The Outer－from the Inner 1
Derives its Magnitude－
'Tis Duke, or Dwarf, according
As is the Central Mood－
The fine－unvarying Axis 5
That regulates the Wheel－
Though Spokes－spin－more conspicuous
And fling a dust－the while.
The Inner－paints the Outer－9
The Brush without the Hand－
Its Picture publishes－precise－
As is the inner Brand－
On fine－Arterial Canvas－13
A Cheek－perchance a Brow－
The Star's whole Secret－in the Lake－
Eyes were not meant to know.
Derives its Magnitude－
'Tis Duke, or Dwarf, according
As is the Central Mood－
The fine－unvarying Axis 5
That regulates the Wheel－
Though Spokes－spin－more conspicuous
And fling a dust－the while.
The Inner－paints the Outer－9
The Brush without the Hand－
Its Picture publishes－precise－
As is the inner Brand－
On fine－Arterial Canvas－13
A Cheek－perchance a Brow－
The Star's whole Secret－in the Lake－
Eyes were not meant to know.
(F.450/J.451)
[1, 2] Oute, magnitude:: length of the starfish's center to arm.
[3] Duke, or Dwarf:: great or small.
[6] Wheel:: the shape of starfish.
[8] dust:: sand in the sea.
[9] paints:: shows, reveals.
[10] Brush:: its arms are brushes already.
[15] Lake:: a pigment formed by combining some coloring matter. Star:: starfish.
[16] Eyes, know:: starfish was known having no eyes.
When the star fish wishes to be quiet, these tube-like feet lie out of sight, quietly under the skin; but when it wishes to move, it fills the inside of the tubes with a little fluid, which instantly pushes them out through the small holes. The star fish can draw in or send out as many of these tube feet as he pleases, either a single one, or two, or several hundreds at a time. The suckers at the end of its feet not only enable the star fish to drag itself along the ground, but they also give it power to climb, so that it can walk on tho flat sand, or mount up the steepest rock with equal ease. ─ Woodworth's Youth's Cabinet (1852)