*r? -SS3&' vv -^v^c... !._, -SlflBL^CNao r .// Early \rN. " Bra da creacao do mundo de bjMbjclxxxb e de X (to) de llllclxxxb o. eycelent(e) esclarecido Kei dom J s. de portugal mandou descobrir esta terra e poer este padram por d(c.) ao cav". de sua casa." Tbe translation into English would be " In the year of the creation of the world, 6684, by the excellent and enlightened King Dom John the Second of Portugal, was Fm. 1. ordered the discovery of this land, and the erection of this pillar by Diogo Cao, a knight of his house(hold)." [Por Diogo Cao had been made a knight in 1484 as a result of his first voyage, which led to the discovery of the Eiver Zaire, now usually termed Congo.] By order of the Emperor of Germany this pillar was removed to Germany, and a replica of the same erected where the original stood. Through the courtesy of the German authorities the 4 Annals of the Smith African Museum. Trustees of the South African Museum have the promise of a facsimile of the original padrao. In 1487 King John the Second of Portugal fitted out another expedition, consisting of three vessels, two of some fifty tons' burthen, the other being smaller and used as a store-ship, and this new venture of discovery he placed under the command of Bartholomeu Diaz. It is during this reign that the discoverers were, for the first time, provided with commemorative pillars, or "padroes," to be erected at the farthest point reached, or to mark the progress of their journey. Cao is the first navigator who left Portugal with these regulation pillars. But the old chroniclers are certainly not clear about the number of padroes erected by that other bold navigator, Bartholomeu Diaz, who was to round the extreme part of Africa. Recent research has, however, brought forth conclusive evidence that he erected five pillars during his memorable journey, each having its respective name. The exact dates of the erection, corresponding mostly with his landings, are only approximate, but they are as follows, according to Codine : Departure from Lisbon, August 1-14, 1487. Landing at Angra Pequeria and erection of the pillar called Padrao Santiago, November 13-14, 1487. Landing at Angra das Voltas, November 19-24, 1487. Erection there of a third but nameless padrao. This bay, the translation of the name of which is " bay of tackings," owing to Dias's ships taking five days to reach the shore, was taken to be in 28 44' lat. south, and corresponds nearly to that of the present mouth of the Orange River (28 58' S.). At this place Dias left his store-ship with nine men. But as he called there on his return it is not certain if the pillar was erected at the above- mentioned date, or on his return (August 24, 1488). Arrival at the Bahia of Vaqueiros, or Bay of Cowherds, and at the Bahia of San Braz (Mossel Bay), apparently towards the end of January, 1488. He was certainly there on the 3rd of February of that year. It has been suggested that Cowherds Bay and San Braz Bay are identical, the date of his arrival corresponding to that dedicated to St. Blaise led to it being renamed as such. Reaches Algoa Bay, sets up a third pillar (Padrao da Cruz), on a small island of that bay, middle of February, 1488. Inscriptions left hi/ Early European N<(ri/infi>rs. 5 Beaches the Eiver Kio Infante; thence retraces his way to Algoa Bay and erects a fourth pillar, Padnio San Gregorio, on Cape Padron, to the east of the bay, February, 1488. Discovery of the Cape of Good Hope (Cabo tormentoso),* and PIG. 2. 22 cm. x 58 cm. erection there of a fifth pillar, Padnio San Felipe, August 16-17, 1488. Exploration of St. Helena Bay, August 18, 1488. Eeturn to Angra das Voltas, where the only survivor of the men he left there nine months previously expires at the sight of his comrades. Departure for Prince Island, and arrival in Lisbon, December, 1488. * Bias, in spite of the legend, never named this part otherwise than Cape of Good Hope. 6 Annals of the South African Museum. Of the five padroes here mentioned as erected by Dias, only one of them lias hitherto been found, namely, Padrao Santiago. The fragment exhibited is part of it. It was originally erected on the summit of a small granite eminence, and was discovered by Captain Owen in 1833, but " cast down evidently by design as the part of the shaft that had originally been buried in the rock had remained unbroken." This pillar, includ- ing the part originally placed in the ground, would have been altogether 7 feet 9 inches in length, corresponding