118 GONIASTERI.E. 



This species grows to the size of five or even six inches 

 in diameter. It is generally accounted very rare, but is 

 by no means uncommon in deep water in the Irish Sea off 

 the coast of the Isle of Man, where I have dredged many 

 specimens. On the English coast it was long ago noticed 

 by Pennant, who describes it from Weymouth. Mr. Couch 

 takes it in Cornwall. Mr. Hogg, in his Natural History 

 of Stockton-on-Tees, records a specimen " caught near 

 Hartlepool, in the summer of 1821." In Ireland, Mr. 

 Templeton found it in Strangford Loch, where it has also 

 occurred to Mr. Thompson. Mr. Ball found a specimen 

 six inches in diameter at Youghal, the only one he ob- 

 tained, though said by the fishermen not to be uncommon 

 there. The Rev. Mr. Landsborough has found it on the 

 coast of Ayrshire in Scotland. 



The Palmipes membranaceus ranges from the Arctic 

 seas to the Mediterranean ; and there are one or two other 

 species belonging to the genus. The Asterias calcar of 

 Lamarck, a native of the seas of New Holland, is referable 

 to it ; and the Asterias rosacea of the same author is nearly 

 allied to our native species. Comparing the BirdVfoot 

 Sea-star with its exotic allies, it would seem that colour 

 is a true source of specific character in this genus, and that 

 the form, depth, and acumination of the lobes are also cha- 

 racters of great importance. 



