Worms XIII. Vol. VI. JVo. S-fl 



THE ECHINOID ASTERIAS. 



In Vol. III. No. 94. of our Picture- Gallery 

 we already became acquainted with the ad- 

 mirable Medusa's head sea star, belonging 

 to the genus Asteria or star - fish. The 

 annexed table exhibits an other extraordi- 

 nary species of these animals, viz, the 

 echinoid Asterias. It is à native of the In- 

 dian seas, which sometimes arrives at so 

 considerable a size, as to measure more than 

 twelve inches in diameter. From the body 



depressed and covered with a coriaceous 

 crust arise twenty rays , that are spinous 

 as well as the body. The mouth of this 

 animal consists ef the aperture, which we 

 behold in the midst of the body. 



Most beautiful specimens of this curious 

 animal were formerly preserved in the Le- 

 verian Museum at London. — 



