120 
On a New Species of JEncrinite . 
is it of life, that, although plunged into a bottle of pure 
Hollands, and the cork well fastened down, I have 
noticed in one specimen motion in the fingers and ten- 
tacula at the expiration of three minutes. 
The Encrinus Australis is never to be found* either in 
a fragmentary state thrown up on the beach, or alive in 
the water-holes amongst the rocks, except after a strong 
south or south-easterly gale, which dislodges it from its 
usual habitat amongst the sea-weed in the depths outside 
the rocks, which at low water form the barrier of our iron- 
bound coast. 
I have frequently sent specimens of the Encrinus to 
Europe, but unfortunately none have ever yet reached 
their destination in a perfect condition. In a letter dated 
Oxford, February 16th, 1841, which I received from 
the Rev. Baden Powell, M.A., SaviliaH Professor of 
Geometry in that University, to whom I had forwarded 
specimens at different times, my friend observes, “The 
bottle, I am sorry to say, had been smashed to pieces 
during its passage, and all the spirits had disappeared : 
the specimens were consecpiently in a dry state, but I 
hope not much injured in other respects. 1 have duly 
presented them to the Ashmolean Society, and am 
desired on behalf of that body to return you many thanks 
for the same. They were exhibited at a meeting yesterday, 
when Professor Buckland and others made remarks upon 
them. They were universally regarded as very curious 
and interesting. The whole subject of Encrinites, &c. is 
about to be taken up by Professor Agassiz, who is 
bringing out a large work on the subject/’ 
Having lately forwarded to Oxford another set of 
specimens of the Encrinus Australis, I shall communicate 
to the Society any further information I may receive worthy 
of notice upon this interesting visitant of our coast. 
