574 THE VOYAGE OF H.M.S. CHALLENGER. 
spine are a number of small forcipiform pedicellarize, which form an ill-defined wreath, and 
on the boss are distributed a number of isolated, small forficiform pedicellariz. In the 
interspaces or meshes of the network are numerous thin, pointed papule, and a few small 
forficiform pedicellarie are interspersed. A regular longitudinal row of plates form the 
margin of the abactinal area, which I consider to be the representatives of supero-marginal 
plates. Each bears a single short, robust, truncate spinelet, which is distinctly chan- 
nelled or gauge-shaped, and at the base, on the abactinal side, is a moderately thick half- 
wreath of forcipiform pedicellarie. There are seldom any of these found on the actinal 
side, but several forficiform pedicellarize may be there instead. In some examples two 
spines placed diagonally, or even three spines, may be present on a greater or less number 
of the plates, usually only here and there, and never continuous throughout the ray or 
sufficient to form the crowded margin characteristic of Asterias amurensis. 
The actinal area of the ray, which extends from the supero-marginal plates above 
described to the adambulacral plates, is broad and bears midway one double longitudinal 
series of spines, composed of spines standing in oblique, well-spaced pairs. The spines 
are equal, robust, truncate, often channelled, and are accompanied on their outer side by 
a little tuft of forcipiform pedicellarie. In the wide space on each side of this median 
series of spinelets are numerous papulee and a few isolated forcipiform pedicellariz. 
The armature of the adambulacral plates consists of one spine and two spines alter- 
nately, so arranged that at first sight there appears to be a single series only ; the single 
spine and the outer spine of the pairs standing erect and forming a straight regular series, 
whilst the inner spine of the pairs is placed high in the furrow, and directed horizontally 
between adjacent tube-feet, and is in consequence generally hidden. The inner spine of 
the pairs is more delicate than its companion. The outer spine and the solitary spine are 
equal in size, slightly compressed, truncate at the tip, and sometimes channelled, at least 
near the mouth ; on the outer part of the ray they are more tapering. ‘Three or four 
small, elongate, forficiform pedicellarie: are attached near the tip on the outer side of all 
these spinelets. 
The ambulacral tube-feet are quadriserially arranged. 
The madreporiform body is circular, and is placed rather nearer the margin than the 
centre of the disk. Its surface is slightly convex, and is marked with very fine striations 
which radiate centrifugally with considerable regularity. There are no spinelets round 
the periphery of the organ, but two or three isolated forficiform pedicellarie may be 
present. 
Colour in alcohol, a bleached yellowish white on the actinal surface; on the abactinal 
surface the spinelets and an area round their base occupied by the slightly convex boss are 
a bleached yellowish white, but the interspaces are a uniform dark chocolate brown, the 
sharply defined colouration giving a very striking character to the species. In one example 
the whole abactinal surface, excepting only the tips of the spinelets, is a uniform rich dark 
