Genera and Species of Starfishes. 19 



young, and probably it is simply the young of Forania or 

 some similar genu-!. Other similar young forms have since 

 bet'ii aflded to the genus by Sladen, Perrier, and others, none 

 of which can, as yet, be united with adult forms. 



Poranisca, Verrill, gen, nov. Type, P. lejndus, Vor. — This 

 name is jjioposed, as a matter of convenience, for another group 

 of small young forms, belonging to this family, until they 

 can be connected with adults. The t3'pe is trom off tiie 

 eastern coast of the United States, in 77 fathoms. No. 18,485, 

 Nat. Mus. The dorsal surface, when dry, is covered with 

 relatively large plates, imbricated by thin edges. The basal 

 interradial and radial plates are larger and conspicuous, and 

 bear one or two small sj)inules near tlie adcentral maigin, 

 and sometimes several other small spinules. Superomargmal 

 plates are similar, large, usually with one or two spinuies, 

 sometimes none. Two definite rows of plates run from each 

 basal interradial to the two interradial marginal plates. 

 These, like the intermediate dorsals, may bear a few grannies 

 or spinuies and, in life, are covered with a thin dermis that 

 conceals their outlines. Papiihe stand singly between the 

 radial plates and also between the marginal rows. Kadii of 

 the type 4"5 mm. arjd 8 nmi. 



Inferomarginals are larger, thickened, and have a marginal 

 comb or fringe of slender spines, and (in the type) granule- 

 like s|)inules clustered on the upper surface. Tiiese plates 

 project beyond the upper ones. Interactinal plates are rather 

 large and i'ew., not concealed by dermis when dry, but hidden 

 in alcoholic specimens. They form rows parallel with the 

 marginals, the largest row being nearest tlie latter, with a 

 larger unpaired plate in the middle, bearing in the type a 

 single small spine. Other plates may also bear solitary 

 spines. The other rows are shorter, with all the plates 

 paired. Adambulacral plates have, in the type, two spines, 

 one above the other. In some alcoholic specimens the wiiole 

 surface, above and below, is covered with a soft dermis, 

 obscuring or concealing the plates. Very young specimens, 

 6 n m. to 10 mm. in diameter, are more spinulose dorsally, 

 otherwise similar. In life its colour is dark red. (PI. I. 



*^^%2-) ... 



To this provisional genus ma}" also be referred P. pt/maa, 



Verrill (Amer. Journ. Sci. vol. x\i. p. 372, 1578, as 



Aslerina pjgmcea). 



PoranieVa, Verrill, gen. nov. Type, P. regularii, Ver., 

 sp. nov. — Tliis name is proposed for a small flat startisii with 



2* 



