312 Pari III. — Twentieth Annual Beport 



from the young of Asferias ruhens by their prominent spinulation. 

 Asterias M^pidus has also been taken by the Rev- Canon Norman ofT 

 the Outer Skerries, Shetland, and off the coast of Co. Down, the only 

 other two localities known. 



The bathymetrical range of this species, so far as is at present known, 

 extends from 18| to 25 fathoms. 



Specimens which appear to belong to this species have been taken by 

 me from the stomachs of Haddoclc, Turhot, and Plaice. 



Ampliiura elegans (Leach). 



1892. Amphinra elegans, Bell, Brit. Mus. Cat., pp. 119, 120. 



I have taken Amjjlmira elegans at four stations only, two in the Moray 

 and two in the Cromarty Firths, in from 6| to 1 7 fathoms, but always in 

 small numbers, never more than five at one haul, and in most case.s con- 

 cealed among the finer roots of Laminaria. 



Its bathymetrical range in the British seas is confined from low spring 

 tide to 17 fathoms. 



Ophiactis. 



Ophi%ctis Ballii, Thompson. 



1892. Ampliiura Balli, Bell, Brit. Mus. Cat., pp. 123, 124. 



I have not taken Ophiactis Ballii in the Moray Firth myself, but have 

 included it in this list on the authority of Messrs. Hoyle* and Edward. 



The bathymetrical range of this species in the British seas extends 

 from 40 to 363 fathoms. 



Ophiopholis. 



Ophioijhoiis aculeata, Linn. 



1892. Op]uop>liolis aculeata, Bell, Brit. Mus. Cat., pp. 125, 126. 



I have taken Ophiopholis aculeata at four of the special stations ; it is 

 comparatively rare in the Moray Firth proper, but fairly abundant in the 

 Cromarty Firth, from Castle Craig down to the Suter Heads of Cromarty, 

 in 6 to 15 fathoms. Its favourite habitat here is among the roots of 

 Laminaria and colonies of Sahellaria alveolata, where it delights to 

 nestle in the hollows and crevices, squeezing its disk and twisting its 

 arms so as to conform to all the irregularities of the surface to which it 

 attaches itself. 



Its bathymetrical range in the British seas extends from 5 to 560 

 fathoms. It is, however, chiefly confined to depths from 5 to 20 fathoms. 



Ophiopholis aculeata has been found more or less commonly in the 

 stomachs of Cod, Haddock, Plaice, and Common dab, Halibut, Turbot, 

 and Cat-fish. 



OPHlOCOMm 



Ophiocoma. 

 Ophiucoma nigra, Abilg. 



1892. Ophiocoma nigra. Bell, Brit. Mus. Cat., pp. 129, 130. 



Ophiocoma nigra is a very rare form in the Moray Firth. 1 have 

 taken only two specimens, at Station I., off Burghead Bay, in 8| to 17 J 



*• Bell Brit, Mus. Cat., 1892, p. 103. 



