632 



ECHINODEEMATA 



cm. and more : common from Cape Cod southwards, less common or rare 

 northwards to Maine, from the shore to 30 fathoms. 



A. vulgaris Verrill (Asteracanthion pallidus A. Ag). Purple star 

 (Fig. 981). Rays flattened and tending to be pointed; spines numerous, 

 tending to form a noticeable median longitudinal row on the aboral sur- 



Fig. 980 

 Fig. 980 Asterias fortesi (Clark). 



Fig. 981 

 Fig. 981 Asterias rulgaris (Clark), 



face of each arm; madreporite pale yellow; color very variable, but gen- 

 erally some shade of purple ; diameter 15 to 40 cm. : common from eastern 

 end of Long Island northwards, from the shore to 300 fathoms, ranging in 

 deep water as far south as Cape Hat- 

 teras. 



A. littoralis (Stimp.). Body thick, with 

 very broad rays ; color olive green ; diameter 

 4 to 5 cm.; 2 rows of ambulacral spines: 

 Caseo Bay to Cumberland Gulf, in shallow 

 water, often very common on fucus. 



A. tenera Stimp. (Fig. 982). Arms cyl- 

 indrical, slender, and tapering; skeleton 

 firm, with numerous spines; madreporite 

 small and nearly white; color varying from 

 purplish-pink to nearly white; diameter 5 

 to 8 cm. : from Nova Scotia to New Jersey, 

 in 10 to 85 fathoms, often common. 



A. ochracea Brandt. Aboral plates very extensively developed, with 

 only small holes between them; a prominent median ridge present on 

 each arm; body very large and heavy, 60 to 70 cm. across, with arms 

 6 to 8 cm. in vertical diameter at base; color violet: one of the com- 

 monest starfishes on the Pacific coast, ranging from Alaska to San 

 Diego. 



Fig. 982 Asterias tenera 

 (Clark). 



