Narrative of Bahama Expp:DnTON. 167 



of which are contingent on the outer portion of the ray. The 

 entire dorsal surface of the animal is covered with a pavement 

 of polygonal plates closely set with granules. 



The order Cryptozonia was instituted by Sladen to include 

 the star-fishes with inconspicuous marginal plates. It con- 

 tains most of the prizes among the Asteroidea from the Pour- 

 tales Plateau. An Ophidiaster, resembling O. titberifcr Sladen 

 has the dorsal plates arranged in regular longitudinal series 

 alternating with eight rows of spaces for dermal tentacles or 

 papulae. On the actinal surface of the rays just outside of 

 the spines is a row of very peculiarly modified pedicellaria'. 

 which are large and sessile with holes countersunk in the 

 plates on either side. The ra3's are very slender and the disk 

 small, giving the animal a striking resemblance to Zoroa:^tcr 

 cu'klcyi as figured in the narrative of the Blake. Coming to 

 the family Solasterid.'E, we find several remarkable forms. 

 One looks like a five-armed Crossasfcr, but probably belongs 

 to the genus Lophastcr of Verrill, characterized by two rows 

 of marginal paxillai which are long and crowned with dense 

 tufts of spines. The whole dorsal surface is covered with 

 similar but smaller tufts. Another specimen, which may be 

 a voung individual of this same species, has only four rays, 

 makincr a cross. This seems to be normal and not the result 

 of mutilation. The interambulacral spines bear clusters of 

 minute spinelets on their summits. Several specimens of a 

 species probably belonging to the genus Korethastcr were 

 dredged near the one-hundred-fathom line. The}- are small, 

 pentagonal specimens, with a highl}- vaulted disk resembling 

 that of the last species. The actinal surface, however, was 

 quite different, being covered with long, flat spines. The 

 paxillai are very long and apparentlv composed of agglutinated 

 spines whose tips are separated. It differs from the type of 

 the genus in having dermal tentacles on the dorsal surfai^e. 

 Species of this strange genus were found by the ••Blake" at a 

 depth of two hundred fathoms. 



It was among the Asteriid^^i;, however, that the most 

 strikinfj forms of star-fish were found. The most abundant, 



