Narratini-: of Bahama Expkdition. 167 



of which are contingent on the outer portion of the ni}-. The 

 entire dorsal surface of the animal is covered with a ]-)avement 

 of polygonal plates closely set with granules. 



The order Crvpto/onia was instituted by Sladen to include 

 the star-fishes witli inconspicuous marginal plates. It con- 

 tains most of the pri/es among the x\steroidea from the Pour- 

 tales Plateau. An Ophldiastcr, resembling O. tuber if cr Sladen 

 has the dorsal plates arranged in regular longitudinal series 

 alternating with eight rows of spaces for dermal tentacles or 

 papuke. On the actinal surface of the rays just outside of 

 the spines is a row of very peculiarly modified pedicellaria?. 

 which are large and sessile with holes countersunk in the 

 plates on either side. The rays are very slender and the disk 

 small, <rivin(j the animal a striking resemblance to Zoroaster 

 acklexi as figured in the narrative of the Blake. Coming to 

 the familv Solasterid.e, we find several remarkable forms. 

 One looks like a five-armed Crossaster, but probably belongs 

 to the genus Lophaster of Verrill, characterized by two rows 

 of marginal paxilla^ which are long and crowned with dense 

 tufts of spines. The whole dorsal surface is covered with 

 similar but smaller tufts. Another specimen, which ma\- be 

 a voung individual of this same species, has onlv four rays, 

 making a cross. This seems to be normal and not the result 

 of mutilation. The interambulacral spines bear clusters of 

 minute spinelets on their summits. Several specimens of a 

 species probably belonging to the genus Korethaster were 

 dredged near the one-hundred-fathom line. They are small. 

 pentagonal specimens, with a highh' vaulted disk resembling 

 that of the last species. The actinal surface, however, was 

 quite different, being covered with long, flat spines. The 

 paxilla" are very long and apparently composed of agglutinated 

 spines whose tips are separated. It differs from the type of 

 the genus in having dermal tentacles on the dorsal surface. 

 Species of this strange genus were found bv the "Blake" at a 

 depth of two hundred fathoms. 



It w^ias among the Astkriid.e, however, that the most 

 striking forms of star-tish were found. The most abundant. 



