194 Transactions. — Zoology. 



Certain minor histological differences will probably be 

 found to exist between the two species, as, for example, the 

 occurrence of numerous peculiar, round or ovoid, thick- walled, 

 nucleated bodies just within the longitudinal muscle-layer of 

 the body wall in Geonemertes novce-zealandice ; but these are 

 details into which I cannot enter at present. 



Art. XX. — Notes on Neio Zealand Echinoderms.* 



By H. Farquhar. 



{Read before the Wellington Philosophical Society, 20th February, 1895.] 



Plates X.-XIL, and XIII. (in Part). 



In the following notes I have attempted to add a little to our 

 knowledge of the habits of our commonest Echinoderms, to 

 clear up some of the confusion in which, unfortunately, they 

 have become involved, and to direct the attention of New 

 Zealand naturalists to a much neglected, but exceedingly 

 interesting, group of marine animals. The Asteroids which I 

 have described as new species may be known already from 

 some other part of the world, as even the littoral forms often 

 have a wide geographical range. The dearth of works of 

 reference, which is one of the greatest difficulties in natural- 

 history work in the colonies, prevents my ascertaining with 

 certainty that they have not been found elsewhere. I believe 

 that they are new to science, but if my names have to give 

 place to older ones I venture to hope that the descriptions 

 and figures will still be of some use. 



Evechinus chloroticus, Valenciennes. 



This is the common sea-egg, the kina of the Maoris. It is 

 by far our commonest and most characteristic sea-urchin, 

 being found in abundance on the reefs, and on stones in shallow 

 water (0 to 12 fathoms), all round the New Zealand coasts, both 

 inside and outside the harbours. Where the rock is soft it 

 excavates hollows for itself ; elsewhere its favourite resorts 

 are the rock crevices and overhanging sides of rock-pools. 

 Opposite the entrance of the Nelson Harbour a broad belt of 



* These notes are not supposed to be by any means exhaustive, and 

 no one can possibly be more conscious of their deficiencies than myself. 

 I trust, however, that they may be the means of leading others to collect 

 these beautiful animals, and record their habits. A collection, or even a 

 list of species, from Auckland or the Bay of Islands, for instance, would 

 be of immense interest. 



