STARFISHES OF THE PHILIPPINE SEAS. 



327 



median more compressed than the laterals, and all webbed for half 

 their length. The subambulacral spines are 2 to 4, flattened, round- 

 tipped and unequal, and arranged in a longitudinal series. Just 

 back of the adoral furrow spine is often a prominent pincer-shaped 

 ^lightly tapering pedicellaria. In very small specimens the subam- 

 bulacral spines are represented by a row of granules. 



Three specimens from station 5483 differ in lacking abactinal 

 tubercles altogether (although larger) and in having a large flattened 

 truncate subambulacral spine. The largest specimen has R 54 mm. 

 The rays are broader than in the examples from station 5358. Ven- 

 trally this specimen resembles Stellaster eqicestris, but the marginal 

 plates are decidedly narrower than in a specimen of equestris from 

 Usuki, Japan, and the granulation is finer, and quite evidently spaced 

 especially on the dorsal surface. A specimen from station 5432 

 agrees in having the large subambulacral spine, and there are 5 

 small dorsal tubercles in addition. 



A portion of the abactinal wall of a specimen from station 5483 

 was examined. This specimen was sexually mature although of 

 only medium size (11=46 mm.). The abactinal plates are large, 5 

 to 7 in each interradius being the largest, and on the margin bordering 

 the papular areas, scalloped. The carinal plates have 2 short lobes 

 on either side, and the adradial plates on the rays have 2 lobes also 

 on either side, which, as seen from below, overlie the edges of the 

 carinal and the other adjacent longitudinal series. In the central 

 area of the disk the plates have 5 or 6 more prominent lobes. There 

 are 3 or 4 papulae to each pore between the lobes of the plates. 



The gonads, form a single large cluster, one on each side of the 

 membranous interbrachial septum, 10 in all. 



Type-locality. — " North Australia," Gray. 



Distribution. — East to the Mozambique coast (Simpson and 

 Brown), India and Cejdon, Mergui Archipelago, Sumatra, and Singa- 

 pore, Philippines, to Korea (? Sladen), south to New Guinea, Ara- 

 fura Sea, Torres Strait, North, Northeast and South Australia, 

 Bathymetrical range, 3 to 74 fathoms, usually under 50 fathoms. 



Specimeiis examined. — Fifty-five from the following stations: 



Specimens of Stellaster incH examined. 



