THE GREEN PEA-URCHIN. 299 



Of course I was acquainted with the story, but could 

 not see what it had to do with Sea-Urchins, and 

 told niy brother naturalist so. Still smiling, he said, 

 ' Do you remember the relief that was said to be 

 afforded to the humorous rascal, both mentally 

 and bodily, by boiling his peas ?' Yes. ' Well, 

 then/ was the reply, ' do you boil your Sea-Eggs, 

 and you will find your troubles speedily cease.' I 

 did as I was directed, and found the advice of great 

 service ; for, after being an hour or two in the c pot/ 

 the spines of the Urchin may be totally rubbed off 

 by aid of a nail brush, or some such instrument. 

 Moreover, the colour of the shell is improved, and the 

 dental apparatus may be drawn out entire, with the 

 greatest ease. 



I may here take opportunity to mention, that the 

 student who may think proper to act upon the hint 

 above given, should not boil the Urchin too long, or 

 the fleshy parts will become dissolved, and the entire 

 shell fall into a multitude of fragments. 



This unfortunate result actually happened on one 

 occasion to a genial, clever friend of mine, much to 

 his chagrin and my malicious delight. 



There are several other species of Sea-Urchins 

 whose forms are tolerably well distinguished by their 

 popular appellations. Thus we have the 'Silky 

 Spined Urchin;' the 'Green Pea-Urchin/ the latter 

 is the commonest and prettiest of all its kindred, its 

 back being covered with a kind of powdery green, as 



