104 NEW ZEALAND NATURE-STUDY BOOK 
In the Star-fish the central disc gives off a number of 
radiating arms. On the under surface of these are per- 
forated grooves, from which tube-feet protrude. The 
mouth, too, is on the under surface of the body, but there 
are no teeth. 
NotE.—In examining this form pupils should if possible be 
taken to a rock pool where the animals could be seen. If this 
cannot be done, a test with the spines attached should, if possible, 
be secured, and an examination of this should precede that of an 
empty test with spines removed. Such a test is best prepared by 
burying the animal in- the ground or allowing it to remain in 
fresh water for some weeks, when the body tissue will gradually 
disappear without injuring the hard outer covering. 
There will be no difficulty in following the description given in 
this chapter and in making out the perforate and imperforate 
areas. ‘The immovable calcareous plates can easily be seen if the 
test be broken —as it will naturally separate into these five-sided 
plates. The sutures or lines of division will appear in well 
marked ridges on the under surface of the test. 
It is hardly necessary to say that pupils should make their 
observations from actually handling the object. The position 
and number of the different areas, direction of sutures, size and 
shape of plates etc. ought to be determined by each pupil at first 
hand. | 
The habits—method of locomotion ete. should be observed out- 
of-doors—that is, during a visit: to the natural habitat of the 
animal, when opportunities would no doubt occur for examining 
specimens of Star-fish as well. A contrast and comparison 
between the two:forms would be both interesting and instructive. 
ie IV.—THE EARTHWORM. 
‘\ The Earthworms belong to the sub-kingdom vermes 
which includes sea-worms and leeches. 
Though elongated like a snake, and cold and clammy to 
the touch like a frog, pupils will readily see that the common 
earthworm belongs to neither of the divisions of the animal 
