388 E, DEICHMANN, I. LIEBERKIND, AND TH. MORTENSEN 



Through the kindness of Prof. Hartmeyer I have had an opportunity 

 of examining Meissner's type specimens and am, therefore, able to definitely 

 ascertain that these specimens really belong to this species. Regarding De 

 Loriol's description of Asi. fernandensis, see under the following species. 



Cosniasterias sp. 



Literature. 



1904. P. DE Loriol: Notes pour servir a I'etude des Echinodermes. Seconde sdrie. 

 Fascicule II, p. 41. Planche III (6). Fig. 4 — 8, 



In the collection were found 3 specimens ^^/a 191 7 (K. Backstrom): 

 Masatierra: 20—35 n^. calcareous algae. 



R 2,5 mm. r ca. 1,25 mm. 

 R 5,5 mm. R 4 mm. R 3 mm. r ca. i mm. 

 » 10 — 30 m, sand with calcareous algae, ^V4 1917. 



R 3 mm. r ca. i mm. 



The specimens entirely agree with the species described by DE LoRiOL 

 under the name Ast. fernandensis of which there are specimens, received from 

 Loriol, in the Copenhagen Museum. They are, however, quite different from 

 the Ast. fernandensis of Meissner — as might already be seen on a careful 

 comparison with Meissner's description. In fact, I do not understand, what 

 made LoRlOL state as follows: ». . . il m'est absolument impossible de trouver 

 la moindre difference entre ceux que M. Meissner a decrits et figures et ceux 

 que j'ai sous les yeux», since the »3 deutliche Reihen von Kranzen gekreuzter 

 Pedicellarien umgebener Stachelen», so characteristic of Ast. fernandensis are 

 quite indistinguishable in his figures as well as in the specimens which the 

 Copenhagen Museum received from him. Very likely, however, LORIOL has 

 been led to this identification through a comparison with what he might be- 

 lieve to be typical specimens which he may perhaps have had from Berlin. 

 I namely find, on examining the material of Ast. fernandensis, identified by 

 Meissner — all of which I have had for examination — that Meissner under 

 the name Asterias fernandensis has confounded two entirely different forms, 

 viz. the form figured by him, to which the description applies, and which 

 must, of course, remain the type of Ast. fernandejisis — and another form 

 which is identic with the one described and figured by LORIOL. 



As for deciding on a name for this form I should not venture on any 

 definite opinion. Prof. W. K. Fisher, to whom I sent a specimen for exami- 

 nation, kindly informs me that he thinks it a Cosniasterias, and a young form 

 not having developed all its characteristic features. — I can fully adopt the 

 view of the eminent specialist and shall, accordingly, designate it only as 

 Cosmasterias sp. 



I beg to express my sincerest thanks to Prof. Fisher for his kind help. 



