Marvels of the Universe 647 
rock solely by the secretion of limestone at the basal extremity. Certain, though only a very select 
company, of the Crinoids were not attached. One of these was the Cup-Lily, which had an 
enormous feathered corolla. The comparatively weak stem was attached to a large hollow ball, and 
it is probable that this species floated in the water with the crown hanging downwards ; another, the 
Many-armed Lily, which was in existence at a much later date, was also free-moving (only anchoring 
itself at intervals), with its stem tapering to a point ; while in one or two species the stem itself is 
reduced toa mere knob. In the fossil Crinoids of the English chalk the stem is entirely absent, 
and it is supposed that they were free-swimming. As these variations from the stalked lilies 
become more marked the approximation of the species to the Feather-star becomes more apparent. 
Now, allowing for the different position of the mouth, the general anatomy of the Feather-star is 
essentially the same as that of the Starfish, and it was the discovery of the relationship that existed 
between the Sea-lilies and the Feather-stars that enabled naturalists to “ place’”’ these wonderful 
organisms in the animal kingdom. This discovery followed upon an investigation into the life- 
history of the Feather-star, when it was found that in its early stages the Feather-star grew on a 
stem, and that only in its maturity did it break off from that stem and “the Stalked Crinoid ” 
become a true Feather-star. 
When the young of the Feather-star leaves the egg it is about one-thirtieth of an inch long, 
shaped like a tub and divided into five segments by bands of long vibrating “‘ cilia,’ or 
infinitely slender hairs, and a tuft of these cilia at the tail. Gradually minute limestone particles 
are formed within the creature’s body and give it the appearance of the illustration at the top of 
page 648. Longitudinal and horizontal bundles of these limestone particles continue to form, and 
finally the plate at the end of the stalk appears, and before long the Feather-star is fixed to 
[Bu Theo. Carreras. 
THE ROSY FEATHER-STAR. 
The Feather-star is a connecting link between the Starfishes and Sea-lilies, for in its early stage it is to all intents and 
purposes a Sea-lily, and is shown in that stage to the right of the picture It is to be found in all temperate seas. 
