“REPORT ON THE ASTEROIDEA, 217 
those in the middle of the ray are slightly longer than the others, which decrease in length 
towards the inner and outer portions of the ray ; the longest spines are nearly equal to the 
length of three infero-marginal plates. 
Not more than two or three actinal intermediate plates are present, and these carry 
small papilliform spinelets, which form an incipient pedicellaria-like group. 
The armature of the adambulacral plates consists of short and rather robust spines, which 
form two distinct series, having three spines in each. The inner or furrow series consists of 
three short, robust, obtusely tipped spinelets, which radiate apart and arch over the furrow, 
the middle spine being longest. The outer series consists of three spines much shorter 
than the inner series; and the middle spinelet, which is slightly the longest and twice as 
robust as its companions, has a short, flat and subspatulate form. The aboral spinelet is 
smallest, and is placed in advance of the other two, its position almost suggesting that it 
ought to be reckoned as belonging to a middle series, an idea which is further strengthened 
by the presence in the innermost portion of the ray of a minute granule or rudimentary 
spinelet in a corresponding position on the adoral side of the plate. This arrangement 
causes the broader middle spinelet at first sight to appear as the aboral of two spines 
which form a true outer series, directed outward towards the margin of the ray. 
The mouth-plates are elongate and narrow, with a single row of eight to ten papilliform 
spinelets on their surface, which are very small outwardly, but increase in length as they 
approach the mouth, the innermost spine being longer than any of the others and directed 
horizontally. The two series of spinelets on the companion plates of a mouth-angle are 
generally apposed to one another. On the free margin of the mouth-plate there is a lineal 
series of short, rather robust spinelets, directed horizontally, which increase in length as 
they approach the inner extremity of the plate; the innermost spinelet being very little 
shorter than the innermost spinelet of the superior series just mentioned, and standing 
on the same level, forms together with it the horizontal fan of mouth-spines which pro- 
ceed from each mouth-angle and cover the mouth. The adambulacral plate adjoin- 
ing the mouth-plates is much broader and shorter than the others, and bears a lineal 
series of eight or nine short papilliform spinelets on each side, the two series being 
apposable. 
The madreporiform body is entirely hidden by paxille. 
Colour in alcohol, ashy grey. 
Locality.—Station 203. East of Panay Island, Philippine group. October 31, 1874. 
Lat. 11° 6’ 0” N., long. 123° 9’ 0” E. Depth 20 fathoms. Mud. Surface temperature 
85°°0 Fahr. 
Remarks.—This species is distinguished from Astropecten granulatus by the narrow 
marginal plates, by the consequently broad paxillar area, and by the comparatively simple 
character of the paxille. The general facies of the two forms is quite different. 
(ZOOL. CHALL, EXP.—PART LI.—1888.) 28 
