lower surfaces. The shell is covered all the margins are bluntly rounded and 



over with short spines, giving it a vel- there is but one perforation near the 



vety appearance. lower side. The margin is cut into by five 



Allied to the Sand Dollar and re- bluntly rounded nicks or incisions. The 

 sembling it in habits is the key-hole five rays are indicated on the dorsal sur- 

 urchin, so named from the presence of face by a five-rayed figure composed of 

 five slits, four of which are near the as many petal-like structures, which are 

 edge of the disk, two on each side and really the ambulacral furrows and are 

 one in the center, about midway between perforated by many little holes for the 

 the summit and edge of the test. The protrusion of the water-feet, 

 shell is closely covered with short, hair- The Sea Urchins present an endless 

 like spines. In the common key-hole variety of forms ; some have large shells 

 urchin of the Atlantic coast, Melita tes- with short, bristle-like spines, while oth- 

 tudinata, the shell is very flat, the spines ers have small shells with long spines, 

 are minute and very numerous and are These spines also vary from long, needle- 

 arched over the slits so as to form a like bodies to those which are ornament- 

 sort of roof. The mouth is very small ed by frills, knobs and other curiously 

 compared with the size of the urchin and shaped protuberances. The Sea Urchins 

 the dental apparatus is flat and distinctly live in all parts of the world, from the 

 star-like in form. The five rays are dis- tide-washed shore to the abyssal depths 

 tinctly marked on the under surface by of the ocean. They are least numerous 

 radiating furrows. in the colder waters of the north, and are 



One of the common key-hole urchins most abundant, and also most varied in 



of the west coast of America is the form and color, in the waters of the 



Encope grandis, an inhabitant of the Gulf tropics, 



of California. It is very thick and solid, Frank Collins Baker. 



COMEDY OF THE WINDOW-SILL. 



Each morning to my window-sill comes flying through the air 

 A hasty crew, a hungry crew, to take their breakfast there : 

 The drop below is sheer and deep, the sill itself is narrow, 

 But wide enough and safe enough for starling and for sparrow. 



The sober-suited sparrow is like other sober folks, 

 Though quick where profits are concerned, not quite so quick at jokes ; 

 The starling, like a dancing-girl in green shot-silk and spangles, 

 Flaunts up and down the window-sill and plays the scold and wrangles. 



The sparrows — greatly shock'd, of course — can hardly keep away, 

 For if they breakfasted elsewhere, they might be ask'd to pay, 

 And so the starlings have the fun of constantly provoking 

 The simple souls, who never guess that they are only joking. 



Henry Johnstone. 



181 



