REPORT ON THE ASTEROIDEA. 117 
Abactinal area with large oblong hexagonal paxillz, the major axis in the direction 
of the axis of the ray. A conspicuous medio-radial series larger than the rest, each of these 
paxille being well spaced from its neighbours in the series. Papulee regularly distributed. 
Abactinal plates arranged in lines parallel to the axis of the ray (longo-radial). 
Actinal interradial areas small, with plates bearing small, conical-pointed spinelets 
similar to those on the infero-marginal plates. 
Armature of the adambulacral plates in two longitudinal series parallel to the 
furrow. The post-adambulacral series of intermediate plates with fascioles at the margins 
obliquely transverse to the axis of the ray. 
Madreporiform body small. No pedicellariz. 
Remarks.—This handsome form resembles in many respects the general facies of 
several of the unarmed Archasteride and Astropectinide. It is distinguished from the 
preceding genus by the longitudinal arrangement of the adambulacral armature, and by 
the presence of the remarkable “ fascioles” on the post-adambulacral plates. 
Chorology of the Genus Aphroditaster. 
a. Geographical distribution :— 
ATLANTIC: One species between the parallels of 30° and 40° N. 
Aphroditaster gracilis between the islands of San Miguel and 
Santa Maria (Azores). 
8. Bathymetrical range: 1000 fathoms. 
y. Nature of the Sea-bottom: Volcanic mud. 
Chorological Synopsis of the Species. 
| Ocean. Range in Fathoms. | Nature of the Sea-bottom. 
| A phroditaster gracilis. : Atlantic 1000 Voleanie mud. 
1. Aphroditaster gracilis, n. sp. (Pl. XVII. figs. 1 and 2; Pl. XVIII. figs. 7 and 8). 
Rays five. R= 59-60 mm.; r=15 mm. R= 4. approximately. 
Rays elongate, tapering gradually from the base to the narrow, pointed extremity, 
which is slightly turned upward ; breadth midway between the centre of the disk and the 
extremity, 8 mm. Interbrachial are well rounded. 
The paxille of the abactinal area are moderately large, tabulate, and recularly hexa- 
gonal ; those along the ray have their longest diameter in the direction of the axis of the 
c=) 
ray, and all are arranged in regular longitudinal series. A series of paxille, which are 
