TWO YOUNG NATURALISTS. 49 



their elongate shape ; radiates* masquerading in the 

 form of molluscs ; ophiurians with long slender arms 

 radiating from a central disc ; Solasters, great star-fishes 

 with twelve broad rays, and of a yellow colour, thus 

 looking like so many suns. 



In less than a quarter of an hour their receptacles 

 were filled, and, well- contented, they retraced their 

 road to the laboratory. 



A sea-mouse was the first specimen that found its 

 way on to the table. 



As Rene was examining its varied tints with much 

 delight 



"Look," said Ldon, "how formidably this annelid 

 is armed ! " 



And with a pair of curved scissors he cut off some 

 hairs from the Aphrodita, and placed them under the 

 object-glass of the microscope. 



Everything in the way of harpoons, of pointed 

 instruments, of straight and curved sabres, of cutting 

 and perforating arms, that an armourer could imagine, 

 was there represented a microscopic panoply. 



"Your annelid is quite a walking arsenal," cried 

 Rene. " But what a singular mania for a villainous 

 grey crab " (this far from flattering epithet related to 

 the Dromia) " to make himself an overcoat with sea- 

 weeds." 



* The sea-cucumbers belong to the Echinodermata, and are now, therefore, 

 removed from the Radiata by naturalists, though they were united therewith 

 by Cuvier. 



E 



