articulated and ramifying arms. The vertebral column, which is pen- 

 tagonal, is from seventeen to eighteen inches in length, and might 

 have been much longer, as it has evidently been broken off, at its 

 lower part. It is formed of flat pentagonal vertebrae, pier cedin their 

 centre. Every vertebra possesses a stelliform surface on each side, 

 derived from the arrangement of the depressions, and the apophysal 

 eminences : the eminences and depressions of each opposed surface 

 being mutually adapted to each other, so as to produce an exactly 

 fitting articulation. Through the central foramen, a membranous, 

 nervous, or filamentous substance passes, which, from its introduction 

 into all the minute lateral foramina of the vertebrae, seems to contri- 

 bute much to the retaining the parts of the vertebral column in their 

 proper situation : and between each vertebra, a soft cartilaginous 

 body is interposed, by which the necessary motions of the trunk 

 must have been greatly facilitated. At regular distances, diminish- 

 ing as they approach the superior part, articulated processes are given 

 out, from each of the five sides of the vertebral column. The arms of 

 this animal, which are five in number, proceed from the sides of the 

 superior vertebrae, and form, by their divisions and repeated subdivi- 

 sions, innumerable ramifications or fingers, the sides of which are be- 

 set with articulated tentacula *. 



With respect to the substance of this body, it appears to hold a mid- 

 dle place between bone and cartilage, approaching to that of which 

 the shells of echini are formed ; and even in this its recent state, it 

 bears some resemblace to a spathose substance from its lamellated 

 texture, and the brightness of its fracture. To this specimen the 

 name of Palma Marina had been given. A slight sketch of the re- 

 mains of this recent animal is given, Plate XIX. Fig. 1. 



Mr. Ellis also gave the following account of what he terms a re- 

 cent encrinus, or star-fish, with a jointed stem, found on the coast of 



Barbadoes. 



* Memoires de 1' Academic des Sciences de TAn. 1755. 



