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numerous, the fossil skeleton of the superior part of this animal consists 
of at least twenty-six thousand pieces. To shew this, the following 
statement is annexed : 
Of the bones forming the pelvis, there are five central cuneiform bones 
( Ossa innominataj 5 
five ribs 5 
five clavicles 5 
five scapulae 5 
arms, there are six bones in each of the ten 
arms 60 
hands. Each hand being formed of two fingers, 
and each finger consisting of at least 40 
ossiculse ; these, in 20 fingers, make 800 
tentacula, 30 proceeding from each of the 
6 bones in each of the ten arms, make .... 1,800 
30 proceeding, on the average, 
from each of the 800 bones of 
the fingers, make 24,000 
Total 26,680 
Respecting the inferior termination of the trunk of this animal our 
knowledge is so exceedingly limited, as not to have furnished us with 
sufficient materials to have allowed its mention in the preceding character 
of this animal. 
The considering of zoophytes as belonging to the vegetable king- 
dom would necessarily lead the earlier oryctologists to suppose that 
the encrinus had been affixed to rocks or some other solid bodies, by 
a part analagous to the roots of vegetables. Thus Agricola remarks, 
“ Saepenumero lapis informis reperitur unei cum trochite et entrocho, 
rote m se continens figui-am ; quae in eo quasi quaedam radix, tro- 
chitis jam abruptis, remansit.” The industrious Rosinus also noticed 
certain bodies, which he thought might be considered as the primary 
branches or rays of some species of Stella marina, and which certainly 
