vi INTRODUCTORY REMARKS. 



superincumbent fluvio-marine strata of Hampshire. Under the second, fall the Red and 

 Coralline Crags, and the series of stratified, unstratified, and drifted deposits of marine 

 origin, constituting the several subdivisions of the Pleistocene or Glacial formation. I 

 regard the Crags, taken together, as stages of older Pleiocene, and the Glacial beds as newer 

 Pleiocene. There is, within our area, a great gap between the Eocene group and the 

 later tertiaries, indicated by the difference of their organic contents. Between the existing 

 fauna of our seas and the oldest stage of the later tertiaries, there is a distinct and 

 extensive relationship of identity of species. Between the later and older tertiaries, there 

 is little or no connection indicated by organic remains. 



The list of Echinoderms in our older or Eocene tertiaries is by no means small, and 

 is sure to be increased hereafter. This is evident when we call to mind the fact, that our 

 knowledge of the presence of two most distinct genera is confined to an acquaintance with 

 a few spines of a single species in each, no fragment of the test having as yet been 

 obtained, whilst of others we have found fragments only of the test, and no traces of the 

 spines. Several of our Eocene Starfishes and Crinoids had been previously described, but of 

 our sea-urchins not one had received a name, and only two been slightly noticed. Yet there 

 are nine species, belonging to no fewer than seven genera. Out of all these species only 

 one appears to have been described before, viz. the Spatangus Omalii of Galeotti. Out of 

 the seven genera, no fewer than four are types which are not represented in strata of later 

 age than Eocene. These are Ccelopleurus, Echinopsis, Eupatagus, and Hemiaster. As 

 yet no examples of Echinolampas, Ecldnocyamus, Scutettina, and Lenita, all genera 

 represented not uncommonly in the Eocene strata of France and Belgium, have been found 

 in our British beds. Of the second and third of these genera, the species of which are small 

 and unattractive, I fully expect British examples will yet be discovered. 



Of the later Tertiary Echinoderms here described, the majority is derived from the 

 Coralline, or Older Crag. Much interest attaches to them, since we obtain through them 

 a clear indication of some geographical relations of our area during that ancient period. 

 These were distinctly southern and eastern. This is especially manifested in the presence 

 of Brissus Scillae, still surviving in the Mediterranean, and the relations of the curious 

 and beautiful genus Temnechinus, which, though peculiar to the Crag, and at present 

 known only as a group of British Fossils, is closely connected with Temnopleurus, 

 Salmacis, and Mespilia, characteristic genera of the lndo-Pacific region. This relation is 

 also indicated by the Coralline Crag Crinoidea. The affinity of this division of the Crag 

 fauna to the Mediterranean fauna is rather with a portion of the latter, of greater 

 antiquity than the majority of its members, than with the Mediterranean assemblage, as it 

 is at present constituted. 



Among the few Echinoderms procured from the Red or Newer Crag, a distinct 

 relationship is maintained with those of the older group, whilst on the other hand, there 

 is manifested a more definite connection with the fauna of the British Seas, as at present 

 constituted. 



