674 



THE STAK-FISH. 



is a terrible foe to molluscs, and, although its body is so soft, and it is 

 destitute of any jaws or levers, such as are employed by other mollusc- 

 eating inhabitants of the sea, it can devour even the tightly-shut bi- 

 valves, however firmly they may close their valves. 



The second delinquency of the Star-fish is achieved as follows : By 

 some wonderful power it is enabled to detect prey at some distance, 

 even though no organs of sight, hearing, or scent can absolutely be de- 

 fined. When, therefore, the fisherman lowers his bait into the sea, 



The Sea Cucumbers and Star-fishes. 



the Star-fishes and crabs often seize the hook, and so give him all the 

 trouble of pulling up his line for nothing, baiting the hook afresh, and 

 losing his time. ^ The fishermen always kill the Star-fish in reprisal for 

 its attack on their bait, and formerly were accustomed to tear it across 

 and fling the pieces into the sea. This, however, is a very foolish plan 

 of proceeding, for the Star-fish is wonderfully tenacious of life, and can 

 bear the loss of one or all of its rays without seeming much inconve- 

 nienced. The two halves of the Asterias would simply heal the wound, 



