45 
III. GENUS PENTACRINITES vet PENTACRINUS. 
FIVE ANGLED LILY-SHAPED ANIMAL. 
Generic Character. 
An animal with a column formed of numerous pentangular joints, articu- 
lating by surfaces with pentapetalous semistriated markings. Superior colum- 
nar joint supporting a pelvis of five joints, on which five first costals rest 
succeeded by five second costals and five seapule, from which ten arms pro- 
ceed, having each two hands, composed of several tentaculated fingers. 
Column long, having numerous auxiliary side arms. 
' 
Base unascertained, 
Observation. * 
The generic name is derived from the five cornered shape of the column. 
One of its species has occurred in a recent state, and furnishes'a clue for 
the illustration of many facts relative to the crinoidea. The genus ALEcro 
of Dr. Leacu approximates the genus PentTacrinus to the Asreri® and 
ComatuLa of M. Lamarck. 
There are instances of the column of this genus having sometimes a 
tetragonal, or hexagonal form, these I consider as monstrous varieties. Of the 
former figures exist in Townsenn’s Character of Mosss, vol. 1. PL. x1. fig. 5. 
Parxinson’s Org. Rem. vol. 1, Pu. x11. fig. 59. Horer, tab. vi. 77. of the 
latter, Townsenp, vol. 1. Px. x1. fig. 2. Bruckman’s Thesaurus Subter, Duc. 
Brunsw. p.1. Cap. 1x. p. 66, 
