135) 
The Comatule, as an approximating link, retaining the auxiliary side arms 
observable in the Pentacrini, have them proceeding from the pelvis, and possess 
no column, Yet these auxiliary side arms, the plated integument extending 
over the abdominal cavity, having in its centre the mouth capable of elongation 
into a proboscis, and the articulation and formation of the arm joints and ten- 
tacula, indicate their retaining too great an affinity to the Crinoidea than to 
render the transition to the Euryale satisfactory, and some intermediate link 
seems still wanting. 
The Marsupite, by having no column, no auxiliary side arms, and retaining 
the integument, appears to form the immediate link between the Crinoidea 
inarticulata and the Euryale. 
~ Mr. Parxtnson, although perhaps somewhat inconsistently, after including 
the column in his generic character of the Encrinites and Pentacrinites, has yet 
retained the Marsupite among them, and furnished a good figure and descrip- 
tion of it, as the Tortoise Encrinite. 
Mr. Gipeon Mantett, the author of a work on the Southdown fossils, 
which will shortly appear before the public, has (from his vicinity to the chalk 
pits of Brighton, where the Marsupite occurs) given its remains a due share of 
attention. It being generally found deprived of arms, and without the plated 
integument spreading over the space between the scapule, (thereby dis- 
playing the interior of the abdominal cavity) and in this mutilated state some- 
what resembling a purse, induced Mr.ManTcE zt to give it the name Marsupites, 
from the Latin. I think this name so well chosen, that I have taken the liberty 
to adopt it. 
¢ eo ‘ 
I know of but one species belonging to this genus ; but it may be well to 
observe that, on account of an imperfect anatomical investigation, Cyathocri- 
nites rugosus, of the transition limestone, from a similarity of markings on the 
plates and conformity of shape in the costals and scapule, has been considered 
as a species belonging to this genus, although it is evident that this Cyathocri- 
nite possessed a regular column, which the Marsupite never could have done ; 
and that the arrangement and number of the plates is very different in that 
Cyat pcites and the Marsupite, — 
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