208 THE ATLANTIC. [chap, i v. 



Hymenaster found the eggs beneatli the membrane in the an- 

 gles of the arms, and, in a more advanced stage, congregated 

 in the central tent, but never under circumstances such that 1 



Fig. li^.— Hymenaster nobilis. The marsupial teut with the valves closed. Twice the nat- 



uial size. 



could keep and examine them. Exposed or loosely covered eggs 

 or embryos, or an}^ soft and pulpy organs or appendages, are 

 always in a half-disintegrated state when they are brought up 

 from such great depths, if they have not been entirely washed 

 away. 



As I have already said, Hymenaster is closely allied to Pter- 

 aster ; the arrangements of the marsupium are nearly the same 

 in both ; and it is highly probable that, in Hymenaster, as in 

 P. inilitaris, a provisional alimentary tract may be developed 

 in the early stages of the embryo. 



There are several fine species of Hymenaster within reach 

 of British naturalists in the deep water at tlie entrance of the 

 Channel and off Cape Clear ; but I fear there will be great 

 difficulty in determining this point unless the genus turn up 



