REPORT ON THE ASTEROIDEA. 339 



This family comprises the genera Anthenea, Goniaster (as now limited), and Hippas- 

 teria. It would be superfluous to draw up a synoptic table for these well-marked 

 forms. 



Genus Anthenea, Gray. 



Anthenea, Gray, Ann. and Mag. Nat. Hist., 1840, vol. vi. p. 279. 

 Hosia (pars), Gray, Ann. and Mag. Nat. Hist., 1840, vol. vi. p. 279. 

 Goniodiscus (pars), Miiller and Troschel, System der Asteriden, 1842, p. 57. 

 Goniaster (pars), v. Martens, Archiv f. Naturg., 1865, Jahrg. xxxi., Bd. i. p. 254. 



This genus maintains a very uniform facies, and shows only a relatively small amount 

 of structural elasticity. Its area of distribution is also a comparatively limited one, as will 

 be seen by the subjoined analysis : — 



Chorology of the Genus Anthenea. 



a. Geographical distribution : — 



Indian Ocean : Two species between the parallels of 20° N. and 10° S. 



Anthenea articulata, from the Seychelle Islands (this species is 

 mentioned by Perrier as extending to China). Anthenea acuta, from 

 Madras (British Museum), and extending to South Australia. 



Pacific : Two (or three) species between the parallels of 30° N. and 40° S. 



Anthenea pentagonula, from Hong-Kong. Anthenea articulata, 

 is mentioned as coming from China. Anthenea acuta, from Port 

 Jackson. 



Eastern Archipelago : One species between the parallels of 0° and 20° S. 



Anthenea tuberculosa, from Port Essington (Australia) and Torres 

 Strait. 

 /3. Bathymetrical range : All the species appear to be confined to shallow water. The 

 Challenger examples of Anthenea acuta and Anthenea tuberculosa were taken 

 in depths of 6 to 15 fathoms. 

 y. Nature of the Sea-bottom : Not recorded, except in the case of Anthenea tuber- 

 culosa, which was taken on Coral mud. 



The locality of Anthenea flavescens is unknown; and that species has consequently 

 not been included in the foregoing list. Anthenea grayi, which is separated by Perrier 

 as a distinct species, looks to me very like a growth stage of Anthenea Jlavescens, and 

 its locality is also unknown. 



The starfish described by Gray under the name of Hosia spinulosa appears to me to 

 belong to this genus, and is probably an immature form. 



