JAPANESE ASTEROIDEA. 631 



body is covered with a humid leathery membrane, but the plates 

 are very distinct. The granulations of the plates mentioned by 

 previous authors can be seen only indistinctly in alcoholic speci- 

 mens, but in dried specimens they ought to come out more 

 clearly. Of the two specimens in my hands, both of which are 

 in alcohol, the smaller one is in a better state of preservation in 

 all respects, so that it will be described first in detail. 



On the dorsal side, the anus is very distinct, subcentral in 

 position and surrounded by some nine or ten small granules, 

 v/hich are themselves surrounded by five plates, one of which 

 bears in this specimen an indistinct tubercle. From this circle 

 of perianal plates there radiates a series of circular carinal plates 

 to the tip of each arm, being terminated by the ocular plate 

 wliich bears two short spines. The carinal plates are smaller 

 than those of the adjacent rows on either side, and some of 

 them bear each a blunt conical spine. The number of carinal 

 plates is some 20, and the carinal spines are 4 or 5 for each 

 arm. On either side of the carinal plates there is a row of 

 similar but slightly larger plates reaching to the tip of the arm, 

 and outside it another row of similar plates terminating at a 

 short distance from the arm tip, followed by a third row extend- 

 ing about half way out into the arm. Around the anus the 

 arrangement of the plates is more or less irregular. 



The spaces between the dorsal plates are occupied by a thick 

 humid membrane, which in alcoholic specimens is more elevated 

 than the plates, and bear the papular pores which are very 

 small but distinct and form groups of 2-5, all over the dorsal 

 surface. 



The superomarginal plates occupy the very margin of the 



