16 THE ECHINODERMS OF TORRES STRAIT. 
Comanthus'’ alternans. 
Actinometra alternans P. H. Carpenter. 1881. Notes Leyden Mus., 3, p. 208. 
Comanthus alternans A. H. Clark. 1908. Smithson. Misc. Coll., 52, p. 206. 
(Plate 20, Figure 1.) 
A single specimen of this species, which ranges from Port Molle, Queensland, to the 
Philippine Islands, was found at Mer. It was taken by the Japanese diver in 18 fathoms, 
outside the northwestern reef. The color was orange-brown with the young arms and distal 
part of many old ones bright brownish-orange. When placed in alcohol, this specimen 
reacted vigorously, quite differently from the many other individuals of Comanthus treated 
in the same way, rupturing the arms, so that only one and part of a second remained 
attached to the calyx (pl. 20, fig. 1). 
Mr. A. H. Clark has now (1913, Smithson. Misc. Coll., 67, No. 10) raised to full 
generic rank certain sections of Comanthus which he originally proposed as subgenera (1909, 
Vid. Med., p. 141). These are based on the frequency and position on the arm of the occur- 
rence of division series of 2 and of 4 (3+4) segments. This is a very variable character 
and one which increases in variability with the increase in the number of arms, and while 
it is of great service in distinguishing species, it seems to me an exaggeration of its import- 
ance to base genera thereon. I must therefore decline to recognize Mr. Clark’s subdivisions 
of Comanthus. 
Comanthus annulata. 
Actinometra annulata Bell. 1882. Proc. Zool. Soc. London, p. 535, pl. 35. 
Comanthus (Vania) annulata A. H. Clark. 1911. Mem. Austral. Mus., 4, pt. 15, p. 757. 
(Plate 1, Figures 2 and 8; Plate 3, Figure 3.) 
This is decidedly the most noticeable comatulid of Mer and probably of the Torres 
Strait region. While it is perhaps no more abundant than Comatula purpurea, it is much 
more conspicuous from its more brilliant color as well as from its larger size. It is obviously 
the feature of the animal life on the reefs where conditions are suitable. While it was not 
uncommon on the southeastern reef at Mer, the southwestern reef was the best place for it. 
The diversity of colors shown is really extraordinary and it is doubtful if anything more 
beautiful can be found in the sea than a selected group of these exquisite comatulids. 
A dozen assorted specimens in a large white basin of sea-water rivals in beauty of texture 
and form, as well as of color, the finest bouquet a florist can produce. When seen thus, the 
appropriateness of the name ‘‘sea-lilies” is obvious. It is surprising how little correlation 
between size (and age?) and color, specimens of annulata show. Some of the smallest 
specimens were very dark olive or dark brown, nearly or quite black, rarely they were red; 
specimens 50 to 75 mm. across were often light brown, yellowish, greenish, or even blue 
(pl. 3, fig. 3); larger specimens were commonly brown, olive, green, or purplish (pl. 1, fig. 2); 
big specimens were often very dark and occasionally almost dead-black. Few individuals 
were unicolor; the change of shade or even of color between the base and the tip of the arm 
was usually marked (pl. 1, fig. 8). The following quotations from my field notes will serve 
to emphasize the diversity of color shown: (1) Light dull flesh-red; dorsal surface light 
purplish with white bands near base of arms. (2) Lovely yellow-green, the pinnules with 
white tips. (3) Pale grayish-blue, pinnules with orange tips. (4) Delicate pale gray and 
black. (5) Oral surface blackish, dorsal side dull whitish or pale gray-brown, with each 
1 Although the Greek word dvéoc is neuter, it is the opinion of the best authorities that Comanthus should be 
regarded as of so-called ‘‘common’”’ gender. Since Mr. A. H. Clark, the author of the genus, designates his type as 
intricata, subsequently stated to be equivalent to the earlier name valida, using the feminine termination in both cases, 
I have decided to abandon the neuter termination to the specific names in the genus, which I have previously used, 
and shall hereafter uniformly adopt the feminine. 
