232 VERRILL 



are similar in size to those of the adjacent peractinal plates, from 

 which they are separated by a distinct continuous groove. The jaws 

 are covered with numerous erect spines, which are similar in size and 

 form to those of the adambulacral plates, but the adambulacral plate 

 nearest the mouth bears a group of small blunt spinules deep within 

 the furrow. 



Eastport, Maine, in shallow water, 1870 (coll. A. E. Verrill), type. 

 Subsequently taken at several localities in the Bay of Fundy. 



This variety is similar to typical H. sanguinolenta in form and 

 general appearance, though the dorsal surface is more uneven and 

 papillose, owing to the larger size of the pseudopaxillae and the more 

 regular interspaces; the pseudopaxillae are generally more in the 

 form of rounded fascicles in the latter, instead of regular comb-like 

 groups. The differences are much more marked on the actinal sur- 

 face, where the two regular rows of larger marginal plates and the 

 regular row of peractinal plates give a very different appearance to 

 this region; for in the typical form these plates are often scarcely 

 distinguishable in size, form, and spinulation from those of the dorsal 

 and lateral plates of the rays. The adambulacral and oral spines are 

 also shorter and more crowded than in the common form. 



This fornj, which was formerly (1894) fully described, as a dis- 

 tinct species, is of rather rare and sporadic occurrence on our coast, so 

 far as known. It may be considered as a vigorous arctic or boreal 

 variation of the species, due, perhaps, to unusually favorable condi- 

 tions of climate and food. As I have now seen many specimens inter- 

 mediate between this and the more usual forms of the species, it seems 

 necessary to reduce it to the rank of a variety or subspecies. 



This subspecies, like most others of the genus, is very variable in 

 the character of the ossicles and spinules, as well as in color. The 

 more common colors are either orange or purple, rarely lemon- 

 yellow. 



The type specimens of the variety were from Eastport, Maine. 

 A very small specimen has been received from Popof Strait 

 (W. H. Ball, U. S. Nat. Mus.). Some of those described by Fisher 

 appear to be the same variety, especially his variety C. Some of the 

 latter were very large ; radii, 32 mm. and 235 mm. ; or about nineteen 

 inches in diameter. His variety C was taken at eleven stations in 

 Bering Sea and near the Aleutian Islands, in 41 to 344 fathoms. 



