Credit: © The Royal Society
Image number: RS.10388
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Venus’s flower basket and starfish
Date
1878
Creator
C L G (British) , Lithographer
After
William Chimmo (1828 - 1891, British) , Hydrographer
Object type
Library reference
Tracts/X346/2
Material
Technique
Dimensions
height (print): 271mm
width (print): 206mm
width (print): 206mm
Subject
Content object
Description
Study of the sponge Euplectella aspergillum, known as Venus’s flower-basket, with three starfish which the author identifies as Comatula rosacea, or feather stars.
The author recounted the story of this specimen in his accompanying text: “next day a canoe hailed us, and a native, holding up something in his hand, shouted out ‘Regadera!’. He came alongside; and I was well repaid for all my trouble by getting a magnificent perfect specimen (Plate 1) just hauled up from 110 fathoms, embraced in the arms of three splendid starfish (Comatula rosacea), one orange-yellow, the others deep Indian red. The arms of the starfish, ten in number, were 7 inches in length and branched, with numerous shorter ones about half an inch long, hugging and taking special care of their prize.”
Plate 1 from the monograph On Euplectella aspergillum. Also on a new form of globigerina; phosphorescent animalcules..., by William Chimmo (London, Taylor and Francis, 1878). The plate is inscribed “Euplectella Aspergillum, dredged alive from 120 fms. Off Zebu, the original in the possession of the Author. W.Chimo del. C.L.G. lith. Mintern Bros imp.”
William Chimmo (1828-1891) Royal Navy Captain and hydrographer dredged for these marine sponges off the Philippine Islands.
The author recounted the story of this specimen in his accompanying text: “next day a canoe hailed us, and a native, holding up something in his hand, shouted out ‘Regadera!’. He came alongside; and I was well repaid for all my trouble by getting a magnificent perfect specimen (Plate 1) just hauled up from 110 fathoms, embraced in the arms of three splendid starfish (Comatula rosacea), one orange-yellow, the others deep Indian red. The arms of the starfish, ten in number, were 7 inches in length and branched, with numerous shorter ones about half an inch long, hugging and taking special care of their prize.”
Plate 1 from the monograph On Euplectella aspergillum. Also on a new form of globigerina; phosphorescent animalcules..., by William Chimmo (London, Taylor and Francis, 1878). The plate is inscribed “Euplectella Aspergillum, dredged alive from 120 fms. Off Zebu, the original in the possession of the Author. W.Chimo del. C.L.G. lith. Mintern Bros imp.”
William Chimmo (1828-1891) Royal Navy Captain and hydrographer dredged for these marine sponges off the Philippine Islands.
Associated place