AND STAB-FISH. 175 



plunge in fresh water as being the best means of 

 killing them, before they can mutilate themselves. 

 At the place now referred to, a cluster of rocks is 

 left bare at low water, and their surfaces contain 

 numerous " pools," in which repose the mussels, &c., 

 that have been torn from their moorings and 

 separated from each other. Among the byssus of 

 this shell-fish the little Ophiocoma neglecta may be 

 found by scores. When dried by exposure to the 

 air, after a cold water bath, they are indeed most 

 beautiful objects for the cabinet. With the excep- 

 tion of a few other British localities, this species 

 is not common. The same peculiarity of breaking 

 off their arms characterises them everywhere. We 

 may add that the Brittle-stars are no mean 

 swimmers an advantage they possess over their 

 other brethren. The cod-fish is especially fond of 

 this animal, and entire specimens may frequently be 

 found in its stomach. 



We proceed to give a brief notice to another 

 member of this family, which connects the star-fishes 

 with the ancient Encrinites. The latter are all but 

 extinct, although the limestones of many of the 

 Palaeozoic rocks are crowded with their remains. 

 The Carboniferous limestones of Derbyshire and 

 Lancashire are especially so, as the polished marble 

 of our mantel-pieces silently but certainly informs 

 us. The " encrinital marble " of Derbyshire is 

 almost wholly made up of the broken stems and 

 joints of this old-world creature. One species of 



