408 THE STAR-FISH. 



severing their bodies, when it was found from the di- 

 vided part, in a short time, grew again, and two per- 

 fect animals were produced from one. 



OF THE STAR-FISH. 



The next order of the zoophytes is that of the star- 

 fish, a numerous, though a shapeless and deformed 

 tribe. These animals take such a variety of figures, 

 that it is impossible to describe them under one deter- 

 minate shape ; but, in general, their bodies resemble a 

 truncated cone, the base of which is applied to the 

 , rock to which they are usually attached. Animals of 

 this nature are formed of a semi-transparent gelatinous 

 substance, covered over with a thin membrane, which 

 appears like a lump of inanimate jelly floating upon 

 the surface of the sea; but which, upon a more close 

 inspection, may be seen shooting out their arms in 

 every direction, in order to seize worms, spawn of 

 fish, or muscles, for their prey ; and in the dark they 

 emit a kind of phosphoric light. 



Many of them are possessed of long slender fila- 

 ments, in which they entangle any small animals that 

 may draw too near, as their appetite is known to be of 

 the most voracious kind ; and, if they are divided into 

 a variety of parts, each in a short time will become a 

 perfect whole. 



Of this tribe the number is so various, that a de- 

 scription of each would neither instruct or entertain ; 

 yet we cannot avoid naming the cuttle-fish, as being 

 endowed with a degree of sagacity which none of the 

 others possess. This creature is about two feet long, 

 and is composed of a gelatinous substance, though it 

 is inwardly strengthened by a large bone, which the 

 goldsmiths make use of in various kinds of work ; but 



