KEPORT OX THE ASTEROIDEA. 43 



state the number present in each papularium on account of the size and propinquity of the 

 paxillas ; and no superficial character is noticeable to indicate their extent. 



The madreporiform body, which is small, subcircular or oval, and scarcely convex, is 

 situated midway between the centre and the margin. Its surface is furrowed by coarse 

 striations, of which only a few are convoluted, and the general direction of the grooves 

 traverses the plate. Three sides are bounded by large paxillse, that on the adcentral side 

 beins; largest. 



Colour in alcohol, a greyish white. 



Young Phase. — A small example, having the dimensions of R=16 mm. and r=3'7 mm., 

 may be recognised unmistakably as belonging to this species. Indeed, so clearly does this 

 juvenile present the characters of the mature stage that very little need be said about it, 

 except to place on record the early age at which in this genus the specific features are 

 assumed. In the example under notice there are eighteen supero-margiual plates between 

 the median interradial line and the terminal plate. . The paxillse of the abactinal area are 

 large and well-developed, but with seldom more than a single circlet of spinelets surrounding 

 the central one, which is proportionately large and robust. Traces, however, of the addi- 

 tional series of spinelets, which are borne on the tabulum in the adult stage, are to be 

 found here and there. The primary basal plates are large and distinct. In the actinal 

 interradial areas there are not more than two or four intermediate plates, and the large 

 and characteristic comb-formed pedicellarioe, which are such a notable feature in the adult, 

 are not yet formed, excepting a single incipient one which is present in one area. The 

 spinulation of the infero-marginal plates and the armature of the adambulacral plates have 

 precisely the same character as in the adult. The acutely-angular and far-reaching pro- 

 jection of the adambulacral plates into the furrow is especially to be remarked, and the 

 oblique lineal series of three to five spinelets on their actinal surface is fully characterised. 

 The mouth-plates are broad and convex, and their armature well-developed. 



Locality. — Station 192. In the Banda Sea, between the Ki Islands and Banda Islands. 

 September 26, 1874. Lat. 5° 49' 15" S., long. 132° 14' 15" E. Depth 140 fathoms. 

 Blue mud. Surface temperature 82° - Fahr. 



Remarks. — This species is readily distinguished by the character of the adambulacral 

 armature, as well as by the posture and spinulation of the marginal plates, and the 

 character of the paxillaa of the abactinal area. I know of no other form with which it 

 can be confounded. 



7. Pontaster forcipatus, n. sp. (PI. VIII. figs. 3 and 4 ; PI. XII. figs. 3 and 4). 



Rays five. E, = 59 mm. ; r= 11 mm. R< 5*5 r. Breadth of a ray near the base, 

 9*5 mm. 



Bays elongate, narrow, very slightly expanded at the base, tapering continuously 

 up to the extremity. Interbrachial arcs widely rounded. Abactinal surface of disk and 



