USESOFSEAURCHINS 25 



and also by other Arbacia, even while still living. In northern regions, 

 Strongylocentrotus drbbachiensis is eaten by the arctic fox, sharks, sea 

 otters, and sea birds (Mortensen, 1943, M III 3, p. 209). A picture 

 of sea otters eating sea urchins while swimming is reproduced as 

 Figure 5. 



Fig. 5. Sea otter eating sea urchins, after Barabash-Nikiforov, The Sea-Otter, 

 in Russian, 1933. From Mertens 1935. 



d. Use of Shells as Cups, Lamps, Ink 



Shells of sea urchins were used in ancient times by apothecaries to 

 hold drugs, as mentioned by Hippocrates, Lucilius, and others. In 

 modern times shells of the large species are used as lamps with an 

 electric bulb inside. In Italy, Sphaerechinus is so used and in Sweden 

 and England, Echinus esculentus. In Monaco, the shells of Paracentrotus 

 lividus are beautifully prepared at the Musee Oceanographique (for 

 sale) and are most striking with a small bulb inside making all the 

 little holes for the tube feet light up in rows, as shown in Plate I, 

 Photograph 6. In Japan the shells are filled with a fish oil and provided 

 with wicks (Robins, 1939, p. 126). In some places in England (Robin 

 Hood's Bay), Echinus esculentus shells are used as flower pots, especially 

 for cactus. In Maine, sand dollar shells {Echinarachnius parma) are ground 

 up and used as an indelible ink (Verrill and Smith, 1874, p. 69). 



e. In Art, on Coins and as Jewelry 



Figures of sea urchins are to be found in ancient mosaics and on vases 

 (Keller, 191 3). A reproduction of a mosaic in the baths of Medeina 

 showing various sea animals including (probably) a sea urchin, is to 



