THE STAR-FISH. 183 



whole cavity of their bodies. The harder shells 

 continue for some weeks undigested ; but at 

 length they undergo a kind of maceration in the 

 stomach, and become a part of the substance of 

 the animal itself. The indigestible parts are re- 

 turned by the same aperture by which they were 

 swallowed, and then the star-fish begins to fish 

 for more. These also may be cut in pieces, and 

 every part will survive the operation ; each be- 

 coming a perfect animal, endued with its natural 

 rapacity. Of this tribe, the number is various, 

 and the description of each would be tedious and 

 uninstructing : the manners and nature of all are 

 nearly as described ; but I will just make men- 

 tion of one creature, which, though not properly 

 belonging to this class, yet is so nearly related, 

 that the passing it in silence would be an unpar- 

 donable omission. 



Of all other animals, the Cuttle-fish, though in 

 some respects superior to this tribe, possesses qua- 

 lities the most extraordinary. It is about two 

 feet long, covered with a very thin skin, and its 

 flesh composed of a gelatinous substance, which, 

 however, within-side is strengthened by a strong 

 bone, of which such great use is made by the 

 goldsmiths. It is possessed of eight arms, which 

 it extends, and which are probably of service to 

 it in fishing for its prey : while in life, it is capa- 

 ble of lengthening or contracting these at plea- 

 sure ; but when dead, they contract and lose 

 their rigidity. They feed upon small fish, which 

 they seize with their arms ; and they are bred 



