liaguna Ratine laboratorp 89 



Coscinasterias sertulifera (Xantus) 



The "soft starfish" is very common in the tide-pools. It is oue 

 of the most unpleasant starfishes to handle, due to its extraordinary 

 sliminess. Its soft body gives a very wide range of possibilities in 

 movement. Of this species Prof. Fisher remarks: "This is the 

 species (under the name Asterias ferreri) upon which Prof. II. S. 

 Jennings carried on a number of experiments at La Jolla. It is a 

 member of the southern fauna, the type locality being Cape San 

 Lucas. The true Coscinasterias ferreri belongs to the northern fauna 

 and is not found along shore." 



Pisaster capitatus (Stimpson) 



Not common in the tidal pools, but evidently much more numerous 

 just at and below low tide mark. Prof. Fisher says of it: "This 

 species grows to a large size and is characterized by the heavy, well 

 spaced tubercles of the back. It was formerly included in the genus 

 Asterias." 



OPHIUROIDEA 



Ophioderma panamensis Lutken 



Apparently the largest serpent star at Laguua, and abundant in 

 the lower tide-pools. Its smoothish body and commonly bright and 

 varied shades of brown and yellow make it a very conspicuous species. 

 Prof. Fisher remarks of it: "This is a common littoral serpent star 

 from Panama to Catalina. It has a finely granulated disk and four 

 genital openings on each interbrachial space." 



Ophioplocus esmarki Lyman 



As this species occurred to us at Laguna, it was smaller than the 

 foregoing, and usually unicolored, instead of variegated. Prof. 

 Fisher records this as occurring from San Diego to Monterey. 



Ophionereis annulata LeConte 



With a heavy vestiture and comparatively small, this serpent 

 star occurs in great numbers under stones in tide-pools, sometimes 

 dozens under a single stone. Prof. Fisher says: "This is a common 

 form from Central America to Southern California. It has long, 

 cross banded arms, short arm spines, and a disk covered with fine 

 overlapping scales." 



Ophiothrix spiculata LeConte 



We found this species only in kelp holdfasts from three to six 

 fathoms, and common in large sponge masses. It is common in these 

 places and is doubtless common also under other conditions. Prof. 



