REPORT ON THE ASTEROIDEA. 975 
and in an ill-defined region parallel to, and a little removed from, the infero-marginal 
plates. These pedicellarie on the intermediate plates are of nearly uniform size through- 
out, and there is no regularity in their orientation. 
The anal orifice is slightly excentric, and is surrounded by rather larger plates than in 
the central region generally. 
The madreporiform body, which is rather small and polygonal in form, is situated at 
about one-third of the distance from the centre to the margin. It is marked with fine, 
regular, sharply convoluted, centrifugally radiating striations. 
Colour in alcohol, a warm shade of light brown. 
Locality.—Station 232. South of Yeddo (Japan). May 12,1875. Lat. 35° 11’ 0” 
N., long. 139° 28’ 0” E. Depth 345 fathoms. Green mud. Bottom temperature 41°'1 
Fahr. ; surface temperature 64°°2 Fahr. 
Remarks.—Pentagonaster japonicus is distinguished from Pentagonaster patagonicus, 
to which it is most nearly allied, by the more regular pentagonal form, the sides being less 
eurved, and the rays less produced. The general granulation is finer. The structure of 
the paxillze and the armature of the adambulacral plates are characteristic, as well as the 
presence of numerous pedicellariz. 
6. Pentagonaster lepidus, n. sp. (Pl. LVII. figs. 14). 
Body pentagonal, with the sides slightly incurved and the extremities of the rays rather 
obtuse or rounded. R=7'5mm.; r=5mm. R=1°5~r. 
General form depressed and thin. Margins rounded and slightly bevelled abactinally. 
Abactinal surface feebly inflated along the median radial line; extremities of the rays 
slightly turned upward. 
The abactinal and marginal plates are covered with small, uniform, papilliform spinelets, 
distinctly clavate and well spaced ; those on the infero-marginal plates being longer than 
the others. The actinal intermediate plates are similarly covered with small spinelets, 
which are tapering. 
The papilliform spinelets on the abactinal plates simulate paxille in their posture and 
grouping, and the groups are tolerably spaced. A distinct median series traverses the 
radial line, and very little variation in size is noticeable throughout the area. 
The supero-marginal plates are nine in number on each side of the pentagon, and there 
is consequently an odd plate in the median interradial line. This plate is of the same 
shape and size as those on each side, its length and breadth being about equal. The 
length of the succeeding plates diminishes slightly as they approach the extremity. The 
odd terminal plate is rounded and patella-like. 
The infero-marginal plates bear longer spinelets than the superior series, and these are 
confined to the lateral face. The surface which is presented to the actinal area of the 
