REPORT ON THE ASTEROIDEA. 275 



and in an ill-defined region parallel to, and a little removed from, the infero-marginal 

 plates. These pedieellarise on the intermediate plates are of nearly uniform size through- 

 out, and there is no regularity in their orientation. 



The anal orifice is slightly excentric, and is surrounded by rather larger plates than in 

 the central region generally. 



The madreporiform body, which is rather small and polygonal in form, is situated at 

 about one-third of the distance from the centre to the margin. It is marked with fine, 

 regular, sharply convoluted, centrifugally radiating striations. 



Colour in alcohol, a warm shade of light brown. 



Locality.— Station 232. South of Yeddo (Japan). May 12, 1875. Lat. 35° 11' 0" 

 N., long. 139° 28' 0" E. Depth 345 fathoms. Green mud. Bottom temperature 41°-1 

 Fahr. ; surface temperature 64°"2 Fahr. 



Remarks. — Pentagonaster japonicus is distinguished from Pentagonaster patagonicus, 

 to which it is most nearly allied, by the more regular pentagonal form, the sides being less 

 curved, and the rays less produced. The general granulation is finer. The structure of 

 the paxillae and the armature of the adambidacral plates are characteristic, as well as the 

 presence of numerous pedieellarise. 



6. Pentagonaster lepidus, n. sp. (PI. LVII. figs. 1-4). 



Body pentagonal, with the sides slightly incurved and the extremities of the rays rather 

 obtuse or rounded. R = 7'5 mm. ; r= 5 mm. R = l - 5 r. 



General form depressed and thin. Margins rounded and slightly bevelled abactinally. 

 Abactinal surface feebly inflated along the median radial line ; extremities of the rays 

 slightly turned upward. 



The abactinal and marginal plates are covered witb small, uniform, papilliform spinelets, 

 distinctly clavate and well spaced ; those on the infero-marginal plates being longer than 

 the others. The actinal intermediate plates are similarly covered with small spinelets, 

 which are tapering. 



The papilliform spinelets on the abactinal plates simulate paxillse in their posture and 

 grouping, and the groups are tolerably spaced. A distinct median series traverses the 

 radial line, and very little variation in size is noticeable throughout the area. 



The supero-marginal plates are nine in number on each side of the pentagon, and there 

 is consequently an odd plate in the median interradial line. This plate is of the same 

 shape and size as those on eacb side, its length and breadth being about equal. The 

 length of the succeeding plates diminishes slightly as they approach the extremity. The 

 odd terminal plate is rounded and patella-like. 



The infero-marginal plates bear longer spinelets than the superior series, and these are 

 confined to the lateral face. The surface which is presented to the actinal area of the 



