22 THE ECHINODERMS OF TORRES STRAIT. 
Since examining the holotype (M. C. Z. No. 592), Mr. Clark has decided it is indica, 
but I prefer to await comparison with examples of that species, the type locality for which 
is Rodriguez. 
Stephanometra monacantha. 
Antedon monacantha Hartlaub. 1890. Nachr. Ges. Gottingen, No. 5, Mai 1890. p. 179.—1891. Noy. Act. 
Akad. Germ., 58, p. 59, pl. iii, figs. 33, 38. 
Stephanometra monacantha A. H. Clark. 1909. Proc. Biol. Soc. Wash., 22, p. 10.—1912. Indian Ocean Crin., 
p. 136, fig. 14. 
We took a single specimen of this species on the southwestern reef at Mer on October 
11, 1913. Mr. A. H. Clark (1918, pp. 94, 97) recorded this individual as indica rather than 
monacantha, whose range he gives as from the Andaman Islands to Fiji and the Tonga 
Islands. I have reéxamined the specimen in the light of Mr. Clark’s key to the species 
of Stephanometra and compared it with what seem to be unquestionable examples of 
monacantha from the Philippines and from Tutuila, Samoa, and I see no reason to change 
my original identification, granting of course that monacantha and indica are really distinct. 
Since he has examined the specimen (M. C. Z., No. 599) Mr. Clark is satisfied it really 
is monacantha.! 
Stephanometra stypacantha. 
H. L. Clark. 1915. Carnegie Inst. Wash. Pub. No. 212, p. 103. 
(Plate 22, Figure 4; Plate 36, Figures 3a to e.) 
Mr. A. H. Clark (1918, p. 95) suggests that the individual which served as the holo- 
type of this species (M. C. Z. No. 600) is to be regarded as an example of Stephanometra 
spicata P. H. C., and he is of the same opinion now that he has examined the specimen. 
I have had no specimens of spicata for comparison, but certainly the differences revealed 
on comparing my description of stypacantha with Carpenter’s and with Clark’s descrip- 
tions of spicata are numerous and striking. While, therefore, Mr. Clark may be correct 
in his opinion as to the validity of this species, it seems better to let it stand until further 
material is available. The only specimen seen was found on the southwestern reef at Mer, 
October 14; the 16 arms, about 70 mm. long, were of a uniform deep red-purple, but the 
33 cirri were light-colored except at tip. Mr. Clark gives a fine, colored figure of S. spicata 
(1918, pl. vit) revealing a type of coloration quite different from that of stypacantha, but 
of course this may not be of any significance. 
MARIAMETRID/£E. 
Lamprometra brachypecha. 
H. L. Clark. 1915. Carnegie Inst. Wash. Pub. No. 212, p. 104. 
(Plate 2, Figure 1; Plate 22, Figures 1, 2.) 
This was the most remarkable comatulid we found at Mer, at least in many respects, 
and I regretted much that we found only four individuals. These all occurred on the under 
side of large rock fragments on the southeastern reef-flat at Mer. They differed little 
in size or color and were not at all active, but showed certain reactions to light and touch 
which made it seem probable that they would be very interesting subjects for research 
on behavior. When the rock was overturned, the arms would be more or less closed over 
the mouth, the whole animal appearing like a tuft of green sea-weed, but on being touched 
the arms instantly and all together were laid back flat against the rock and the broad white 
band flashed into view. The immediate effect was obliterative and one’s first thought was 
that the animal had vanished. That this reaction is protective seems possible, but of 
1 Mr. Clark (1918) records indica from Torres Strait and I have therefore included it in the ‘‘Tabulated List’’ 
(p. 192). As I know nothing of the specimen on which the record rests, but believe it is my specimen of either callipech 
or monacantha, I am not including the species here. 
