36 7 Say on Shells, &c. 
nus under the name of Kentucky Asiterial 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 ossicule were perhaps obliterated, as 
they were unnoticed. 
The examination of numerous specimens, in the collee- 
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 isin 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 im the ancient world. 
Actuated by this conviction, | submit to the decision of 
Naturalists, thre propriety of separating the asterial fossil, from 
the genus De ne as the type of a distinet genus, tader 
the following name and characters. 
Genus Pentreimite. 
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 strie, 
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, e equal, with a longitudinal 
suture ; apex perforated by five rounded for amina, and an 
angulated central one 3 ossa innominata (Park.) large, rhom- 
bic. Trunx 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 Echinun, by the 
apicial foramina, and oo the radiatmg ambulacra which are 
somewhat similar to a ntapetalous lower. But an atten- 
