FAMILIES OP THE STAR-FISHES. 221 



" But fain St. Hilda's nuns would learn 

 If on a rock by Lindisfarn 

 Saint Cuthbert sits and toils to frame 

 The sea-born beads thatbear his name ; 

 Such tales had Whitby's fishers told, 

 And said they might his shape behold, 



And hear his anvil sound : 

 A deadened clang, a huge dim form, 

 Seen but and heard when gathering storm 



And night were closing round; 

 But this, as tale of idle fame, 

 The nuns of Lindisfarn disclaim." 



The multitudes of Crinoideae which inhabited 

 the primitive ocean exceed all conception. The 

 immense deposits of what is called encrinital 

 marble which are found in some districts of 

 England, are formed almost entirely by their 

 remains. 



The second family of the star-fishes is that of 

 the Ophiuridse. These are distinguished by their 

 circular bodies, and five long and very slender legs. 



The third family are the Asteriadse, or true 

 star-fishes. 



The fourth family is that of the Echinidse, or 

 sea-urchins. 



The fifth are the Holothuridse. 



The sixth are named the Siphunculidse. These 

 in external appearance resemble worms, but their 

 natural history has not been fully investigated. 



The families now enumerated include a great 

 variety of species, a special description of which 

 would occupy a large space, but a few of the 

 more interesting varieties may be described. 



Let us suppose then that the reader has 



