2 



BRITISH FOSSILS. 



small polygonal intervening plates. Of the two rows of border plates 

 on each side of the groove, the inner series is formed of oblong ob- 

 scurely hexagonal ones, with traces of punctations and grooves on their 

 surfaces, as if for spines. The ray that is most perfect exhibits 

 twenty-five plates in each row. The outer series consists of sub- 

 orbicular or obscurely polygonal plates, which, like the inner ones, are 

 gently convex on their surfaces. The upper surface of the ray, and 

 probably of the body, was composed of numerous small polygonal 

 nearly flat ossicula, closely set, and of various sizes. 



Mr. Gray has dissected from the slab the extremity of one of the 

 rays in such a manner as to permit an examination of both upper and 

 under surfaces of the same ray ; the result of an examination of the 

 fragment detached confirmed the above description. 



Locality and Geological Position. — This star-fish was found in the 

 quarries of Wenlock Limestone in the Castle Hill, at Dudley. At 

 the same time, a number of encrinite remains of several species, both 

 perfect specimens and fragments, were found associated with it. Mr. 

 Gray states, that after a careful search not even a fragment of another 

 specimen of this exceedingly curious fossil has been detected. 



Explanation of the Plate. 



Fig. I . The entire specimen of Lepidaster Grayi ; its under surface is exposed on the 

 slab. 



Fig. 2. Upper surface of the extremity of a ray ; greatly enlarged. 

 Fig. 3. Under surface of the same ray. 



Edward Forbes. 



June, 1850. 



