FROM THE NEIGHBOURHOOD OP MADEIRA. 67 



on tlie outer side, as is so markedly the case in Antedon lasi- 

 curva ; but there is nothing of this kind in A. multispina. 



3. Antedon phalan&tum, Milller, sp. (See the Eeport on the 

 Comatulai, Zool. Chall. Exp. vol. xxvi. 1888, p. 158, pi. xxviii. 

 figs. 1-3.) 



Mr. Johnson has sent me three examples of this species. 



1. From the Telegrapli-cable in Funchal Bay, at a depth of about 

 100 fathoms. Excepting for the extreme shortness of the later 

 cirrus-joints, this is generally similar to the specimens obtained 

 by the ' Dacia,' in 88 fathoms, on the Seine bank, between 

 Madeira and the coast of Morocco. 



This individual presents a curious instance of monstrosity. 

 The position of the normal pinnule on the sixth brachial of one 

 of its arms is occupied by a small axillary joint, which bears two 

 pinnules of the usual character ; while a third pinnule is attached 

 to the distal edge of the arm-joint, on the dorsal side of the 

 axillary. 



2. From the Brazilian Cable, 500-700 fathoms. Two speci- 

 mens. 



One of these two individuals is fairly normal in its characters, 

 with relatively narrow rounded rays which stand out well from 

 the calyx, and do not come into lateral contact. But the other 

 is somewhat remarkable ; for it resembles many of the deep-sea 

 Comatulae which belong to the Basicurva-gvou}^, in the lateral 

 approximation of its rays and the flattening of the outer sides of 

 its first two brachials. I have noticed this feature in other 

 examples of the type from shallower water, but have never seen 

 it so marked as in this specimen, the discovery of which at 500- 

 700 fathoms more than doubles the bathymetrical range of the 

 type ; and it is very interesting to find this increase of range 

 associated with a peculiarity which is chiefly characteristic of the 

 Comatulae found in the abyssal zone ; though its absence in the 

 other individual from the same depth is a little puzzling. In 

 fact, these two examples represent tw^o very diff'erent varieties of 

 the species. The distal edges of the arms and pinnules of the 

 second specimen are fringed with rather large spines, a peculi- 

 arity which I have not noticed in any examples of the type 

 obtained in other localities. 



