126 OPHIUROIDFA. 
spines at the sides and below; the granules are pretty thick on the 
outer side of each radial shield. As many as twelve teeth in a row; 
three mouth-papille on either side. _Mouth-plate irregularly lenti- 
cular, wider than long; side mouth-plates of moderate size. The 
spines of interbrachial area below confined to the middle, so that 
the edges of the bursal slits are free of them. Form of disk and 
depth of arm-notch very variable. Arms wide, flat. Seven short, 
very stout arm-spines, the two lowest the most delicate. The small 
plates surrounding the distal and outer edges of the upper arm- 
plates disappear towards the tip of the arm, becoming gradually 
smaller as the neighbourhood of the disk is left. Lower arm-plates 
irregularly quadrate, separated by notches, the single tentacle-scale 
very distinct. 
This species presents great variations in form, colour, and extent 
of spinulation ; the ordinary colour is a hue of purplish red, deeper 
in parts, mottled or spotted, and it is much better retained in dried 
specimens than is the case with most Ophiurids. 
R=78 ; 77 (about); 68; 41. 
P= sO sets ONG 
Distribution. Both sides of North Atlantic, as far south as Cape 
Cod on the west and Great Britain on the east. 0-300 fms. 
‘Porcupine’ Exp. (St. 65). 
a-c. Faeroe Channel, 345 fms, 
d. Faeroe Channel, 114 fms. ‘Porcupine’ Exp. (St. 61). 
e-n. Faeroe Channel, 312 fms. ‘Porcupine’ Exp. (St. 82). 
o. Faeroe Channel, 560 fms. ‘Porcupine’ Exp. (St. 77). 
p. East of Shetland, 64 fms. ‘Porcupine’ Exp. (St. 67). 
g. East of Shetland, 75 fms. ‘Porcupine’ Exp. (St. 68). 
7, East of Shetland, 203 fms. ‘ Porcupine’ Exp. (St. 74). 
s-v. East of Shetland, 290 fms. ‘Porcupine’ Exp. (St. 78). 
w, x. Upper Loch Torridon, 30-40fms. John Murray, Esq. 
y, % Between Plocton and Loch Re- John Murray, Esq. 
raig, 8-24 fms. 21/9/91. 
. Mouth of Sound of Mull, 68 fms. 
John Murray, Esq. 
b'-d'. Firth of Lorn, 50 fms. John Murray, Esq. 
e’-v’, Loch Etive, 15-20 fms. John Murray, Esq. 
jl. West Scotland. John Murray, Esq. 
". West Lreland. 
‘Porcupine’ Exp. (St. 17). 
p,q’. 50° 24' 45" N., 10° 07' 30” W., G. C. Bourne, Esq. 
200 fms. 
ry’, Courtmasherry. Belfast Nat. Hist. Soc. 
s', t'. Isle of Man. Prof. E. Forbes. 
wu’, v'. Off Liverpool. 
w'—b"'". Montrose, June 24, July 3, 4, 6, W. Duncan, Esq. 
10, and Aug. 3, 1889. 
c’-i'"'", Montrose, 3/9/89. W. Duncan, Esq. 
"’, Aberdeen. G. Sim, Esq. 
Kk’, U'. Shetland. 
m", n'', Orkney. 
