274 



CHAPTER II. continued. 



ANALYTICAL INDEX. 



One of the largest, singular, and beautiful dwellingin the Scottish seas, 1 08 



So remarkable as almost to defy description, . . . ib. 



Its peculiar characteristics, . . . . 109 



Glandular specks not supposed to be organs of vision, . . 110 



Feeds voraciously on mussel and even their own species, . Ill 



The sucker resembles the proboscis of an elephant, . . 112 



All very tenacious of life, ..... ib. 



Ovarium, ....... ib. 



The ovaria advance from April until July, . . ib. 



Named Kelle, or Te Kelle, by the Scottish fishermen, . . 113 



Plates XXIV., XXV., XXVI., explained, . . ib. 



SECTION II. OPHIURA BBACTEATA, Plate-mail Star-fish, . . ib. 



Ophiura prominently distinguished from other star-fish, . 114 



Chief distinctions described, .... ib. 

 The form probably undergoes considerable modification with age, ib. 



Size and vigour depend upon locality and sustenance, . . ib. 



Some live in deep water, &c., . . . . 115 



Extremely numerous, . . . . . ib. 



1. Appearance, form, and organs described, ... ib. 



Feeds voraciously on mussel, . . . . . ib. 



Sometimes has a disagreeable odour after feeding, . . ib. 



Mutilation of the rays particularly incident, . . . ib. 



Propagation, . . . . . . lie 



Ovoid capsules compose the spawn, . . . . ib. 



Specimens of six inches have been replete with ova, . ib. 



Plate XXVII., explained, ./. . . . ib. 



2. OPHIUBA VTJLGARIS, . . . . . 117 



Most common and numerous of any species, . . . ib. 



Distinguished by the profusion and distribution of colours, ib. 



Best specimens found in the northern seas of Scotland, . ib. 



Disc small in proportion to the animal, ... ib. 



Undergo great changes in attaining the adult state, . . ib. 



The rays particularly liable to mutilation, ... ib. 



Plate XXVIII., explained, . . . . . ib. 



.'!. OPHIURA PUNCTATA, . . . . . 118 



The largest species belonging to the Scottish seas, . . ib. 



The finest specimens expand to more than eight inches, . ib. 



