60 HOMES UXDER THE SEA. 



of secondary rays, each being formed of a number of 

 joints capable of movement. These secondary rays 

 seem to subserve the same purpose as the ambulacra of 

 the higher Starfishes, and to act as means of locomo- 

 tion. 



Next we come to a remarkable creature, popularly 

 called the Sea Basket, and scientifically known as Gorgono- 

 cdphalus, or Gorgon's Head. 



In this animal we have a decided advance, the various 

 parts being connected, not by a mere semi-glutinous 

 tissue, but by a tough skin. (Fig. 3.) 



Each of the five rays of this creature subdivides close 

 to the body into two, each of these "into two more, and 

 so on. The subdivided rays become smaller and smaller 

 in proportion to their number, until we find more than 

 eighty thousand delicate fibres at their tips. 



The Gorgonocephalus crawls by means of these tendril- 

 like extremities of the arms, just as does the Comatula 

 with its secondary rays. When it feeds, it envelops its 

 prey within its multitudinous arms, and so conveys the 

 food to its mouth. 



The next advance is to be found in the creatures called 

 Brittle Stars, or Snake-tailed Starfishes. Their scientific 

 name is Ophidcoma, i.e. Snake-haired, or OpMurus, i.e. 

 Snake-tail. (Fig. 4.) 



They derive their name of Brittle Stars from the fact 

 that, like many of the higher creatures, when they are 

 alarmed they can break themselves into several pieces. 

 The blindworm, for example, can throw off its tail, and 



