176 HALF AN HOUK WITH SEA-URCHINS 



encrinite has recently been met with, during the 

 deep-sea explorations, off the northern portion of 

 the British Islands. But the object we would now 

 draw attention to is known as the " Feather-star " 

 (Comatula rosacea). It is not common, although 

 we have seen it repeatedly brought in by the trawl 

 fishermen. It has ten long arms, each of which is 

 composed of joints formed of lime. These arms 

 are feathered, as it were, along each side ; hence the 

 name of the animal. Singularly enough, when 

 young, the feather-star is attached by a jointed 

 stalk to the sea-bottom, and in this stage exactly 

 resembles the encrinites. It is to be met with in 

 the sea from Norway to the Mediterranean. When 

 it reaches the adult state it separates from the stalk 

 and swims away, progressing by alternate contrac- 

 tions and unfoldmgs of its long arms. 



The sea-cucumbers (Holothurise) are nearly 

 allied to the creatures we have been endeavouring to 

 describe, in many respects. OS the Devonshire 

 coast they are not uncommon, although they have 

 not a very great northerly distribution. Were it 

 not for the beautiful, feathery tentacles arranged 

 round the head, they would be esteemed almost too 

 ugly for notice. They have a knack of turning 

 themselves almost inside out, when they present 

 anything but an attractive appearance. They are 

 more or less worm-shaped, and their tough skin is 

 strengthened by the distribution through it of 

 grains or spicules of carbonate of lime. Many of 



