PEDICELLATA. 4G7 



Some of tliis genus have the figure of a pentagon with rectilinear sides, 

 rather than that of a star. The radiation is only marked externally by the 

 groove of the feet. 



In others there is a slight re-entering angle in each side of the pentagon. 



The sides of some are concave, which approximates them to a stellated 

 figure. 



In these various species the caeca and the ovaries are not so elongated as in 

 most of those which have their rays elongated and separated by strongly 

 marked re-entering angles. 



Some species have more than five rays. Their caeca and ovaries are very short. 



We should separate those species in which the rays are destitute of the 

 longitudinal groove underneath for receiving the feet; generally, these rays 

 are not hollow, and the stomach is not prolonged into them in the form of 

 cxca, but its prominences remain in their intervals. Locomotion is princi- 

 pally effected by the curves and motions of the rays, and not by the feet, 

 which are too few for that purpose. 



Those which have five non-ramous rays round a central disk form the 

 OPHIUBTE of M. de Lamarck ; but we should also distinguish 



Those in which these rays are furnished on each side with moveable spines ; 

 the little fleshy feet also issue from each side between the origin of those spines. 



Those in which there are none of these lateral spines, but where the rays are 

 covered with imbricated scales, and resemble tails of serpents. The central 

 disk, in each interval of its rays, and on the side where the mouth is placed, 

 is marked by four holes which extend into the interior of the animal, serving 

 perhaps for respiration, or, according to others, for the issue of the ova. Their 

 only feet are in five short grooves, which form a star round the mouth. 



The GORGONOCEPHAL.E, Leach, called EURYALES by M. de Lamarck, are 

 those in which the rays are dichotomously divided. In some this division 

 commences at the base of the rays, presenting the appearance of a bundle of 

 serpents they are commonly called Medusa's Head. There are two preceding 

 holes at the base of each ray. 



In others, however, this division only commences at the end of the ray, and 

 is not often repeated. 



We should also separate the 



AI.ECTO of Leach, called COMATULA by M. de Lamarck. They have five 

 large articulated rays, each of which is divided into two or three, bearing two 

 ranges of articulated threads ; these five rays are attached to a petrous disk 

 also furnished, on the side opposite to the mouth, with one, two or three 

 ranges of articulated threads without branches, shorter and more slender than 

 the large rays, and by which the animal is said to fix itself. The sac which 

 contains the viscera is situated in the centre of the large rays, opening by a 

 stellated moutli and a second and tubular orifice which may be the anus. 



It is in the vicinity of the COMATUL.E that we must place the 



ENCRINUS, Guetl. 



Which might be defined as Comatulac with a prolonged disk and a mnlti- 



H H 2 



