Encope emarginata - Sea urchins usually have a globular shape with an assortment of protective spines. There are approximately 1,000 species of sea urchins. Sand dollars, because of the flattened appearance, belong to a group known as the irregular urchins. Sand dollars have a hardened skeleton known as a test and a small mouth located in a central position on the underside of the animal. The sand dollar buries itself into the sandy or muddy bottom and filters nutrients from its surroundings.
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The first European settlement established on Saint Lucia was a camp set up by François Le Clerc, a French pirate and his crew of over 300 men. The site was used for attacking ships and as a place to rest and refit between battles. Le Clerc’s exploits included the complete ravaging of Santiago de Cuba to such extremes the Spanish were forced to permanently move the capital to La Habana. Le Clerc was also known as “Jambe de Bois,” “Wooden Leg.” He was the first known pirate to use a wooden leg.
