JAPANESE ASTEROIDEA. 365 



larise, of which those on the plates next the adambnlacrals are 

 conspicuously larger than the others (PI. X, fig. 159,161) ; a plate 

 of this series may bear as many as four pedicellariae. At the 

 mouth end there is usually a large odd plate which may bear as 

 many as six pedicellarise. Occasionally there is a small and a 

 large plate instead of a single odd plate. A plate of the next 

 series usually bears only one pedicellaria, which is smaller than 

 those of the first series ; at or near the mouth end, however, 

 there may be two or more pedicellariœ on each plate. Many of 

 the remaining ventrolateral plates also bear pedicellarise, but they 

 are usually less conspicuous. 



Abadhial plates. — The most conspicuous feature on the 

 abactinal side is the papular area of a petaloid shape, radiating 

 from a central patch and extending into the arms to nearly the 

 middle of their length. In this area the plates are better spaced 

 to leave room for the papulas, while in the interradial areas the 

 plates are closely pressed against one another. In some cases 

 there can be distinguished an indistinct carinal series of plates 

 in each arm running out to the tip, but merged into the general 

 plating at the centre of the disk. Where this series is distinct 

 the constituent plates are frequently lozenge- shaped or more or less 

 hexagonal. Generally speaking the abactinal plates are largest in 

 the papular area at a short distance fi-om the centre, and gradual- 

 ly diminish in size in aU directions away fi'om it. The abactinal 

 plates are uniformly covered with small granules, which do not 

 show any differentiation whatever into peripherals and centrals. 

 Many of the plates of the papular area bear smaU pedicellariaG, 

 there being as many as 3 or 4 on a larger plate (PI. X, fig. 

 162,163). The plates of the interradial areas also bear pedicel- 



