66 



GLIMPSES OF NATURE. 



that run along his rays or arms, moving backwards 

 and forwards, here and there, as if in protest at the 

 treatment to which their owner is being subjected. 

 Truly, an unkind fate has taken the star from its 

 watery firmament and stranded it at our feet, which 

 shows, in truth, that accidents and emergencies befall 

 humble beings as well as creatures of high estate. 

 There is some consolation, I think, even for mankind, 



Fig. 19. Starfishes. 



i, The Common Starfish ; 2, A Cushion Star ; 3, A Starfish with one perfect ray 

 and four new rays budding out ; 4, A Smooth Starfish ; 5, A Brittle Star. 



in the spectacle of untoward events troubling what 

 mind even a starfish may be regarded as legitimately 

 possessing. 



Protruding from the starfish mouth, which exists in 

 the very centre of its under-surface, we see a clear 

 jelly-like mass. This is part and parcel of the 

 stomach, which extends into the rays of the animal. 

 It may be that our star is taking this rather inelegant 



