PUBPLE EGG-URCHIN. 1 ()!) 



of the bulk of the animal inhabitant. They are large enough 

 to admit of the animal rising in them a little but not of its 

 coming out easily, and their depth is in several considerably 

 increased by the deposition around their upper circumference 

 of a species of coralline several lines in thickness, and by 

 a thin layer of which they are lined throughout. The 

 Urchins adhere by their numerous suckers so firmly to the 

 lodgement they have formed as to be forced with extreme 

 difficulty from them when alive. 



In the British isles this species is peculiar to Ireland, 

 where it is chiefly found in the south, but ranges as 

 far north as Bundoran, where it was noticed by Mr. 

 Hyndman. Mr. Ball, who has paid particular atten- 

 tion to this species, communicates five varieties. The first 

 is a burrower in limestone from Arran, on the coast of 

 Clare. It has long purple spines. The second is from 

 the same place, and is associated with the first, also bur- 

 rowing in limestone. It is not found in such great num- 

 bers, and differs in having shorter and thicker spines of a 

 dark olive-green colour. The third has also short thick 

 spines, very blunt and purple. It is found on granite rocks 

 in the county Mayo, but does not excavate. The fourth 

 is associated with the third, and has whitish spines with 

 purple tips, the primaries being longest. The fifth is from 

 the county Cork, and has very long slender purple spines. 

 It is found on a very soft clay slate, and does not burrow. 



"The coast of the county of Clare, Mr. Humphreys in- 

 forms me," says Mr. Bennett, " at Milltown Mall bay, and 

 indeed from the mouth of the Shannon northward to the 

 Isles of Arran, is without a harbour ; and except a few bays 

 of fine sand, presents to the eye the most majestic cliffs. 

 Wherever the rocks project into the sea, so as to form 

 ledges accessible at low water, protected in front by higher 



