PENTACRINITES AND ACTINOCRINITES. 



655 



of the Plumose Pentacrinites of the Lias shale at Lyme 

 Regis, and other localities in Devonshire and Somerset- 

 shire. 



Many other genera of this 

 numerous family have been 

 discovered, and are figured 

 and described by Miller and 

 other naturalists.* In some 

 instances the receptacle is 

 closed, the tentacula being 

 retracted or bent inwards, as 

 if the animal had been in the 

 act of conveying prey to its 

 mouth, at the very moment 

 of its becoming enveloped in 

 its rocky sepulchre {Lign. 

 149, Jig. 1). In other exam- 

 ples, the skeleton lies in relief, 

 with the arms spread out as 

 if the creature, while floating 

 at its ease in the water, had 

 been suddenly surrounded and 

 entombed in the stone {Lign. 

 1 50). The elegant plumose en- 

 crinite termed Actinocrinites? 

 occurs in a beautiful state of preservation in the Mountain 

 limestone ; the form of the original is represented in this 

 drawing {Lign. 149, Jig. 2). The receptacle of the Actino- 

 crinite is constructed of numerous plates, which in many 

 species are richly ornamented ; and some have the 



Lign. 150. — Cup-like kkcrinite. 



{Cyathocrinites planus.) 



From the Mountain-limestone, Clevedon, 



Somersetshire. 



* For a more particular account of the natural history of this tribe 

 of animals, consult the second volume of Parkinson's Organic Re- 

 mains; and Miller's Natural History of the Crinoidea, or Lily-shaped 

 Animals, 1 vol. 4to. with numerous plates, 1827. 



f Acthwcrites, signifying the Eadiated Lily-shaped animal. 



