STAE-FTSHES. 35 



denly indisposed, and, to my regret, died in little 

 more than three hours after his admission. 



The animal proved to be, not a Sea-spider, as I 

 had imagined, but a curious species of Star-fish 

 (Ophiocoma rosula), the common Brittle-star. The 

 fragility exhibited by the first specimens I caught at 

 North Berwick, and which I, at the time, attributed 

 to my rough handling, was due to what some writers 

 have not hesitated to term a suicidal tendency; the 

 animal apparently preferring to break into pieces, 

 before it would submit to be captured. Never, indeed, 

 was a more timid little creature seen on land or sea. 



The indifference it exhibits in throwing off its 

 limbs is almost as great as that of the hydroid Polype. 

 Beside the somewhat questionable recommendation 

 conveyed in such a quality, it directly commands our 

 admiration, from being one of the most beautiful 

 Star-fishes found upon our shores. The variety of 



COMMON BRITTLE STAR (OpMc 



