KEPOKT ON THE ASTEEOIDEA. 327 



the diagnosis of the new genus Anthenoides, 1 that the abactinal skeleton is reticulated, 2 and 

 other alliances to Anthenea are remarked on ; — Anthenoides, according to its author, 

 differing in the more feeble development of the abactinal membrane and the smaller size of 

 the pedicellariaj, which are confined to the plates adjacent to the ambulacral furrows. The 

 present form certainly does not conform to Anthenoides in these respects. Furthermore, 

 on some important points Perrier is silent, which I hardly think would have been the case 

 if the structures had been present in his form, whilst in others the description is not 

 sufficiently definite or specifically pertinent to allow a comparison to be made. 



Relying, therefore, on Perrier's accuracy of observation, I cannot consider that the form 

 under notice and Anthenoides belong to one and the same genus. The polygonal plates 

 of the abactinal skeleton of Leptogonaster can in no way be called reticulate, the valvate, 

 tubercle-like pedicellarise of the actinal area can scarcely be said to resemble those of 

 Anthenea in their character, and the two forms of pedicellarise on the abactinal area are 

 also noteworthy. The alliances of Leptogonaster would on the whole seem to be nearer 

 the Pentajronasteridse. 



Cliorology of the Genus Leptogonaster. 



a. Geographical distribution: — 



Eastern Archipelago : One species between the parallels of 10° and 20°N. 

 Leptogonaster cristatus, off the Philippine Islands. 



0. Bathymetrieal range: 100 to 115 fathoms, 

 y. Nature of the Sea-bottom : Green mud. 



Chorological Synopsis of the Species. 



1. Leptogonaster cristatus, n.sp. (PL LIV. figs. 1-7). 



Rays five. R = 66 mm., r = 24 mm. R = 275 r. Breadth of a ray between the 

 fifth and sixth supero-marginal plates, 11*5 mm. 



General form flat and depressed. Disk large and pentagonal, slightly inflated. Rays 



1 Loc. cit, p. 246. 



2 In the description of the species, however, Perrier (loc. cit., p. 248) speaks of " les ossicules du squelette 

 qui sont polygonaux comme chez les Pentagonaster," so that I am at a loss to understand what is meant by the 

 diamosis. 



