752 THE LIVING ANIMALS OF THE WORLD 



Phtto by W. Sa-uilU-Ktnt, F.Z.S. 



SEA-CUCUMBER, OR BECHE-DE-MER 



These animals are collected in vast quantities on the Australian Great Barrier 

 Reef, smoked, and sent to the Chinese market 



outlying portions becoming 

 gradually absorbed. Some of 

 the brittle-stars and sea- 

 cucumbers bring forth their 

 young in the adult form, 

 nursing them from the egg in 

 special breeding-chambers. 



The capacity of a star-fish 

 to renew its lost arms is 

 commonly manifested. A single 

 detached arm, moreover, in such 

 a type as the common five- 

 fingered species, can reproduce 

 its body and the remaining four 

 arms. Fishermen, who are in 

 the habit of tearing up star- 

 fishes and throwing them back 

 into the water, under the im- 

 pression that they are thus 

 effectually incapacitating them 

 from further injury to their 

 oyster-beds, commit an error, 

 such mutilation tending to the 

 multiplication of their numbers. 

 In the matter of colour-ornamentation the Star-fish group is richly endowed. Allusion 

 to the brilliant crimson and pink-and-white tints of the British sun star-fish has been 

 already made. As with most animal groups, however, it is amid their tropical representatives 

 that the most striking colour-variations obtain. One form which is common among the coral- 

 reefs on the Queensland coast-line, and much resembles the common British "five-fingers" 

 in size and shape, is brilliant ultramarine-blue. Another large pentagonal species, belonging to 

 the group known as Cushion- 

 stars, has a golden-brown 

 ground, upon which are 

 thickly scattered small bead- 

 like tubercles of turquoise. 

 A third form, not un- 

 common on the Tasmanian 

 coast-line, which is nearly 

 related to the Bird's-foot 

 species, previously mentioned, 

 is distinguished by tints which 

 range through several shades 

 of crimson to brilliant violet. 

 Not a few of the star- 

 fishes are notable for their 

 eminent phosphorescent 

 properties. The group of 

 the Snake-armed and Brittle- 

 stars are more especially 

 distinguished in this respect. 

 Many of these species 



[Milftrd-on-Sta 



occur in such numbers in 



Photo bj ff. Savillt-Ktnt, F.Z.S.} 



PRICKLY SEA-CUCUMBER 



This species of beche-de-mer commands a high price In China, and makes delicious souf 



