A. M Verrill — Revision Genera and Species of Starfishes. 153 



A fine series of specimens, of various ages, was dredged by tlie 

 " Albatross," off Florida and in the West Indies. 



Some of the variations noted among these are as follows : 



A. — Station 2363. One large example. 



Lesser radius, 35™°* ; greater, 65°°*. 



Most of the dorsal marginal plates, except distally, bear a high, 

 acute, conical spine. On each ray the last dorsal marginal plate is 

 elongated, subconical, with a small terminal spine. It looks as if it 

 might have been about to divide into two or more plates ; or as if 

 two or more had abnormally consolidated. The distal lower marginal 

 plates bear rudimentary conical spines. There is also a group of 2 

 to 4 small obtuse tubercles on each jaw, around the mouth. The 

 abactinal plates bear a central group of 9 or 10 large, high, acute, 

 conical spines and four or five rows of about 6 or V on each radial 

 area, with shorter rows of 2 to 4 on each side of these. 



B. — Station 2373. One large example. 



Nearly normal, but 4 to 6 of the interradial plates have very large, 

 stout, transversely compressed spines, bilobed at the tip. 



C. — Station 2318. One very large. 



Similar to A, with IS oi' 19 pairs of marginal plates, the distal 

 ones regularly decreasing. Three or four of the distal, dorsal mar- 

 ginal spines bear acute conical spines. 



No tubercles around the mouth on the jaws. 



D. — Station 2316. Six examples. 



These vary in size from 40 to 54™", in larger radius. They have 

 from 13 to 16 pairs of marginal plates on each side. All have 

 tapered, acute rays, with a small conical apical plate. They agree 

 pretty closely as to the lower surface. The more spinose examples 

 have a central abactinal group of 6 or 7 conical spines and 

 there are 4 to 6 (usually 5) spines in each radial row ; nearly all the 

 upper marginal plates have a single stout, conical spine. In others 

 there are but 3 to 5 spines in each radial row; in some 8 to 10 

 spines are irregularly scattered over the abactinal surface. In some 

 cases more or less of the spines have been broken off, leaving a 

 smooth scar in their places. In some examples the dorsal marginal 

 plates bear high, acute, conical spines ; in others low, blunt, cones or 

 tubercles with broad bases. 



The lower marginal plates bear a variable number of spines, 

 toward the end of the rays; most frequently there is a small group 



