JAPANESE ^STEEOroEA. 381 



size of the marginal jointes as compared with the breadth of the dorsal area 

 of the rajs. In some examples the upper marginal plates are so broad tliat 

 the dorsal area is much reduced in breadth. In others the marginal x)lates 

 are comparatively naiTOw, while the dorsal area is wider. 



" These differences are not con-elated with any others of importance, so 

 that they can hardly be taken as characteristic of permanent varieties. 



" The papulae are confined to the central part of the disk and baso- 

 median pai-t of the rays. 



" Distinct fascioles are i)ïesent in om- specimens between the plates 

 next to the adambulacral series, as in P. discus, but Sladen states that thev 

 are wanting in liis examples. Moreover, in all our specimens there is a 

 median row of several enlarged sx^inules decidedly larger than the rest, on 

 each of the inferomarginal j)lates, which was not the case in Sladen's speci- 

 mens. Similar enlarged spinules occur on most of the actinal interradial 

 plates. In consequence of these differences om' examples approach much 

 nearer to P. disms Sladen, from the west coast of S. America, and to P. 

 tessellahis, from off Cape of Good Hope, than is indicated by Sladen's 

 descriptions. 



" It ranges from 110 to 1,608 fathoms, off our coast." 



Verrill [ '95, J). 131] again refers to the some form as follows : 



" B. [athjTnetrical] range, 85 to 1608 fath. Most common between 150 

 and 500 fath. Taken at 33 stations between N. lat. W 26' and 37^ 59' 

 30". 



" This species is very closely allied to P. discus Sladen, from off the 

 west coast of S. America in 147 fath., and to P. tessellatus Sl., from the 

 Cape of Good Hope. 



" Variety, insignis nov. 



"A few specimens, much larger than usual and with coarser gi-anules, 

 represent a marked variety or perhaps a distinct species. For the present 

 it may be best to consider it a variety. 



" Eadii, 75 mm and 23 mm. Upper smiace and marginal plates granu- 

 lated nearly as in the typical form, excex^t that the gi'anules are somewhat 

 lai'ger. Actinal pLates covered with unequal, coarse, in-egular, angular. 



