SPINIGRADA. 437 



worth noting, on account of the difficulty we have (though certainly less 

 in 0. ulhida than others) in keeping the arms perfect. 



Genus OpniocOMA. 

 O. 7ie(jk;cta, Forb., 



I find common on the roots of Altjce growing in rock-jjools between 

 tide-marks at Annalong and Ardglass. Common on the North-East coast. 

 The first specimen obtained by Mr. Hyndman and myself, in Strangford 

 Lough, in January, 1834, was set apart as an undescribed Ophiura. Dr. 

 Johnston, taking a similar \iew, described the species as new in the fol- 

 lowing year. 



Banc/or, Co. Down, July Uh, 1846. — Abundant under stones in shallow 

 rock-pools between tide-marks, the only species I met with, e-xcept a very 

 minute Ad. riibens. I dredged a specimen from about 8 fathoms in Strang- 

 ford Lough, 1838, and have one similarly obtained in Belfast Bay, from 

 Holywood outwards. Lambay, "W. T. ; Lahincli, Co. Clare, W. T. " Many 

 di-edged at Killery (3 to 12 fathoms), 1840. Dredged in Clew Bay, 3 to 10 

 fathoms, 1840. Tory Island, Mr. Hyndman. 



O. Ballii, mihi. 



Disk round or pentangular, covered with imbricated scales, two diverg- 

 ing broadly wedge-shaped scales at the base of each ray. 



Largest specimen — disk 2^ lines broad, rays in length nearly equal to 

 four times its breadth: rays above with fan-shaped scales, beneath witii 

 rudely heart-shaped plates ; spines four in each row, rough, as long or 

 longer than the breadth of ray. Colour ])ink. 



Several specimens of difi'erent size dredged some years ago in Dalkey 

 Sound, on the coast of Dublin, by Dr. Ball. The species is named after 

 my friend, than whom no one in Ireland docs more to advance the science 

 of natural history. 



Since obtained from Nymph Bank, and in several English localities. 



O.Jiliformis, Forb. Brit. Echin., p. 42. 



Abundant at Killery, most so of any species. A specimen was taken on 

 a sandy bottom in Courtmasherry Harbour by Dr. Alhnan, wlio sent it to 

 me for examination. Dublin coast, one specimen, Dr. Hassall, A. N. H., ix. 

 133. 



3IarcJt 29th, 1846. — A quantity found in haddock from Killougli. but 

 no other Ophiura ; there were remains of Aniphidofus, bivalve MoUusca, 

 &c. Apparently this sjjecinKMi was dredged by Mr. Hyndman on mud 

 from fifty fathoms off" South Rock, Co. Down : the specimens are almost 

 too bad tor identification. Tavo or three specimens dredged in Round- 

 stone Bay, 1840, W. T. Kingstown Harbour, Dr. Ball. 



March 4th, 1848. — A number of this species mixed with O. msida and 

 O. alhicfa were found in the stomach of haddock — several of thvO./ili- 

 formis had the arms, but these partially broken, attaclied to tin- disk. 



O. brachiafa, Mont. (sp.). 



Of this species, apparently known only to Montagu, two specimens 

 were obtained in August, 183(), by Mr. lly'iidinan and my-^clf. when dredg- 

 ing ofi' Dundrum on the coast of Down; the body of the more perfect 

 one is -} of an inch in diameter, the least injured arm 3.^. inches long, 

 and where broken ncarlv as broad as at the base. 



Ajiril 23/y/, 1842.— On opening a 10 lbs. haddock brought from .New- 



