CHAPTER XX 



OF THE DEEP-SEA ECHINODERMS OF THE INDIAN OCEAN 



The depths of the sea appear to be quite as well 

 populated as are the shallow waters near shore by 

 members of the great marine phylum Echinoderma, 

 which includes the sea-lilies and feather-stars, the 

 starfishes and brittle-stars, the sea-urchins, and the 

 sea-cucumbers [Holotkuroidea), and in Indian latitudes 

 alone we already know of nearly 200 species that 

 dwell below 100 fathoms. 



Of Starfishes the Investigator has already dis- 

 covered more than sixty species, of which no less than 

 sixteen were dredged in depths exceeding 1500 fathoms, 

 but none of them differ in any marked degree from 

 their kindred near shore, though as a rule they belong 

 to different genera. 



Among the characteristic starfishes of the profound 

 abysses (1500-2000 fathoms) are the large and hand- 

 some Pararchasters, the delicate little Freyellas, the 

 curious Porcella7iasteridce which appear to gorge on 

 ocean mud, as worms do, and the Marsipasters and 

 Hymenasters which carry their eggs in a nest formed 



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