THE BIRD'S-FOOT SEA-STAR. 73 i 



may state that a few hours will be well bestowed in examining the structure of any of 

 these beings. A very simple plan of doing so is to wash the creature well with fresh 

 water, lest the salt should rust the scissors and scalpel, and then carefully look into 

 the extraordinary array of tentacles, or ambulacra, on which the creature walks. Let 

 it then be pinned to a flat piece of cork loaded with lead, and sunk about half an inch 

 below the surface of clear fresh water. Slit up the skin along each ray, taking care to 

 save a portion for the microscope, and turn the flaps aside. 



In each ray will be seen the curious feathered and fern-like branches of the stomach, 

 and under them lies the wondrous array of bone-like pieces of which the skeleton is 

 made. Thousands upon thousands of pure white columns are ranked in double vistas, 

 and ate over-arched by an elaborate structure of the same white material on the pillars. 

 I know nothing that can compare with this sight for delicacy and beauty. Imagine 

 a cathedral aisle half a mile in length, which is supported by a double row of white 

 marble columns, and whose roof is formed of the same beautiful material ; then, let all 

 the pillars be bowed towards each other in pairs, so that their capitals rest against each 

 other, and a dim idea will be formed of the wonderful structure of the Star-fish. 



The piece of skin must be preserved in order to examine, with the aid of the 

 miscroscope, the pedicillariae and minute spiracles that stud its surface. A tolerably 

 stout pair of scissors are required for the purpose of cutting the skin, as its substance 

 is tough ; and it is besides furnished with such an array of hard stony appendages, that 

 the edge of a more delicate instrument would certainly be turned, and its blade run 

 some risk of fracture. 



Before we pass to the remaining examples of this family, a few words must be given 

 to the development of this wonderful creature. 



The eggs of the Star-fish are numerous, almost beyond the power of arithmetic to 

 calculate, and thus keep up the needful supply of these creatures whose enemies are 

 so numerous, and powers of escape so trifling. When first excluded, the eggs are not 

 allowed to pass freely into the sea, but are protected for a time in a kind of cage or 

 chamber formed by the parent by raising itself on the tips of its rays, as has already 

 been mentioned. When hatched, the young are round and almost shapeless, bearing 

 a very close resemblance to an imprisoned animalcule. They by degrees put forth 

 their rays, the feet issue from the rays, and, after a while, they are enabled to shift for 

 themselves, and are dismissed from their parental home. 



WE now proceed to the examination of some of the more conspicuous species of 

 Asteriadas. 



The large upper figure on page 732 represents the common FIVE FINGERS, or CROSS- 

 FISH, which needs no more description than has already been given. At its right-hand 

 is seen another specimen, which affords a good example of the reproducing powers 

 already mentioned. Having lost all its rays except one, it has contrived to live with 

 the assistance of that solitary ray, and has begun to rectify the disaster by developing 

 a fresh set of rays, whose points can be seen just budding around the disk. 



The little flat figure at the left-handed lower corner of the illustration represents the 

 GIBBOUS STARLET, a pretty little species, notable for the manner in which the rays are 

 connected by a membrane as far as their tips. In the corresponding right-hand corner is 

 a specimen of the KNOTTY-CUSHION STAR, so called on account of the thick rounded rays. 



PASSING to the next illustration, we have examples of several other curious forms of 

 Star-fishes, all being found on the British coasts. The BIRD'S FOOT SEA-STAR derives its 

 name from its singular shape, which is not at all unlike that of a duck's foot, with its 

 spread toes and connecting membrane. This beautiful species is very thin of texture, and 

 has a pentagonal form, caused by the five rays and the connecting membrane. If the 

 surface of this Star-fish be examined with a good magnifier, it will be found to be covered 

 with tufts of very tiny spines arranged in a regular series, and forming a kind of pattern. 



The colors of the Bird's-foot Star are positively splendid. Each ray is marked with 

 a double line of bright scarlet, a narrow belt of the same color edges the connecting 



