IB? 



requires a little further examination. The pieces forming the fingers 

 are evidently capable of two kinds of motion ; the one being that of 

 flexion and extension, and the other a degree of lateral motion, by 

 which the two webs of tentacula of the two fingers of each hand, 

 would be either made to recede from each other and assume a hori- 

 zontal position, or to approximate to each other, and acquire at the 

 same time a perpendicular direction. 



Supposing these parts extended in an open and horizontal position, 

 and the prey within reach, then the animal, by raising the tentacula 

 in a perpendicular position, would bring them together, and secure 

 the prey betwixt them ; and if by bending the fingers together at the 

 same time he closed these, the prey would then have been directed to- 

 wards the mouth of the animal, which, with the stomach, c. may 

 be expected to have possessed the central part of the pelvis formed 

 by the ossainnominata, ribs, Sec. 



Viewing that part which has been suspected to be the inferior ex- 

 tremity of the animal, we see every reason for supposing that it pos- 

 sessed to a great extent that property, which might apwon have been 

 expected in that part which might be considered as the organ of at- 

 tachment, and by which the animal was to be firmly secured to his des- 

 tined dwelling-place. In that part we find a propensity to pour out a 

 coagulable lymph, or ossific matter, so abundantly as must have been well 

 fitted, not only to fix him firmly to any particular spot ; but to sup- 

 ply the means of repairing any injury which this part might sus- 

 tain ; and, perhaps, of furnishing an additional mode of increasing 

 the species, by enabling any detached columns to attach themselves 

 to a new spot, where they might live independent of the parent 

 stock. 



Hence it not only appears, that this fossil was originally the osseous 

 or crustaceous covering, fitted for the reception of the softer parts of 

 an animal; but it is also apparent, that here existed the most curious 

 arrangement of parts, in every respect fitted for securing the means 



