THE STARFISH. 



729 



The second species might be well called the KEYHOLE-URCHIN. This remarkable 

 creature, instead of being toothed at the edge like the preceding species, has its disk 

 pierced with oblong apertures of a shape much resembling a keyhole. These apertures 

 are rather variable in their shape, sometimes being merely pierced through the disk of the 

 Urchin, and sometimes extending fairly to the edge. When full-grown, this is rather a 

 large species, much resembling an ordinary pancake both in shape and dimensions. There 

 are many species of Encope, most of which are inhabitants of the hotter seas, some being 

 found in Southern America. The colour of the Keyhole-urchin is dull grey. The whole 

 family is a very remarkable one and affords numerous points of interest to the careful 

 observer. 



AbTERIAS. (With bivalve in mouth J 



BUTTHOIIN. Asterius aimui-nucu. 



LEAVING now the Echini, we pass to the next large group of Echinodermata, called 

 scientifically Asteriadse, and popularly known as Star-fishes. These creatures exhibit in 

 the strongest manner the radiate form of body, the various organs boldly radiating from a 

 common centre. 



Many of these creatures are exceedingly common upon our own coasts, so plentiful, 

 indeed, as to be intensely hated by the fishermen. Of these, the common FIVE-FINGERS, 

 or CROSS-FISH, is perhaps found in the greatest numbers. All Star-fishes are very wonder- 

 ful beings, and well repay a close and lengthened examination of their habits, their 

 development, and their anatomy. There are sufficient materials in a single Star-fish to 

 fill a whole book as large as the present volume, and it is therefore necessary that our 

 descriptions shall be but brief and compressed. 



To begin with the ordinary habits of this creature. 



Every one who has wandered by the sea-side has seen specimens of the common Five- 

 fingers thrown on the beach, and perhaps may have passed it by as something too common- 

 place to deserve notice. If it be taken up, it dangles helplessly from the hand, and 

 appears to be one of the most innocuous beings on the face of the earth. Yet, this very 

 creature has in all probability killed and devoured great numbers of the edible molluscs, 

 and has either entirely or partially excited the anger of many an industrious fisherman. 



