396 PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM. vol. xxxvi, 



the difference is not great, and the size at which any given comasterid 

 may become mature is always variable. Carpenter's 7nagnifica, from 

 the Philij)pine Islands, is very close to hria7'eus, representing merely 

 a somewhat more advanced stage along the same phylogenetic line, 

 and many specimens of the latter approach it more or less ; but mag- 

 niflca is sufficiently well marked off to retain its present status as a 

 distinct species. 



The Philippine specimens referred to hriareus were compared with 

 a typical Australian example and no differences were found. 



The Albatross dredged Conianthvs hriareus at station 5138; be- 

 tween Jolo and Pangasinan islands; 19 fathoms. 



Station 5142; north of Jolo (town) ; 21 fathoms. 



Station 5147; off Balinpongpong Island (south of Jolo): 21 

 fathoms. 



Station 5148; Rakiputan Strait; between the north end of Samal 

 Island and the west coast of Davao Bay; 18 fathoms. 



Station 5249 ; same locality ; 23 fathoms ; and 



Station 5254; same locality; 21 fathoms. 



COMANTHUS POLYCNEMIS, new species. 



In my previous list I referred, rather doubtfully, to Comanthus 

 idtemans, a specimen resembling C. hriareus in all respects, except 

 that the division series distal to the II Br are 2 until the last division 

 series is reached, which is usually 4 (3-|-4). The present collection 

 contains numerous examples of the same form which appears to be 

 quite constant, and I therefore propose to recognize it under the name 

 of Comanthus polycnemis. It may be diagnosed as follows : 



Centro-dorsal pentagonal or stellate, with no trace of cirri ; general 

 build and proportions as in C. hriareus; rays dividing four to six 

 (usually four or five) times; II Br 4 (3+4) ; subsequent divisions 2, 

 except that the outermost divisions, especially on the outer side of 

 each III Br series, are usually 4 (3-}-4). 



The scarcity of 4 (3-[-4) division series, which, though always 

 present, are confined to the outer parts of the rays, distinguish this 

 species at once from all others. BelPs variahilis, and the multifida 

 of Miiller and Carpenter, placed by the latter in the " Parvicirra 

 group," and therefore presumably considered by him as near hriareus., 

 belong in reality to the genius Phanogenia and are near P. typica. 



Type.—C2ii. No. 25467, U.S.N.M., from Albatross station 5249; 

 Rakiputan Strait, between the northern end of Samal Island and 

 the west coast of Davao Bay; 23 fathoms. 



The Albatross dredged this species at — 



Station 5139 ; between Jolo and Pangasinan Islands ; 20 fathoms. 



Station 5147; off Balinpongpong Island (south of Jolo)', 21 

 fathoms. 



