112 ECHINODEEMATA. 



remain always the same. These rows are separated by a kind of rib 

 in large specimens. . The sucker bears a narrow resemblance to the pro- 

 boscis of an elephant, being very contractile, flexible, somewhat carti- 

 laginous, and of annulated appearance, besides enlarging at the extremity, 

 fig. 6. As above said, eight or ten long, flexible, rather muricate organs, 

 at the end of each ray, seem of different structure, having no enlarge- 

 ment, and their functions being apparently more tentacular, fig. 7. 



On emptying and inverting the vessel containing these animals, the 

 suckers gradually relaxing their hold, allow them to drop off. 



All are very tenacious of life, insomuch that the suckers of one por- 

 tion continued adhering while the remainder was in actual decay. 



The ovarium of the Asterias papposa is unlike that of any of the 

 species above described. It consists of two clusters of capsules at the 

 root of each of the rays, thus corresponding somewhat with the ovarian 

 lobes of the Glacialis and Rubens. They are slightly attached to the 

 skin of the specimen ; and are nearly of the dimensions represented, 

 Plate XXVI. figs. 1, 2, 3, though scarcely as large, for one of them 

 might be covered by a hollow hemisphere eight or nine lines in diameter. 



Portions of the cluster seem forked, fig. 4, enlarged ; and parts are 

 branched, which is perhaps the true character of the ovarium : Fig. 5, 

 enlarged. 



It may be thence understood that the ovarium is, on the whole, 

 composed of a number of irregular capsules, fig. 6, enlarged ; wherein 

 are contained an indefinite quantity of spherical and ovoidal ova, many 

 of which are expelled from it after each other, fig. 7. One just quitting 

 the capsule appears at the summit of fig. 6. This capsule was an eighth 

 of an inch long. The ova, generally spherical, are of a fine reddish- 

 orange colour, with a darker red speck or nucleus. 



I set much of the roe and many of the ova apart in suitable vessels, 

 yet I was disappointed of their proving prolific. 



The ovaria are advancing, and of a beautiful orange colour, from 

 April until July. But specimens have had no ovarium early in the 

 latter month, though in some they were fine and vivid, apparently ap- 

 proaching maturity. 



