20 



THE MUSEUM. 



or mouth shields. The terminal 

 branches, however, are often computed 

 to be several thousand. The\' are 

 found on the various islands south to 

 the Bahamas. Mature specimens 

 measure from 9 to i <S inches across. 



Order II. 

 AsTEROiDEA. For years the true 

 Star-fishes and Ophiurians were con- 

 founded in one g-eneral Order, but 

 after careful study one finds as impor- 

 tant differences between them as those 

 which separate either from the Sea Ur- 

 chins. In the Asteroidea, the stomach 

 and ovaries run into each of the arms 

 the entire length so that if any part of 

 the animal becomes detached from the 

 main bod}-, it has the power of grow- 

 ing into a full tiedged Star-fish. This 

 is one of the most interesting and cu- 

 rious facts connected with the Order. 

 The Water s}'stem consists of a canal 

 running the entire length of each arm. 

 The sexes are distinct but can (jnh' be 

 distinguished !)}■ microscopic examina- 



tion, fo the; glands which are situated 

 on each side of the interior of the arms 

 or at the junction of the body with the 

 rays The species lays eggs which pass 

 out of a pore on each side of the base 

 of the arms, situated between two- 

 plates and difficult to detect. The em- 

 bryo is usually a free swimming animal 

 as with the Ophiurians, and develops 

 rapidl}'. I regret space will not per- 

 mit following it through its successive 

 stages to the mature animal. 



One of the first Astropectinidea to 

 be considered is a large species from 

 Ba\' of Fundy, Solaster ciidcca. [fig. i] 



Fig. I. 



Fig. 2. 



It has nine to ele\-cn rounded tapering 

 rays. The under surface is a rich 

 cream, which presents quite a contrast 

 to its colored back. It has rather a 

 smooth appearance and is much sought 

 after by collectors. 



Lnidia clatJirata from b'lorida is a 

 s])ecies not often met with in perfect 

 shape as it has a habit of breaking in- 

 to hundreds of fragments as soon as it 

 comes into contact with the air. It 

 measures from 10 to 18 inches across 

 and its rays are long and linger-like. 



