2G4 MARINE ZOOLOGY OF ARRAN. 



The next scene was amusing enough. The conqueror came 

 entirely out of his house, and retaining a firm grasp of his 

 victim to prevent him from bolting off with either of the 

 two shells now empty backed himself into the new abode, 

 just to inquire if it would really prove a more convenient 

 residence than his own ; but, disappointed in his anticipations, 

 he returned to his former shell, released his young friend 

 without further detention or injury, and apparently, with a 

 polite " good morning," they separated, as if nothing dis- 

 courteous, or at least unusual, had occurred. 



114. The star-fishes will also afford interest during a 

 ramble along the shore. The most common species, Uraster 

 rubens, is really too common to be further noticed. Some 

 kinds, as Palmipes membrcmaceus, Cribella rosea, Asterias 

 aurantiaca, and others, can be procured only by the dredge; 

 but several of the deep water species may occasionally be 

 found by wading through the zostera beds at Lamlash, or by 

 examining the pools and rock crevices, especially after a 

 storm, on Holy Island. In this way, Luidia fragilissima, 

 Uraster glacialis, Cribella oculata, Goniaster Templetoni, 

 Solaster papposa, with some of the species of Ophiocoma and 

 Ophiura, may be picked up without much trouble. In a few 

 places, the smallest of British star-fishes, Asterina gibbosa, 

 may be obtained; but good eyes and some patience are 

 required. Try the pools at the north end of Holy Isle ; and 

 also at Clachland Point, opposite. Turn aside the sea-weed; 

 and it may be, after considerable search and disappointment 

 for this species is by no means abundant you will see the 

 little creature, grayish in colour, and gibbose and augulated 

 in form, adhering to the side of the rock. In Lamlash Bay, 

 Uraster ylacialis is plentiful. It may often be observed on 

 a calm day, when the water is as clear as crystal, directing 

 its course among the algae at the depth of ten or fifteen feet 

 the creature itself, perhaps, two feet in length and, on 

 nearer inspection, you will distinguish it at once from 

 Uraster rubens by the spines situated on the back of each 



