STAR-FISHES. 
103 
globular vesicle, which lies above the pore in the interior 
of the ray. The walls of this vesicle are muscular, and 
therefore contractile ; and it is filled with a fluid. When, 
therefore, the animal wishes to protrude and extend any 
given sucker, it contracts the vesicle at its base by an 
effort of the will ; the fluid is thus forced into the tubular 
stem, which is, therefore, compelled to elongate ; on the 
removal of the contractile force the fluid returns to the 
bladder, either by the elasticity of the tube, or rather pro- 
bably by its muscular action, and the sucker is gradually 
withdrawn. The adhesion of the terminal disk is another 
process. This is, doubtless, effected by the pressure of 
its edges to the surface, and the simultaneous retractation 
of its centre, producing a vacuum, on which the surround- 
ing medium presses by the law of gravity. 
It is beautiful to trace the workings of the Divine Mind 
in contriving, and the Divine Hand in executing, such 
problems in mechanics as these, and all for the comfort 
and benefit of a creature that man tramples under his feet 
when he meets with it, as not merely worthless, but an 
encumbrance, whose existence is not to be tolerated ! 
The meanest “ thing that creepeth upon the earth ” has 
occupied the infinite wisdom of God from all eternity ; 
and when His creative energy was put forth at the ap- 
pointed time to call it into being, it was the object of His 
infinite complacency. “ And God saw every thing that 
He had made, and behold it was very good.” It is per- 
mitted to us, in examining the same works, and discerning 
a little of their perfection and fitness, to share in our 
humble measure the Divine complacency. 
If we inquire into the gastronomy of the Star-fish, we 
