8 " ENDEAVOUR " SCIENTIFIC RESULTS. 



and the general distinctness of lines between the classes and 

 orders, all tending to make a correct interpretation of the 

 distribution at least hopefully feasible. Of course, we are 

 just beginning to approach the problem and do not as yet 

 know all of its factors, but the possibiUty of a solution cannot 

 be fairly denied. The collections made by the "Endeavour" 

 have certainly thrown a flood of light on the composition of 

 the Australian Echinoderm fauna, and hence bring us that 

 much nearer to a knowledge of its origin. 



For the honour done me in entrusting these valuable 

 collections to me, and for the privilege of studying them, I 

 desire to express my thanks to the Minister of Trade and 

 Customs of the Commonwealth of Austraha, Honourable 

 Frank Gwynne Tudor, and to the former Comptroller- General 

 for Trade and Customs, Nicholas Lockyer, Esq., I.S.O., and, of 

 course, to Mr. Robert Etheridge, Curator of the Australian 

 Museum. Since my correspondence has been entirely with 

 Mr. Etheridge, I cannot forbear the expression of my great 

 appreciation of his uniform courtesy, consideration and 

 patience. To collaborate with him in scientific work is 

 indeed a great pleasure. 



II. — Description of the Genera and Species. 

 CRINOIDEA. 



The Crinoids collected by the " Endeavour " are of the 

 greatest interest. There are two hundred and sixteen 

 specimens, representing sixteen species, eight of which seem 

 to be new to science, and ten genera, of which three have not 

 previously been recorded from Australia. More than haK the 

 specimens (one hundred and forty-four) represent a single 

 well-known species, while five species are represented by only 

 a single specimen each, and five others by only two each. Of 

 the eight species previously known to science, all have been 

 recorded from Australia before, indeed seven of them are 

 characteristic of the Australian fauna and only two have been 

 reported outside this region. The " Endeavour " collection 

 extends, often very considerably, the known range of four of 

 these eight species. Undoubtedly the magnificent new 

 stalked crinoid from off the south-eastern corner of the 

 continent is the most notable form taken, but the new species 

 of Oreometra and Cosmiometra are very fine. The number of 

 species of Crinoids now recorded from Austraha is sixty-six, 

 not including those taken in depths exceeding three hundred 



