THE SHETLAND ARGUS. 833 
taneously that even the most brittle species have no time to 
make the contraction necessary to break off their rays. 
The Ophiocoma rosula seems to be equally abundant on all 
parts of the coast of Britain and Ireland. It is fond of rocky 
places, and grows in Shetland to a much larger size than else- 
where. It is said to prey on little shells and crabs, and is 
greatly relished by the cod in its turn, great numbers being 
often found in the stomach of that voracious fish. 
The Scoteh or Shetland Argus (Huryale verrucosum, La- 
marck), a very rare animal, of which the adjoining wood-cut 
represents a segment, is the only 
British Huryale. It measures a foot 
or more across, and its singular aspect 
has long excited admiration among 
naturalists. ‘*So odd a creature as 
this,” remarks Bradley in his “ Works 
of Nature,” “is well worth the con- 
templation of such curious persons _@& 
as live near the sea, where every day Y@* 
they have subjects enow to employ 
their curiosity and improve their 
understanding.” Grew says that 
“as he swims he spreads and stretches 
out all his branches to their full Warted Euryale. 
length, and so soon as he perceives 
his prey within his reach, he hooks them all in, and so takes it 
as it were in a net.” 
The British species of true star-fishes may be arranged under 
four families. The Urasters are distinguished from all others 
by having four rows of suckers in each of the avenues which 
groove the under surface of their rounded rays. In consequence 
of the great number of these singular organs, the under surface 
of a living cross-fish presents a sight truly curious and wonderful. 
Hundreds of worm-like suckers, extending and contracting, 
coiling and feeling about, each apparently acting independently 
of the others, give the idea rather of an assemblage of polypi 
than of essential parts of one animal. They are sensitive m 
the extreme, for, if we touch one of those singular tubes when 
outstretched, all those in its neighbourhood are thrown into a 
state of agitation ; and when it shrinks from our touch, changing 
