star falling

[STAR-JELLY.] star-finch, s. Ornith.: The Redstart (q. v.). star-fish, 8. 1. Zool .: A popular name for any individual of the family Asteriade or Asteride (q. v.); applied specifically to the Common Star-fish, Asterias (Uraster) rubens , a familiar object on the Atlantic coasts. The body is more or le star-shaped, and consists of a central portion, or disc, surrounded by five or more lobes, or arms, radiating from the body and containing prolongations of the viscera; but in some forms the central disc extends so as to include the rays, rendering the animal pentagonal in shape. [See illustration under Asterias.] The integument is of a leathery texture, and is often strengthened by calcareous plates or spines. The mouth is situated in the center of the lower surface of the body, and the anus is either absent or on the upper surface. Locomotion is effected by means of peculiar tube-like proce es [AMBULACRUM], which are protruded from the under-surface of the arms. The nervous system consists of a gangliated cord surrounding the mouth, and sending filaments to each of the arms. The young generally pa through a free larval stage [ECHINOPÆDIUM], and parthenogenesis seems to occur in Asterias. Starfish are extremely voracious, and are very annoying to fishermen by devouring their bait. They po e in a high degree the power of reproducing lost members, and abound in all seas. [BRITTLE-STAR.] 2. Bot .: Stapelia asterias .