550 SKELETON OF THE STAR-FISH. 



limb was torn, he is apt to fancy that he has found a new species which only possesses a small 

 number of rays. The fact, however, is that the interval is immediately tilled up by the creat- 

 ure ; the rays on each side of the injury close up together, and all mark of a wound is soon 

 obliterated. I have seen these strange beings with only one ray, proceeding quietly along 

 without appearing to suffer any inconvenience from their loss. 



The movements of the Star-fish are extremely graceful, the creature gliding onward with 

 a beautifully smooth and regular motion. It always manages to accommodate itself to the 

 surface over which it is passing, never bridging over even a slight depression, but exactly fol- 

 lowing all the inequalities of the ground. It can also pass through a very narrow opening, 

 and does so by pushing one ray in front, and then folding the others back, so that they may 

 afford no obstacle to the passage. It also has an odd habit of pressing the points of its rays 

 upon the bottom of the sea, and raising itself in the middle, so as to resemble a five-legged 

 stool. If the reader is desirous of keeping a few Star-fishes in an aquarium, the object may 

 be easily accomplished by keeping them in a very cool place, as they are extremely impatient 

 of heat, and soon die if the water becomes too warm. They also require that a supply of air 

 be frequently pumped through the water in which they reside. 



The bony apparatus, or skeleton, if it may be so called, of the Star-fish is a most beautiful 

 and wondrous object. Without going into the tempting regions of anatomy, I may state that 

 a few hours will be well bestowed in examining the structure of any of these beings. A very 

 simple plan of doing so is to wash the creature well with fresh water, lest the salt should rust 

 the scissors and scalpel, and then carefully look into the extraordinary array of tentacles, or 

 ambulacra, on which the creature walks. Let it then be pinned to a flat piece of cork loaded 

 with lead, and sunk about half an inch below the surface of clear fresh water. Slit up the 

 skin along each ray, taking care to save a portion for the microscope, and turn the flaps 

 aside. 



In each ray will be seen the curious feathered and fern-like branches of the stomach, and 

 under them lies the wondrous array of bone-like pieces of which the skeleton is made. 

 Thousands upon thousands of pure white columns are ranked in double vistas, and are over- 

 arched by an elaborate structure of the same white material on the pillars. I know nothing 

 that can compare with this sight for delicacy and beauty. Imagine a cathedral aisle half a 

 mile in length, which is supported by a double row of white marble columns, and whose roof 

 is formed of the same beautiful material ; then, let all the pillars be bowed towards each other 

 in pairs, so that their capitals rest against each other, and a dim idea will be formed of the 

 wonderful structure of the Star-fish. 



The piece of skin must be preserved in order to examine, with the aid of the microscope, 

 the pedicillariaB and minute spiracles that stud its surface. A tolerably stout pair of scissors 

 are required for the purpose of cutting the skin, as its substance is tough ; and it is besides 

 furnished with ^such an array of hard stony appendages, that the edge of a more delicate 

 instrument would certainly be turned, and its blade run some risk of fracture. 



Before we pass to the remaining examples of this family, a few words must be given to 

 the development of this wonderful creature. 



The eggs of the Star-fish are numerous, almost beyond the power of arithmetic to 

 calculate, and thus keep up the needful supply of these creatures whose enemies are so 

 numerous, and powers of escape so trifling. When first excluded, the eggs are not allowed to 

 pass freely into the sea, but are protected for a time in a kind of cage or chamber formed by 

 the parent by raising itself on the tips of its rays, as has already been mentioned. When 

 hatched, the young are round and almost shapeless, bearing a very close resemblance to an 

 imprisoned animalcule. They by degrees put forth their rays, the feet issue from the rays, 

 and, after a while, they are enabled to shift for themselves, and are dismissed from their 

 parental home. 



The Butthorn is much like a species once thought to be very rare on the New England 

 coast, but now known through the dredgings of the Fishery Commission to be abundant in 

 certain localities in deep water. One haul off Portland, Me., during a summer we spent with 

 Professor Baird as guest of the Fish Commission, produced a large number. 