in height with that erected at Cape Cross by Diogo Cao, and " was composed of marble rounded on one side, but left square on the other." The cross surmounting the pedestal was found at some distance. " It was sixteen inches square, of the same breath and thickness as the shaft, and had on the centre an inscription almost obliterated." Three pieces of the original Padrao Santiago were received at the Museum in 1856, two of which, part of the rounded side, were sent to Lisbon ; but a replica of the same has been made for us, presented by the Museum of the Geographical Society of Lisbon ; a fourth fragment is to be found in Auckland, New Zealand, left there as a gift by a former Cape Governor, the late Sir George Grey. The cross itself has not been recovered. POBTUGUESE INSCRIPTIONS. Vasco da Gama was the next navigator who was to complete, ten years later, the exploration of Dias, and to reach India (1497-1499). It seems, however, that the erection of padroes had then fallen into disuse, for there is, I believe, no record of any put up by this explorer, who, it is now almost certain, retraced the itinerary of his predecessor, Dias. Other expeditions were to follow on the way to the East Indies. Pedro Alvarez, better known under his nickname of " Cabral," in trying to double the Cape, discovered Brazil. One of his captains, Pedro de Atayde, separated from the fleet by a storm, reached the Bay of San Braz (Mossel Bay), and left there a letter in a shoe, placed, it is said, on the island in a conspicuous situation, and which was found by Joas da Nova, who had sailed from Portugal on the 5th of March, 1501, in charge of four vessels. Stone I. The Mossel Bay Stone. The fragmentary inscription on a stone found in Mossel Bay, appears to be a record of the visit of one of these two expeditions. Inscriptions left by Early European Navigators. 7 " At the demolition of the old Government House, there were found two stones on which were engraved, on the one a cannon, and on the other Portuguese words, of which some were broken off, others were indistinct, yet without doubt are the names of a certain ship and its captain, also the time of the arrival here, being the year 1500 or 1501." The stone with " the cannon " seems to have disappeared, or it is no longer to be found. The inscription on the Museum specimen is, however, very baffling, owing to its present incompleteness. FIG. 3. 41 cm. x 2L cm. It is skilfully graved, however ; and if we assume, as is highly probable, that " DA NOVA " or " NUEVA " was spelt, by mistake or otherwise, Novoa, and that BEA stands for Braz (the Portuguese name Sao Braz), the inscription refers to the call at Mossel Bay of da Nova's squadron in 1501 ; in spite of the graved date, which appears to be 1500. This, however, has no importance, because 1500 in the old style may partly correspond to 1501 new style, the year running then from end of March. If da Gama has left in Africa other inscriptions, and if they are found eventually, they would not be much more ancient than that of the Mossel Bay Stone. The latter can, therefore, be looked upon as the third most ancient European relic hitherto found in Southern Africa. Annals of the South African Museum. Stone II. The Plettenberg Say Stone. The second Portuguese inscription, known as the Plettenberg Bay Stone, was removed to Cape Town about the year I860. It is stated that the stone originally stood on a sandhill about three miles south of the present village of Plettenberg, on the littoral of the Cape Province. FIG. -1. 52 cm. x 47 cm. This inscription reads, " Here was lost the ship Sao Gonzales. Year 1630. They made two boats." The Sao Goncalo, or Gonzales, reached India on the 24th of September, 1629, and left for the kingdom, i.e. Portugal, on the 4th of March of the year following. Fernao Lobo de Menezes was then captain of the vessel, and the latter having sprung a leak, he made for the land, and "came to the bay called Fermosa, on the confines of the Cape of Good Hope." But while they were endeavouring to pump the vessel dry and trying to right her, a storm came upon her while at anchor and she foundered. Inscriptions left, In/ Ear/// European Navigators. 