III. GENUS PENTACRINITES VEL PENTACRINUS. 



FIVE ANGLED LILY-SHAPED ANIMAL. 



Generic Character. 



ftu 

 A*- animal-wttk a column formed of numerous pentangular joints, articu- 



lating by surfaces with pentapetalous semistriated markings. Superior colum- 

 nar joint supporting a pelvis of five joints, on which five first costals rest 

 succeeded by five second costals and five scapulae, from which ten arms pro- 

 ceed, having each two hands, composed of several tentaculated fingers. 



Column long, having numerous auxiliary side arms. 

 Base unascertained. 



Observation. 



The generic name is derived from the five cornered shape of the column. 

 One of its species has occurred in a recent state, and furnishes a clue for 

 the illustration of many facts relative to the crinoidea. The genus ALECTO 

 of Dr. LEACH approximates the genus PENTACRINUS to the ASTERISK and 

 of M. LAMARCK. 



There are instances of the column of this genus having sometimes a 

 tetragonal, or hexagonal form, these I consider as monstrous varieties. Of the 

 former figures exist in TOWNSEND'S Character of MOSES, vol. i. PL. xi. fig. 5. 

 PARKINSON'S Org. Rem. vol. n. PL. xm. fig. 59. HOFER, tab. vi. 77. of the 

 latter, TOWNSEND, vol. i. PL. xi. fig. 2. BRUCKMAN'S Thesaurus Subter. Due. 

 Brunsw. p. i. Cap. ix. p. 66. 



