p. 1

Near Crinoideae

Order
CYSTIDEAE

Entire body more or less spherical,
& entirely covered with polygonal plates,
except at several points where there are
apertures; arms absent, or very much
modified when compared with true Crinoideae,
spread over the summit, originating from
near the mouth & extending down the sides; or represented only by a few oral
tentacula; they appear like surface ornaments
but are readily separated from the plates, & are
composed of joints of unequal size.