1 20 MR FORBES ON THE ASTERIAD.E OF 



1. ASTERINA GIBBOSA. * 



Body pentangular, gibbous, thick ; reticulated and closely covered 

 above with short thick spines, arranged in pairs. Beneath simi- 

 lar spines are arranged in regular rows. The margins of the ave- 

 nues are bordered by a single row of short spines. 



This species is found at several places on the British 

 coast. In the Isle of Man it is rare, occurring in pools in 

 the rocks at very low water. It measures an inch across 

 from angle to angle. 



V. LINKIA (Nardo), Agassiz. — Body stellate ; rays 

 rounded, covered, as well as the disk, with oblong reticu- 

 lating spiniferous tubercles ; intermediate spaces porous ; 

 avenues bordered by two sets of lateral spines ; suckers 

 biserial.— PI. III. Fig. 5. 



1. LlNKIA OCULATA.f 



Rays five, rounded, nearly four times as long as the breadth of the 

 disk ; covered (as well as the disk) with oblong reticulating spinife- 

 rous tubercles j spines short, rough, numerous ; spaces between the 

 reticulations porous. Avenues bordered by two sets of spines : the 

 first or inner consisting of oblong tubercles, bearing fasciculi of from 

 four to six spines : the second or outer of regular transverse rows of 

 from three to five strong rough spines. Madriporiform tubercle late- 

 ral. 



Very common in deep water on the coasts of the Isle of Man. 

 Largest specimens three and a half inches across. Colour dark red, 

 or deep purple. 



VI. SOLASTER, Forbes.— f Solas teries, Blainville). 

 —Body stellate, multiradiate, covered with fasciculated 

 spines ; avenues bordered by three sets of spines ; suckers 

 biserial.— PI. III. Fig. 6. 



" Asterias gibbosa, Pennant, 4, 62 ; Fleming, p. 486. Asterias exigua, 

 Lamarck, 2, p. 554. Pentaceros plicatus, Link, t. 36. No. 62. 



f Asterias oculaia, Pennant, 4, 61, No. 56, t. xxx. f. 56 ; Fleming, 

 p. 487 ; Link, t. 86, No. 62. Asterias multifera, Lamarck, 2, 565 ? 



