1096 
BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 
In bradleyi from the last locality the furrow spinelets range from 6 to 10, the central spinelets 
being slightly heavier and more clavate than in the Hawaiian examples. The number of spinelets is 
of not so great importance, since the Fiji example of claiigera has 11 (occasionally 10), while an 
example from Mauritius figured by P. de Loriol has but 8 and 9. There are no medio-radial spines in 
adult examples of bradleyi and all the spines appear shorter and stouter. 
While the Hawaiian examples are not typical, they are certainly nearer bradleyi than clavigera. 
In the character of the furrow spinelets the specimens are nea’rly intermediate. Perrier in his Revision 
des Stellerides refers Hawaiian examples to clavigera , as noted in the synonymy, but later in the same 
work, under Luidia brevi spina, says: “Si, comme j’ai quelques raisons de le croire les Mitlirodia de 
Panama et des Sandwich sont specifiquement identique, nous aurions done deux especes d’Asteries 
communes a la c6te occidentale d’Am6rique et aux lies Sandwich” (p. 337). Evidently this authority 
had some doubts concerning the identity of the Hawaiian Mitlirodia, and changed his mind after pub- 
lishing the first part of his work. 
To arrive at any satisfactory conclusions concerning the species of this interesting genus, one must 
have specimens from very many localities throughout its range, and preferably many specimens from 
each locality. 
NOTES ON A PECULIAR SPECIMEN OF MITHRODIA. 
PI. XXXVII, figs. 2, 3. 
There is one specimen in the collection which differs so widely from any of the others that it has 
not been included in the ioregoing notes. R=140 to 145 mm.; r=33 to 37 mm. R=3.8 to 4.4 r. 
Disk rather large, rays stout, blunt, subcylindrical, heavy, not constricted at base, but on the contrary 
widening a little. Breadth of ray at base 35 to 40 mm. Interbrachial angles distinctly rounded. 
The ridges which are so conspicuous in the other specimens are scarcely perceptible in this, and are 
very much smaller and more numerous, dividing the body into irregular, very much smaller and more 
numerous papular areas. While in ordinary examples these trabeculae are thrown into irregular and 
frequent prominences, in this specimen the whole surface of the body is covered with scattered, low, 
thimble-shaped tubercles. They arise abruptly from the inconspicuous trabeculae, and are covered 
with small conical sharp granules very much larger than the tiny granules embedded in the rest of the 
integument. On the actinal surface there are 2 rows of these, larger than the rest, which correspond 
to the 2 actinal series in typical specimens, but the lateral row is entirely wanting. The spines of the 
innermost actinal series — that adjacent to the actinal armature of the adambulacral plates — are more 
numerous and larger than those of the outer row, which are almost wanting on one ray. The inner 
face of the actinal adambulacral spines is entirely covered with granules, is not naked as in typical 
specimens. There .are 8 spinelets on the furrow series. Color in life, dull light cinnamon, pink and 
maroon at ends of arms. The cinnamon in places is mottled with buff. Actinal surface is light 
pinkish buff, or vinaceous, darkest on tubercles. Ambulacral feet raw sienna. The coloring is thus 
considerably different from the other specimens. 
Young: There is a young example which seems to be near the above and which agrees with it 
very well in most particulars. The innermost actinal row of spines is very regular and straight, the 
spines themselves being shorter than those of the adambulacral series. There is also a second series of 
less numerous ventro-lateral, and a third series of lateral-spines, all short, in addition to a few scattered 
on the dorsal surface. Actinal adambulacral spines and dorsal tubercles as in adult. R=38 mm ; r=12 
mm.; breadth of ray at base, 14 mm. 
Localities: Station 4147, Bird Island, 26 fathoms, coral and coralline; 4158, same locality, 20-30 
fathoms. 
Whether this is a different species from the common form, or only a freak, I am unable to state. 
If it is not a mere variation of bradleyi, it would apparently represent an undescribed species. 
Family MYXASTERIDAi Perrier, 1894. 
Myxasterid® Perrier, Expeditions Scientifiques du Travailleur et du Talisman, Echinoderm.es, 1894, p. 177. 
Genus ASTHENACTIS, new. 
Type Asthenactis papyraceus, new species. 
Rays 7, long, flexible. Disk fairly large, capable of inflation. Actinostome very large and adam- 
bulacral furrows wide. Tube feet large, in 2 series, with sucking disks. 
