446 
THK GEOLOGIST. 
ON A NEW GENUS OP BCHINODERM, AND OBSERVA. 
TIONS ON THE GENUS PAL^CHINUS. 
By Fort-Majok Thomas Austin, F.G.S. 
Genus, Protoechinus (Austin). 
Species, Protoechinus anceps (Austin). Natural size. 
Test. — Shape not well defined in the specimens obtained. Anibu- 
lacral areas wide ; the two rows of pores in double pairs near the 
margin, with alternate additional perforated plates near the widest 
spread of the ambulacra ; where these additional plates intervene 
the pores become quadruple ; interambulacral areas wide. 
Differences and Affinities. — The Protoecliinus differs wholly from 
Pala!chinus ; and bears but little affinity to any recent or fossil 
echinoderm with which I am acquainted. 
Localitij and StratigrapJdcal Eangr. — The only three specimens yet 
discovered were found in the lower beds, but not the very lowest, of 
the Carboniferous Limestone, at Hook Point, county of Wexford. 
Some years since, when visiting the Hook district, in company 
Avith my son, Mr. T. Austin, this new and beautiful sea-urchin was 
discovered ; but unfortunately, in my son's eager endeavours to ex- 
ti'icate the fossil from the matrix, part of it was destroyed. Enough, 
however, remains to prove that it is generically distinct irom PaliB- 
chinus. I obtained a second specimen, but the plates are a good 
deal displaced, and the ambulacra are not so well seen as in the one 
figured. Another and more perfect specimen was subsequently ob- 
tained ; but before I could secure it, it unfortunately fell into un- 
scientific hands, and was lost to science. 