9 All the people left on her (one hundred and fifty) perished, but one hundred of them were ashore at the time of the gale. They eventu- ally built two boats with the debris of the vessel, one of which set sail for Mozambique, where it arrived safely ; the other reached the Cape (Table Bay), and sighting there the Sdo Ignacio de Loyola, of the fleet of 1630, were taken on board, but this vessel perished upon the bar of Lisbon. Such is the abbreviated history of the three Portuguese relics in the Museum. FRENCH, ENGLISH, DUTCH, AND DANISH INSCRIPTIONS. After de Gama's discovery, Cabral, da Cunha, Albuquerque, Almeida, Sequeira, and other explorers, all Portuguese, visited the eastern seas and the Islands of Spices via the Cape. The Spaniards, by now a powerful maritime nation, did not follow on their track, because the Pope had arbitrated on the respective sphere of both Portugal and Spain. The ventures were very lucrative, as proved by the number of ships sent from Portugal : 507 from the year 1500 to 1550, and 264, of much larger tonnage, from 1550 to 1560. But a few years only after da Gama had opened the road to India other nations are found to have entered this newly discovered field. Privateers or merchantmen, or both together, began to operate in the Mozambique Channel and other regions, and these were French. In 1508 Queimado, commander of one of the ships of Tristan da Cunha's fleet, was captured by Frenchmen in the Mozambique Channel. In 1560 Captain Bondard, from La Rochelle, was hanged at Mozambique for plundering Portuguese caravells in the Indian Ocean." Of three French privateers that sailed from Dieppe in 1526, one is known to have stopped at Madagascar, and to have done some trading there. So that it is inexact to say that during the period 1500 to 1560 no European flag, other than the Portuguese, was seen in the Eastern seas. But their expeditions did, after a time, sail from the island of St. Helena without touching at Table Bay, and therefore left no inscriptions there. FRENCH INSCRIPTION. Stone III. On one stone is a French inscription with the date un- fortunately mutilated. This piece of rock has been badly used; * The Portuguese claiming a monopoly of their discoveries under a Papal Bull, the operations of any competitor were considered by them to be piratical. 10 Annals of the South African Museum. the date is missing, also the continuation of the four lines of letters. On the reverse of the thick slah is a Dutch record dated 1634. On examination it becomes apparent that the block on which the French inscription stood was pared or reduced so as to allow of the new one, which is entire, being graved on the reverse. But how long the first preceded the second, and whose record it is, remains, so far, a mystery. Paulmier de Gonville is believed, with good reason, yet without much documentary evidence, to have rounded the Cape in 1503, and to have reached Madagascar in that year. But he sailed from FIG. 5. 57 cm. x 24 cm. ICY EST ARRIVE DAVID DIGAED DE DIEPPE 8 10 DE FEVRER 1 ... (Here arrived David Digaed from Dieppe, 8-10 February, 1 . . .) Honfleur, not Dieppe, in June. The inscription cannot be, there- fore, ascribed to him. There is no information about the vessels who were flying the French flag in 1508 in the Mozambique Channel, and even captured there, as stated before, one of the ships of Tristan da Cunha's fleet. In 1527 a French vessel, one of a company of three, all from Dieppe, stopped at Madagascar, traded there, and left behind a sailor, whom Diogo de Fonseca picked up in 1531. The brothers Parmentier, also of Dieppe, following the Cape route, left with two ships, La Pensee (400 tons) and Le Sacre(l%Q tons), on Inscriptions left by Early European Navigators. 11 March 28, 1529, and reached Sumatra the same year, where one of the brothers, Jean, died in December. But apart from the name of the home port, there seems to be no connection with that of the ships or the dates. The only instance of French vessels being recorded near Table Bay, but not in Table Bay as is generally believed, in these early times, is by the Dutch Commander Spilbergen, a record corroborated by the narrative of Francois Pyrard, from Laval, who was on board an expedition from St. Malo, consisting of two vessels, Le Croissant and Le Corbin. under the command of La Bardeliere. The accounts of both leave no doubt that the French vessels met the Dutch Commander sailing out of the Bay, and did not land. It does not, therefore, seem improbable that this French graved record is that of one of the vessels that left Dieppe in 1526 ; in which case this is the oldest inscription other than the Mossel Bay. POST OFFICE STONES. From the end of the sixteenth and the beginning of the seven- teenth century many vessels, other than