PROF. P. M. DUNCAN ON THE OPH1URIU.E 



green. Radial shields with white spots and lines. Ad indefinite 

 ringing on the arms above. 



Locality. Mergui. The species has been found at Ceylon, 

 Zanzibar, and N. Australia (?). 



A young form (diameter of disk 5 millim., arms 15 millim.) has 

 the nodules on the skin of the disk well developed in the interradial 

 areas, and there are stumps at the edge of the interbrachium 

 where the skin below commences. There is some minute scaling at 

 the centre of the disk, and the nodules are well seen. The upper 

 arm-plate is arched from side to side, but the length is greater 

 than the breadth. The hooks commence near the disk. 



Localities. Elphinstone Island and Sullivan Island, 4 fathoms ; 

 King Island. 



IV. Remarks on the Species. 



The presence of Ophiolepis cincta was to be expected on 

 account of the great range of the species, and the specimens 

 show all the well-known characters of the beautiful form. The 

 other species of OpMolepis, O. nodosa, is new, and is a very 

 remarkable and distinct form. Unfortunately only one spe- 

 cimen was found, but it was well preserved. Accessory scales 

 and plates are in excess in this nodule-covered, bloated-looking 

 species, for there is an unusual plate placed orally to the mouth- 

 shields, and, besides extra mouth-papillae, there is an accessory 

 plate extending from the side arm-plates to the lower arm-plates 

 transversely, and separating the consecutive tentacle-openings. 

 This last character is seen in that extraordinary form Astrophiura 

 permira, Sladen, as well as in Ophiolepis elega?is, Lyman. The 

 great nodules on the upper arm-plates and the cribriform texture 

 of many, but not all, of the plates are very remarkable. 



Unfortunately the specimens of Ophioglypha are all too young 

 for specific determination. The AmphiuraAike forms, whose 

 marginal rim of scales and internal construction have caused 

 them to be relegated to the genus Ophiophragmus, Lym., are 

 very interesting. Many of the specimens are found without 

 their upper disks and genital scales and plates, so that the upper 

 surface of the mouth-shields and interbrachial rims besides the 

 upper part of the jaws and teeth arc exposed. Even some of the 

 ipecimeni which have tin; disk preserved appear to have had 

 Home diminution in itl size;, for one or two of the upper arm- 

 platen close to the edge of the disk as it now exists are wanting. 

 They appefl P to be deficient in consequence of the disk once having 

 been larger. The position of the genital plates and scales, which 



