592 THE VOYAGE OF H.M.S. CHALLENGER 



Family Brisingidae, Sars, 1875. 



The family Brisingidae was established by G. 0. Sars 1 for the reception of the single 

 genus Brisinga, of which at that time two species only were known, Brisinga endecacne- 

 mos of Asbjornsen and Brisinga coronata of Sars. In 1878, Viguier 2 included in the 

 same family the genera Labidiaster and Pedicellaster. In 1883, De Loriol 3 added the 

 genus Brisingaster. In 1884, Perrier 4 added the genus Hymcnodiscus, but removed 

 Pedicellaster to an independent family. In the following year Perrier 5 also added the 

 genera Freyella and Odinia, which may to a certain extent be considered as dismember- 

 ments of Bi'isinga, since species of both genera had primarily been described as Brisinga. 

 Perrier further added at the same time the new genus Coronaster, and replaced the genus 

 Pedicellaster in the family Brisingidae. With this latter step I am unable to agree. In 

 1884, Studer 6 added the new genus Gymnobrisinga, and confirmed on anatomical 

 grounds the classification of Labidiaster witb the Brisingidae, but expressed a doubt, 

 modified however by the subsequent discovery of an eight-rayed form from South Georgia, 

 as to the correctness of placing Pedicellaster in the same family. 



As to whether the differences between Hymcnodiscus and Gymnobrisinga are of generic 

 value, and as to whether these forms are generically distinct from Brisinga, I am unable 

 to express an opinion, as I have not seen examples of either of the forms. The descrip- 

 tions alone are insufficient to settle the question, and lead to the inference that the alliance 

 of the forms mentioned is of the closest description and that all are perhaps congeneric. 



I am also in doubt as to whether Brisingaster can justly be separated from Brisinga. 

 From the admirable description and figures given by M. de Loriol, as well as from the 

 examination of a dried specimen, I am inclined to think that the differences are not 

 sufficient to warrant the establishment of an independent genus, but I have refrained from 

 directly placing Brisingaster as a synonym of Brisinga, as I have not had the oppor- 

 tunity of examining alcoholic examples of the well-defined Mauritius species. 



So far as I can j udge from the description alone I am unable to recognise in Coronaster 

 a member of the family Brisingidae. I venture to think that tbe genus in question will 

 prove to be much more nearly related to the Asteriidse. 



On the grounds above stated I have not included the four genera, Brisingaster, Gym-' 

 nobrisinga, Hymcnodiscus, and Coronaster, in the subjoined synopsis of the genera consti- 

 tuting the family Brisingidae. 



1 On some remarkable forms of animal life from the great depths off the Norwegian coast. Part II. Uni- 

 versity Program, Christiania, 1875, pp. 100, 101. 



2 Archives de Zool. exper., 1878, t. vii. pp. 93, 119. 



3 Mem. Soc. Phijs. et Hist. Nat. Geneve, 1883, t. sxviii. No. 8, p. 55. 

 * Nouv. Archives Mus. Hist. Nat., 2e Sene, 1884, t. vi. pp. 166, 189. 



5 Ann. Sci. Nat. (Zool.), 1885, t. xix. Art. No. 8, pp. 5, 9. 



6 Anhung z, d. Abhandl. d. k. preuss. Akad. d. Wiss. Berlin, vom Jahre 1884, p. 13. 



