108 



the form of a purse, are characters sufficiently distinctive of 

 this genus. 



Some of the species of this genus are described among 

 the sfellcB of Li'mck, as in Tab. xxii. fig. 34, Asteria multi- 

 radiata, Lin.? Stella rosacea, Linck, Tab. xxxvii. fig. 66, &c. 



Euryale. — An orbicular, depressed body, with a naked 

 back ; divided at its circumference in a row of long, thin, 

 dichotomous, frequently divided, cirrous rays ; these rays 

 being flat beneath, and cylindrical on the back. Ten long 

 openings exist in the under part and towards the margin of 

 the disk. The mouth is beneath, and central. The stomach 

 fills, and, of course, possesses the form of the central semi- 

 globular ventricular cavity. 



The very fine capillary terminations of the almost innu- 

 merable rays of the animals of this genus, and the oblong 

 openings in the lower surface of the disk, two between each 

 ray, serving for the passage of retractile organs, are cha- 

 racters strongly distinctive of this genus. 



This genus is distinguished, by Linck, by the name 

 astrophyton, and was designated, by Gmelin, as asterias 

 euryale et asterias caput medusce. The species to which 

 this name applies is the only one which was known to 

 Linnaeus. 



Ophiura, — An orbicular, depressed body, with the back 

 naked; having, at its circumference, a row of long, thin, 

 simple, cirrous rays ; papillous or spinous, and nearly pin- 

 nated on their sides ; the spines being jointed only at their 

 base. The lower surface of the rays flat, and without any 

 groove or channel ; the mouth beneath, and central, with 

 several openings round it : the stomach possesses a sub- 

 globose form. 



Several species of this genus are described and figured, 

 by Linck, as stella longicauda^ s. lacertosa, &c. and others 

 are to be found among the asterice of Linnaeus, as asterias 

 aculeata, &c. 



