138 CATALOGUE OF THE ECHINODERMATA OF 



break off at their junction with the disc : at this 

 part the rays are rather constricted. 



2. Asterias violacea (0. F. Midler). Violet Cross-fish. 



Uraster violacea, Forbes. Brit. Starfishes (1841) p. 91. 



Shore, common, J. A. Common, between tide marks, espe- 

 cially on the Durham coast, G-. H. 



A very common species with us, so far as I know. On the 

 Durham coast it is only found between tide marks, whilst the 

 former species [A. miens) is seldom if ever taken under similar 

 conditions. It is readily distinguished from the preceding by 

 the bluntness of its spines, especially on the dorsal aspect where 

 they are mostly rounded at their summits, or in some cases one 

 would almost say "truncate." In A. rubens the spines are (I 

 believe) invariably pointed. Other distinct characters are ap- 

 parent on examining specimens of each side by side. The 

 general appearance of each is quite distinct, as is their habitat. 

 Here (Seaham) I have never to my knowledge taken this species 

 at sea, neither have I ever obtained A. rubens living within tide 

 marks. 



3. ASTERIAS MULLEEI (Sars). 



Aster acanthion Mulleri, Sars. Fauna Litt. Norveg., Vol. 

 I., p. 56. PL VIIL, figs. 38-39. 



Asteracanthion Mulleri, Sars. Oversigt af Norges Echi- 

 nodermer (1861), p. 88. 



Rather rare. Northumberland and Durham coasts, G. H. 



This is certainly a rare species on our coast, not more than 

 six or eight specimens having been taken. It is quite distinct 

 in character from any other species that we have, but until Mr. 

 Norman pointed out its true features, we had all supposed it to 

 be the young of A. glacial is, under which name it was noticed 

 in the first Dogger Bank dredging report. 



