NARRATIVE OF THE CRUISE. 
615 
associated together at depths of 1050 and 2150 fathoms ; whilst south of the Equator are 
Hymenaster, Benthaster, and Zoroaster in company at 1070 fathoms; and Brisinga 
descends to a depth of 2440 fathoms. 
“ In the Pacific area the Pterasteridse and the Porcellanasterkhe are the predominant 
forms in depths below 1000 fathoms. The first named family is represented by the 
genera Marsipaster, Hymenaster, and Benthaster. Marsipaster occurs in Mid South 
Pacific at Station 286 in 2335 fathoms, and nearer the South American continent at 
Station 299, between Juan Fernandez and Valparaiso, in 2160 fathoms. Hymenaster 
is found both in the North and South Pacific at depths ranging from 1500 to 
2900 fathoms. The latter (Station 244), situated due west of Yokohama, near the 
meridian of 170° W. long., is the greatest depth at which Starfishes have as yet been 
obtained. Here at 2900 fathoms, in company with Hymenaster, are Benthaster and 
Brisinga. Brisinga also occurs in the North Pacific at depths of 1875 and 2300 
fathoms (Stations 237 and 226 respectively), and south of the Equator, off Valparaiso, 
in 2550 fathoms. 
“ In the South Pacific the Archasteridse are represented below 1000 fathoms only by 
Bytaster, and in the North Pacific by Bytaster and Pararchaster. Associated with the 
last named genus at Station 237 (1875 fathoms) is Psilaster, the only representative of 
the true Astropectinidm below 1000 fathoms in the Pacific, and this its only occurrence. 
Porcellanaster and Hyphalaster are found at the same Station, and also Brisinga as 
mentioned above. Porcellanaster is associated with Marsijpaster and Hymenaster in 
Mid South Pacific at Station 286 in 2335 fathoms; and is also found off Valparaiso 
in 2225 fathoms. Hyphalaster is found in Mid Pacific a little south of the Equator 
(Station 274) in 2750 fathoms, and off Valparaiso in 2160 fathoms. The allied genus 
Styracaster occurs at Station 224 at a depth of 1850 fathoms. Near the southern point 
of South America, at Station 303, at a depth of 1325 fathoms, are the northern genera 
Lophaster, Mimaster, and Ctenodiscus. 
“ Comparing now the Asterid fauna of the Atlantic, Southern, and Pacific Oceans 
respectively, including with the latter the Malay Archipelago, it will be found that of 
the twenty-six genera which live at depths below the 1000 fathom line, seventeen genera 
are represented in the Atlantic, seven in the Southern, and fifteen in the Pacific Ocean. 
Four only are common to the .three areas, viz., Hymenaster, Brisinga, Pontaster, and 
Pararchaster. Four are common to the Atlantic and Pacific, but do not occur in the 
Southern Ocean, viz., Zoroaster, By taster, Porcellanaster, and Styracaster. One genus, 
Hyphalaster , is common to the Southern and Pacific Oceans. 
“ Seven genera are peculiar to the Atlantic, viz., Pythonaster, Glyptaster, Aphrodi- 
taster, Plutonaster, Lonchotaster, Phoxaster, and Thoracaster. One genus, Chitonaster, is 
peculiar to the Southern Ocean ; and two, viz., Marsipaster and Benthaster are peculiar to 
the Pacific, — a number which appears very small in consequence of those genera being 
(nabr. chall. exp. — vol. i. — 1885.) 78 
