226 F. JEFFREY BELL. 



ASTEROIDEA. 



III. Genus Acanthaster. 



11. Acanthaster echinites. 



See the synonyms given by Prof. Peirier in Arch. Zool. expir. iv. (1875), p. 361, and the 

 observations of M. de Loriol, in Mem. Soc. Pliys. et d'hist. nat. de Genlve, xxix. no. 4 (1885), 

 pp. 6 et seq. 



From the sand flat to the north-west of Hiilule. 



IV. Genus Linckia. 



A number of young forms collected one night in the swabs, when at anchor in N. Male, 

 25/!, rubble, Polytreina and sponges. 



12. Linckia laevigata. 



Asterias laevigata, Gmelin, Syst. Nat. (1788), p. 3169. 

 Linchia laevigata, Llitken, Videnskab. Meddel. 1871, p. 47. 

 From the boulder zone of the reef at Minikoi only. 



13. Linckia multiforis. 



Asterias multiforis, Lamk. Anim. s. Vert. iii. (1816), p. 254. 



Ophidiaster multiforis, M. Tr. Syst. Aster. (1842), p. 31. 



Linckia midtiforis, von Mai-tens, Arcli. f. Naturg. xxxil. (1866), p. 65. 



Common on every reef of the Maldives, especially frequenting the shaded under-surfaces of 

 stones of the boulder zone. Large numbers were attracted at Minikoi to a baited basket 

 placed under a stone, after 24 hours no less than 37 specimens being collected. 



V. Geniis Scytaster. 



14. Scytaster variolatus. 



Asterias variolata, Retzius, Diss. spec. Aste?; (1805), p. 19. 

 Scytaster variolatus, M. Tr. Syst. Aster: (1842), p. 34. 



S. Nilandu, 25/., with corals, sponges and Alcyonarians, and Mulaku, 25, 30 and 35/., all 

 mud and a little weed. 



15. Scytaster novae-caledoniae. 



Scytaster novae-caledoniae, Perrier, Arch. Zool. exper. iv. (1875), p. 426. 



Found on all the sand-flats in the Maldives and Minikoi. In colour it is generally brown 

 or blue; most forms at Minikoi were blue, while five specimens from Hulule were all brown. 



VI. Genus Ophidiaster. 



16. Ophidiaster cylindricus. 



Asterias cylindrica, Lamk. Anim. s. Vert. ill. (1816), p. 255. 



