In
certain genera of star-fishes, "the very combinations needed to show that
the pedicellariae are only modified branching spines" may be found. Thus
we have fixed spines, with three equi-distant, serrated, movable branches,
articulated to near their bases; and higher up, on the same spine, three
other movable branches. Now when the latter arise from the summit of a
spine they form, in fact, a rude tridactyle pedicellariae, and such may be
seen on the same spine together with the three lower branches. In this
case the identity in nature between the arms of the pedicellariae and the
movable branches of a spine, is unmistakable. It is generally admitted
that the ordinary spines serve as a protection; and if so, there can be no
reason to doubt that those furnished with serrated and movable branches
likewise serve for the same purpose; and they would thus serve still more
effectively as soon as by meeting together they acted as a prehensile or
snapping apparatus. Thus every gradation, from an ordinary fixed spine to
a fixed pedicellariae, would be of service.
In certain genera of star-fishes these organs, instead of being fixed or
borne on an immovable support, are placed on the summit of a flexible and
muscular, though short, stem; and in this case they probably subserve some
additional function besides defence. In the sea-urchins the steps can be
followed by which a fixed spine becomes articulated to the shell, and is
thus rendered movable.
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