SUN- STAR. Solaster pappdsa. 



BIRD'S-FOOT SEA-STAR. Pdlmipes membranaceu* 

 EYED CRI BELLA. Cribella oculdta. 



extremely variable, even in the same species or the same individual. If, for example, a 

 specimen of the common cross-fish be taken from the pool of water in which it is lying, 

 a practised hand will at once know whether it is dead or alive. In the former case the 

 creature is soft and flabby to the touch, yields readily to the impress of the fingers, and 

 hangs down heavily like a mass of wet rag. If, on the contrary, any life should be left in 

 the creature, the rays are tolerably firm and resisting to the touch, and when held by one 

 ray it has altogether a firmer and more lively feeling about it. A simple, but effectual 

 mode of ascertaining whether a Star-fish be alive or dead, is to turn it on its back in some 

 sea-water. If it be dead there will of course be no movement, but if the least particle of 

 life be still latent in that body from which it can hardly be expelled, the ambulacra, or 

 feet, are seen to put themselves in motion, some being thrust out while others are being 

 withdrawn. 



ON this illustration are shown some very curious species of Star-fish. 



The BKITTLE-STAKS, of which there are several species, are very appropriately named, 

 inasmuch as they are able to break up their rays in the most extraordinar)' manner, 

 a capability which they mostly exercise when they feel alarmed. The generic name, 

 Ophiocoma, is derived from two Greek words, the former signifying a serpent, and the 

 latter a lock of hair. 



The whole of the Brittle- stars are curious and restless beings. They can never remain 

 in the same attitude for the tenth part of a second, but are continually twining their long 



