AMPHIURIDAE 



279 



fectly evident that they are all one and the same species: in particular the peculiar 

 ciliated appearance of the scales affords an excellent character for identifying the 

 younger specimens. 



The buccal shields are rather variable in shape ; 

 in the younger specimens they are in general 

 rounded triangular, whereas in the larger speci- 

 mens they may be somewhat more elongate. 



The species has separate sexes and is not vivi- 

 parous. 



I think it quite probable that A. Joubini is in 

 reality identical with the A. polita described by 

 Koehler in his work on the Echinoids and 

 Ophiurids of the 'Belgica'. Having recently 

 had an opportunity of examining one of Koehler's 

 types in the Brussels Museum, I find that the 

 character of the thorny spines (pi. vii, fig. 50) is 

 not reliable, the spines being sometimes quite smooth 



Fig. 17. Part of arm of Amphiura Joubini, 

 Koehler, showing character of arm spines: 

 a, joints 1-4; b, from middle of arm. ;<i5. 



Further, the proximal spines are 

 partly curved inwards, as is typical of A. Joiibini. The tentacle scales are incorrectly 

 represented in Koehler's pi. vii, fig. 49; they are as in Joubini (Fig. 16 a). Also the 

 buccal shields are like those oi Joubini, with straight outer edge. On the whole, I have 

 hardly any doubt but that a direct comparison will show definitely that the two species 

 are identical; the name Joubini will then have to give way to the name polita, as the 

 older of the two. 



Amphiura Belgicae, Koehler 



Amphiura Belgicae, Koehler, 1901. Result. Voyage 'Belgica'. Echinides et Ophiures, p. 27, 



pi. vii, figs. 46-8. 

 A. Mortenseni, Koehler, 1908. Scott. Nat. Antarct. Exped. Asteries, Ophiures et Echinides, 



p. 604, pi. xiv, figs. 121-2. 

 A. Mortenseni, Koehler, 1912. IP Exped. Antarct. Franfaise. Echinodermes, p. 134, pi. xii, 



fig. 2. 

 A. Mortenseni, Koehler, 1922. Austral. Antarct. Exped. Echinod. Ophiuroidea, p. 31, pi. Ixxx, 



figs. 5-8. 

 A. Mortenseni, Koehler, 1923. Swedish Antarct. Exped. Asteries et Ophiures, p. 112. 

 A. alternans, Koehler, 1923. Ibid., p. 107, pi. xv, figs. 1-4. 



A. Eugeniae Mortenseni, Hertz, 1926. Deutsche Siidpolar-Exped. Ophiuroiden, p. 29. 

 A. Eugeniae gracilis. Hertz, 1926. Ibid., p. 30. 

 A. Mortemeni, Grieg, 1929. Ecliinodermata from the Palmer Archipelago. Sci. Res. Norwegian 



Antarct. Exped., 1927-9, n, p. 11. 

 A. Belgicae, Grieg, 1929. Some Echinoderms from the South Shetlands. Bergens Mus. Arbok, 



1929, ni, p. 6. 



St. 27. 15. iii. 26. West Cumberland Bay, South Georgia, no m. Several specimens. 



St. 39. 25. iii. 26. East Cumberland Bay, South Georgia, 179-235 m. 6 specimens. 



St. 42. I. iv. 26. Off mouth of Cumberland Bay, South Georgia, 120-240 m. 12 specimens. 



St. 140. 23. xii. 26. Stromness Harbour to Larsen Point, South Georgia, 122-136 m. 5 specimens. 



