NORTHUMBERLAND AND DURHAM. 139 



Order IV. ECHINOIDEA. 



Family. ECHINIDiE. 

 Genus. ECHINUS, Linnaeus. 



1. Echinus esculentus (Linnccus). Sea Egg. 



Echinus sphcera, Forbes. Brit. Starfishes (1841), 149. 



Common in the north of Northumberland, less so at Culler- 

 coats, J. A. Not very common on the Durham coast, Gr. H. 



In the north this species is frequently found between tide 

 marks, especially at the Fame Islands, a few small individuals 

 are sometimes found during extremely low tides at low water 

 mark on the Durham coast, but this species appears to attain to 

 greater size, as well as greater numbers further north. When 

 dredging at the Fame Islands, the dredges often came up com- 

 pletely filled with this species associated with E. neglectus. When 

 taken fresh from the sea, and placed in a dish of clear sea water, 

 they present a very interesting sight, as, waving their suckers 

 about, they slowly crawl over the surface, the numerous pedicel- 

 larice meanwhile opening and shutting in their singular manner. 

 A very ingenious plan for obtaining specimens of these curious or- 

 ganisms for "mounting," was adopted by Mr. D. 0. Drewett : 

 he simply entangled a tuft of clean sea-weed, of a filamentous 

 character, amongst the spines, when the pedicellariae seized the 

 weed, and holding it fast, were readily lifted clear of the urchin, 

 and being bottled in spirit, were ready for future examination ; 

 great numbers were obtained in this manner. 



2. Echinus miliaris (Leske). Purple-tipped Egg-urchin. 



Echinus miliaris, Forbes. Brit. Starfishes (1841), p. 161. 



" Var. saxatilis, not uncommon, between tide marks," J. A. 

 Northumberland and Durham coasts, from deep water, frequent, 

 G. H. 



Frequently taken by the dredge, both on the Northumberland 



