NATIONAL MUSn iM OF VICTORIA 
fometimes a greenifh tinge predominates. The fhell 
itfelf, when deprived of its fpines, is of a pale rcd- 
difli tinge, the tubercles on which the fpines were 
mounted appearing like fo many pearly protuberances 
on the furface. The fpecies here reprefented is ef- 
culent, and is confidered as no unpleafant article of 
food. It was alfo a didi well known amongft the 
ancient Romans, and is commemorated, amongft 
other delic;acies, by the loquacious epicure defcribed 
by Horace. 
It is remarkable, that though there is not the leaft 
real affinity between the two animals, yet the fpines 
of the Echinus are of the fame general ftruclure, 
both internally and externally, with thofe of the 
Hedge-Hog; except that thofe of the Echinus are 
. of a calcareous or ftrong nature, while thofe of the 
rtedge-Hog are of a horny fubftance. 
I 
