JAPANESE ASTEEOIDEA. 139 



but one or two of the snperomarginals at the angle bear two or 

 even three spines, thongh of smaller size. Again I have a few 

 specimens from Misaki, in which several snperomarginals of the 

 interbrachial arc bear from one to four small spines, although 

 these are not always continuous from arm to arm. Thus, in an 

 interradius of one of these specimens only the first pair of snpero- 

 marginals are destitute of spines, while in another interradius the 

 snperomarginals all bear very short, blunt elevations hardly 

 appearing as spines. In another large specimen (E=:58.4mm.) 

 the first two pairs of snperomarginals of an interradius bear an 

 irregular group of 2-4 spines. These specimens recall the one 

 described by de Loeiol as Astropecten s/;. from Mauritius cited 

 above. There is no doubt in my mind that they are all only 

 variational forms of the present species. As to my specimen from 

 the Benin Islands, it may be remarked that I have only one, and 

 am therefore unable to say whether or not this variational form 

 is of common occurrence there. The transverse grooves between 

 the snperomarginals are covered with capillary spinelets. 



Inferomarginals. — These are usually one less than the snpero- 

 marginals. The general actinal surface of the plates is armed with 

 pointed spines, which are more or less flattened and of various sizes 

 (PI. Ill, fig. 35, 36, 38). The more prominent, longer spines form one 

 or two irregular rows, and the 2-4 next the lateral spine are espe- 

 cially longer, being sometimes more than f as long as the latter. 

 The single lateral spine is very prominent, flattened, sharply 

 pointed, and usually more or less curved towards the tip of the 

 arm. The proximal, inner, and distal margins of the inferomarginal 

 plate are armed with a single row of capillary spinelets. The 

 transverse grooves appear to be naked on the actinal side; but 



