255 



and specks of white and darker and lighter blue, giving the arm 

 a banded appearance. 



Variations. The general color may incline more to greenish 

 blue, or to purplish blue ; and the markings of the under arm- 

 plates may form more or less distinct bands. The largest speci- 

 men had a disc of 14 millim., and some of the spines on the disc 

 were as long as 2.1 millim. Many of the arm-spines were tipped 

 with white. 



This very beautiful Ophiothrix belongs to the group which has 

 only long spines on the back of the disc ; these are shorter and 

 stouter than in 0. Orstedii or 0. Suensonii, both of which, more- 

 over, are smaller species. 



Peru. C. H. Raymond. 



Smithsonian Institution, No. 1043. 



Ophiura, (Lamk. non Forbes.) 



Ophiura Holmesii, (Lyman,) sp. nov. 



Description of a Specimen. Diameter of disc, 19.2 millim. 

 Length of arm, about 74 millim. Mouth-papillae 16 to 18 ; out- 

 ermost one largest ; next one to outermost broad and flat ; the 

 rest rounded, tapering, pointed. Teeth 4, uppermost one long- 

 est and sharpest ; the others thin and flat, with a rounded cut- 

 ting edge. Mouth-shields long heart-shaped, the point inward ; 

 a slight indentation on outer edge ; length to breadth, 1.8 : 1.6. 

 Side mouth-shields small, thickened, rounded triangular. Un- 

 der arm-plates squarish ; outer side curved, lateral sides a lit- 

 tle reenteringly curved, inner side and inner laterals of about 

 equal length, and lying nearly in one line ; further out on the 

 arm the plates are more octagonal; length to breadth, (5th plate,) 

 1.2 : 1.6. Upper arm-plates much broader than long ; inner side 

 a little shorter than outer ; length to breadth, (4th plate,) 1.2 : 3.2. 

 Granulation of disc pretty close and regular, about 180 grains to 

 a square millim. Scales at the bases of the arms completely 

 covered by granulation. Arm-spines stout, flattened, somewhat 

 rounded, varying little in size ; upper ones sometimes a little the 

 longest ; 8th joint, 9 spines ; lengths of uppermost and lowest to 

 that of lower arm-plate, .8, .8 : 1.2. Tentacle-scales as usual in 

 the genus. Color, in alcohol: disc, above, with a dirty white 



