254 NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF DUBLIN. 



broken asunder, they supply a variety of small animals, to which they 

 afford shelter. 



Alcyonium glomeratum. — I observed some- spongelike masses of an 

 orange red colour, which appeared to agree with the description of this 

 species given in Johnston's " British Zoophytes." 



ECHINODERMATA . 



Comatula rosacea, Rosy Feather Star. — This remarkable Star Fish, 

 so ably described by the late Professor Forbes, and considered to be 

 the only representative in European seas of the Order Crinoidea. once so 

 numerous in a fossil state, frequents both deep and shallow water. He al- 

 ludes to it as being abundant on the Irish coast, in company with the 

 stalked young, having been dredged by the late Mr. Ball and Mr. "W". 

 Thompson off Ireland's Eye, attached to Algae. I obtained a single speci- 

 men from one of the cavities of Alcyonium on breaking it open ; but, as 

 it was dead, and very brittle, it readily fell to pieces. 



Ophiura texturata, Common Sand Star. — Several living individuals 

 of this species were collected. Forbes says : — " In the Irish Sea it is 

 rather scarce ; but is common, according to Mr. Thompson, on a sandy 

 bottom, on the north-east and south of Ireland." 



Ophiocoma rosula, Common Brittle Star. — I obtained one speci- 

 men of this, the most common of the Brittle Stars. It is described by 

 Forbes as being the most variable, as also one of the handsomest in co- 

 lour. It delights in rocky ground, and probably for that reason so few 

 of them were found at this place. On visiting Bray a short time since, 

 and looking into some fishing boats just drawn up on the beach, I ob- 

 served the bottoms full of these creatures ; and a most curious appearance 

 they presented in the mass, twisting and twirling about in all direc- 

 tions. Their power of breaking themselves up is most remarkable, to 

 which on this occasion I was a witness. Forbes graphically describes 

 it as " the most brittle of all Brittle Stars, separating itself into pieces 

 with wonderful quickness and ease ; touch it, and it flings away an arm j 

 hold it, and in a moment not an arm remains attached to the body." 



Ophiocoma minuta, Sand Brittle Star. — A single specimen of this 

 very small and pretty species was obtained from Alcyonium digita- 

 turn. Mr. William Thompson records it as having been found in the 

 North of Ireland, and states that it has also been found in Courtmac- 

 sherry Harbour, county of Cork. 



Jlraster rubens, Common Cross Fish, of five rays. — I observed many 

 specimensof this the most common of our Star Fishes. Forbes says — " It 

 inhabits various depths of water, from thirty fathoms to a few feet, in 

 the Irish Sea." 



Solaster papposa, Common Sun Star, twelve to fifteen rays. — This 

 Star Fish is one of the commonest as well as the handsomest of British 

 species. It is abundant in the Irish Sea, according to Forbes, who 

 gives Mr. Ball a3 his authority for the statement, that at Portmarnock 



