{ 



V. Notes on^ the Radiata ix the Museum ' """ 



WITH Descriptions of new Genera and Species. By A. E. 

 Verrill. 



Read, Jan. 16th, 1867. 



No. 1. Descriptions of new Starfishes from JVew Zealand. 



The following interesting species of New Zealand starfishes were 

 sent from Peru by Mr. F. H. Bradley, to whom they were given for 

 our Museum by Henry Edwards, Esq. 



They afford a partial illustration of the little known Echinoderm 

 fauna of the Southern Ocean. They contrast strongly with those of 

 the Northern Hemisphere. 



CcBlasterias, gen. nov. 



Large starfishes, with four rows of ambulacra! suckers, and large, 

 swollen rays (eleven in the typical species), which are free to near the 

 base, and are united beneath by a group of interradial plates. Inter- 

 ambulacral plates united directly to the first row of ventral plates, 

 and these to a second row of larger plates without the intervention 

 of ojDen spaces like those seen in Asterias. Dorsal surface with large, 

 strong, imbricated, in-egularly arranged ossicles or plates, bearing 

 short, very numerous spines. 



This genus is more closely allied to Asterias (Asteracanthion) than 

 to Meliaster, and approaches still nearer to Stichaster, but appears 

 very distinct from either. The excessive development of the abac- 

 tinal system over the ambulacral is its most remarkable characteristic. 

 In this respect it contrasts strongly with the next genus. The form 

 and general aspect is that of a Solaster. 



Ccelasterias australis Vemii, sp. nov. 



Rays eleven, in the only specimen seen, large, inflated, rounded, 

 tapering rapidly to the end. Disk of moderate size, swollen ; radius 

 of disk to length of rays, measuring from the center, as 2 : 6. The tri- 

 angular interradial space beneath is occupied by a cluster of irregular 

 »tout plates, mostly without spines, Ambulacral grooves relatively 

 narrow and shallow, the pores small and crowded, in four well-marked 

 rows. The interambulacral plates usually bear alternately one and 

 two spines, which are long and rather slender toward the mouth, but 

 short, thick and obtuse toward the end of the ray, and much crowded 

 in indistinct rows. The next row of plates is united directly to 

 Trans. Coivnecticut Acad., Yol. I. 32 February, 1867. 



