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IX. — Aster oidea dredged in the Faeroe Channel during the Cruise of If. M.S. 

 "Triton" in August 1882. By W. Percy Sladen, F.L.S., F.G.S. 

 Communicated by John Murray, F.R.S.E. (Plate XXVI.) 



(Read 16tli July 1883. ) 



The star-fishes recorded in the. present communication were dredged by Mr 

 John Murray during the cruise of H.M.S. " Triton " (under the command of 

 Staff-Commander Tizard, RK), whilst investigating the nature of the Wyville- 

 Thomson Ridge and the adjacent portions of the Faeroe Channel. All the 

 forms, excepting these from Station 3, were obtained from deep water, and the 

 collection, as a whole, is both rich and interesting. One species and two well- 

 marked varieties have not hitherto been described, and two other species have 

 only been found once previously. The series consequently forms a valuable 

 supplement to the collections made during the cruises of H.M.S. "Porcupine" 

 and the " Knight Errant," and is an important addition to our knowledge of the 

 fauna of this region of the Atlantic. I propose to reserve any remarks upon 

 the general character of the asterid fauna of the Faeroe Channel until treating 

 of the collections obtained during the "Porcupine" and "Lightning" cruises. 



I am indebted to Mr Murray for his kindness in placing this collection in 

 my hands. 



I. List of the Species Collected. 



1. Pteraster militaris (O. F. Miiller), Miiller and Troschel. 



Station 2. August 5, 1882. Lat. 59° 37' 30" N., long. 6° 49' W. 

 Depth, 530 fathoms ; bottom temperature, 46°2 Fahr. 



2. Pteraster militaris, var. prolata, no v. (Plate XXVI. fig. 1.) 



Station 9. August 23, 1882. Lat. 60° 5' N., long. 6° 21' W. 

 Depth, 608 fathoms ; bottom temperature, 30° Fahr. 



This is a remarkable form, differing greatly in general appearance from the 



| normal type of P. militaris ; and although it accords in the main with the 



diagnostic formula of that species, the majority of the characters differ more or 



less in degree. It is not improbable that a series of examples might ultimately 



warrant its being ranked as a distinct species ; but for the present I prefer to 



vol. xxxii. part i. 2 c 



