NARRATIVE OF THE CRUISE. 
617 
sized pincer-formed pedicellaria at the adoral extremity of the series ; and two large 
tubercles standing side by side within the area of the curve, simulating an outer 
series. 
“ Paragonaster is a form allied to Nymphaster and Dorigona, having a small 
pentagonal disk and elongate slender rays, the supero-marginal plates being separated 
from those of the opposite side of the ray by a single lineal series of regular quadrate 
plates, all uniformly granulated. The disk, which is slightly inflated in the radial areas, 
is covered w T ith uniform hexagonal tabulated paxilke. The adambulacral plates are 
broad, and bear on the margins at right angles to the furrow a number of small uniform 
spinelets directed towards the adjacent plate, forming a continuous series with the 
spinelets on the furrow margin of the plate, the latter being larger, flattened transversely, 
peculiarly curved, and arranged in a semicircle, radiating apart. Within this marginally 
disposed armature, whose base line forms a parabolic curve, a transverse line of three or 
four isolated conical spinelets traverses the breadth of the plate. This form comes from 
the Malay Archipelago, Station 192, depth 129 fathoms. 
“ An interesting link in addition to that already mentioned between the Archasteridse 
and Goniasteridse is furnished by the genus Pseudctr chaster. This Starfish has a rather 
large, slightly inflated, disk ; and moderately long, tapering, almost rigid rays ; with the 
interbrachial angles well-rounded. The marginal plates form a well-rounded margin ; 
both series covered with granules, those on the inferior plates with a tendency to become 
squamiform. No prominent spines on either series. Abactinal area with uniform substellate 
plates, bearing an oblong promiuence, whose major axis lies parallel with the axis of the 
ray, covered with a compact paxilliform spinulation or granulation. A medio-radial line 
of plates distinguishable ; plates arranged in longitudinal series along the rays ; papulae 
regularly distributed. Actinal interradial areas well developed. Armature of the 
adambulacral plates palmo-radiate ; the outer portion more or less irregularly grouped. 
Madreporiform body small. No pedicellariae. Species of Pseudarchaster occur in 
localities so widely separated as Station 49 off the coast of the United States, Simon’s 
Bay, Cape of Good Hope, and Station 307 off the west coast of Patagonia. The greatest 
depth is 147 fathoms, at the last Station. 
“Amongst the general results deducible from the data furnished by the Challenger 
Asteroidea not the least noteworthy will be found to be the indication of the existence of 
a number of remarkable local groups, or associations of forms, reciprocally representative 
of others which occur in widely distant areas. The enumeration of these and various 
other topics of special interest to the systematic zoologist would occupy more space than 
is consistent with the present sketch. Such observations will be discussed in the 
forthcoming detailed Report on the group.” 
