266 



among the dorsal spines, but a few occur In the lateral channels, simi- 

 lar to those of A. ocJwacea and capitata, but of smaller size and with 

 narrower valves. Papula3 in groups. Diameter, one foot. It differs 

 from A. giganlea in having only five rays, and in other particulars. 

 Habitat, Coast of Oregon. (Mus. Smithsonian.) 



ASTERIAS PAUCISPINA (UOV. Sp.) 



Rays five, high, trigonal above, rounded below ; disc rather large. 

 Proportion of the diameters, 1 : 4.75. Skin-skeleton less firm than in 

 the four preceding species, the net-work being more open. Ambu- 

 lacral pores in four regular rows. Ambulacral spines in one very 

 regular row, equal, not crowded, slightly compressed, and slightly 

 tapering, Avith blunt extremity. A considerable number of sharp, 

 appressed major pedicellariae, of variable size, may be seen on the 

 inter-ambulacral plates at the inner bases of the ambulacral spines, 

 together with a few small clusters of the minor kind. Ventral spines 

 of moderate size, cylindrical, tapering to a blunt tip not striated, and 

 arranged in three rows, or in about thirty transverse rows of three 

 each, the two outer ones placed together on each of the ossicles of the 

 single ventral series, and the inner one on the tranverse connective 

 piece which passes to the marginal interambulacral plates. Each of 

 these transverse rows corresponds to five ambulacral spines. A small 

 cluster of minor pedicellariae at the outer base of each of the ventral 

 spines, most prominent In those of the outer row. Lateral channel 

 distinct, with a row of stout, narrow, wedge-shaped major pedlcel- 

 larlas, extending from the base of the ray to the middle of Its length. 

 Dorsal spines equalling the ventrals In size, less than one-twelfth Inch 

 in height, and subcapltate, with conical, truncate, and striated heads. 

 They are few In number, and are arranged in five regular rows ; those 

 of the marginal row, twenty-five in number, being a little smaller 

 and more elongated than the others ; median row consisting, like the 

 marginal row, of twenty-five spines, ohe to each ossicle ; intermediate 

 row with only ten spines, and becoming "zig-zag" toward the ex- 

 tremity of the ray. On the disc there Is a regular pentagon of about 

 ten spines, one (rarely two) to each angle, and one (rarely two) at 

 the middle of each of the concave sides. No spines within the penta- 

 gon except one central one, which is always present ; madreporic 

 plate within the pentagon, at the periphery. INIinor pedlcellarias are 

 scattered, in clouds, over the dorsal surface, but there are more of the 

 major kind on the back. Papula? in groups. Diameter, four and a 

 half Inches. 



Habitat, Puget Sound. North- AVcst Boundary Commission. Dr. 

 C. B. Keunerly. This fine species is common in the circumlittoral 

 zone. 



