CHAP. III.] TEE CRUISES OF THE ' PORCUPINE: 123 



each marginal plate covered witli miliary grains, 

 and with a prominent rigid central spine. This is 

 a large form, one of our most striking additions to 

 the tale of known species. It measures 120 mm. from 

 tip to tip of the arms across the disk. The colour 

 is a rich cream, or various shades of light rose. 



Gtenodiacus crispatus occurred rarely and of rather 

 small size, not more than 25 mm. across. Nearly 

 every haul brought up small specimens of Aster- 

 acanthion millleri, M. Saks, and specimens of all sizes 

 of Cribrella samjuinolenta, O. P. Mullee. 



The distribution of Ophiuoridea was altogether 

 new to a British dredger. By far the most abundant 

 form in moderate depths was Amphiura abyssicola, 

 M. Sabs, a species hitherto unknown in the British 

 seas ; and at greater depths this species was associated 

 in about equal numbers with Ophiocten sericeum, 

 Forbes. 



Everywhere Ophiacantha spinulosa, M. and T., 

 abounds, and the common Ophioglypha lacertosa of 

 shallow water is replaced by O. sarsii, Ltjtken, 

 while OpUopholis aculeata, O. P. Mtjllee, loves to 

 nestle among the branches of corals and stony 

 polyzoa. In such characteristic cold area dredg- 

 ings as Stations 54, 55, 57, and 64, we find the 

 two Species of Ophioscolex, O. purpurea, D. and 

 K., and O. glacialis, M. and T. ; the former in 

 some places in great abundance, and the latter 

 much more scarce. Both species are new to the 

 British area, and two very remarkable forms which 

 accompany them are new to science. One of these 

 IS a very large ophiurid with thick arms, up- 

 wards of three decimetres long, and a large soft disk 



