URASTER RUBENS. 279 



\vliich is generally seen lying wedged in some rocky 

 crevice, or among the Fuci, there patiently waiting 

 the return of the tide. 



At such a time, the Devil' s-hand (as the Irish 

 people term it), does not appear by any means 

 attractive. If placed in water, however, its appear- 

 ance becomes wonderfully improved.. 



Here is a small specimen, just brought from the 

 sea-shore at Cockburnspath (a most romantic and 

 delightful locality, situated on the coast of Berwick- 

 shire). It is neatly wrapped up in a mantle of sea- 

 weed. Freed of its verdant envelope, I deposit the 

 youthful Rubens upon his back ' willy-nilly" 

 in a tumbler partly filled with clear sea water, and 

 then proceed to watch its movements through a 

 magnifier. 



At a glance we perceive that each of its five rays 

 is grooved on its lower surface, and filled with 

 minute perforations, through which is gradually pro- 

 truded a multitude of fleshy suckers, knobbed at 

 the end. It is by aid of these organs that the 

 animal grasps its food, and changes its position, as 

 we shall presently see. One of the rays is now 

 slowly lifted up and moved about in various direc- 

 tions, while from its extreme point the suckers are 

 extended to the utmost limit. No sooner do they 

 touch the side of the vessel than they are firmly 

 fixed and contracted. A point d'appui being thus 

 gained, the animal is enabled by degrees to draw its 



