PURPLE SUN-STAR. 



Ill 



of which is not rightly understood, though it appears to 

 bear some analogy to the amis of the Echinidse. The 

 largest Starfish of this kind which I have seen, measured 

 eight inches and a half across. It grows larger. Mr. 

 Ball has a specimen nine inches in diameter. 



In Sowerhy 1 s British Miscellany, this species is first 

 recorded as British " found by James Brodie, Esq. on the 

 Nain coast in the Moray Frith." In the Irish Sea off the 

 Isle of Man it is not rare in deep water. Mr. Alder in- 

 forms me that it is frequent on the coast of Northumber- 

 land. Mr. Bean finds it at Scarborough " in deep water, 

 not rare. 1 ' Mr. Goodsir takes it at Anstruther. It occurs 

 in Orkney. In Ireland, Mr. Thompson finds it on the 

 coasts of Down and Antrim ; and Mr. Ball at Dublin and 

 Youghal. He finds Natica Alderi in its stomach. 



To the pencil of Mr. Alder I am indebted for a view of 

 Tynemouth, a locality which has yielded many rarities to 

 the naturalist. 



9 



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