Observations on the Cystidea of M. Von Buch, and the Crinoidea generally

Abstract

The following observations are offered with the view to explain, and it is hoped make clear, some hitherto doubtful points as regards the Crinoidea and Cystidea, particularly the geological distribution of the last-mentioned family. In Baron von Buch's Notice of a new family of Crinoidal Animals, which he has termed Cystidea, published in No. 5 of the Journal of the Geological Society, and also in the more lengthened paper on this subject, a translation of which is given in the same number, some observations are made, which I humbly conceive will not bear the test of close examination. At page 11 it is said, the Cystidea are distinguished “by having the mouth constantly at the apex, and in the centre, which is rarely the case in the Crinoidea.”