Oct. 1, 1S67.] 



HARDWICKE'S SCIENCE-GOSSIP. 



219 



which constitute the solid framework of the Cuttle 

 (Sepia officinalis), and the transparent plates of the 

 Calamary (Loligo vulgaris), sometimes called " Sea- 

 pen," will occasionally be seen on the beach near 

 the fisherman's quarter. The dead cuttle-fish may 

 themselves be seen there, but often more offensive 

 to the nose than pleasing to the eye. 



The common Star-fish, or "Five Fingers" 

 (Uraster rubens), is too well known on the beach 

 to need description, and our woodcut will be a suf- 

 ficient introduction to those who stay at home (fig. 

 212). A very pretty little star, not exceeding an 



Fig. 212. " Five Fingers." 



inch in diameter, may be collected by hundreds at 

 low water at one spot at Hastings, and we failed to 

 find them anywhere else. This little animal is the 



sc&m^ 





Fig. 2)3. Opbiocoma neglecta. («. natural size.) 



Ophoicoma neglecta of Eorbes (fig. 213). Just by 

 the outlet of the drainage excavations at the base 

 of East Cliff, a cluster of rocks is left bare at low 



water. The surface of these rocks contains nume- 

 rous hollows or pools, some no larger than a hand- 

 basin, fringed or lined with mussels, which latter 

 are covered with green seaweeds. If a handful of 

 these mussels are torn from their moorings, and 

 separated from each other, scores of this little star- 

 fish will be found amongst the threads (byssus), by 





Fig. 211. Alcyoniclicm. 



means of which the mussel attaches itself to the 

 rock. To preserve these little animals in a dried 

 state/ they should be plunged into fresh water, 

 which kills them at once with the arms expanded. 

 They may then be dried by exposure to the air, 

 and are beautiful little objects. Specimens of the 

 Common^Sun-star (Solaster papposa), with twelve 

 or more rays, are sometimes cast upon the beach 

 atj Hastings, and less commonly the Egg-urchin 



