334 



THE INHABITANTS OF THE SEA. 



Common Cross-nsh. 



from a lengthy fibre to a little shrunk tubercle, some of its 

 neighbours, as if partaking in its fears, contract themselves in 

 like manner. 



The common Cross-fish {Uraster rubens) abounds on mohi 

 parts of our shores, so as in some places to be used for manure 



in large quantities. " It is a 

 sworn enemy to oysters, and 

 as it is frequently found with 

 one or more of its rays broken 

 off, the fishermen fancy that 

 it loses them in consequence 

 of its oyster-hunting propen- 

 sities ; that it insinuates an arm 

 into the incautious oyster's 

 gape, with the intent of whip- 

 ping out its prey, but that 

 sometimes the apathetic mol- 

 lusk proves more than a match 

 for its radiate enemy, and closing on him, holds him fast by the 

 proffered finger ; whereupon the cross-fish preferring amputation 

 and freedom to captivity and dying of an oyster, like some 

 defeated warrior flings his arms away, glad to purchase the 

 safety of the remaining whole by the reparable loss of a part, 

 as it has the power of reproducing the broken rays. 



" There is, however, reason to think that the cross-fish destroys 

 his prey in a very different manner from that just narrated ; for 

 star-fishes are not unfrequently found feeding on shell-fish, , 

 enfolding their prey within their arms, and seeming to suck it 

 out of its shell with their mouths, pouting out the lobes of the 

 stomach, which they are able to project in the manner of a 

 proboscis. Possibly the stomach secretes an acrid and poisonous 

 fluid, which, by paralysing the shell-fish, opens the way to its 

 soft and fleshy parts." — Forbes's Star Fishes. 



The Solasters are " suns in the system of sea-stars," and are 

 entitled to this distinguished rank among the marine constel- 

 lations by their many rays and brilliant hues. The Solaster 

 papposa, or common Sun-star, with rays varying in number 

 from twelve to fifteen, is one of the commonest, and at the 

 same time handsomest, of all the British species. Sometimes 

 the whole upper surface is deep purple, and frequently the 



