Dr. J. E. Gray on Myriosteon Higginsii. 63 



surface, with circles of six triangular radiating pores near the margin 

 of each ossicle — the ossicles near the thickest part of the body being 

 the largest, and very gradually diminishing in size towards the top. 



The ossicles are all placed on a rather solid, thick, hard internal 

 layer, which is formed of closely intertwined short longitudinal fibres, 

 or opaque bone-like spicula, which seem to give considerable rigiditv 

 to the body. 



The convex upper edge has two longitudinal series of oblong 

 pores, rather unequal in size, and sometimes placed so close together 

 as to run nearly into one another, and at others separated from each 

 other by a considerable interval. The larger pores are surrounded 

 by a slightly raised edge, showing that some tentacle or other body 

 is emitted through them. There are also a few smaller circular 

 pores scattered on the sides of the tube. 



Myriosteon Higginsii, sp. nov. (Figs. 1-5.) 



Hab. ? 



The fragment of this animal, which alone is known, is 26| inches 

 long and 3 inches in circumference at the base, tapering to a rather 

 blunt end, which is pervious ; but it is evidently imperfect, and may 

 be closed in the perfect state. The flattened part of the base is rather 

 more than half an inch wide at its widest part. 



I have named the specimen after the Rev. H. H. Higgins, one of 

 the trustees of the Derby Museum at Liverpool, well known for his 

 attachment to science. 



I was soon convinced that the specimen was not the tail of a Rav, 

 nor indeed any part of a vertebrated, annulose, or molluscous animal ; 

 so that it must belong to the radiated group ; and the question is 

 to which part of the group it is most nearly allied. 



The formation of the external skeleton and the general form of the 

 parts which alone have as yet been examined lead me to believe that 

 it is part of an Echinoderm, being probably the single ray of a 

 radiated body. The structure of the external skeleton resembles more 

 closely that of one of the more tessellated forms of the cylindrical- 

 rayed Starfish than that of any other animal that has occurred to me ; 

 but it differs from the arms of these animals in not being provided with 

 regular ambulacra, which is the essential character of the Starfish. 



I am therefore induced to believe that the specimen may indicate 

 a new group of radiated animals, nearly allied to Asterias. It 

 appears to be much more rigid than the Starfish are in general ; and 

 it will at any rate form a new family, for which the name of Myrio- 

 steidce may be given. 



I do not recollect to have seen any fossil that has any resemblance 

 to the specimen, or to the separate parts of it. 



The ossicles differ also from those of Asterias in not being covered 

 with granules, and from the Asteriadce and Echinidce in not being 

 provided with spines on moveable joints. 



The lateral edges of the flat portion of the specimen are more or 

 less distinctly marked, and in some places, especially near the small 

 end, are raised up into an irregular margin, formed by irregularities 



