45 



the position and direction of these innermost furrow-spines, in between the far extending 

 water-feet, this is also in a high degree probable. But such cannot be supposed to be the 

 intention of the pedicellaries attached to the other spines. I presume on the contrary that 

 their function, like that of the pedicellaries on the lower part of the shell of the Echinidse, 

 is principally exercised in the service of alimentation. If we consider a perfect arm (see Tab. II, 

 fig. 1 & 2) it will be seen that these spines form together a broad brim extending along 

 the sides of the arms from their basis to the extreme point. The width of the space hereby 

 occupied, namely from the point of the marginal spines on one side to the corresponding 

 point of the spines on the other side becomes as much as G times that of the arm itself; 

 and consequently so much greater an area is commanded by the animal than if the spines 

 were away. Now as soon as any particle of matter comes within reach of these spines, it 

 is retained by the numerous pedicellaries situated on them; and at the same time the animal 

 no doubt becomes aware of its presence. How far the particle of matter retained may be 

 serviceable for the nourishment of the animal or not, may be probably more particularly 

 investigated by the sensitive and flexible water-feet, which are extensible on all sides. In the 

 latter case the object is rejected and removed; but in the former it must necessarily be 

 brought within reach of the mouth. This may be imagined feasible in two manners; either 

 by the animal moving its centre towards that point; or by the object being, through the 

 joint instrumentality of the spines, and partly doubtless also of the water-feet, successively 

 conveyed nearer to the centre, until it can be seized by the pedicellaries attached to the 

 spines which proceed from the environs of the mouth (the bucal spines) whereupon it can 

 be immediately taken into the bucal aperture, which is extensible as far as to these spines. 

 It is probable that both these cases can occur, accordingly as the object is of greater or 

 less bulk. As in all probability the movements of the animal, even when it is living in 

 completely normal circumstances, are very sluggish and slow, and as the arms themselves 

 cannot possibly act as instruments of prehension, it could scarcely be imagined possible that 

 the animal without the help of these small organs would be able to provide itself with suf- 

 ficient nourishment. But by this peculiar equipment, the animal is enabled in an extremely 

 easy manner, to secure any prey that may be found within reach of the arms. It is indeed 

 not rare to And in the captured specimens a whole fauna of various sorts of small animals 

 (Annelides Crustaceans &c) hanging fast in different places to the arms, and often so firmly 

 entangled between the spines as not to be extricable without much difficulty. Every little 

 animal, which in its course along the bottom of the sea is so unfortunate as to come in too 

 close contact with the slowly-gliding magnificent star, is immediately seized and retained by 

 numerous microscopical forceps, and stopped in its career without being able by any exertions 

 to liberate itself. 



On the other hand this peculiarity in the Brisinga makes it comparatively easy to 

 capture. No complicated tackle is required. Not even the ordinary simple dredge. It is 

 quite sufficient to fasten to a heavy lead a thick rope's-end, the single strauds of which are, 



