155 



rods in 0. fusiis. If it should uUimately be proved thai these two larvae 

 are really nearly related, it will be a fact of considerable importance, 

 showing that also within the genus Ophiura, even as recently restricted 



Fig. 83. Ophiophileii.s fiisii.i. A. specimen in metaniorpliosis; ""/i- ^- Ijoily skeleton of the 

 same; C. outer part of posterolateral rod. 3*"/,. Letters as in fig. 61. 



by Matsumoto and II. L. Clark, diflerent groups of larvtp may occur. 

 The fact that the larvae of the two species 0. albida and tcxturala are so 

 diflerent would then prove that these species are not so nearly related as 

 hitherto supposed; the other conclusion that might be drawn, viz. that 

 the larvae cannot show anything regarding the natural affinities, is much 

 less probable, considering the facts brought to light in the present work. 



20* 



