JAPANESE ASTEROIDEA. 



361 



Joliannaster giganfeiis, n. sp. 



(PL X, figs. 156-163.) 



This is a very large species perfectly distinct from the one 

 already described. I have fonr specimens, all dried, from the 

 same parts of the sea and from depths ranging between 160 m. 

 and 1120 m. One of the specimens is in a half-decomposed 

 state, so the measurements of the other three specimens only will 

 be given. 



The actinal surface is hard and almost plane, only the parts 

 adjoining the mouth being slightly elevated. The abactinal surface 

 is, in the dried specimens, thrown into light folds, especially in 

 the interradial regions, so that in the fresh state these parts 

 were probably more or less inflated. Another conspicuous feature 

 of the abactinal side is the petaloid papular area extending half- 

 w^ay or more into the arms. 



Superomarcjinals. — The number of superomarginal plates is 

 not strictly proportional to the major radius, as shown in the 

 above table. In the interbrachial arcs as well as sometimes 

 along the arms, the upper and lower marginals may be alternate, 

 but more usually they are coincident. Each superomarginal is 

 rectangular in shape, but triangular plates occur here and there, 

 especially where the arm had been broken off and subsequently 



