8 T. GisL^N, 



from which it differs, however, in several characteristics. A small num- 

 ber of genera from the Indian ocean are already known with corres- 

 ponding types in the Caribbean sea. The above-mentioned genera 

 still show a couple of these interesting correspondences. 



Some of the species found at the Bonin islands (e. g. Tropio- 

 metra encrinus, Vania annulata) are met with here at greater depths 

 than those formerly reported in the literature. 



A tendency to abbreviation of the cirri can be traced in several 

 species from the Bonin islands. Thus Comatella brachycirra, Catoptomctra 

 magnifica minor, Eudiocrinus gracilis pulchellus, and Sienometra dentaia 

 differ from closely related forms by the cirri being unusually short in 

 comparison with the arms (compare several newly described species 

 in Claek's Siboga work, where in forms from the Sunda islands an 

 opposite tendency prevailed). 



Some of the Bonin localities seem to have had a very rich cri- 

 noid fauna. From St. 59 one notes no less than 13 species. It may 

 be of some interest to note that while the crinoid fauna from this rich 

 locality only shows full-grown specimens, the list from e. g. St 47 only 

 includes the young of large species and mature individuals of small 

 forms. Obviously a current favourable for (he one as well as for the 

 other has brought larva? of numerous forms. In the latter case quoted 

 this has occurred rather recently and it is therefore only the small spe- 

 cies that have reached maturity. 



The collection as a whole gives a good idea of tiie abundance 

 of crinoids that prevails in Japanese waters. 



The family Comaste.ridcv is represented by 16 species, one of 

 which is a new species, and 5 can" be considered as new varieties. 

 In the systematical investigation of this family I have discussed in 

 special detail the foi-ms of Comanihus (Vania) parvicirra and the value 

 the characters may have in this sub-genus. The collection is rich in 

 young forms and an especially great number of young Comasterids have 

 been placed at my disposal. All these young forms, like all young forms 

 of Comasterids, are exceedingly difficult (o identify and one may usu- 

 ally think oneself very fortunate if the young Crinoid is determiiuible 

 as to genus. Hitherto descriptions arc chiefly published only foi- grown- 

 up forms and therefore the charactei-istics that jnight possibly be used 

 to distinguish young ones are unnoticed or unknown. If the fauna 



