382 Prof. P. M. Duncan on the Zoological 
This species is closely allied to L. nigrocristatus , but is 
much more elongate and cylindrical. It appears from de¬ 
scription to be nearer L. planus, Coquerel (Ann. Fr. 1859, 
p. 251); but I can see nothing that can be termed a tubercle 
either on the thorax or elytra ; and the punctures of the elytra 
are certainly not 11 distants.” 
XLII.— On the Zoological Position of the Ophiurans obtained 
hy Dr. Wallich , F.L.S., during the Voyage of H.M.S. 
1 Bulldoq * 1 in 1860. By Prof. P. Maetin ' Duncan, 
F.R.S. &c. 
Whilst on board H.M.S. 1 Bulldog ’ in 1860, Dr. Wallich 
had the good fortune to be instrumental in obtaining, from 
the depth of 1260 fathoms, the first evidence of a satisfactory 
nature that higher animals than Foraminifera, Rhizopoda, 
and Spongida inhabit the ocean-floor at considerable depths. 
He wrote in his description of the voyage* as follows :— 
“ What wisdom and ingenuity failed to achieve, hunger or 
curiosity accomplished ; and thus whilst the sounding-apparatus 
only succeeded in bringing up, from a depth of 1260 fathoms, 
a number of minute shell-covered creatures so simply organ¬ 
ized as to render them incapable of perceiving or escaping a 
danger, thirteen starfishes varying in diameter from two to five 
inches came up, convulsively embracing a portion of the 
sounding-line which had been paid out in excess of the already 
ascertained depth, and rested for a sufficient period at the 
bottom to permit of their attaching themselves to it. These 
starfishes arrived at the surface in a living condition, and, 
what is still more extraordinary, continued to move their long 
spine-covered rays for a quarter of an hour afterwards.” 
Dr. Wallich had these interesting specimens placed in spirit; 
and one was figured clinging to the sounding-line and pre¬ 
senting the disk to the observer. He did not describe the 
forms; and consequently many names have been given to 
them, and some criticisms have been elaborated in reference 
to these names. Unfortunately the value of all this is not 
great; for the specimens have hitherto never been examined. 
Being engaged in a description of the Ophiurans collected 
in Smith’s Sound, during the late voyage of Arctic discovery 
under Sir George Nares, F.R.S., I was anxious to see some 
* G. C. Wallich, M.D., F.L.S., F.G.S., &c., ‘The North-Atlantic Sea¬ 
bed, comprising a Diary of the Voyage on Board H.M.S. Bulldog in 
I860’ (London: Van Voorst, 1862), p. 68. 
