NO. 2022. J^EW STARFISHES FROM THE PHILIPPINES— FISHER. 223 



Abactinal surface is covered with rather uniformly distributed 

 fascicular tufts of small spinelets invested in a common pulpy sheath 

 from which the tips of the spinelets protrude a short distance. These 

 fascicles with their investment are about 1 mm. long and 0.75 mm. 

 in diameter, and resemble tubercular projections of the integument. 

 In those which appear to be nearly normal the investment forms a 

 collar surrounding the spinelets, which are themselves imbedded in 

 the central pulpy part of the sheath. Fascicles spaced about once 

 their own diameter, or less, on disk and base of rays, and are arranged 

 in quincunx on the sides of rays. Each pseudopaxilla consists of a 

 low pedicel or convex plate, surmounted by 9 to 12, or sometimes 

 fewer, very dehcate, tapering, glassy spinelets ending in several points. 



The marginal plates are conspicuous, low, transverse ridges, 

 oriented obliquely, as well as bent aborad, each pair of marginals 

 forming a chevron the angle of which is toward base of ray. A 

 series of about 40 of these chevrons occupies the side of each ray. 

 The spine-bearing crest of the marginals has the appearance of being 

 bent aborad, and the upper end of the superomarginal and the lower 

 end of the inferomarginal is in the form of a slight knob, each bearing 

 about 3 prominent, tapering, sharp, closely appressed spines, the 

 median usually the longer. The inferomarginal spines are longer 

 than the corresponding superomarginal spines, being slightly longer 

 than the extreme width of the plate. Six to nine slenderer, shorter 

 spinelets continue the superomarginal series to the intermarginal 

 end of the plate, while 3 to 5 similar spinelets complete the infero- 

 marginal series. Both series are webbed. The large inferomarginal 

 spines are on the angle between the lateral and actinal faces of ray, 

 and proximally a fourth shorter spine is added to the actinal end of 

 the series. The points of the spines frequently converge (the median 

 being longest), and the group has the appearance of Sladen's figure 

 of the "actinal intermediate" spines of R. vannipes. 



Furrow spines 9 or 10, distally 8, united by membrane for two- 

 thirds their length into a prominent scoop-shaped fan very much as 

 in R. vannipes. On the surface of the plate is an oblique comb of 4 

 stouter, tapering, sharp spines, the 2 median the longest and slightly 

 longer than the furrow spines. 



Mouth plates prominent and strongly convex at the outer end. 

 Marginal spines 15 to 17, the 3 inner long, slender, pointed, and 

 directed over actinostome, the remainder usually standing upright, 

 and much shorter and slenderer. A prominent suboral spine near 

 inner end of plate, and 3 shorter spines near outer end of plate mid- 

 way between suture and furrow margins. 



Type.—Csit No. 32649, U.S.N.M. 



Type-locality. — Station 5622, off Makyan Island, Molucca Islands, 

 275 fathoms, gray mud. 



