URASTER. 
167 
strength, which supported likewise a great number of small, stout, blunt spines, that 
appear to have passed round the sides of the rays and clothed the dorsal surface, as 
a few are seen iti situ on the integument. This spinous condition of the tegumentary 
membrane has suggested the specific name given to this new form of Uraster. 
Affinities and Differences. — This Starfish differs so much from the other fossil species 
of the genus Uraster that it may possibly prove to be the type of a new genus, when 
more details are learned anent the anatomy of the skeleton by the discovery of new 
materials. In the mean time I have grouped it with the Urasters which it so closely 
resembles in its general characters, whilst it differs in others, as, for instance, the beaded 
ridge of ossicles which bound the ambulacral area. 
Locality and Stratigraphical Position. — Uraster spiniger was collected from the 
shelly beds of the Forest Marble, near Road, Wilts. It appears to be rare, as I can find 
no record of any other Star-fish found in the fossiliferous beds of that locality. 
The annexed beautiful figure was drawn on wood by the late Mr. C. R. Bone, and 
engraved by Mr. Lee, for the ' Transactions of the Cotteswold NaturaUsts Field Club,' 
X 2 
Fig. 41. — Uraster spiniger, Wright. Magnified two diameters. 
to illustrate my notes on the specimen which I read at one of the meetings of the Club 
some time ago. I am indebted to my old kind friend. Dr. W. H. Paine, the worthy 
