. 
r 
13 
a. 
: 
4 
MARSUPITES MILLERI, ~ 299 
the Ophiuride than of the Crinoidea.* This order com- 
prises several genera, and is the type under which the Cri- 
noidea first appear in the natural records of our planet, 
according to the present state of our knowledge, and which 
- becomes extinct before the advent of the Pentacrinites. 
Marsupires Minzeri. Lign. 92, fig. 3, Lign. 96. (Wond. 
p. 652.)—The fossil remains of a genus related to the Encri- 
nites, but separated from them by being unattached and free, 
having no column of support, were first described by the 
late Mr. Parkinson under the name of “ Tortoise Encrinite” 
(Org. Rem. vol. ii. pl. ‘xiii. fig. 24, Pact, Atlas, pl. xlvii.) ; 
but misled by the resemblance of some of the plates to those 
of certain species of Actinocrinites, Mr. Parkinson supposed 
the original’ to have possessed a jointed column. The ex- 
amination of specimens obtained from the Chalk of Lewes 
and Brighton, enabled me to determine the true characters 
of the original; the purse-like form when the arms are closed 
Suggested the name Marsuprres (pwrse-like), by which it 
is now generally known; the specific name Milleri, is in 
commemoration of the late excellent and able author of the 
Natural History of the Crinoidea. 
_ The receptacle of the Marsupite is of a sub-ovate shape, 
and rounded and entire at the dorsal extremity; a large 
central plate forms its base, on which is placed a successive - 
Series of pentagonal and hexagonal plates, the margins of 
which are in contact, but not anchylosed nor firmly united ; 
to the periphery of this cup are articulated five arms, which 
subdivide into ten rays, or tentacula. The top of the re- 
ceptacle was closed by an integument, covered by numerous 
small semilunar plates, in the centre of which was situated 
the oral aperture. The external surfaces of the plates of the 
receptacle are generally granulated and radiated, as in Lign. 
92, fig. 3; but in some specimens the surface is quite smooth, 
a character which possibly may be specific. Some examples 
* See a memoir on the British Cystidea, by Prof. Ed. Forbes ; in 
the Mem. Geological Survey, vol. ii. 
