\>TKRIAS. 'M 



dimensions which 0eem extraordinary . A physician, whom I accounted 

 .1 most intelligent naturalist, assured me that he had seen one in the 

 northern seas of Scotland extending nearly a yard between the opposite 

 extremities. Admitting that conjectural measurements are delusive, this 

 must have I wen a MTV large specimen. I was told of another in a dif- 

 ferent quarter of tin- count r\ \\hidi, after two years survivance. cquall.il 

 th<- si/e of " a dinner plate." 



The largest species I have had an opportunity of obtaining were the 

 Sohuter f*ij>j i-in* rabetu, Atterias g/ai-inli*, and Asterias endeca. 



The niiiiilier of organs is not quite uniform in these animal*. Some 

 whose complement is nine rays may be seen with six, as the ndrca ; and 

 with eleven, twelve, thirteen. <>r t'onrteen, as the pappota. Among many 

 of the ij/nritiii* and oculaia, and multitudes of various Ophiurtr, none 

 have occurred to me witli an\ deiieieney of five rays, unless from acci- 

 dental and temporary mutilation, or with redundances. Five constitute 

 their complement. It seems to me that the greatest irregularities are 

 found in those speeies when- the rays are most numerous. 



All are cold, rigid, rough, and disagreeable to the touch ; and they 

 themselves are very impatient of heat, whence it is necessary to keep 

 them cool. Fiv<|iient renovation of their element is indispensable. 



In confinement, as well as in the sea, Star-fish are subject to fright- 

 ful mutilations. Not only are they subject to lose portions, or even en 

 tire rays, but the whole animal literally falls to pieces. Nay, after a day 

 of correct and satisfactory observation, the following morning will some- 

 times present nothing but a quantity of white granulations in the vessel 

 which had contained a jn-rfeet and Iteautiful specimen. This kind of de- 

 eompnsition is jH-rhaps a casualty incidental to the whole : I know of none 

 exempt from it. 



Hut, as if in compensation. Nature has endowed these creatures with 

 surprising reproductive energies. All the lost organs are replaced h\ 

 others I and alt houjrh some authors have denied that a complete speci- 

 men may l>c formed from a single ray. this is a fact which certainly does 

 ensue. Hut whether some insen.-ilile fragment of the disc must have 

 necessarily remained. 1 cannot presume to specify. 



