THE MUSEUM. 



7r 



Hcliaster Kubiugii, Xanthus. 



Commonly called The Mexican Sun Dial. 

 A very curious, many armed species, found 

 along the Pacitic coast from Lower California 

 southward. 



Astropecteii bispiiiosiis, M. & T., 



Commonly called Chinese Star. Much ad- 

 mired on account of perfect five rays, upper 

 surface being covei'ed with fine star shaped 

 points, and the edges set with two rows of 

 sharp pointed spines, a quarter of an inch in. 

 length. 



hind some bough until forced to fly. 

 Sometimes they would give me the 

 slip entirely, and often the most suc- 

 cessfully when there was apparently 

 the least chance of their escape with- 

 out detection. They were on the 

 mainland in low growths, and in the 

 woods when no other apparent living 

 creature was about; in midday, at ear- 

 ly morn or late evening. They were 

 everywhere when you least expected 

 to see them, and when you were look- 

 ing for them, not one could be found, 

 search high or low. Veritable 

 "Brownies" all around, when lo! in a 

 second, the places that teemed with 

 them were as silent and deserted as 

 the grave. 



In my residence on the coast I grew 

 very fond of these little fellows. If at 

 times they were shy and retreating, 



they as often displayed the inquisitive - 

 side of their nature. In wandering 

 listlessly about. with no apparant ob- 

 ject but to kill time, we have passed 

 many delightful hours together. If in 

 the heat of midday or the cool of eve- 

 ning I have sought me out a conven- 

 ient and sheltered retreat, I had not 

 long to wait before several would ap- 

 pear. 



We will remain still for a moment 

 and see what they will do. At length 

 one bolder than the rest, jumps upon 

 a sprig of spruce about five feet from 

 my body. As the bow bends and tilts 

 the little fellow to and fro, which op- 

 peration he appears to love amazingly, 

 he balances himself deftly peers up and 

 down land around cautiously, then 

 launches into a most furious tirade of 

 dee-dee-dee's that wake the echoes ins 



