DESCRIBE via database link?

I tried to execute the DESCRIBE command via a database link, but this was the return message:

DESCRIBE <table>@<database>;
ERROR:                               
------------------------------------ 
ERROR: object <table> does not exist 

1 rows selected

A SELECT on this table works well.

Does Oracle permitts DESCRIBE via a database link?

I'm using the Oracle SQL Developer 1.5.1.

Edit:

Is there another option to describe a table?

Thanks in advance!