JflCK OH THE OYSTER 



QUITE as infinite in number, variety and form is the life 

 ^^ of the sea as that of the land. But of all marine ani- 

 mals, however, there is none more curious than the echino- 

 derm, a name derived by science from two Greek words, 

 indicating an animal bristling with spines like the hedge- 

 hog. These creatures are sometimes free, but quite as often 

 attached by a stem, flexible or otherwise, and radiate after 

 the fashion of a circle or star, or are of the form of a star, 

 with more or less elongated arms. They are covered with 

 shell-like plates, which they secrete for themselves, and are 

 still further protected by spines or scales. 



Perhaps the most common of the echinoderms is the Star- 

 fish, or Five-fingered Jack, as it is called by sailors. Who- 

 ever has spent any time on the seashore has doubtless made 

 the acquaintance of this animal, for it is readily distinguish- 

 able by its shape, its upper surface being rough and tuber- 

 culous, and armed with spine-like projections, while the 

 under portion is soft, containing the essential organs of life 

 and locomotion. 



When first seen stranded on the shore the Star-fish, by 

 the uninitiated, is thought to be a creature incapable of move- 

 ment of any kind. But this is far from being the case, for 

 in its native element it moves along the bottom of the sea 

 with the greatest ease, being provided with an apparatus 

 specially adapted for the purpose. Ordinarily its arms are 

 kept upon the same level, but in passing over obstacles that 

 lay in its path, the animal has the power of raising any one 

 of its several arms. Elevations are ascended with the same 



