Thompson on the Pcntacrinus Europoius. 281 



pears to be the E. lividtis, Lam., and is perhaps synonymous willi 

 the E. saxatilis, Linn. It had never before been noticed as an in- 

 habitant of the British Isles. 



Memoir on the Pcntacrinus Eiiropaus : a recent species discovered 

 in the Cove of Cork, July 1, 1823. With tzoo illustrative 

 Plates. lii/ John V. Thompson, Esq. F.L.S. 4to. p. 12. 



An extremely valuable notice of a very interesting animal. 

 Numerous as are the fossil si)ccies of the Crinotdea, their real 

 aflinities remained unknown to ug, owing to the imperfect state in 

 which their solid parts alone occurred. It was equally impossible 

 to determine the situation in nature of the only recent one which 

 had yet been met with, the Pcntacrinus Caput Medusa', since of 

 the five specimens which have been brought to Europe, not one 

 had been preserved in spirits, and the soft parts, or rather the 

 animal itself, had consequently been lost to the observation of in- 

 telligent naturalists. The discovpry of a second recent species of 

 so extraordinary a family, in itself a most desirable occurrence, 

 becomes of far greater importance by establishing the fact that 

 the Crinoidca are really Radiatu, closely allied to the Asterice, 

 and especially to the genus Alecto of Dr. Leach, (Comatula, 

 Lam.). The description of the new species is given with the 

 fullest detail, and is illustrated by two plates, which are very 

 neatly executed. Its mode of growth is traced almost ab ovo up 

 to its fullest development, which in the largest individuals that 

 liave occurred does not exceed three quarters of an inch in length ; 

 ajid our information on a very intricate sul)ject is thus rendered 

 almost complete. Our best thanks are due to the authour for thus 

 employing to the advancement of science the advantages which 

 he enjoys from the vicinity of his residence to the ocean; and we 

 trust that he will continue to avail himself of the opportunities 

 w hich must repeatedly occur to him of adding to our knowledge 

 on many points which still remain enveloped in mystery. Of his 

 future exertions we are induced to augur well, from the spirit and 

 style of his commencement. 



