ECHINODERMA 



Asteroidea 



We collected numerous examples of Linckia multiflora along 

 the madrepore rocks and especially in the shadow of the 

 groove which the sea has eaten into the rock itself. It is a 

 yellow-orange star-fish. In cross-section its arms are almost 

 round and it has an incredible power of regeneration. Many 

 of our specimens were comet-shaped, that is with one arm 

 more highly developed than the other four. The four small 

 arms had been regenerated from the larger fifth one which 

 had been previously detached or amputated from a normal, 

 fully-developed star-fish. Other species are found in the 

 same environment. The big Acanthaster plana is, however, 

 common in greater depths on the living madreporic forma- 

 tions. It has from ten to fifteen arms and long erect spikes all 

 over its back, which are mistakenly believed to be poisonous. 

 When this asteroid is disturbed it draws in its arms under- 

 neath and takes on the appearance of a genuine sea-urchin. 

 We collected specimens oi Culata coriacea on sandy bottoms. 

 Comparatively common, it is yellow or bright orange in 

 colour, like a pentagonal tile in shape, measuring eight to 

 ten inches across. 



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