HOMES UNDEE THE SEA. 



CHAPTEE V. 



SEA URCHINS. 



THE Starfishes, as we have shown, form a series of 

 links which connect the polypes with the worms. 

 The Five-finger, or Cross Fish, as it is sometimes called, 

 seems to be the central link of the chain. 



The next link towards the higher beings is easily 

 found. 



Supposing that the skin of a Five-finger could be 

 flattened and extended as far as the tips of the rays, just 

 as the web of a duck's foot extends between the toes, we 

 should have a creature which, retaining the five rays, 

 their ambulacra, and the mouth in the centre, is yet 

 indicative of another type of form. 



Such a creature is found in the Bird's Foot Starfish 



