804 " THETIS " SCIENTIFIC RESULTS. 



organism were sent to Oxford previous to 1841, and presented to 

 the Ashmolean Society. Tlie following is Mr. Wilton's descrip- 

 tion verbatim : — 



" The Encrimis Australis has no vertebral column, but its 

 body, which is about ^th of an inch in length, is terminated in 

 that direction by a circular base ; the circumference of the body 

 being indented by three rows of irregularly shaped hollow 

 sections, each furnislied with a circular orifice, to which the 

 several tentaculaof about 80 joints, and curving inwards towards 

 their extremities, are appended, and by which the animal attaches 

 itself to the sea-weed, which adheres to the bottom of the water- 

 hole in the rock. To the opposite extremity of its body, which 

 is always uppermost in the water, are attached five clavicles. 

 Upon removing these from the body, its inferior surface presents 

 a star of five points, each point being set in the angle formed by 

 the two approaching segments of a circle, on which each of the 

 clavicles reposed. Within this star is another star, also of five 

 points. To each of these clavicles are attached two scapula;, 

 into each of which the first two bones of the animal are inserted. 

 On each of these is another scapula, from which proceed two 

 arms. To two opposite sides of every alternate articulation of 

 these arms, which gradually diminish in size to the extremity, 

 are attached fingers, gradually tapering to a point, formed of 

 several joints, which appear to vary in number according to the 

 size and age of the specimen. In one of these I have counted 

 twenty. Each of the joints of the arms is of a circular figure, 

 with an oval orifice in the centre, from which proceed radii to 

 the circumference. With its tingers, which the animal can 

 either extend or contract at pleasure, either in a lateral or 

 perpendicular direction, and which all curve outwards, the 

 Encrimis Australis presents an appearance under the water of 

 that species of lily called the Turk's cap, and of a beautiful lilac 

 colour." 



K. E. 



9th August, 1911. 



