, see that pretty moss!
t is like a star!”

It was clinging to a
rock by the sea-shore.
It was not moss, but an animal.

“Tt is a sea-star, Nellie, or a
star-fish, as some people call it.
Take it in your hand. You will
not be hurt.”

“Why, Uncle John, he is all
legs. Where are his eyes and
nose?”

“The sea-star has neither eyes, nose, nor ears, Nellie.
In fact he has no head at all. Those little feelers on what

you call his legs are really all the legs and arms he has.
His mouth and stomach are all the same.”

“Oh, how funny!”

“Yes, he is a curious animal. When he has finished one meal some of
those little arms sweep his stomach clean, and then he is ready for another.”

“And what does he have to eat?”

“Well, Miss Nellie, he is as fond of oysters as you are. Though he seems
so feeble, the strongest shell-fish cannot escape him. He sends a poisonous
juice through the valves of the oyster, which makes him open his shell. Then
the sea-star has a fine feast!”

“The wicked creature!”

“Yes, the oyster fishermen are no friends of the star-fish. But he makes
a pretty ornament when dried. Do you want to take him home?”

“T am afraid of being poisoned.”

“T will tell you what to do. Place him in this little wooden box. I will
bore some holes in it. Then put him down over anant’snest. They will
prepare him nicely for you. His poison does not harm the ants. Perhaps
there are ant doctors who cure them.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

   

,

—KuHAM.