ECHINODERMATA WHITELEGGE. 159 



The number of marginal pore areas in the interambulacral 

 space is thirteen in both specimens. From the margin to the 

 anus there are nine or ten pore areas, and from the tip of the 

 ambulacral groove to the anus there are seven in the large 

 specimen. In the smaller example they are fewer, being eight 

 or nine in the interambulacral space, and five from the apex of 

 the arm to the anus. 



There are seventy clusters of adambulacral spines along each 

 side of the ambulacral groove, counting from the mouth angle to 

 the end of the groove. 



The following are the measurements of both examples : 



Large specimen R., 155mm.; r., 100mm. 



Small ditto R., 115mm.; r., 85mm. 



R., measured along the side of the groove from mouth angle to 

 the extremity of the arm ; r., from mouth to commencement of 

 pore areas. 



Diameter, large specimen 220mm. 



Height 85mm. 



Diameter, small specimen 172mm. 



Height 60mm. 



An examination of the members of the genus Culcita shows 

 that it is greatly in need of revision ; too much attention has 

 been paid to the outward form, which presents characters of 

 little specific value. 



If a specimen is obtained and placed in a vessel with sea water, 

 and allowed to assume a symmetrical shape, and afterwards 

 killed in strong spirit, when thoroughly preserved it may be 

 dried and will retain its shape, having the abactinal surface 

 convex. If on the other hand it is plunged direct into strong 

 alcohol without regard to its shape, it will retain its original and 

 often very unsymmetrical form. Cake-like or flat examples are 

 in most cases due either to drying without previous curing in 

 spirits, or drying after being in very weak spirit. 



In Anthenea acuta, Perrier common in Port Jackson we 

 have a good example in illustration of the above remarks. 



This species often attains to nine or ten inches in diameter, 

 and is a most variable species as far as the convexity of the 

 abactinal surface is concerned and in the granulation. Having 

 trawled thousands of specimens, and noted that, however un- 

 symmetrical when brought up in the trawl, if placed on a 

 level surface in a little sea water they soon regain their natural 

 form, and may be killed in that state either by flooding them 

 with fresh water or by placing them in strong spirit. 



