324 A. E. Verrill—The Bermuda Islands; Coral Reefs. 
reefs and is also to be found on the rough rocky shores of the outer 
islands, as at Cooper’s Island, Castle Island, etc., in shallow water. 
It can be easily taken by means of a barbed wire, or straightened 
fish-hook attached to a long slender stick and used as a spear. 
Echinometra subangularis (Leske). Plate xxxiva, fig. 2. 
The stout, sharp spines and somewhat oblong form of the shell 
are characteristic of this species. Its spines, in life, are generally 
dull purple or greenish. 
It is found on the reefs and outer islands among rough rocks in 
shallow water, like the last. It has the singular habit of excavating 
holes for itself in the limestone rocks, the holes being just large 
enough to hold the creature, whatever its size. How it bores the 
rock is not certainly known. 
Hipponoe esculenta (Leske). Edible Sea Urchin. Plate xxxive, fig. 2. 
This large round species is found in the same situations as the last 
two. It is not common in most localities. It becomes 4 to 5 inches 
in diameter. Its spines are numerous, rather short, and usually pale 
green or whitish in color. In some of the West Indian islands it is 
an important article of food. The principal edible portions are the 
large clusters of roe. 
ASTERIOIDEA: STARFISHES.* 
Asterias (Stolasterias) tenuispina (Lam.) Common Starfish. Plate xxxiv, 
fig. 2. Plate xxxivc, fig. 2. Plate xxxvi, fig. 1 (7). 
No other starfish is commonly found on the reefs without diligent 
search under stones, etc. This species, however, is very common 
and usually lives exposed. Its rays are slender and easily detached. 
It is usually irregular in form, with part of its rays much shorter 
than the rest, due to the partial restoration of lost rays. The num- 
ber of rays varies from 5 to 9 or more, but is most frequently 6 to 8. 
It rarely becomes more than 7 to 8 inches in extent. In life its 
colors are variable and often attractive, commonly some shade of 
purple, or purple varied with orange. 
It is found also in the Bahamas and in the Mediterranean Sea. 
* The only Bermuda shallow water starfish not found on the reefs is Luidia 
clathrata, which lives in sheltered sandy bays. (For habits, see above, p. 146.) 
