THE ASTERIAS CAPUT MEDUSA. 



279 



GENUS.— ASTERI.E, OR STAR FISHES * 



SPECIES I. 



ASTERIAS CAPUT MEDUSA, 



OR THE 



MAGELLENIC STAR FISH.t 



The body of this curious creature is divided into five parts 

 1 or rays, as may be seen in the engraving, which represents 



* Synonyme. — Sea stars. 



t Synonymes.— Asterias Caput Medusa. Habitat in mari Norwegieo. 

 Linn. Syst. Nat. Asterias Radiata, radiis duplicata dichotomis. Fabh. 

 Fr. Groenlandica. It is called the Medusa's Head, because it bears 

 some resemblance to the snaky bair, which painters have made peculiar 

 to Medusa. 



