70 Records of the Results of Dredging. 



escape from the danger. Some night-feeding lizards in an 

 instant jerk off their tails. [See, also, Mr. Guilding, in 

 VII. 583., on the green species of lizard common in St. Vin- 

 cent] Crabs throw off' their arms, while the Ophiurae (As- 

 terias L.) cast off every portion of their body, except the 

 small central abdomen. Without this incredible power, how 

 often would these creatures perish ! Instances have occurred 

 of men groping in deep holes for lobsters and other crabs, 

 who have been held firmly by the thumb till the tide rose 

 and drowned them. Had these ill-fated fishermen possessed 

 the power of the animals which kept them prisoners, they 

 might have escaped with only temporary loss. 



But, seriously, I would not be supposed an advocate for 

 the infliction of the least unnecessary cruelty ; these observ- 

 ations are only meant for those who rail at the sacrifices 

 made for science. The learned and experienced naturalist is 

 commonly remarkable for his general humanity. I have seen 

 celebrated collectors, who have preserved thousands of ani- 

 mals for their collections, yet chide their children for killing, 

 without necessity, the meanest reptile. 



" I would not enter on my list of friends 

 (Though graced with polish'd manners and fine sense, 

 Yet wanting sensibility,) the man 

 Who needlessly sets foot upon a worm. 



They are all, — the meanest things that are, — 

 As free to live and to enjoy that life, 

 As God was free to form them at the first, 

 Who in his sovereign wisdom made them all. 

 Ye, therefore, who love mercy, teach your sons 

 To love it too ! " 



[With Mr. Thompson's notice of the Pentacrinus euro- 

 pae v us, in II. 114., Mr. Guilding had connected the following 

 remarks] : — 



I am at present employed in dissecting and drawing up 

 from living specimens the characters of all our starfishes, 

 which are naturally divided into two great families. 



Stelleri'dea. 



1. Rays somewhat solid: respiratory pores scattered, innu- 

 merable, and indistinct. 



>4sterias and some subgenera. 



2. Rays long, slender, pliable : respiratory pores few, abdo- 

 minal, and distinct. 



A. Arms simple, snake-shaped. Ophiura and a few 

 subgenera. 



B. Arms dichotomous and raptorious. Gorgonocepha- 

 lus Leach, and some subgenera. 



In all the surface of articulation is simple. 



