REPORT ON THE CRINOIDEA. 333 



The pinnules on the second distichal and post-palmar joints are about equally long, 

 reaching 12 mm.; but the following pinnules are considerably shorter, diminishing to 

 that of the third brachial which is the smallest ; after which the length increases 

 slightly, but the pinnules are always comparatively short. The lower pinnules have a 

 terminal comb as far the fourth or fifth brachial, and it is continued at intervals to the 

 eleventh or twelfth. 



Mouth radial ; disk naked, except for a few granules near the anal tube. 



Colour in spirit, — dark blackish-brown. 



Disk 30 mm.; spread 18 cm. 



Locality. — Banda; 17 fathoms. 



Bemarks. — This species is remarkable for the relatively small size of the arms and 

 pinnules as compared with that of the disk. Its nearest allies are the Antedon briareus 

 of Bell and the Philippine species to which I have referred in Part I. as Actinometra 

 magnified. 1 The latter has nearly twice the spread of Actinometra divaricata, with a 

 relatively smaller disk ; while the rays are in close lateral contact as far as the distichal 

 axillary, above which the perisome is strongly plated. 



Antedon briareus is really an Actinometra, as is shown by the absence of sacculi, and 

 the presence of a terminal comb on the lower pinnules, two points which seem to have 

 escaped Bell's notice. According to his description of the species, 2 the post-palmar series 

 resemble the palmars in consisting of but two joints, the axillary without a syzygy. 

 This would indicate an alliance with Actinometra multifield. Bell's figure shows, however, 

 that about two-thirds of the post-palmars have three joints, the axillary with a syzygy, 

 and also that there are four 'cases of a further division, which he does not mention at all. 

 In one case these second post-palmars consist of two joints, the axillary without a syzygy ; 

 but the remainder consist of three joints, the axillary with a syzygy, just as in Actino- 

 metra divaricata and Actinometra magnifica. Pending the discovery of other examples 



of this species, therefore, its formula must be — a.3.2.3.3.—, and not — A.2.3.(2).— , as was 



assigned to it by Bell. 3 Its centro-dorsal is evidently undergoing reduction to the 

 Phanogenia-condition, but some poorly developed cirri still remain attached to it ; while 

 in Actinometra alternans, Actinometra divaricata (PI. LXIII. fig. 6), and Actinometra 

 magnifica it is stellate, with few or no traces of any cirri at all. 



We now come to a group of species, which in one respect stand altogether alone in 

 the whole family of Cornatulge. In each case there are three distichals, the axillary with 

 a syzygy ; but the two secondary arms borne on each distichal axillary are not alike 

 when they divide again. That on the outside of the ray has but two palmar joints, the 



1 Zool. Chall. Exp., part xxxii. p. 57, pi. lvi. fig. 7. - " Alert " Report, p. 163, pi. xiv. ' Ibid., p. 155. 



