Asteroidea of Portuguese East Africa. 53 



The spines of the ambulacral grove also show some variation : — 



In P. nodulosus — (1) inner series, . 7 to 9 spines on each plate. 



(2) outer series, . 3 larger spines. 



In the present specimens — (1) inner series, . 5 spines on each plate. 



(2) outer series, . 2 larger spines. 



If our view of the species be correct, the great differences which may- 

 obtain between immature and mature specimens are most noticeable. 

 Locality. — Station IX., Matemo Island, Ibo Bay. 



Pentaceros sp. 



Another small specimen from Tunghi Bay is too young for specific 

 determination. _R=32; r = 13 - 5. The disc is distinctly elevated in the 

 manner of P. lincki. On each lophial line are three or four prominent 

 conical tubercles, culminating in size in the topmost one on the central 

 disc, which is 3 to 4 millimetres in height. The tubercles are closely 

 granulated, and through the granulated surface projects the small sub-acute 

 apex. On the last two or three distal infero- and supero-marginal plates 

 there are small spinous tubercles. 



This may be a young form of P. gracilis, a species in which we 

 know the development of spines is very variable. On the other hand, 

 however, it may be an immature stage of P. lincki, but any categorical 

 statement would be ill-advised. 



Locality. — Station I., Tunghi Bay. 



Culcita schmideliana (Retz.). 



This very variable species is represented in the collection by a singlp 

 large dried specimen which has become slightly damaged by damp. Only 

 the dorsal skeleton and fragments of the ventral surface remain ; however, 

 the ventral tesselated plates show well. 



In life the aboral surface was dark brown with much lighter brown 

 poriferous areas ; the oral surface was purple, becoming paler towards the 

 mouth ; the sides of the ambulacral grove were yellow, and around the 

 actinostome there were distinct dark blue areas. 



Beferring to this species from Ceylon, Professor Herdman (Pep. on Ceylon 

 Pearl Oys. Fish., vol. ii. p. 144) remarks that " this cushion-like starfish . . . 

 shows on the aboral surface a bright orange- coloured pentagon closely 



