126 



THREE CRUISES OF THE " BLAKE. 



which he had access in the various European museums, entirely 

 confirm and extend the conclusions to which he had previously 

 been led respecting the separation of Antedon and Actinometra 

 as distinct generic types. A glance at the skeleton is sufficient 

 to enable one to distinguish the genus. 



With another species of Comatula, in 450 fathoms, Pourtales 

 dredged off Cojinia two mutilated specimens belonging to a type 



Fig. 418. Actinometra pulchella. ^. 



of singular interest. This new Comatula may be considered as 

 a permanent larval form ; and it is not a little singular to find 

 larval characters persisting in recent Comatulae. For this re- 

 markable combination Carpenter has established a new genus, 

 which he proposes to call Atelecrinus. (See Fig. 416.) 



In conclusion, I may mention that many of the Comatulae ex- 

 amined were the hosts of Myzostomidae. These curious para- 

 sites have been fully described by Dr. von Graff, from the ma- 

 terial of the " Challenger " and " Blake." I give here figures 



