128 Rev. A. M. Norman on the British Echinodermata. 



in diameter; but Sars gives 4^ inches as the measurement of 

 a Norwegian specimen, but adds, " ssepissime minor." 



This pretty little species, now first recorded as British, was 

 first procured by me in 1861, when dredging at Shetland in 

 company with my friend Mr. Jeffreys. It has since been ob- 

 tained, as already mentioned, on the Durham coast. When 

 alive, it is whitish, with more or less of a rosy pink colour on 

 the upper surface. 



Asterias rubens, Linnaeus. 

 Uraster rubens, Forbes, British Starfishes, p. 83. 

 Rays moderately convex, gently rounded; spines small, not 

 clavate, irregularly disposed over the surface of the disk and 

 rays, except that there is a central line more or less distinct, 

 and that the sides of the rays are bounded below by a fringe 

 of spines, which are somewhat larger than those of the rest 

 of the surface, and are placed in pairs or threes, two or some- 

 times three spines being situated on each plate. Under sur- 

 face of rays having exteriorly groups of spines, generally three 

 in number, placed diagonally on each plate, and interiorly on 

 the adambulacral plates more slender spines, arranged in two 

 or three rows bordering on the ambulacra. Ambulacra wide 

 at the base, and gradually narrower towards the extremity of 

 the rays. Pedicellariae of two kinds, — the smaller of the same 

 character as those of A. glacialis; the larger pincer-formed 

 kind consisting of two blades with serrated edges, very nu- 

 merous, scattered over the surface. Greater to lesser radius 

 about as 5 to 1. A large species, often a foot or even a foot 

 and a half in diameter. 

 Everywhere round our shores. 



Asterias violacea, O. F. Miiller. 

 Uraster violacea, Forbes, Britisli Starfishes, p. 91. 

 Closely allied to the last species, but does not attain such a large 

 size. Spines somewhat clavate. Pedicellariae, especially of 

 the larger kind, far less numerous. Ambulacra distinctly 

 contracted at the base, then widening, and afterwards tapering 

 (more suddenly than in the last species) to the apex of the 

 rays. 



As widely distributed as the last, but apparently not found in 

 such deep water. 



Asterias hispida, Pennant. 

 Uraster hispida, Forbes, British Starfishes, p. 95. 

 Rays moderately convex, not angulated, very short. Spines 

 small, somewhat clavate, not arranged in well-defined rows. 

 Ambulacra partaking of the same form as the rays, short, 



