ASTERIAS. 91 



dimensions which seem extraordinary. A physician, whom I accounted 

 a most intelligent naturaUst, assured me that he had seen one in the 

 northern seas of Scotland extendmg nearly a yard between the opposite 

 extremities. Admitting that conjectural measurements are delusive, this 

 must have been a very large specimen. I was told of another in a dif- 

 ferent quarter of the country which, after two years survivance, equalled 

 the size of " a dinner plate." 



The largest species I have had an opportunity of obtaining wei^e the 

 Solaster papposa, Astcrias rubens, Aderias (jlacialis, and Asterias endeca. 



The number of organs is not quite unifoi^m in these animals. Some 

 whose complement is nine rays may be seen mtli six, as the endeca ; and 

 with eleven, twelve, thirteen, or fourteen, as the papposa. Among many 

 of the glacialis and ocidafn, and multitudes of various Ophiurce, none 

 have occurred to me with any deficiency of five rays, unless from acci- 

 dental and temporary mutilation, or with redundances. Five constitute 

 their complement. It seems to me that the greatest irregularities are 

 found in those species where the rays are most numerous. 



All are cold, rigid, rough, and disagreeable to the touch ; and they 

 themselves are very impatient of heat, whence it is necessary to keep 

 them cool. Frequent renovation of their element is indispensable. 



In confinement, as well as in the sea. Star-fish are subject to fright- 

 ful mutilations. Not only are they subject to lose portions, or even en- 

 tire rays, but the whole animal literally falls to pieces. Na}^, after a day 

 of correct and satisfactory observation, the following morning Avill some- 

 times present nothing but a quantity of white granulations in the vessel 

 which had contained a perfect and beautiful specimen. This kind of de- 

 composition is perhaps a casualty incidental to the whole : I know of none 

 exempt from it. 



But, as if in compensation. Nature has endowed these creatures with 

 surprising reproductive energies. AH the lost organs are replaced by 

 others ! and although some authors have denied that a complete speci- 

 men may be formed from a single ray, this is a fact which certainly does 

 ensue. But whether some insensible fragment of the disc must have 

 necessarily remained, I cannot presume to specify. 



