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the mass : it is of a compressed oval figure, and has its surface marked 

 by numerous longitudinal alternate ridges and depressions. That 

 which appears to have been the inferior part of this body, and which, 

 I suppose, was attached to that part, which, in the encrinus, I have 

 considered as the pelvis, is slightly and irregularly concave, and being 

 a transverse section, its surface is of an elliptical form. On this sur- 

 face eight bodies lay parallel with each other in the longest axis of the 

 ellipsis, and eight shorter bodies are disposed on, and almost at right 

 angles with, the external surface of the two outermost long bodies. 

 Each of these twenty-four bodies, at its outward termination, is bi- 

 furcated, and thus forms two processes, which pass parallel with each 

 other the length of the fossil. Thirty-two of these, sixteen from each 

 end of the eight longest bodies, and thirty-two from the external ter- 

 minations of the shorter, making sixty-four of these processes, are thus 

 continued, and form the external surface of this fossil, which is thus 

 marked by alternate ridges and depressions. 



Having thus far noted the appearances presented by this fossil, the 

 inferior part only of which, as high as the ridge which marks it trans- 

 versely, being then seen, the remaining part of it being imbedded in 

 and concealed by the surrounding mass, I ventured to endeavour, by 

 a blow of a hammer, to obtain a more full display of it. The attempt 

 succeeded, and the superior part of it was brought to sight. 



By this extended view of its surface, the organization of this 

 body was more fully discovered ; and, I think, very strong evidence ad- 

 duced of its being a species of ENCRINITE, of an oval form, the trunk 

 of which was composed of vertebra, which also were oval. But, although 

 entertaining a strong belief that this is the case, I am aware that far- 

 ther observations and more illustrative specimens may be required to 

 determine its being so, I shall therefore lay before you a farther de- 

 scription of it, with those observations on its structure, which appear 

 to support the opinion which I have offered. 



In consequence of the more enlarged view which was obtained of 



