1870. ] WRIGHT—OOLITE STARFISH. 393 
have been very large, whilst those on the marginal tesserse were very 
small. 
Affinities and differences.—This species resembles Stellaster Ber- 
thandi, from the ‘ Caleaire 4 Entroques’ of Macon ; it differs, how- 
ever, from that form in being larger, and in having the interradial 
spaces more arched and the rays themselves much larger. But the 
marginal tesserz and discal ossicles are very much alike. The mould, 
however, does not give the character of the granulations. It differs 
from G'oniaster obtusus, Wr., from the Inferior Oolite of Crickley, in 
having longer and more lanceolate rays, and from Gioniaster hamp- 
tonensis, Wr., from the great Oolite of Minchinhampton, in the 
greater width of its tesseree and length of its rays. 
STELLAsTER BeRtHANDI, Wright. 
Diagnosis.—Body pentagonal, sides with arches much flattened ; 
tesserze thick and narrow, 36 to 40 pairs around the margin of one 
ray ; under surface of the disk covered with small close-set equal- 
sized ossicles; ambulacral furrows wide; dorsal discal ossicles ab- 
sent. 
Description.—Since Mr. Sharp’s specimen came into my hands 
for description, a plaster mould has been kindly communicated to me 
by Professor Berthand, of Macon, Saone-et-Loire, France. The 
original was collected from the ‘ Calcaire 4 Entroques,’ Micon. I 
mention it here in connexion with Stellaster Sharpit, Wr., as show- 
ing that Gonaster was a type of the Asteride which prevailed during 
the first stage of the Jurassic period, as the three forms we now 
know are all specifically distinct, and belong to the Lower division 
of the Oolitic series. 
Discussion. 
Mr. W. W. Suyrm commented on the great value of careful obser- 
vations by local geologists, such as those brought before the Society 
by Mr. Sharp. 
Mr. Erneriper pointed out how a few years ago it was supposed 
that hardly a fossil was to be found in these Northampton Beds, and 
that they all belonged to the Great Oolite, and not to the Inferior, 
an error in which the Geological Survey had shared. The district 
was, however, now being resurveyed under the new light which had 
been thrown on the character of the rocks by the extensive quarrying 
which had taken place during the last few years, and which had 
afforded the opportunities so judiciously utilized by the author of the 
paper, who had placed the order of succession and the character of 
the Northampton Beds beyond dispute. 
Prof. Morris had found a difficulty in reconciling the phenomena 
of the eastern and western Oolitic areas, but considered that the key 
of the arrangement was to be sought in the district between North- 
ampton and Stamford. 
Mr. Suarp briefly replied. 
VOL, XXVIL—PART Tf, on 
