ABYSMAL FAUNA. 267 
The first two named belong to families which are regarded as 
“entirely abysmal,” but they possess no striking characteristics. 
associated with a life passed in the abysses of the ocean. 
ECHINODERMA. 
Class J.—ASTEROIDEA. 
Star-fishes are very numerous in the depths. The Challenger 
captured 109 species from a depth of over 500 fathoms, and the 
number of specimens taken at a single haul was often very large. 
The Asteroids mentioned below were taken in the sub-Antarctic 
Ocean at a depth of at least 500 fathoms. Many other species were 
collected in the same area, but from a lesser depth. 
(i.) Pararchaster pedicifer, Slad., of the family Arcuasrerivs, 
taken at station 147 and again further north at station 143. (ii.) P. 
antarcticus, Slad., taken at the southernmost dredging-station 153. 
(iii.) Pontaster forcipatus, Slad., of the same family, taken at station 
146. This is regarded by Sladen as a variety called echinata of the 
species, well known from the deep seas off the N.E. coast of Canada and 
the United States. It is not known from intermediate regions. (iv.) 
Lonchotaster forcipifer, Slad., also belongs to the family Arcuasrenme. 
It was taken at stations 156 and 157, and is nearly allied to 
L. tartareus, Slad., of the deep water off the West Coast of Africa. 
(vi.) Chitonaster cataphractus, Slad., one of the Pzwraconasrerip2, Was 
taken at station 156. (vii.) Porania antarctica, Smith, one of the 
family Grunasreripz, was dredged at stations 145 and 147, and 
(vill.) P. spiculata, Slad., at stations 150 and 151, and again off the 
Arrou Islands. The genus Hymenaster, of the family Prerasrerips, 
is represented most fully in the abysms of the sub-Antarctic seas. 
The folowing species occur :—(ix.) H. graniferus, Slad., a very distinct 
form, was dredged at station 146 ; (x.) H. coccinatus, Slad., at the same 
station; (xi.) H. precoquis, Slad., at stations 146 and 147; (xi) 
H. latebrosus, Slad., at station 157 ; (xiii.) A. nobilis, Wyv. Th., by far 
the largest species known, was dredged at station 158; (xiv.) H. for- 
mosus, Slad., at the same station; (xv.) H. sacculatus, Slad., at the 
same station ; (xvi.) H. cwlatus, Slad., a very handsome species, at the 
same station ; and (xvii.) H. crucifer, Slad., at the same station. The 
family Barsivers, peculiarly a deep-sea one, with many species of a 
uniformly abysmal habit, and often phosphorescent, includes the 
following three genera :—(xviii.) Labidiaster annulatus, Slad., from 
stations 149, 150 and 141, and again from the neighbourhood of the 
