14 BU1.LETIN 5 284 



36 Say oil Shells, &c. 



nus under the name of Kentucky A sterial fossil, but at the 

 same time and subsequently, he expresses himself doubtful- 

 ly, as to the propriety of that arrangement. His specimens 

 were not so perfect as to exhibit the basal articulating radii, 

 and the sutures and ossiculse were perhaps obliterated, as 

 they were unnoticed. 



The examination of numerous specimens, in the collec- 

 tion of the Academy of Natural Sciences, collected by Mr. 

 Samuel Hazard, near Huntsville, affords me an opportunity 

 to corroborate the correctness of that arrangement. 



But I am induced to believe, notwithstanding the imper- 

 fection of our knowledge of these animals, that the genus 

 as it now stands, needs the reforming hand of the system- 

 atist, that it is in reality a natural family, including several 

 perfectly distinct genera of many species, the individuals of 

 some of which, as their remains testify, were immensely 

 multiplied in the ancient world. 



Actuated by this conviction, I submit to the decision of 

 Naturalists, the propriety of separating the asterial fossil, from 

 the genus Encrinus, as the type of a distinct genus, under 

 the following name and characters. 



Genus Pentremite. 



Body subglobular or oblong, elevated upon an articulated 

 trunk ; pelvis (Parkinson) pentagonal, more or less abruptly 

 attenuated to the base; ambulacra (Lam.) five, incomplete, 

 radiating from the summit and terminating each side at the 

 angles of the pentagon, each with numerous transverse striae, 

 a longitudinal indented line, two sutures, and numerous 

 transversed impressed lines, which alternate with a marginal 

 series of oblique pores; interstitial spaces (included be- 

 tween the ambulacra) triangular, equal, with a longitudinal 

 suture ; apex perforated by five rounded foramina, and an 

 angulated central one ; ossa innominata ( Park. ) large, rhom- 

 bic. Trunk branched? cylindrical, articulated, elongated ; 

 segments perforated, articulating surfaces with alternately 

 elevated and depressed radii. 



A transient view of the superior portion of this reliquium, 

 presents a considerable resemblance to the Echinii, by the 

 apicial foramina, and by the radiating ambulacra which are 

 somewhat similar to a pentapetalous flower. But an atten- 



[A. J. S., ist Ser., Vol. 11.] 



