62 s. GOTO : 



Ijersisteutly j)i'6SGut ou evoiy plate. Tlio moiith-plates aro small ancl simx)le, 

 liaving onlj tlu'ee or fom* mouth-papillœ on the margin of each plate, ancl 

 two only on the median ridge (or at most tlnee), the innermost of these 

 being very large and prominent, and standing perpendicular to the plane of 

 the plate, midway between the extremities. When the young Starfish is 

 examined imder the microscope from above, it will bo seen that in the lateral 

 sutm'al fmTOAvs, which open on the dorsal sm-face, there are, in addition to 

 the marginal fringe of compressed spinelets, an inner series of fine, pointed, 

 cilia-Hke spinelets, at least at the upper portion. 



" In the early stages of this species, the lower or ventral series of lateral 

 plates lies much more upon the actinal or ventral sm'face of the Starfish than 

 it generally does in the fully grown form. In the examples above mentioned 

 the row of single or true lateral spinelets, borne by the ventro-lateral plates, 

 stands almost at the angle formed by the vertical side of the test and the 

 actinal sm-face, the plates themselves arching sharply under into the actinal 

 sm-face. The spinelets also seem to occupy a position relatively nearer to 

 the centre of the plate than at a later stage. In large specimens no portion 

 of the lateral plates cm've onto the ventral area, and the spinelets are situated 

 much nearer ttj the upper extremity of their respective j)lates. 



" Variations. — Dr. Lütken records examples from a station off Norway, 

 which j)robably lies near the southern limit of the area of distribution, that 

 differ strikingly from the normal short-armed form by their longer and more 

 pointed rays, whereby the contour apx^roaches that of Aixhaster Parelii / but 

 in other respects no differences were noticed. We have observed a similar 

 variation in the radial pro^^oi-tions amongst a series of specimens from Barents 

 Sea, but not developed to such a marked degree as in those examined by 

 om- learned comtemporary. The relative propoi-tions of the greater to the 

 lesser radius in two specimens are respectively 17 raillims. to 9.75 miUims. 

 in the one, and 17 millims. to 7 millims. in the other ; two smaller examples 

 measured similarly 10 millims. to 6 millims., and 10 raiUiras. to 5 miUiiûs.. 

 — the difference in character presented by the wide and gentle cm-ve of the 

 arm-angle of the one in comparison to the more acute and anguLxr outline 

 of the other being much more striking to the eye that the figures wliich 



