98 ECHINODERMATA. 



specimen of vivid yellow. In some of medium size, an intermixture of 

 brown predominates over the yellow. 



The whole surface is generally spotted white, in longitudinal rows 

 from the centre of the body down to the extremities. By the micro- 

 scope, the spots are discovered to be so many tufts, composed of spinous 

 processes ; and being protruded at wU, they cannot but greatly affect 

 the appearance of the animal, and the more according to its predominant 

 hue. Both this and the former have rows of pecuUar low processes 

 down each margin of the five rays ; and each ray in both seems to have 

 four rows of suckers in full-grown specimens ; if only two, as usual in 

 Star-fish, their arrangement is deceptive. The extremity of the rays 

 have several longer and more slender tentacular organs. 



A vast ovarium occupies the rays of the Asterias rubens in May and 

 June, composed of lobes of a triangidar figure, terminating in cones of 

 capsules, each capsule as large as small shot. The general figure of the 

 subordinate parts corresponds with that of the lobe. 



In April the roe is not so far advanced as to distend the lobes. It 

 resembles clusters of grapes. The surface of the capsules approaching 

 maturity, appears mottled from the mternal molecules ; which fall to 

 the l3ottom of the vessel in numbers incredible, as the capsules burst. 

 A darker nucleus is exposed under the microscope by each. If these be 

 the elements of the Star-fish, our surprise at their multitudes may cease. 

 —Plate XVII. fig. 2. 



But infinite embarrassment opposes discovery of the actual develoji- 

 ment of the embryo. A'VQiatever success may have attended the re- 

 searches of other naturalists, I have been constantly disappointed of fol- 

 lowing its progress uninterruptedly ; whence I am led to conjecture that 

 the spawn or produce is borne away from the product, and is preserved 

 from corruption by the abundance of the circumambient fluid. 



The young Asterias rubens, as it may be presumed Irom form and 

 colour, is sometimes found in a very early stage, from which it appears 

 that the development of the ovum is as an irregular, expanding, central, 

 shapless portion, whence the rays are gradually issuing. But they are 

 of indefinite form, originating successively, and refining with time. 



