28 On the Names or Existence of three Exotic Starfishes. 
any other part of Gray’s paper. I cannot find that Gray at 
any time described a species called Randasia, Goniaster, or 
Goniodiscus gracilis, or, indeed, ever gave the name gracilis 
to any Asterid except a Dactylosaster (1. e. Ophidiaster) from 
the west coast of Columbia. 
Prof. Perrier takes no notice of this species, if such it be, 
in his well-known revision ; but in his Hssay on the geogra- 
phical distribution of starfishes (Nouv. Arch. Mus. i. (1878) 
p. 82) he writes :—“‘Goniodiscus gracilis, Gray ..... 
Moluques.” On p. 24 he speaks of Pentagonaster gracilis, 
Gray (Moluques) (Philippines). Whether these two names 
are meant to be synonyms I cannot of course say; but the 
latter name does not find a place in the systematic list. From 
what I have already said it is clear I have no information to 
give as to Pentagonaster gracilis, Gray. I have something 
more than a suspicion that M. Perrier is here quoting Dr. von 
Martens from memory. 
The only other author who speaks of Gontodiscus gracilis 
is Mr. Sladen, who gives it in his list of known species at the 
end of his ‘Challenger’ Report. But I understand that he 
bases his citation on Prof.’ Perrier’s list, and I may therefore 
be content with merely mentioning his name, and ask why, 
under the circumstances, Pentagonaster gracilis was not also 
cited ? 
It may fairly be concluded that “Gontodiscus gracilis, 
Gray,” is a species which Dr, J. E. Gray at any rate never 
described, and I am inclined to think that the whole citation 
is due to an error on the part of some copyist employed by 
Dr. von Martens. For the present I would suggest that 
“Goniodiscus gracilis, Gray,” be the technical term for the 
Sea-Serpent, for the one has as shadowy an existence as the 
other. 
This suggestion is not made ina spirit of mere buffoonery ; 
in the one case as the other we have assertions repeated 
without discrimination or independent inquiry; this may be 
pardoned, though it is not justifiable, in a penny-a-lining 
paragraphist who is in want of a crust of bread, but it is 
unpardonable and unjustifiable in any one who aspires to be 
the author of a zoological monograph. 
Gymnasterias valvulata. 
Gymunasterias valvulata, Perrier, Arch. zool. exp. v. (1876), p. 97. 
The locality of the specimen described by Prof. Perrier is 
Lord Howe’s Island, and not Lord Hood’s Island, as stated in 
the text; Lord Hood’s Island is one of the Low Group, and 