Portuguese, touched at Table Bay in order to obtain fresh provisions from the natives. Anthony Marlow, on board the English ship Hector in 1602, says, speaking of Table Bay, " the best and cheapest place to refresh men in these voyages that ever ship can come to " ; and it is recorded that on the first voyage of an English squadron to the East Indies begun under command of the Admiral G. Eaymond, who perished with the Flag-ship, and finished by Captain James Lancaster, they put into Table Bay where ultimately thirty natives brought forty bullocks and about as many sheep, of which the English got a good supply, giving two knives for an ox. These vessels left graved on flat stones inscriptions recording the name of the ship and of her captain and the dates of arrival and departure. Letters were often also placed beneath these stones, as borne out by the inscriptions. In these early days a stream descending from Table Mountain ran to the sea, discharging its water into Table Bay near what is now Adderley Street, and there it was that the mariners landed, to till their water-casks at or near the bottom of Strand Street, where was a large sand-dune continued as far as the present Green Point Common. Most of the inscribed stones recovered have been found near what is now Adderley Street, with the exception of two English which were used, intentionally or not, in building the walls of the " Castle " 12 Annals of the SoutJi African Museum. with the inscription outwards. But as from 1602 the vessels of the English and Dutch East India Companies called nearly every year at the Cape, and as moreover the captains of the English vessels were instructed to leave such records, it is possible that graved stones other than those now recorded will be found at some future time. While digging foundations for an extension of the present railway station in Cape Town in 1906, the old landing-place at the foot of Adderley Street was uncovered, and a number of graved stones that had evidently been collected and brought to the spot in former days were exposed to view. These stones, and others recovered before, form the series bearing the name of " Post Office Stones." An extract of a letter addressed by Edward Blitheman to Sir Thomas Smith (East India Company's Records) leaves no doubt as to the object for which these stones were inscribed, and seems to explain also the presence of the two inscriptions in the Castle at some distance from the customary place : " And in the time of our being there (Table Bay, October, 1613) the Dutchman (also in the Bay) made known unto us a packet of letters which their company had found on the top of a hill. So our General sent myself and Mr. Millward for the fetching of them, being a place at least distant two miles from our tents. So finding them we perceived them to be the letters of the factors of Captain Downston's fleet . . . and afterwards our General sealed them up again in a letter of his directed to your worship and buried them by the stone where he placed his name." The French Commander Beaulieu, who sailed on the 2nd of October, 1619, from Harfieur, in Normandy, on a voyage to Bantam, via Senegal and the Gold Coast where he traded, landed in Table Bay on the 16th of March, 1620, and he writes thus : " Some of our men going ashore happened to light upon a great stone, with two little packets of pitched canvass underneath, which we afterwards found to be Dutch letters. When we opened them we found first a strong piece of pitched canvass, then a piece of lead wrapped round the packet ; under that two pieces of red cloth, then a piece of red frieze, all wrapped round a bag of coarse linen in which were the letters very safe and dry. They contained an account of several ships that had passed that way ; particularly of an English advice boat that was gone to England to acquaint the Company with the injury the Dutch had done them in the East Indies. They likewise gave notice to ships that passed that way to take care of the natives who had murdered several of their crew, and stolen some of their water-casks." Inscriptions left by Early European Navigators. 