WEST INDIAN STARFISHES 23 



The adambulacral spines are rather long and slender, two to a 

 plate, divergent, forming two regular rows. 



This species seems to be a true Leptasterias, allied to L. compta 

 of New England. Its mode of reproduction and position of 

 genital pores are unknown, and therefore its generic position 

 cannot be positively determined. 



The type was from off Guadaloupe, in 309 fathoms. 



Leptasterias habtii R. Rathbun. 



Leptasterias hartii R. Rathbun, Eehinodenns of Brazil, Trans. Conn. 

 Acad. Science, vol. v, p. 145, 1879. 



This is a small, six-rayed species. Radii of the type were 

 about 3.2'°°i and IQ'^™ ; ratio, 1 :6. 



Rays are well rounded above, tapering regularly to slender 

 tips. The row of median radial plates is distinct; each plate 

 bears a V-shaped row of about five small spines, becoming re- 

 duced to two or three distally. Spines on the disk are similar 

 to those on the rays, closely and irregularly arranged. 



Above the first lateral radial row there are, on each side, about 

 two longitudinal series of small spines, with many interpolated 

 on the connective ossicles. The rows are not very regular. The 

 first lateral row, probably superomarginals, has two small spines 

 to a plate, distinct to tip of rays; the series above this has, on 

 each plate, transverse, irregular groups of four or five spines, de- 

 creasing to a single one distally. 



On the under side there are about three rows of plates and 

 spines. The inferomarginal row has usually one spine, seldom 

 two, to a plate. 



The two marginal rows are well separated. 



The spines of the interactinal plates form oblique series of 

 two or three. They are larger than the adambulacrals, but not 

 much longer, and have compressed clavate tips. 



The adambulacral spines are regularly two to a plate, slender 

 and clavate proximally ; distal ones tapering ; outer ones a little 

 larger. 



Major pedicellariffi are large and numerous, variable in size, 

 generally scattered, above and below. They are triangular or 

 ovate in form, with a strongly curved basal piece; about two- 

 thirds as broad as long. The larger ones equal or exceed in 

 length the lateral and dorsal spines, and are much stouter. They 



