I REPORT ON THE ASTEROIDEA. 217 



those in the middle of the ray are slightly longer than the others, "which decrease in length 

 towards the inner and outer portions of the ray ; the longest spines are nearly equal to the 

 length of three infero-marginal plates. 



Not more than two or three actinal intermediate plates are present, and these carry 

 small papilliform spinelets, -which form an incipient pedicellaria-like group. 



The armature of the adambulacral plates consists of short and rather robust spines, -which 

 form two distinct series, having three spines in each. The inner or furrow series consists of 

 three short, robust, obtusely tipped spinelets, which radiate apart and arch over the furrow, 

 the middle spine being longest. The outer series consists of three spines much shorter 

 than the inner series; and the middle spinelet, which is slightly the longest and twice as 

 robust as its companions, has a short, flat and subspatulate form. The aboral spinelet is 

 smallest, and is placed in advance of the other two, its position almost suggesting that it 

 ought to be reckoned as belonging to a middle series, an idea which is further strengthened 

 by the presence in the innermost portion of the ray of a minute granule or rudimentary 

 spinelet in a corresponding position on the adoral side of the plate. This arrangement 

 causes the broader middle spinelet at first sight to appear as the aboral of two spines 

 which form a true outer series, directed outward towards the margin of the ray. 



The mouth-plates are elongate and narrow, with a single row of eight to ten papilliform 

 spinelets on their surface, which are very small outwardly, but increase in length as they 

 approach the mouth, the innermost spine being longer than any of the others and directed 

 horizontally. The two series of spinelets on the companion plates of a mouth-angle are 

 generally apposed to one another. On the free margin of the mouth -plate there is a lineal 

 series of short, rather robust spinelets, directed horizontally, which increase in length as 

 they approach the inner extremity of the plate ; the innermost spinelet being very little 

 shorter than the innermost spinelet of the superior series just mentioned, and standing 

 on the same level, forms together with it the horizontal fan of mouth-spines which pro- 

 ceed from each mouth-angle and cover the mouth. The adambulacral plate adjoin- 

 ing the mouth-plates is much broader and shorter than the others, and bears a lineal 

 series of eight or nine short papilliform spinelets on each side, the two series being 

 apposable. 



The madreporiform body is entirely hidden by paxillee. 



Colour in alcohol, ashy grey. 



Locality. — Station 203. East of Panay Island, Philippine group. October 31, 1874. 

 Lat. 11° 6' 0" N., long. 123° 9' 0" E. Depth 20 fathoms. Mud. Surface temperature 

 85°-0 Fahr. 



Remarks. — This species is distinguished from Astropecten granulatus by the narrow 

 marginal plates, by the consequently broad paxillar area, and by the comparatively simple 

 character of the paxillse. The general facies of the two forms is quite different. 



(ZOOL. CHALL. EXP. — PART LI. — 1888.) 28 



