554 THE ARBORESCENT STAR-FISH. 



others still smaller; and this mode of regular subdi- 

 vision is continued to a vast extent, and in the most 

 beautiful gradation of minuteness, till at length the 

 number of extreme ramifications sometimes amount 

 to several thousands. One specimen, that measured 

 three feet across, had five hundred and twelve ex- 

 tremities to each ray ; so that, in this, the whole num- 

 ber was 2560, By this most curious structure the 

 animal becomes as it were a living net, and is capa- 

 ble of catching such creatures as are by nature des- 

 tined for its prey, by the sudden contraction of its 

 innumerable ramifications ; and the unfortunate ob- 

 ject is secured by these beyond all possibility of 

 escape*. 



In order to preserve this curious animal whole and 

 undamaged for cabinets, it should be taken far out 

 in the sea; and the fishermen ought to be careful 

 not to break off any of the limbs, and to prevent the 

 animal from contracting and entangling its outer and 

 most slender branches. The fishermen of the Cape 

 of Good Hope get six, and sometimes even ten, rix- 

 dollars for one of these Star-fish. 



When it is alive, or but just dead, its colour is a 

 reddish or deep carnation; but on being dried it be- 

 comes somewhat grey. It should be dried in the 

 shade, in some open place, where the wind has free 

 access to it ; for in the sun it is apt to dissolve, and 

 if placed too much in the shade it frequently be- 

 comes putrid f. 



* Shaw's Nat. Mi?, vol. iii. tab. 103. + Thunberg, i. 240. 



