216 DEVONIAN FAUNA. 



Collection is a specimen of the stem, showing its expanded proximal end, from 

 Ashhill Quarry; and in the. Porter Collection are two specimens from Fremington. 



Remarks. — The specimens are all obscure about the base of the dorsal cup. 

 The shape of the basals is clearly seen from the mould, though their number is 

 only gathered by inference. 



It seems probable that Phillips's figure, 41 c, does not belong to this species. 



Affinities. — Taxocrinus nobilis, Phillips, sp., 1 seems remarkably similar. Its arms 

 appear relatively stouter, and Phillips 2 distinguishes it by the fewer rows of plates 

 in its upper series of brachials (i. e. by the more rapid branching of the arms). 

 It also shows interradials, of which our specimens give no sign. 



2. Taxoueinus stultus, Whidbome. Plate XXXIV, figs. I — 3. 



189(3. Taxocrinus? stultus, Whidbome. Proc. Geo]. Assoc, vol. xiv, p. 377. 



Description. — Stem rather stout, cylindrical, not perceptibly expanding near 

 the cup. Columnars with convex or bead-shaped outer margins, arranged, at 

 some distance from the body, in an alternating series of long and medium-sized, 

 between very short, segments, but becoming uniform and increasingly short in 

 the proximity of the cup. Edges crenulated, especially near the cup. Under 

 basals (apparently) three, very narrow, flatly pentagonal, visible externally. Basals 

 five, small, transverse, and pentagonal, except the one on the anal side, which 

 appears to be considerably larger and higher than the rest, intruding between the 

 radials and truncated on the top, and followed by a longitudinal row of two or 

 three small anal plates. Radials large, squarish or inversely pentagonal, in 

 contact, except, perhaps, at their upper corners and on the anal side. Primibrachs 

 5 X 3, similar in size and shape to the radials except the uppermost plate, which is 

 pentagonal. Secundibrachs rather smaller but similar to the primibrachs, and 

 in rows of five or six. Upper series of brachials indistinctly seen in the specimens, 

 but possibly short and few, and inclined to curl inwards. Under side of arms 

 perhaps rather convex, with a very small concave groove. 



Size. — A specimen of the cup and arms (their extremities perhaps unseen) is 

 20 mm. high. 



Localities. — In the Porter Collection is a specimen (obverse and reverse) from 

 Pilton, and another from Poleshill. In the Barnstaple Athenasum is another from 

 Roborougrh. 



D 



1 183G, Phillips, « Geol. Yorks.,' vol. ii, p. 205, pi. iii, fig. 40. 



2 1841, Phillips, ' Pal. Fobs.,' p. 30. 



