IQ8 BULLETIN 76, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM 



Forma CONFERTUS (Slimpson' 



73, Figure 2; Plate 71. Figures I, la, 16; Plate 75, Figure 5; Plate 76, Figures 2, 3, 7; Plate 81, 

 Figures 1, 2; Plate 82, Figures 2, 3, 4; Plate 86, Figures 2, 4, 7 



Atteriat conferta Stimpson. 

 Pieasler confertus Vekrill. 



Pisaster ochraceus forma confertus Fisher, Ann. Mas. Nat. Hist., ser. 9, vol. 17, 1926, p. 559, 

 pi. 20, fig. 1. 



The typo of Stimpson's Asterias conjerta was taken at Simeahmoo, Puget Sound, 

 by Dr. C. B. Kennedy (No. 1275 U. S. Nat. Mus.). 1 have examined it several times 

 and it is figured by Vcrrill. (1914, pi. 38.) A number of my specimens from near 

 Tacoma, Wash., practically duplicate the type, but others from Departure Bay, 

 Union Bay (Bayne Sound), and Boundary Bay, British Columbia, have the char- 

 acteristics of the variety in an accentuated form. In these the small dorsal spinules 

 are much more numerous and are three or four, sometimes upward of seven or eight, 

 to a plate along the carinal series and on the stellate apical system of the disk. (PI. 

 81, fig. 1; i>1. sj, fig. 2.) 



Confertus intergrades with ochraceus (Departure Bay, British Columbia, the 

 sounds of Washington) and it also develops accrvate varieties less distinct but parallel 

 erus. (PL 82, fig. 3.) 



In forma contains the abactinal spinelets are smaller and frequently more numer- 

 ous than in ocluvceus (pi. 75, fig. 5), the majority only 0.8 or 0.9 mm. long and rela- 

 tively slender. Some specimens (as those from Departure Bay and Boundary Bay, 

 British Columbia, pi. 81, fig. 1 ; pi. 82, fig. 2) carry three to eight spinelets on most of 

 the carina! and primary apical plates. Other specimens have the spinelets in single 

 file, or with the slight irregularity in number normal to ochraceus. (PI. 82, fig. 4.) 

 The superomarginal plates usually carry three or four spinelets giving the armature 

 a different and more crowded appearance than that of ochraceus. In some cases the 

 actinal spines are slightly slenderer than those of ochraceus; in others there is no 

 difference, and I am unable to find any constant actinal features by which conjertus 

 can be distinguished from ochraceus. 



Crossed pedicellariae (pi. 73, fig. 2) : These are similar in size, form, and distribu- 

 tion to those of ochraceus. 



Straight pedicellariae: (a) The furcate pedicellariae are very numerous but 

 appear to be exactly the same as those of ochraceus. That shown on Plate 74, Figure 

 la, is intermediate between the furcate and the ordinaiy broadly lanceolate, undif- 

 ferentiated type. The larger measure 0.28 by 0.28 mm. 



(b) The undifferentiated lanceolate pedicellariae are very numerous, rather 

 more so than in ochraceus, especially abactinally. 



The denticulate pedicellariae are similar to those of ochraceus but often more 

 conspicuous owing to the smallness of the spines. They are usually more numerous, 

 but there is no constant difference in form. Especially large ones (1 to 1.5 mm. long) 

 are found on the actinal interradial angle, and along the intermarginal channel. (PI. 

 76, figs, 2.:;, 7.) 



As in ochraceus, both thicker and slenderer rayed specimens occur. At Depar- 

 Bi j . British < lolumbia, where the form is very common, mature examples range 

 from 100 to 17D mm. major radius. Larger examples of course occur in favorable 

 situations. 



