Misc. Subj. CXXXI. Fol. VL No. 93. 



RE MAR KABLE PETRIFICATIONS. 



The petrified Sea -Palm or Pen- 

 tacrinit. 



( Pent ac'r ini tés He l m int hol it h u s 

 p or tento sus. L.) 



p entacrinits are petrified forms of animals 

 belonging to the class of the Zoophytes or 

 Plant-animals , consisting of a manybranched 

 and tufty substance that sticks to a membe- 

 red and branchless stalk of several feet in 

 length. For the present we know but two 

 ©r three species of Zoophytes which are near- 



ly related to the Pentacrinits of antiquity, 

 belonging systematically to "the same genus 

 called Encrinus. The animals of this order 

 keep the midst between the coralloid ani- 

 mals and the Sea - stars, living always under 

 the profoundest gulfs of the sea, partly in the 

 torrid zone, partly in colder regions, where 

 by way oF their flexible stalks they adhere 

 close to the ground. In many countries of 

 Europe the petrified sea - palms are to be 

 fo und enclosed and vanished by growing in 

 the lirae-stoaes. 



