OPHIURA. 107 
Asterias texturata, Lamk. An. s. Vert. (1816) p. 542 (pars) ; Forbes, 
Mem. Wern. Soc. viii. (1839) p. 125, pl. iv. figs. 8 & 4. 
Ophiura texturata, Forbes, Brit. Starf. (1840) p. 22 ; Maitland, An. 
Belg. sept. (1851) p. 85; Thompson, Nat. Hist. Irel. iv. (1856) 
p- 486; Liitk. Dansk, Vid. Selsk, Skrift. vy. (1859) p. 386, pl. 1. 
fies. | a—le. 
Ophiura lacertosa, Norm. Ann. §& Mag. xv. (1865) p. 112. 
Ophioelypha lacertosa, Lym. Ill. Cat. M. C. Z. i. (1865) p. 40; 
Ludw. Mitth. zool. Stat. Neapel, i. (1879) p. 546; Herdm. Proc. R. 
Phys. Soc. Ed. vy. (1880) p. 200; Leslie et id. op, cit. vi. (1881) 
p- 87; Carus, Prod. faun. Med, (1884) p. 92. 
Asterias cordifera, Delle Chiaje, Mem, An. Nap. (1825) p. 358, 
pl. xx. fig. 12. 
Asterias aurora, sso, Hist. Nat. v. (1826) p. 273, fig. 29. 
Ophiura ciliaris, Bell, Ann. § Mag. viii. (1801) p. 341. 
A fair-sized species. Covering-scales of disk imbricated. Radial 
shields irregularly pyriform, each separated from its fellow by two 
or three large and several smaller scales. Five teeth; mouth- 
papille numerous—ten or more; the outermost the widest, the 
innermost rather delicate. Mouth-plate very variable in form, but 
always much longer than broad and always very large; typically 
constricted in its middle so as to be fiddle- or lyre-shaped; side 
mouth-plates small. LBursal slits long, very distinct, fringed on the 
outer side with a large number of fine short spines. Arms 
inserted into a wide notch in the disk, compressed from side to side 
at the base so as to produce a mesial ridge, flattened more distally. 
Lateral arm-plates carry seven spines, three of which are nearly 
twice as long as the four lower, but even they are shorter than the 
length of the plate; the lower diminish gradually in number as the 
distance from the disk is increased. The side arm-plates within the 
area of the disk separate the ventral plates from one another but do 
not meet in the middle line ; beyond the area of the disk they touch 
one another. The under arm-plates are much wider than long, with 
a convex distal edge. The notch on either side of the arm is fringed 
by more than twenty-five spines, 
Colour when dried dark slate or dirty ycllow, sometimes mottled 
with darker. ‘Disk is generally reddish, marbled with purple- 
brown; the sides white; and the under surfaces are generally pale 
yellowish, or white” (/orbes): the reddish hue is sometimes re- 
tained in dried specimens. 
R100; 723 70. 
fio Wee i 12, 
Distribution. Eastern side of North Atlantic, Mediterranean, 
7 to 100 fms. 
a. Sound of Mull, 20 fms., May 5, 1888. John Murray, Esq. 
b-f. Loch Etive, 25 tms. John Murray, Esq. 
g, h. Lower Loch Etive, 20-80 fms. John Murray, Esq. 
a-k. Gareloch, 18-23 fms. John Murray, Esq. 
» --n. Between Sound of Sanda and Ailsa = John Murray, Esq. 
Craig, March 24, 1888. 
o, p. West coast of Scotland, John Murray, Esq. 
