64 NATURAL HISTORY OF OUR SHORES 



shell gravel reaches at Herm Island I have many times 

 found Uraster digesting a Natica that was too large to be 

 taken in in this manner. 



In rocky situations, and under stones that are not too 

 evenly pressed to the ground, may very commonly be 

 found the little " Cushion Star " (Asterina gibbosa}. This 

 one is about an inch and a half across. It has no definite 



Fig. 24. Asterina gibbosa. Upper and under 

 Natural size 



rays or " arms," only five projecting corners, hence its 

 name of "Cushion" (Fig. 24). 



Of much the same shape as Asterina, but of very much 

 larger size often nine inches across is one of the grandest 

 of the British star-fishes. This is Goniaster eqiiestris. It 

 is, when living, of a purplish green colour, and finely set 

 with tubercular processes. It is a northern species, and is 

 not uncommon off Aberdeen. It is properly a rather deep- 

 water form. 



The star-fish which attains the greatest size on our shores 

 is Asterias aurantiaca. This is of typical star shape. The 



