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two first bones (ej of a new series,, those of the forearm, 

 are articulated, and which, first dividing subdichotomously, 

 afterwards give out innumerable articulated fingers. Firm- 

 ness appears to have been given to this arrangement, by the 

 interposition of a small body (bj between each scapula, 

 which appears to perform the office of a clavicle by retaining 

 the scapulae in connection with the trunk. At various 

 distances, in different specieS; jointed vertebral processes 

 are given out from the spine, apparently for the purpose of 

 aiding the fingers in seizing and retaining the hold of dif- 

 ferent substances. As there is reason for believing that the 

 jointed spine was of considerable length, and as the fingers 

 were evidently capable of being fully expanded, the range 

 of the animal, though fixed at one extremity, must have 

 been very extensive. 



There are undoubtedly several species of this genus ; 

 but from the smallness of connected specimens, and from 

 their being often rendered indistinct by their being im- 

 bedded, and from other circumstances, the necessary dis- 

 tinction and separation are but seldom capable of being 

 made. The fossils of this genus, however, which are found 

 In Dorsetshire, manifest characters sufficiently important 

 and determinate to be assumed for specific distinction : it is 

 to this fossil I presumed to give the name briarean penta- 

 crinite, remarking that it was characterized by its numerous 

 and widely comprehensive arms, &c. and by its long jointed 

 arm-like spinous processes given off from every side of each 

 vertebra. 



The fossil remains of this species are particularly abun- 

 dant in the cliffs of Lyme, and of Charmouth in Dorsetshire. 

 The remains of other species distinguishable from this by 

 the vertebral processes being given off, not from every 

 vertebra, but at certain distances, are found in the lias in 

 different parts of Gloucestershire, and in the more north- 

 eastern parts of the Island ; but the discovery of more 



