REPORT ON THE ASTEROIDEA. 



387 



the same time, ranked Nepanthia only as a subgenus under Asterina. In my estimation, 

 however, the structure and arrangement of the skeletal elements, the general form as a 

 whole, the tegumentary appendages, and the character of the armature of the adambulacral 

 plates, warrant the retention of Nepanthia as an independent genus. 



Chorology of the Genus Nepanthia. 



a. Geographical distribution : — 



Eastern Archipelago : Two species between the parallels of 20° N. and 20° S. 

 "" Nepanthia brevis, in Torres Strait. '"Nepanthia maculata in the 

 Arafura Sea, and from Migupou {fide Gray). 



/?. Bathymetrical range : The two species of which the conditions of the locality are 

 known are confined to shallow water, the greatest depth recorded being 28 

 fathoms. 



j. Nature of the Sea-bottom : Nepanthia brevis is found on Shell sand and Coral mud, 

 and Nepanthia macidata on Green mud. 



The locality and conditions of habitat of Nepanthia belcheri are unknown ; it is 

 therefore not included in the foreo-oinq; list. 



The species collected by the Challenger are marked with an asterisk. 



Chorological Synopsis of the Species. 



1. Nepanthia brevis, Perrier (PI. LXIII. figs. 3-5). 



Asterina (Nepanthia) brevis, Perrier, 1876, Revis. StelL Mus., p. 321 (Archives de Zool exper., t. v. 

 p. 241). 



Locality.— Station 186. North of Cape York, Torres Strait. September 8, 1874. 

 Lat. 10° 30' 0" S., long. 142° 18' 0" E. Depth 8 fathoms. Coral mud. Surface 

 temperature 77°'2 Fahr. 



Remarks. — Only a single example of this interesting but well-marked form was 

 dredged by the Challenger. I have given drawings of it, as the species is little known. 



