106 POTERIOCRIXID-E EXTRACRINUS. 



From the occurence of animal exuvije in wiiich the ossicula of the E. Briareus form 

 a considerable portion, it is evident that the predaceous fishes of the liassic seas committed 

 great havoc among the lily-stars of that period. The letter A in our first plate, repre- 

 senting a beautiful group of E. Briareus is annexed to the coprolitic matter. 



The group in the plate referred to, is there erroneously denominated Pentacrinus 

 Briareus, instead of Extracrinus Briareus. 



As a proof of the fidelity with which our illustrations are executed, it may be observed 

 that the late Mr. James Johnson, to whom this very interesting group of crinoids 

 originally belonged, carefully compared the lithographic illustration with the original, 

 without, M'e believe, discovering a single error or omission. The specimen referred to 

 is now in the British Museum. 



According to Dugdale, the family of Shuckborough derive a symbol in their coat of 

 arms from the columnar articulations of the Extracrini. In his Antiquities of Warwick- 

 shire he says — "This family do bear in their arms, Sahle, a cJierroii helni.rt llui'c Mullets ; 

 relating, as 'tis observable, to those little stones called Astroiles, which are very like a 

 mullet, and are frequently found in the plowed fields hereabouts." 



This circumstance may have given rise to the opinion that the heraldic symbol of the 

 mullet was originally derived from the star-like forms observed on the columnar joints 

 of these fossil bodies, but the heraldic mullet has been, we think, with greater propriety, 

 considered as representing a spur-rowel. 



The columnar articulations have been termed Astcrite, or Star-stones. Aster'up Coluni- 

 nares, or Columnar Star-stones. They were also formerly called Sldlar'uc, or Lupides 

 Stellares, and in Germany they are popularly termed Slernstieiics. They are also locally 

 known in different parts of England by a host of trivial names, such as Castles and 

 Apostles, Lassington Stones, &c. 



■ 2. Species. Extracrinus lepidotus. (Austin.) 

 PL 13. fyures 1 a, to 1 k. 



Definition. — Dorso-central plate quinquepartite ; first series of lateral perisomic pieces 

 five; second series five, prolonged below the dorso-ccntral plate, and apparentl}' jointed 

 as in the typical species ; column composed of alternate thick and thin articulations, 

 and furnished with numerous delicate round side arms. 



