. 



The fossils described in this communication were discovered by 

 Mr. John Gray of Dudley. Mr. Pearce regards them as constitu- 

 ting a new genus which he proposes to name Pseudocrinites, inclu- 

 ding two species both having "the arms and fingers inserted in 

 bands, which commence just above the column and pass over the 



