248 Miscellaneous. 



On the contrary, these pieces sometimes become gradually less and 

 less alternately arranged, until they appear to the eye, as examined 

 by the aid of a glass, ^to abut against each other, so as to form re- 

 gular joints, like those of a minute column composed of little rings or 

 disks. In the specimen under consideration there appears, at a first 

 glance, to be two of these long appendages issuing from one disk or 

 body ; but a closer inspection shows that there are two of the disks 

 growing or crushed one against or partly upon the other. 



The inquiry has been suggested whether these may not have 

 been free crinoids, with the power of attaching and detaching them- 

 selves at will, by the flat side opposite the long appendage ? Among 

 the objections, however, that present themselves to this view, may 

 be mentioned the fact, that the most careful examinations under the 

 very best magnifiers, of both the inner and outer surfaces of this 

 flat side, by which the disk is usually found attached, fail to detect 

 even the most minute openings ; and as there are no traces of arms 

 or pinnulee, it is diflicult to understand by what means the animal 

 could thus have attached and detached itself, or have sought, and 

 adjusted itself to, a suitable station, when once detached. In ad- 

 dition to this, they are sometimes found growing upou uneven sur- 

 faces, and closely conforming to the inequalities of the same, even to 

 lines and furrows on the surface of a shell ; while the rigid radiating 

 laminae of the interior would seem to preclude the possibility of such 

 an adjustment by flexibility*. 



It is perhaps scarcely necessary to add that the irregular ar- 

 rangement of the plates composing the disk of this type, without any 

 tendency to arrange themselves into radial and interradial series, 

 together with its general habit of growth, show that it belongs to 

 the Cystoklea, and not to the typical group of Crinoidea. Its want 

 of arms and pinnulae also approximates it to the Cystoidea, in which 

 the arms are generally in a more or less rudimentary condition, or 

 the former, in some cases, even entirely wanting. In its apparent 

 entire absence of both arms and pinnulae, and especially in its want 

 of visible openings and the possession of a system of internal radia- 

 ting laminae, it is entirely peculiar, and unlike any other known 

 type, either of the typical Crinoidea or Cystoidea. How the re- 

 spiratory, reproductive, and nutritive functions of such a being as it 

 appears to be could have been performed, remains a mystery ; and 

 hence it is evident that something yet remains to be learned in regard 

 to its structure. 



Of course, such a form cannot be properly ranged in any of the 

 recognized families of the typical Crinoidea or of the Cystoidea, but 

 should be regarded as the type of a new family of the latter, under 

 the name LicJicnocrinidce. — Silliman^s American Journal, Jan. 1872. 



• One specimen, now before me, from Mr. Dyer's collection, is seen 

 lying in the matrix in such a manner as to expose the detached under 

 side of the disk, while one of its edges is curved and folded upon itself. 

 As none of the plates, however, are broken or displaced, nor any of the 

 sutures between them gaping along the folded edge, I cannot believe this 

 folding due to flexibility, but that some peculiarity of its station caused 

 this individual to grow in this way. 



