Detailed Examination

First Examination

I laid what seems to be the skeletonised limb of a very large starfish out on a nearby patch of sand, to make a cursory analysis. It appears to be a thread starfish, of a type unknown to me.

Field sketch of the starfish

Measurements:-
51cm in length
Tapers in width from 15cm to 3cm

Appearance:-
The tip is a circle with a 16mm looped border
Progressively wider semi-circles along the length, with a 16mm looped border increasing to 23mm
The skeleton appears to be made from a fine coarse white fibre

Further analysis of the thread and structure will need to be carried out in the lab.

The Discovery - 21st April 2007

Today, I have made an exceptional discovery in a pile of sea weed and other detritus dragged high up the beach by the fierce tide. At first glance, it appeared to be just another dumped plastic bag, but closer exmination revealed something far more exciting - a patterned structure that seems to be made out of stitches and thread. Could this be part of the famed starfish that I've been searching for?