LOWER CARBONIFEROUS SPECIES. 



^ILS OF THE BDRLINGTON GROUP. 



E CHINODE RM AT A. 



ON THE STRUCTUEE A^TD HABITS OF THE PALAE- 

 OZOIC CUIXOIDEA. 

 BY F. B. MEEK AND A. H. WOE THEN. 



(Proceedings Acad. Xat. Science, Philadelphia, 1868, p. 323, et seq.) 



Through the kindness of Mr. CHARLES WACHSMUTH, of Burlington, 

 Io\va. we have recently had an opportunity to examine some unique and 

 exceedingly interesting specimens of Carboniferous Crinoids, showing 

 parts of the structure of these animals, in some instances, never before 

 observed, so far as we are at this time informed. In a few iustai; 

 these specimens show internal organs entirely free from the matrix, and 

 although, like all the other solid parts of these curious creatures, com- 

 ped of numerous calcareous pieces, really surpassing in delicacy of 

 structure the finest lace- work, and so frail that a touch, or even a breath, 

 might almost destroy them. Some of these specimens we propose to 

 notice here. but. before proceeding to do so, we avail ourselves of this 

 opportunity to express our thanks to Mr. WACHS^IUTH for the zeal, in- 

 dustry, skill and intelligence he has brought to bear, in collecting and 

 preparing for study, such an -unrivaled series of the beautiful fossil 

 ( 'rinoidea.ot this wonderfully rich locality. Some idea of the extent of 

 his collection of these precious relics may be formed, when we state 

 that of the single family Actinocrinida.' alone, after making due allow- 

 ance for probable synonyms, he must have specimens of near 150 

 species, or perhaps more, and many of them showing the body, arms 

 and column. 



