198 DE. W. B. BENHAM OS 



EXPLANATION OF THE PLATES. 



Plate 13. 



Fig. 1. Asteropsis imperialis, abactinal view, slightly reduced, 

 2. „ „ actinal view, slightly reduced. 



Plate 14. 



Fig. 1. Amphiura pusilla, actinal view, X 16. 



2. „ „ abactinal view, x 16. 



3. „ „ arm-spines, X 16. 



4. Ophiopeza cylindrica, actinal view, X 7. 



5. „ „ abactinal view of arm, X 7. 



6. Gnathaster rugostis, mouth-plates, X 7. 



7. Ophiopeza Danhyi, abactinal view of arm, X 7. 



8. „ „ actinal view of arm, X 7. 



9. Eveckinus chloroticus, spicules of tube-feet, X 65. 



New Species of FericJiceta from New Britain and elsewhere ; with 

 some Eemarks on certain Diagnostic Characters of the Genus. 

 By Wm. Blaxland Benham, D.Sc. (Lond.), M.A. (Oxon.)^ 

 Aldrichian Demonstrator in Comparative Anatomy, Oxford, 



[Eead 4th March, 1897.] 



(Plates 15 & 16.) 



The paper contains a description of five new species, viz. : 

 PerichcBta novce britannicce, P. SedgwicMi, P. Arturi, P. Ploweri, 

 and P. Madelince, with a description of P. malamaniensis, Benham, 

 and, further, some remarks in reply to a criticism by Dr. 

 Michaelsen of statements made by me in reference to the value 

 of certain characters usually regarded as of specific value for the 

 genus Perichceta. 



Owing to the kindness of Mr. Adam Sedgwick, I am enabled 

 to describe three new species of PericTiwta which were collected 

 by Dr. Arthur Willey on New Britain, during his excursion 

 amongst the South Sea Islands in search of the eggs oi Nautilus. 

 No Earthworms appear to have been recorded from this island ; 

 and though they were rather poorly preserved in 70-per-cent. 

 alcohol, I have been able to make out certain interesting pecu- 

 liarities and novelties. As the number x)f speeies^of this genus 

 is now getting very large, it is necessary to give very ^careful 



