1913.] Clark, Echinoderms from Lower California. 203 



that form. Examination however revealed the interesting fact that it is 

 really the adult of improvisus, and is nearly twice as large as Ludwig's 

 biggest specimen. R = SO mm., r = 10 mm., R = Sr. The double series 

 of adambulacral spines and the single papula in each area distinguish the 

 species, and are well shown by this specimen, although it is discolored, badly 

 distorted and shows the effect of an acid reagent of some sort. 



It is certainly an extraordinary fact that the 'Albatross' should have 

 taken two specimens of Pedicellaster at Station 5675, representing perfectly 

 distinct species, and then not met with a specimen of the genus elsewhere 

 on her cruise. But I find it impossible to consider the two specimens from 

 Station 5675 conspecific and the only other alternative is the " extraordinary 

 fact" just stated. 



Pisaster ochraceus. 



Asterias ochracea Brandt, 1835. Prod. desc. Anim., p. 269. 

 Pisaster ochraceus Fisher, 1908. Smiths. Misc. Coll., Vol. 52, p. 89. 



Three good specimens, with R about 125 mm., represent this species 

 but as there is no locality label, we can only assume they were collected at 

 San Diego or some point still further south. The species has not yet been 

 recorded from Lower California. 



Asterias forreri. 

 De Loriol, 1887. Rec. Zool. Suisse, Vol. 4, p. 401. 



In deference to the opinion of my good friend and highly respected 

 authority on starfishes, Dr. W. K. Fisher, I have been strongly inclined to 

 record these specimens, the largest of which has R only about 48 mm., as 

 Asterias sertulifera Xantus. But as I am unable to understand how they 

 can belong to that species, I have finally decided to let matters stand as 

 they are. When Professor H. S. Jennings was about to publish his most 

 interesting and important paper on the behavior of Asterias, he did me the 

 honor of asking me to identify the species with which his work was done, 

 and specimens were sent me from La Jolla, California. It was soon evident 

 that the species was either sertulifera Xantus or forreri de Loriol. As the 

 former is described as having the rays only 2\ times the diameter of the 

 disk, the wreaths of pedicellarise near the tips of the spines, no pedicellariae 

 scattered among the spines and only a single series of adambulacral spines, 

 while forreri has the rays 4 times the diameter of the disk, the wreaths of 

 pedicellariae near the bases of the spines, numerous scattered pedicellariae 



