402 THE VOYAGE OF H.M.S. CHALLENGER. 



Chorology of the Genus Ophidiaster. 



a. Geographical distribution : — 



Atlantic : Five species between the parallels of 10° and 45° N. 



* Op>hidiaster attenuatus, Ophidiaster lessonse, and ^Ophidiaster 

 ophidianus, from the Mediterranean, the last named extending to 

 the Cauary Islands and Cape Yerde Islands. Ophidiaster Jloridse, 

 from Florida. Ophidiaster guildingii, from St Thomas, Antilles. 



Indian Ocean : Six species between the parallels of 30° N. and 30° S. 



Ophidiaster hemprichii from the Eed Sea. Ophidiaster pur- 

 pureus, from Mauritius and the Seychelle Islands. Ophidiaster 

 duncani, Ophidiaster per rieri, Ophidiaster robillardi, and * Ophi- 

 diaster cylindricus, from Mauritius, the last named extending into 

 the Eastern Archipelago and Pacific. 



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



* Ophidiaster cylindricus, from the Moluccas, and extending into 

 the Indian Ocean and Pacific. Ophidiaster fuscus, from Migupou. 

 Ophidiaster pustulata and Ophidiaster pusillus, from Flores and 

 Amboina, the latter also from the Philippine Islands and extending 

 into the Pacific. '"Ophidiaster tuberifer and * Ophidiaster helicos- 

 tichus, from Torres Strait. 



Pacific : Seven species between the parallels of 30° N. and 40° S. 



Ophidiaster agassizii, from Juan Fernandez. Ophidiaster 

 gracilis, from the west coast of Columbia. Ophidiaster chinensis, 

 off the coast of China. Ophidiaster cribrarius, from the Samoa 

 Islands. Op>hidiaster germani and Ophidiaster pusillus, from 

 New Caledonia, the latter extending into the Eastern Archipelago. 

 * Ophidiaster cylindricus, from the Fiji Islands, and extending into 

 the Eastern Archipelago and Indian Ocean. 



/3. Bathymetrical range ; Shallow water to 450 fathoms. 



y. Nature of tltc Sea-bottom: Recorded in comparatively few cases. Op/iidiaster 

 attenuatus and Ophidiaster ophidianus were found by the Challenger on Yol 

 canic mud, Ophidiaster helicostichus and Ophidiaster tuberifer on Coral mud, 

 and Ophidiaster cylindricus on Coral reefs. 



The localities of Lamarck's species Ophidiaster arenatus and Ophidiaster bicolor are 

 unknown, and neither of the forms have been subsequently recognised. 



The species collected by the Challenger are indicated in the foregoing list with an asterisk. 



