1888.] NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 315 



lateral tubercles, nor is the coloring like that of our species, although 

 in this regard there may be considerable variation. The number 

 of tentacles is stated by Ludwig to be 19, and their color yellow. 

 The form from the Barbados which is somewhat doubtfully referred 

 by Theel {loc. cit., p. 191) to Ludwig's S. errans would seem to be 

 more nearly related to the Bermudian species. 



ASTEROIDEA. 



We obtained but a single species of star-fish on the Bermudian 

 coast. This is the Asterias Atla)dica of Verrill, a form which had 

 already been previously noted from the Bermudas (Trans. Conn. 

 Acad. Sciences, i, p. 368), and whose range extends to the Abrolhos 

 Reef, Brazil. With very few exceptions the rays were either six or 

 eight in number, and of the total number of individuals examined I 

 believe that not over two had five arms. The species exhibits a marked 

 want of constancy in ornamentation and coloring, the dorsal spines 

 being in some cases acute, while in others they are terminated by a 

 minute bead ; again, while the maculation is brown in some individ- 

 uals, in others it is blue, or of both colors combined. 



Asterias Atlantica, VerrilL 



Common in the entrance to Harrington Sound, opposite Flatts 

 Village — under stones ; dredged in Harrington Sound. 



Ophidiaster Guildingii, Gray. 



This species, which was first described from St. Thomas, is appar- 

 ently a member of the Bermudian fauna. A single specimen, marked 

 as having been collected by Mr. Janney in the Bermudas, is in the 

 possession of the Academy of Natural Sciences. 



OPHIUROIDEA. 



Six species of ophiurians wei-e obtained in our dredgings and 

 under rock shelters, the greater number of which, as far as I am 

 aware, had not hitherto been reported from the Bermudas. For a 

 critical examination and review of the species I am indebted mainly 

 to my assistant, ]Mr. J. E. Ives, who has made a careful study of all 

 the species in the collections of the Academy of Natural Sciences. 

 From an examination of many of these forms I feel satisfied that 

 too much dependence should not be placed upon the constancy in 

 minute details of either the form or relative size of the arm plates 

 and their appendages, nor upon an exact scheme of coloration. 

 These characters, and others that may be added, which have been 



