OF THE FIRTH OF FORTH. 23 
ASTROPHYTIDA., 
Astrophyton linckii (M. and T.). 
We include this species in our list with 
the most complete reservation, our only 
authority being a manuscript of Captain 
Laskey’s quoted by Forbes, in which he 
mentions having obtained “a_ great 
Medusa’s-head Starfish in a herring net 
at Dunbar.” A. linckii is a northern 
species, and was frequently dredged during 
the “Porcupine” Exploring Expedition. 
The probability of its occurrence in the 
Forth is very slight. Mr Norman, for 
whose opinion we have the highest respect, 
considers that its area of distribution is 
confined to the seas of Scandinavia and 
Shetland. 
ASTEROIDEA. 
ASTERIADA. 
Asterias rubens (Linn.). 
Firth of Forth (£d. IMus.). 
The Uraster rubens of Forbes. This is the 
most abundant species of Asterid in the 
Forth, being brought up in numbers at 
almost every dredging. It is especially 
common on the shell banks at about 5 
fathoms, but we also found it at all the 
localities which we have dredged. Forbes 
describes a variety A. coriacea from the 
Forth, which is characterised by the pro- 
minent spines of the dorsal ridge. We 
have frequently obtained this variety. 
A. violacea (O. F. Miill.). 
Firth of Forth (2. #.); Firth of Forth 
(Howd.). 
The Uraster violacea of Forbes. We have 
often obtained this species or variety in 
