ANNOTATED LIST. 35 
the specimen was ultimately dried all the skeletal plates became quite clearly revealed. 
In this specimen, too, the rays are noticeably narrower than in the larger, but the chief 
reason why the rays in figure 2, plate 4, are so much narrower than in figure 4, plate 26, 
is because the whole marginal fringe is erect or even laid back dorsally in the former, and 
is nearly horizontal in the specimen photographed. In the larger specimen the abactinal 
skin is moderately thick and, even dried, more or less conceals the outlines of the plates; 
many of the latter, however, show as irregular elevations giving the surface a rough 
appearance, except along the sides of the rays and in the interbrachial arcs. Papule, 
large, single, scattered over disk and a large part of the elevated, flattened area of rays. 
Madreporite small, flush with surface, nearer center of disk than margin. Terminal plate 
rather small, about one-third as wide as tip of ray, with 1 to 3 minute, sacculate spinelets at 
its distal end. 
Actinal surface with moderately developed actinolateral areas, the plates of which 
are more or less concealed by the skin. Many of these plates bear single, rather large 
sacculate spinelets, but near the oral plates and near the arm-tips such spinelets are lacking. 
Besides the adambulacral plates and the inferomarginals, only one series of plates extends 
to the very tip of the rays; this retains its position close to the adambulacrals clear to the 
oral plates, and is obviously the first series of actinolaterals. Beginning at about the third 
(from the terminal plate) inferomarginal, a small, swollen plate lies on the lower end of 
each marginal; these soon became flatter, larger, and more elongate, and form the second 
series of actinolaterals. At about the fifth (from tip) inferomarginal, another series of 
actinolaterals begins, and this process is repeated until at the base of the ray there are 7 
series of actinolateral plates; these plates are imbricated from the margin towards the 
furrow; 7. e., the furrow margin of each plate overlies the outer margin of the adjoining 
plate of the next inner series; the lateral margins of the plates are usually in contact 
but rarely overlap; the transverse serial arrangement of the actinolaterals is not marked. 
Adambulacral plates rather large, a little wider than long; on the furrow margin of 
each is a series of 4 or 3 slender, slightly sacculate spines; when 3 are present, the 
middle one is a trifle the longest; when 4 are present, the adoral one is evidently the 
smallest, the other 3 being subequal or the middle one longest; these furrow spinelets may 
possibly be united in a common membrane, but to judge from the condition shown by the 
smaller specimen, they are distinct; on the actinal face of each plate is a large sacculate 
spinelet, much longer than the width of the plate. Oral plates rather large, each with 5 
marginal spinelets, of which the innermost is largest and the outermost smallest; the 
innermost is as large as the actinal adambulacral spinelets; the 10 spines are more or less 
connected, at least basally, by a common membrane; on the surface of each oral plate is a 
small sacculate spinelet, homologous with the actinal adambulacral spinelet, but usually 
not so large. Tube-feet in two series, moderately large, with well-developed sucking disks. 
No pedicellariz anywhere. Color in life, nearly white beneath, beautifully variegated 
with green and white above, and with bright blue near the tips of the rays (pl. 4, fig. 2). 
Preserved specimens lose their color and become dingy buff or reddish-yellow. 
Holotype: M. C. Z. No. 2289; southeastern reef-flat, Mer, Murray Islands, Torres 
Strait. 
Only two specimens of this lovely little sea-star were found, and each of these was 
on the under side of a rock fragment in shallow water near the outer edge of the reef flat. 
They agreed well in color, but the smaller individual had somewhat narrower arms and 
appeared to be distinctly the younger. It was found September 27 and the colored figure 
was made at once. The larger specimen was not discovered until October 22. In life 
there is no noticeable similarity to young Asteropes of the same size, but on the other hand 
there was no suspicion of resemblances to Asterina or Nepanthia until after the specimens 
were dried. 
