334 THE INHABITANTS OF THE SEA, 
from a lengthy fibre to a little shrunk tubercle, some of its 
neighbours, as if partaking in its fears, contract themselves in 
like manner. 
The common Cross-fish (Uraster rubens) abounds on most 
parts of our shores, so as in some places to be used for manure 
in large quantities. “It isa 
sworn enemy to oysters, and 
as it is frequently found with 
one or more of its rays broken 
off, the fishermen faney that 
it loses them in consequence 
of its oyster-hunting propen- 
sities; that it insinuates an arm 
into the incautious oyster’s 
gape, with the intent of whip- 
ping out its prey, but that 
Common Cross-fish. sometimes the apathetic mol- 
lusk proves more than a match 
for its radiate enemy, and closing on him, holds him fast by the 
proffered finger; whereupon the cross-fish preferring amputation 
and freedom to captivity and dying of an oyster, like some 
defeated warrior flings his arms away, glad to purchase the 
safety of the remaining whole by the reparable loss of a part, 
as it has the power of reproducing the broken rays. 
“There is, however, reason to think that the cross-fish destroys 
lis prey in a very different manner from that just narrated; for 
star-fishes are not unfrequently found feeding on shell-fish, 
enfolding their prey within their arms, and seeming to suck it 
out of its shell with their mouths, pouting out the lobes of the 
stomach, which they are able to project in the manner of a 
proboscis. Possibly the stomach secretes an acrid and poisonous 
Huid, which, by paralysing the shell-fish, opens the way to its 
soft and fleshy parts.” — Forbes’s Star Fishes, 
The Solasters are “suns in the system of sea-stars,” and are 
entitled to this distinguished rank among the marine constel- 
lations by their many rays and brilliant hues. The Solaster 
papposa, or common Sun-star, with rays varying in number 
from twelve to fifteen, is one of the commonest, and at the 
same time handsomest, of all the British species. Sometimes 
the whole upper surface is deep purple, and frequently the 
