IIG ZOOLOGY. 



in diameter ; it is very common from Labrador nort;li- 

 ward. 



Fossil star-fishes allied in most respects to Asterias occur 

 in the Lower Silurian rocks, showing the remarkable persist, 

 ence of this type of the order. Characteristic Lower Silu- 

 rian forms are Palmaster and Arcliasterias. In the Upper 

 Silurian appeared Palasterina, a genus allied to the living 

 Astrogonium, etc. 



Class II.— ASTEROIDEA. 



EcMnodtrms %nih a star-like or pentagonal body, with two or Jour rows 

 of ambula.eral feet or tentacles on tlie oral side. Body covered with small, 

 sliori spines, often arranged in groups. The nervous system pentagonal, 

 with 7ierves extending into Oie arms ; tlie watei'-vascular and hcBmaJ, systems 

 also radiating into the ai'ms. Most of the speeies bisexual; the young usually 

 passing through a metamorphosis, the star-fish budding out from the water- 

 vascular system of the platens, bipinnaria or brachiolaria form, which pre- 

 viously passes through a morula, gastrula, and cephalula stage. 



Order 1. Ophiuridea. — Arms round, starting suddenly from a round, 

 disk-like body. Ambulacral furrow covered by a series of 

 ventral plates, so that tlie tentacles or ambulacral feet are 

 thrust out laterally. The ovaries and stomach not extend- 

 ing into the arms ; no anal-opening, no pedicellarise. 

 (Ophiura, Ophioglypha, Ophiolepis, Amphiura, Ophio- 

 coma, Astrophyton). 



Order 2. Asteridea. — Body star like, the arms being gradual extensions 

 of the disk, and containing the reproductive glands, di- 

 gestive cosca, as well as the radial nerves and radial haemal 

 and water-vascular canals. A deep ambulacral furrow, 

 containing two or four rows of ambulacral feet or tenta- 

 cles, those at the extremity of the arms without suckers 

 (Brisinga, Ctenodisciis, Luidia, Astropecten, Oreaster, As- 

 trogonium, Pteraster, Solaster, Crossaster, Cribrella, Pyc- 

 nopodia, Asterias). 



Laboratory Wwk. — The larger star-fishes are easily dissected ; the 

 general relations of the integument may be perceived by making 

 transverse and longitudinal sections, while the viscera may be studied 

 by splitting the body and arms in two vertically. The smaller Ophiu- 

 rans can be hardened in alcohol, and stained sections made for 

 studying the intricate relations of the water-vascular, hsemal, and 

 nervous systems. 



