CIDARTD^.^ — PURPLE EGG-URCHIN, 
177 
ratus, known by the fanciful appellation of ^ Aristotle’s 
lantern.’ ”* 
In heraldry we find, according to Mr. Moule, that the 
Echinus is borne, the arms of the Alstowne family being 
gules, three sea-urchins in pale argent; and those of 
Alstanton, azure, three sea-urchins argent. The shells 
of Echinus sphcerea, the common sea-egg, are often used 
for making emery cushions, cases for yard measures, 
and other toys. 
Pennant mentions sea- eggs being used for food in 
many parts of England ; and Mrs. Gatty, in ^ Old Folks 
from Home,’ if I remember correctly, states that Echinus 
lividus, or purple egg- urchin,” is eaten on the west 
coast of Ireland. It is one of the burrowing species, 
and lives in holes formed by it in the rocks. Mr. W. 
Thompson informed Professor Forbes, that he had 
seen it in abundance in the South Isles of Arran. It 
was always stationary, the hole in which it is found 
being cup-like, yet fitting so as not to impede the spines. 
Every one lived in a hole fitted to its own size, the little 
ones in little holes, and the large ones in large holes; 
and their purple spines and regular forms presented a 
most beautiful appearance, studding the bottoms of the 
grey limestone rocks’ pools.”t 
At the Museum of the Jardin des Plantes, at Paris, I 
have seen specimens of this Echinus in a block of sand- 
stone from the Baie de Douarnenez, in Finisterre ; also, 
specimens of Echinus perforans in granite rock from 
the Bay of Croisic. How these animals bore into such 
hard substances is still a question; it is supposed by 
some that they first perforate with their teeth, and 
then soften the rocks by some secreted solvent. J 
^ Forbes’s ‘ British Star-fishes,’ p. 154. f Ib. p. 170. J Ib. p. 171. 
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