000DSIR. S ISRITTLE-STAR. 



57 



OPHWRIDM. 



OPIIWRM. 



GOODSIR'S BRITTLE-STAR. 



OpMocoma Goodsiri. Forbes. 



Specific Character. — Disk round, convex, imbricated with small smooth scales. 

 Two triangular, parallel, but not touching scales, opposite the origin of each ray. 

 Upper ray-scales transversely ovate ; lateral ray-plates, bearing four spines each, 

 which scarcely equal the breadth of the ray. 



The tracing of the connections between species and 

 species, through minute differences combined with general 

 resemblances, is one of the greatest pleasures which enliven 

 the studies of the naturalist. Every here and there in 

 organized nature we find creatures presenting the forms 

 of one species and the structure of another, filling up a 

 supposed blank, or overturning a supposed barrier. The 

 discovery of such forms frequently annihilates genera 

 which we had long considered fixed, or brings together 

 species which we had long looked upon as but doubtfully 



