Crinoid, Pentacrinus.

These are fragments of the Jurassic crinoid Pentacrinus. The organism disintegrated at death and all the component parts were scattered in the sediment. The star shaped pieces were stacked in columns and the other elements made up cilliate arms for respiration and feeding.



Sometimes short pieces of the stalks can be found. These were found in the muddy landslips between Lyme and Charmouth.



This is a reconstruction of how Pentacrinus may have looked in life.
Spectacular, complete specimens, preserved in pyrites, have been found in the "pentacrinus band" to the east of Lyme. Unfortunately not by me.