192 ME. H. FAEQUHAE, ON NEW ZEALAND ECHINODEEMS. 



rock-pools at lowwater near Gisborne. The specimens collected 

 hj me are somewliat smaller than those found in Europe. The 

 colour in life is yellowish or grey, usually vaaiegated or spotted 

 with dark grey. 



Ophiopteeis antipodium, Smith. 



A fine specimen of this rare and interesting form was sent 

 me by Mr. Lukins from Nelson. Mr. Lukins notes that it is 

 " rare outside the Boulder Bank, uuder stones, at low water." 

 The colour of the dried specimen is purplisb black with a brownish 

 tinge beneath. 



ASTEROIDEA. 



AsTEEiAS RoDOLPHi, Perrier. 



Three specimens of this species were collected by Mr. Danby 

 at Eaoul Island ; and I am therefore able to add a little to 

 M. Perrier's very brief description (Ann. & Mag. Nat. Hist, 

 ser. 4, Tol. xvii. p. 34, 1876). 



In the largest specimen, E,=95 mm. and r=14 mm.; the 

 number of rays appears to be always seven ; they are elongate, 

 cylindrical, tapering towards the extremity, not constricted at 

 the base. There are five somewhat irregular series of spines on 

 the abactinal surface of the rays ;' those of the median and adjacent 

 series on either side are small and blunt, with granular tips, 

 while those of the outermost series are larger and usually pointed. 

 These larger spines stand upon a regular series of large broad 

 lateral plates, one on every second or third plate. The spines on 

 the disc are small, blunt, and irregularly scattered, sometimes in 

 groups of two or three. AH the spines on the abactinal surface 

 are surrounded by wreaths of small forcipiform (crossed) pedi- 

 cellariae. There are a few very small sessile forficiform pedi- 

 cellariae scattered on the dorsal surface. The marginal plates 

 bear three ratber large flattened blunt spines. The armature 

 of tbe adambulacral plates consists of two small fine cylindrical 

 spines. The madreporic plate is rather small, situated near the 

 edge of the disc. Two of the specimens are dark reddish brown 

 in colour, and the other is pale yellowish, variegated with reddisb 

 brown. 



This species is nearly allied to Asterias scahra, Hutton. The 

 number of rays and series of spines on the rays and the formula 

 of the armature of the marginal and adambulacral plates are the 



