128 



FOOT-SUCKERS. 



star-fish may appear to be, if it is of a tolerably 

 firm consistence to the touch, it is a living being, 

 even though there should be no perceptible 

 movement. If, however, in taking it up, it 

 hangs loose and limp, life has departed, and it 

 can only be used as a specimen for preparation, 

 or for anatomical purposes. Any doubt will 

 soon be settled, by placing the dubiously vital 

 animal in clear sea-water for a few minutes, and 

 then suddenly turning it over. If there is -.any 

 life remaining, the numerous feet that occupy 

 the under surface will move about, and the 

 creature will soon recover its wonted activity. 



When a living star-fish is laid on its back, a ^ 

 number of semi-transparent, globular organs will 

 be seen in constant movement, being thrust 

 forward and then withdrawn, moving from side 

 to side, as if feeling for something, as indeed 

 they are. These are the ambulacral organs, as 

 they are scientifically called, but I prefer to caU 

 them feet, on account of their office. These feet 

 are, in fact, suckers, and can be protruded or 

 withdrawn by a very curious piece of mechanism, 

 which is not easily described without the use of 

 diagrams, but which I will endea;VOur to explain, 

 as far as possible, without them. The feet are 

 hollow tubes, each passing into the interior of the 



