ECHINUS. 133 



§ 2. Echinus (Spatangus purpureus). — Plate XXXII. figs. 12, 13, 14, 



15, 16. 



Another kind of Echinus, very different in external conformation, 

 in habits and appearance, from the preceding, is denominated Spataqus 

 or Spatangus, a name of uncertain etymology, but said to be derived 

 from the Greek language, whereof I do not observe any satisfactory in- 

 terpretation. 



It is a species, also, much less familiar to naturaUsts. In an Itinerary 

 by John Ray the naturalist, describing a Tour in Great Britain during 

 the year 1662, he says, he found on the sea shore, near Llandwyn, " a 

 pretty shell, covered with prickles or bristles, which the Welch call Mer- 

 7naid''s Heads." — Lanhester (Dr Edwin), Memorials of John Ray, p. 169. 



The same name is bestowed by the Scotish fishermen, who Ukewise 

 call it the Man s face, and Monkey's face. 



This creature is not nearly as common as the preceding, but its form 

 has attracted the notice of so many observers, that perhaps little of gene- 

 ral import remains to be said on the subject. In as far as I can learn, it 

 belongs to deeper water, and often dwells permanently buried in the 

 sand, from which it is for the most part dug up accidentally, in prosecut- 

 ing the various departments of the fisheries. 



Probably it is the largest of any Scotish animal invested by a shell, 

 setting aside the crustaceous race. 



Among othei's, I received two of ample size, and very heavy, in the 

 month of October, a period when I expected they might be easily pre- 

 served. 



These creatures rudely resemble a flattened heart, one side being 

 convex, the other a flat surface. 



Each of the two measured five inches in length, by half as much in 

 thickness, and four inches in breadth, therefore having attained the com- 

 plete dimensions of full gTown animals. The mouth, a transverse open- 

 ing, is near the upper end of the flat side, the vent in the lower extre- 

 mity, Plate XXXII. fig. 12, reduced. But the proportions and rela- 



