THE BRITTLE-STARS. 



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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 while others are being withdrawn. 



SUN-STAR. So/aster papposa. 



BIRD'S-FOOT SEA-STAR. Patmlpes membranaceos. 

 EYED CRIBELLA.- Crlbella oculata. 



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



The BRITTLE-STARS, of which there are several species, are very appropriately named, 

 inasmuch as they are able to break up their rays in the most extraordinary 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 



