143 



point, but with a few short, irregular processes at the point. The end rods 

 fairly long, with the point curved outwards, trifid, the median part being 

 the largest. The anterolateral arms distinctly longer than the postoral and 

 posterodorsal arms. Posterolateral arms fairly long, forming an obtuse 

 angle. Arms shghtly widened at the point. 



Species a. (PL XXIII, Fig. 1; PI. XXIV, Fig. 1). Anterolateral arms 

 distinctly longer than the length of the body, the right one generally dist- 

 inctly longer than 

 the left. The front- 

 al area is fairly 

 large and distinct, 

 the preoral band 

 forming a beautiful 

 curve. The post- 

 oral band makes a 



strong upward 

 curve, on account 

 of the supporting 

 rods. Probably it 

 will be found to 

 reach even farther 

 up in the living 

 specimens ; the fact 

 that the supporting 

 rods go beyond it 

 is probably due to 

 contraction on pre- 

 servation. 



The skeleton (Fig. 69). The posterolateral rods are entirely smooth along 

 the outer side. The supporting rods of the anal area are long, thorny in 

 the outer part, their points generally crossing one another; another, shorter 

 process issuing near the base of the postoral rod, directed ventrally. The 

 anterolateral rods with one process near the base, somewhat below the 

 point of issue of the posterodorsal rod; another somewhat higher up, both 

 directed obliquely dorsally and inwards. Postoral and posterodorsal rods 

 smooth. Body rod and recurrent rod with a prominence near the lower 

 end. — The prominences on the anterolateral rod wanting in one young 

 specimen, while in another specimen, also rather young, the upper one 

 is wanting. One abnormal specimen (right postoral arm rudimentary) has 

 only the upper one of these prominences developed. 



Fig. 69. Skeleton of Ophiopluteus fulcitus, species a. ^"1^^. 

 Letters as in fig. 61. s." supporting rod. 



