48 THE ECHINODERMS OF TORRES STRAIT. 
are about as many inferomarginals as superomarginals, but Koehler does not give the num- 
ber, and examination of the figure given is not convincing. The actinolateral series shows 
a slightly greater development than in younger specimens, the first series reaching the four- 
teenth inferomarginal, and the second series, with 10 to 12 plates, reaching the seventh; 
a third series is represented by 2 or 3 plates on each side of the interradius. There are a 
dozen or more actinal papule. There are 3 spines in the furrow series and 2 in each of 
2 subambulacral series, but the outer of these are hardly more than large granules. Koehler 
has examined additional material from the Kei Islands, but they were very similar to the 
holotype from the Sunda Islands, only some slight differences in the adambulacral armature 
and in the abactinal granulation being noted. 
On consideration being given to all the evidence, it seems to me clear that the above 
specimens belong to a single species of Fromia characterized by the alternation of large and 
small superomarginals, very slightly developed actinolateral areas, and an adambulacral 
armature which tends to show some diversity in number and proportions of the spinelets. 
In the typical form (major) there are 3 or even 4 furrow spinelets and 2 subambulacral 
spinelets on each adambulacral plate, with coarse granules forming a more or less distinct 
third series on the outer margin. In the form called japonica there are nearly always only 
2 furrow spinelets and the subambulacral spinelets are very unequal, often only one remain- 
ing in evidence. The form called monilis also has but 2 furrow spinelets and the reduction 
of the subambulacral series to a single spinelet has become fixed. To how great an extent 
these differences are due to age remains to be seen, but I am satisfied they are not specific. 
This species is recorded from Japan, the Sunda Islands, Amboina, McClure Gulf, western 
New Guinea, and the Kei Islands, and as already stated there are 2 specimens from Samoa 
in the Museum of Comparative Zoélogy collection. Nothing is known of habitat, habits, 
or color in life. 
AUSTROFROMIA! gen. nov. 
Size moderate; disk not particularly small; rays rather stout, terete, blunt; marginal 
plates small and numerous. Abactinal plates numerous, not arranged with any regularity. 
Actinolateral plates numerous in 8 to 6 series, with correspondingly numerous large isolated 
papulz. Granulation of plates above and below rather coarse, but there are no conspicuous 
tuberculoid granules on distal plates of rays. Adambulacral armature spiniform and more 
or less prismatic, especially the furrow series; subambulacral spinelets usually in about 
3 series of 2 or 3 each, short and stout, the outer grading into the coarse granulation of the 
actinolaterals. No pedicellariz. 
Type-species: Fromia polypora H. L. Clark. 
While the differences between this genus and Fromia are not of great significance in 
themselves, they serve to give the species concerned a different facies; and since these 
species are of south temperate shores, rather than of the Indo-Pacific tropical region, it 
seems desirable to recognize the group. The two species at present known are distinguish- 
able by their adambulacral armature as follows: 
Key to the Species of Austrofromia. 
Adambulacral armature of 10 to 14 spinelets and angular granules arranged in a furrow series of 3 (distally 2) 
and about 3 (rarely 4) subambulacral series of 2 or 3............0..0 cc cece cece cence ceeeeeees polypora 
Adambulacral armature of about 6 spinelets arranged in 3 regular series of 2 each..............0.++-0-+ schultzet 
Austrofromia polypora. 
Fromia polypora H. L. Clark. 1916. Endeavour Ech., p. 51, pl. xiv, figs. 1, 2. 
This species is based on three specimens from Tasmania, with which are allied a 
specimen from Victoria and one from Western Australia. Those from Tasmania were 
1 Auster =south wind, southern, in reference to the geographical distribution of the genus as compared 
with Fromia, 
