REPORT ON THE ASTEROIDEA. 



197 



nearly to Panama. Astropecten erinaceus, from California to Peru. 

 Astropecten fragilis, from Panama to Peru. Astropecten peruvianus, 

 off Peru. 



The species dredged during the Challenger Expedition are marked in the foregoing list 

 with an asterisk. 



/8. Bath y metrical range : Shallow water to 450 fathoms. 



The majority of the species are confined to the Littoral zone ; and none 

 extend into the Abyssal zone. Only three forms are found in the Continental 

 zone (i.e., in depths between 150 and 450 to 500 fathoms), viz., Astropecten 

 brevispinus in 345 fathoms, Astropecten hermatophilus in 450 fathoms, and 

 Astropecten irregularis in 375 fathoms. 



Greatest range of one species : Astropecten irregularis, from shallow water 

 to 375 fathoms. 



i 

 y. Nature of the Sea-bottom : Exact particulars of the nature of the habitat of the 



Littoral species are available in very few instances. Of the forms obtained by 



the Challenger, Astropecten acanthifer and Astropecten japonicus were found 



on Blue mud, the latter also on sand. Astropecten brevispinus, Astropecten 



granulatus, and Astropecten imbcllis were found on Green mud, in depths 



between 28 fathoms and 345 fathoms. Astropecten cingulatus lives on Eed 



mud. Astropecten hermatophilus on Volcanic mud in 450 fathoms ; the greatest 



depth at which Astropecten has been found. 



The localities of the following species are unknown, and their names have consequently 

 not been included in the foregoing list : — 



Astropecten alatus, Perrier. 

 Astropecten arenarius (Val.), Perrier. 

 Astropecten buschii, Miiller and Troschel. 

 Astropecten calcitrapa, Lamarck, sp. 



Astropecten dussumieri, Perrier. 

 Astropecten hispidus, Miiller and Troschel. 

 Astropecten tiedemanni, Miiller and Troschel. 



The types of the following species appear to be lost, and as it is in my opinion impos- 

 sible to identify them, I consider that the names should in future be discarded. To 

 endeavour to recognise them is simply an exercise of the imagination. 



Astropecten diplacanthus, Grube.^ 

 Astropecten echinatus major, Linck. 

 Astropecten echinatus minor, Linck. 

 Astropecten fimbriatus, Linck. 

 Astropecten gracilis, Graj - . 



Astropecten mesodiscus, Linck. 

 Astropecten oJfersii, Grube. 

 Astropecten regularis, Linck. 

 Astropecten stellatus, Linck. 



