67 
spinis asperis latitudine radii longioribus" shows cleary that it 
could not be any of the species of the recent genus Ophiura; 
most probably it is Ophiothrix fragilis. 
Finally, we come then to Lamarck’s Ophiura texturata. The 
type specimen does not exist any more, as Prof. Joubin kindly 
informs me. The diagnosis given by Lamarck (Animaux sans 
vertébres. 1816. II. p. 542) does not give the definite proof that 
it is really the present species which is meant, but in any case 
there is nothing in it that does not suit to it. But then he refers to 
the Stella lacertosa of Linck, Tab. 2, fig. 4, which is, as stated 
above, almost beyond doubt this species. Also his statement that 
„ses rayons vus en dessous présentent l’aspect de cinq petites 
tresses“ (plaits) is indeed very appropriate. — On the other hånd, 
the figures in the Encyclopédie Méthodique, PI. 123, figs. 2, 3, to 
which reference is also made under O. texturata , certainly do not 
represent our species; possibly it is O. albida , but it is much too 
inaccurate to allow determining with certainty which species it 
really represents. However, this is less important, since the species 
figured by Linck is the first referred to. 
After all it seems then the only possible course to adopt the 
name Ophiura texturata Lamarck for this species. 
10. Ophiura albida Forbes. 
Regarding this species I would only record some observations 
on parasites found to infest it. 
A number of specimens, which I received recently from the 
Swedish Zoological Station, Kristineberg, dredged off Lysekil, were 
found to be infested with a rather large Trematod, lying free in 
the stomach. As many as 6 — 7 specimens of the parasite were 
found in a single Ophiuran, generally only 2—4; out of 9 spec¬ 
imens of the Ophiurid only one was devoid of the Trematod. I am 
informed by my friend Prof. Th. Od h ner, Stockholm, that this 
Trematod is the young stage of Fellodistomum fellis (Olsson), which 
is found very commonly and in great numbers in the gallbladder 
of Anarrhichas lupus, which fish is known to feed on Echino- 
derms. No other Trematods being known from Echinoderms this 
case is quite noteworthy. (Cuénot 1 ) has found a Cercaria in Oph. 
*) L. Cuénot. Commensaux et Parasites des Échinodermes (II. Note). 
Rev. Biol. Lille. Année 5. 1892. 
5 * 
