Radiala. 3307 



fathers, we dare not be too sanguine of immediate success. We shall 

 be more than pleased, however, should a single future observer benefit 

 in the smallest degree from our humble inculcation of sound doctrine 

 touching a very interesting branch of natural science. Is it generally 

 admitted, or rather known, that this fish has the power of giving out a 

 considerable degree of caloric immediately when taken from the wa- 

 ter ? This is best made sensible by placing it at once on the back of 

 the hand. This quality, if admitted, gives additional propriety to the 

 name that has been attached to the species. 



The Bird's-foot Sun-star, (Palmipes membranaceus). This, observes 

 Mr. Forbes, at p. 118, "is generally accounted very rare;" and he 

 gives the coast of Ayrshire as the only place in Scotland where it has 

 been known to occur. It is by no means unfrequent upon this coast. 

 During the past twelve months I have procured many examples, and 

 a whole half-dozen at present glare upon me in the brick-red of their 

 integuments, almost as freshly as when just taken from their native 

 element. This colour is nearly uniform over the whole of the upper 

 surface. Not one of these specimens shows anything approaching to 

 white on their dorsal parts, which was the case in those examined 

 by Mr. Forbes, (p. 117). Their size ranges from three and a half to 

 nearly six inches. 



The Knotty Cushion-star (Goniaster equestris) is rather more abun- 

 dant than the preceding, and in general closely corresponds in its tints, 

 though it loses them more readily in drying. 



The But-thorn, (Asterias aurantiaca). This star-fish is plentiful 

 in deep water having a sandy bottom. All my specimens are of ave- 

 rage size, and show a deep ground of purplish pink. 



The Ling- thorn, {Luidia fragilissima). We have both forms of 

 this species, the five- as well as the seven-armed ; the latter, however, 

 is the more common. Their usual colour is a reddish yellow, and they 

 vary in length from five to two and twenty inches. Though confess- 

 edly possessing a fragile corporation, I have not found the preparation 

 of tolerable specimens so very impracticable as has sometimes been 

 represented, and have best succeeded in preserving them entire, by al- 

 lowing them to remain at rest under the ordinary influence of the 

 atmosphere, until life becomes extinct, before interfering with them at 

 all. Perhaps eight out of ten examples are then sufficiently firm to 

 admit of the necessary scarifications and ablutions previous to being 

 set aside to dry. I have one beside me at present, prepared in this 

 manner, at my suggestion, by the kindness of Mr. James West, of 

 Macduff; and though measuring twenty inches in breadth, the prepa- 



