Inhaltsangabe
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1920 Excerpt: ...instinctively, to the consideration of their near relations, the starfishes. This relationship, to the novice, may not seem very obvious, but the mere fact that they too progress by means of tube-feet should suffice to establish this affinity. These strange and wonderful organs--which serve both as lungs and feet--are peculiarly well seen in the starfish, and if only on this account a special lookout for specimens should be kept, to enable an examination of this portion of their anatomy to be made. Living starfish are among the "common objects of the seashore," and if one be turned over on its back on the beach, or, better still, in a shallow dish of water, one or other of its rays, or "fingers," will slowly bend over until its under surface touches solid ground. All the while it is feeling for something to grasp these strange feet will be seen incessantly being thrust out and withdrawn, until a grip is gained. As soon as this is obtained the body is quickly righted. Meanwhile, along every ray of the upturned surface every foot--and they may be numbered by the hundred--will be engaged in the same blind search for something on which to Fig. 9.--Star-fish Bating A Mussel. fasten, and the effect of this restless groping of translucent stalks, ever lengthening and shortening, is really wonderful. These feet have yet another use. In the common starfish they play a most surprising part at mealtimes, for this creature has a most astonishing method of eating. It has a great liking for oysters, much to the chagrin of the owners of oyster-beds. Encircling its victim with its arms, the free ends of which are firmly anchored to the sea-floor, the tube-feet exert upon the valves of the shell a strain so persistent, and terrible, that at last they are...
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Reseña del editor
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1920 Excerpt: ...instinctively, to the consideration of their near relations, the starfishes. This relationship, to the novice, may not seem very obvious, but the mere fact that they too progress by means of tube-feet should suffice to establish this affinity. These strange and wonderful organs--which serve both as lungs and feet--are peculiarly well seen in the starfish, and if only on this account a special lookout for specimens should be kept, to enable an examination of this portion of their anatomy to be made. Living starfish are among the "common objects of the seashore," and if one be turned over on its back on the beach, or, better still, in a shallow dish of water, one or other of its rays, or "fingers," will slowly bend over until its under surface touches solid ground. All the while it is feeling for something to grasp these strange feet will be seen incessantly being thrust out and withdrawn, until a grip is gained. As soon as this is obtained the body is quickly righted. Meanwhile, along every ray of the upturned surface every foot--and they may be numbered by the hundred--will be engaged in the same blind search for something on which to Fig. 9.--Star-fish Bating A Mussel. fasten, and the effect of this restless groping of translucent stalks, ever lengthening and shortening, is really wonderful. These feet have yet another use. In the common starfish they play a most surprising part at mealtimes, for this creature has a most astonishing method of eating. It has a great liking for oysters, much to the chagrin of the owners of oyster-beds. Encircling its victim with its arms, the free ends of which are firmly anchored to the sea-floor, the tube-feet exert upon the valves of the shell a strain so persistent, and terrible, that at last they are...
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