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Show 292 MR. F. P. BEDFORD ON MALAYAN ECHINODERMS. [Mar. 20, 4. ASTROPECTEN PLEIACANTHUS, sp. nov. (Plate XXIV. figs. 9 «, b, c.) Locality. Two specimens in 1 to 3 fathoms on mud on the east side of Singapore Island. This species belongs to the division of the genus in which there are two series of spines on the superomarginals (Midler & Troschel's classification): the inner series is most strongly developed at the interbrachial angle and only extends a short distance along the arms; while the outer series disappears at their base, as in A. aurantiacus, A. brevispinus, and some S. American species. The adambulacral armature is triplacanthid; there are three furrow-spines, of which the middle is the longest; outside these on each plate there are two spines, of which the aboral is much larger than the adoral; the outer row is irregular, being usually composed of one or two small spines. The marginals are all covered with closely packed scale-like spinelets, the inferomarginals being provided in addition with several larger spines, which are not arranged in a single transverse row, but are situated somewhat irregularly, the abactinal lateral spine being the longest and most robust; paxillar crowns are very large and oval, with about 15 peripheral and 5 or 6 central spines, reminding one of A. zebra or A. poly acanthus. This species is undoubtedly very closely allied to the Mediterranean species A. aurantiacus; its superomarginal spines are less prominent, the lateral spines are longer and narrower, tbe paxilli are provided with a larger crown, and the adambulacral armature is slightly different; in many respects also it is extremely like A. poly acanthus, from which it is, however, at once distinguished by the presence of bispinose superomarginals. No. of E. r. Arm-breadth. marginals. 51 12 14-5 27-30 32 9 11 24 5. LUIDIA LONGISPINA. Luiclia longispinis, W . P. Sladen, ' Challenger' Reports, xxx. Asteroidea, 1889, p. 254, pis. 43 &45. R = 5-75 x r. Locality. Two specimens dredged off Singapore in 10-15fathoms on gravel in association with Gorgonians, & c -ft- r- Arm-breadth. 23 4 4-5 6. LUIDIA PENANGENSIS. Luiclia penangensis, de Loriol, Mem. Soc. Phys. &c de Geneve suppl. vol. 1891, p. 25, pi. iii. fig. 2. Locality. This species is very abundant off Malacca on mud in 2 to 10 fathoms of water, and reaches a much more considerable |
