Indian Deep-sea Dredging. 13 



stronger; but in all other respects they correspond with the 

 description of the ' Challenger ' species. Colours in the fresh 

 state light pink. 



2. Plutonaster, Sladen. 



We refer with some hesitation to this genus a single speci- 

 men of a proctuchous form from 740 fathoms, off the coast of 

 Goa. It has supero-niarginal plates, with a prominent, 

 centrally-placed dorsal spine ; but the Madi-eporiform body is 

 exposed and the adarabulacral plates are covered with small 

 spinelets, as in the subgenus Teihyaster. Colour in the fresh 

 state light pink. The stomach of this specimen contained an 

 intact Natica and an empty Dentalium tube. 



Family Porcellanasteridae. 



3. PORCELLANASTER, Wyville Thomson. 



One small specimen of a form resembling in all important 

 particulars P. cceruleus, Sladen, was obtained from 740 fathoms 

 on the same occasion as the last preceding. Some of the 

 actinal intermediate plates carry a delicate centrally-placed 

 spicule. Colour in the fresh state bluish white. The stomach 

 was distended with mud. 



4. Family Astropectinidae. 



A small mutilated Astropectinid, of whose exact position 

 we cannot be assured, was taken in 240 to 220 fathoms, off 

 the west coast of the Andaman Islands. 



Family PentagonasteridaB. 



5. Nymphaster, Sladen. 



From 240 to 220 fathoms, in the same situation as the last, 

 a single specimen closely related to N. protentus^ Sladen. 

 Colour yellowish white. 



6. Mediaster, Stimpson. 



With considerable hesitation we refer to this genus a single 

 specimen from 740 fathoms, off the coast of Goa. It has all 

 the essential characters of the genus, except that it does not 

 bear pedicellarias. Colour light pink. 



