BY THEKEV. J. E. TEXISOX-WOODS, F.G.S., F.L.S., ETC. 195 



and the anal orifice is prolonged into a flesb.j tube -which, extends 

 like a proboscis bej^ond the central plates. In the living 

 specimens this tube is swollen out like a large eye, a resemblance 

 which a rim of colour round the centre makes still more striking. 

 It is very difficult to pursuade the fisherman that this is not an 

 eye, and it makes the beauty and singular appearance of the 

 animal much more conspicuous. Small examples of an urchin 

 which looked very much like this species have been found in 

 Port Jackson, and I was disposed to regard them as the young 

 of Biadema setosum. But as the species is not found elsewhere in 

 the tropics the Port Jackson urchins may be the young of 

 Centrostephanus Roclgersii, which abounds in the harbour. The 

 spines were more slender than in the adult state of Centrostephanus 

 but the color and markings of both genera are the same. It is a 

 matter that will require further examination. 



Ecliinotlirix calamaris, A. Agassiz, is rarely found on the 

 Australian coast and only so far as is known on the north-east 

 within the tropics. The specimens found by me were obtained 

 in turning over dead blocks of coral on the inner edge of the 

 Barrier Eeef, and on the coral islands. I never saw it adhering 

 by its suckers to anything. When exposed by turning over 

 the stone which sheltered it, the spines were spread equally 

 in all directions around it and moved slowly away. The spines 

 are of two kinds. Those attached to the primary tubercles are 

 rather stout and long with blunt points. They are of pale sea 

 green colour with bands of purple-brown. The other spines are 

 of various lengths, some equalKng the primaries and as fine as 

 hair, of a golden lustre with bands of darker colour. These are 

 terrible as weapons of defence. Fine as they are they penetrate 

 the flesh at the least touch. The first JEchinothrix I ever handled 

 sent its hair spines right through some of my fingers. I cannot 

 help thinking that it has some way of striking with the spines, 

 as I thought I approached the animal quite gently, and had 

 scarcely more than touched it when my hands were wounded. 



