They are the feet of
the Starfish. Each tiny foot is really a hollow tube, which can be
pushed out or drawn in. At the tip of each is a powerful sucker, which
acts rather like those leather suckers boys sometimes play with. Suppose
the Starfish wishes to take a walk along the bed of the sea. First, it
pushes out its tube-feet. Each sucker fixes itself to a stone or other
object, and then the animal can draw its body along. You will see
presently that the suckers can do other work too.
Our Starfish will die, however, unless we carry it to a pool. Before
doing so, we must look at the tip of each ray for a small reddish spot.
That is the Starfish's eye. Are those little eyes of much use in helping
the creature to find its dinner? I think not. Most likely the Starfish
_smells_ its way.
If we put the animal on its back in a rock-pool we shall see the
tube-feet at work. Once in the water our Starfish revives, and makes
efforts to right itself. Can it turn over and crawl away?
The little tube-feet come out of their holes and begin to bend about.
Now those near the edge of one "arm" feel the ground.
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