of the Pacific Shores of North America. 527 
six rows of larger tubercles, between which smaller ones are 
interspersed ; the tubercles of the two rows next within the 
exterior ones are largest.  Auricles slender. Spines of 
moderate length, rather stout and blunt. Color, deep pur- 
ple. Diameter, 2: inches; height, 1} inch. 
Found at low-water mark on rocky ocean shores near 
San Francisco. It is often sold in the market, being used 
as food by some classes of the citizens, chiefly those from 
Southern Europe. 
DENDRASTER EXCENTRICUS. Esch. 
Seutella excentrica, ESCHSCHOLTZ; Zodlogischer Atlas, Pl. XX. f. 2. 
Echinarachnius excentricus, VALENCIENNES; Voy. Venus, Zodph. Pl. X. 
Dendraster excentricus, Acassiz ; Cat. des Echinides, 77. 
' This is the common cake-urchin of the coast, and is 
found at all points from Sitka to Monterey. 
ASTERIADJE. 
ASTERIAS OCHRACEA. Brandt. 
PL KXHLIrI35 
Asterias ochracca, BRANDT; Prod. desc. anim. Mertens, 69. 
Rays five, each scarcely twice as long as the disk is wide. 
er dorsal spines capitate, somewhat reticulating, and 
Ing a pentagon at the middle of the disk which en- 
doses the madreporic body. Diameter, eight inches. 
à lis very common near San Francisco, on rocks at low- 
Water mark, and was also taken at Tomales Bay by 
Mr. Samuels. It was originally found at Sitka. A. ian- 
Branpr, is probably only a variety. 
the figure represents a small portion of the upper sur- 
face of One of the rays, to show the arrangement of the 
Tet 
