318 LILY ENCUINITE. 



which may be contained in the vertebral column, and 

 which, from its probable length, may be very numerous, the 

 fossil skeleton of the superior part of the Lily Encrinite 

 (Encrinites Moniliformis) consists of at least 26,000 pieces. 

 See PI. 50, Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4, &c.* 



Mr. Miller observes that this number would increase 

 most surprisingly, were we to take into account the minute 

 calcareous plates that arc interwoven in the integument 

 covering the abdominal cavity and inner surface of the 

 fingers and tentacula.f 



We will first examine the contrivances in the joints, of 

 the vertebral column, which adapted it for flexure in every 

 direction, and then proceed to consider the arrangement of 

 other parts of the body. 



These joints are piled on each other like the masonry of 

 a slender Gothic shaft, but, as a certain degree of flexibiUty 

 was requisite at every articulation, and the amount of this 

 flexure varied in different parts of the column, being least 

 at the base and greatest at the summit, we find proportion- 



* Bones of the Pelvis 5 



Ribs 5 



Clavicles 5 



Scapulsc ........ 5 



Arms. Six bones in each of the ten arms .... 60 



Hands. Eacii hand being formed of two fingers, and each 

 finger consisting of at least 40 ossicula, these in 20 fingers 



make ............ 800 



Tentacula. 30 proceeding from each of the G bones in each of 



the ten arms, make 1800 



30 proceeding, on the average, from each of the 



800 bones of the fingers make .... 24,000 



Total 2G,680 

 t Although the names here used are borrowed from the skeleton of verte- 

 brated animals, and are not strictly applicable to radiated Echinoderms, it 

 w ill be convenient to retain them until the comparative anatomy of this order 

 of animals has been arranged in some other more appropriate manner. 



