DOTTED BRITTLE-STAR. ti7 



OPIIIURIDM. OPHIURM. 



THE DOTTED BRITTLE-STAR. 



Ophiocoina punctata. Forbes. 



Specific Character. — Disk pentangular, covered with smooth imbricated scales ; 

 two diverging narrow wedge-shaped scales opposite the origins of each ray. 

 Upper ray-scales oblong, each with a central ridge and a deep depression 

 anteriorly. Lateral ray-plates, each bearing five spines, which do not equal in 

 length the breadth of the ray. 



The stomachs of fishes are often zoological treasuries. 

 The Haddock is a great conchologist. In his travels 

 through the country of the Mermaids, he picks up many 

 curiosities in the shell way. Not a few rare species have 

 been discovered by him ; and the ungrateful zoologist too 

 frequently describes novelties without an allusion to the 

 original discoverer. As Haddocks are not in the habit of 

 writing pamphlets or papers, the fraud remains undis- 

 covered, greatly to the detriment of science ; for, had the 

 describer stated to whom he was indebted for his speci- 

 men, we could form some idea of its habitat and history, 



