204 
of which is pierced by a foramen. These foramina, as may be seen 
on the flat surface of the uppermost vertebrae of this specimen, reach 
to, and unite with, the central circular foramen. Each of the verte- 
brae being thus beset with these projections, the trunk is thereby 
rendered very rugged ; and still more so, as the vertebrae approach 
towards the ramose termination, where the projecting processes gra- 
dually acquire an increase of length. On acquiring about a quarter of 
an inch in length, these processes separate into ramifications, and 
continue thus to ramify, at the distance of a quarter, or of half an inch, 
until they form a brush-like mass, as is above represented. 
It was observed, when speaking of the lily encrinite, that the crenu- 
lated articulation was obliterated, or nearly so, in those parts which 
appeared to have performed the office of pedicles to the animal. A 
similar circumstance is observable here ; for among the ramifications 
above described, there are several in which traces of the almost ob- 
literated crenulated articulations may be perceived : and where the 
internal part of these bodies is exposed, as may be seen in the figure, 
they are found to be hollow, and manifesting similar traces of the 
original crenulated articulations. 
When the similarity of the vertebrse in this specimen, and in that 
mass in which the skeleton of the body part of the animal is im- 
bedded is considered, little doubt can exist as to their both being parts 
of the same species : and when the form and construction of the ramose 
parts of this specimen, so well adapted for performing the office of 
pedicles, are contemplated, as little hesitation can occur in admitting 
that these parts constituted the inferior termination, the organ of attach- 
ment, of this species of encrinus. 
Having, I trust, established the existence of this peculiar species, 
I shall call your attention to the peculiarities observable in its vertebral 
trunk. 
The specimen Plate XV. Fig. 4, which is formed of a spathose sub- 
stance, with a reddish tinge, is particularly interesting from its differ- 