13 This narrative of the French Commander throws, in addition, a singular light on the dangers attending at that time landing in Table Bay, for he adds : " The next day I sent fifty men on shore with sails to make tents of ; when the boat returned they told me they had found several corpses of dead men and clothes scattered up and down, and a small fortification of earth which we guessed to be built by the Danes, for one of the natives that spoke a sort of jargon of broken English gave us to understand more by signs than by his language that five ships had sailed from thence to the eastward about three months before." ENGLISH INSCRIPTIONS. Stone IV. If the French followed very early in the wake of the Portuguese, such cannot be said of the English, for it is only in 1577 that the famous sea Captain Drake, and, nine years later, Thomas Candish, sighted the Cape ; but they did not land. In July, 1591, however, the fleet of Admiral Raymond put into Table Bay, and on the 22nd of April, 1601, the first fleet fitted out by the " Governor and Company of Merchants of London trading to the East Indies," and commanded by Sir James Lancaster, sailed from Torbay. It consisted of the Dragon (600 tons) ; the Hector (300 tons); the Ascension (260 tons); and the Sit-in (240 tons). It is not known if Admiral Raymond, or Lancaster, left any inscribed stones to denote their landing in Table Bay, but the ship Hector of Lancaster's fleet was again at the Cape homeward bound in 1605, i.e. 1606 present style, as proved by the graved stone No. 6. Antony Hippon, who was mate or master of the Hector, and had put into Table Bay in 1605, did again call at the Cape as mate or master of the Drat/on in 1607. He looked for and found his first inscription, and added to it the date of his second arrival or departure. He was in charge of the Globe in the seventh voyage, and reached the Cape on May 21, 1611, sailing hence on June 6th. Possibly the name Ant lion if II. in smaller letters on the lower part of the slab is a record of this occasion. It is this Captain Hippon who planted the first English factory on the mainland of India (Masulipatan). He died on board the Globe one month after leaving Table Bay. The stone bearing this inscription was discovered lately, embedded in one of the walls in the Castle, and it is the oldest in date of the English records of call in Table Bay. 14 Annals of the Soutli African M/// />// Earlij European Navigators. 21 DE PFQK- Lent* > Fid. 11. 42 cm. x 37 cm. DAY MAY ............ ? D. THE 23 DEP FOR SURRAT THE ............. TUN it D XII III GEORGE PIKE MARC As to the better-preserved inscription, in which the name of George Pike figures plainly, a person of this name was a Factor of the Company. Stone VIII. The stone bears two inscriptions. (See next page.) The slab is deposited in the vestibule of the General Post Office, Gape Town. The specimen on exhibition in the Museum is a cast of the same. The London, a vessel of 800 tons, Captain Eichard Blyth, with the Jonas and the Lion, sailed from Surat, December 18, 1622, anchored in " Saldania Bay, March 10, 1622-3; left again March 23rd, not 20 as inscribed, reaching the Downs, July 18, 1623." The second inscription would appear to be a Dutch one. This stone was found in 1897, when an excavation was being 22 Annals of the South African Musewil. made in the ground immediately in front of the then recently com- pleted offices of the Union Castle Company in Adderley Street. It had, however, been discovered before, but was evidently left in situ until it became again hidden from sight, for we read in the Cape Town Gazette of Friday, August 17, 1827 : " On removing the earth to make some repairs to a drain in the Heeregracht (now Adderley Street) a large stone was uncovered, upon which the following inscription was traced," and a correct transcription is there given. Tf LONDON'AWVD^FE'10'OfM FROM $VRATBOVN>FCR ENGLAND AN> Of PW -T-E<>a DICTO BLVTH CAPTANF \6LL LOOKL FOR LETTERS FIG. 1-2. 105 cm. x GO cm. The upper inscription reads : THE LU\DO\ . AKIVED THE . 10 . OF M(ARCH) HEBE . FROM SURAT . BOUND . FOR . ENGLAND AND . DEPAR(TED) THE . 20 DITTO . 1622. RICHARD BLYTH CAPTAIN. HERE UNDER LOOK FOR LETTERS. Below this 1629. JAN. REY R - CLOCK (OR CLOOK) GASP V BERING HEN H. f. Stone IX. The London a few years later met the Blcssiiuj and the Will in in. at the Cape both inward bound, and a record of this call exists in an Inscriptions left by flarly European Navigators. inscription on a very uneven rock, and graved by a hand but little acquainted with cutting letters on stone : THOMAS WALIS WILLIAM HARVEY MYSMATES OF THE ONDON 8 OF MAY 1627 JOHN SHORT A M. The same ship was in Table Bay in 1631 ; as shown by the inscription graved on the obverse of a flat stone bearing on the other side a Dutch inscription dated 1632 (Stinu* XVII.) FIG. 13. 56 cm. x 33 cm. RICHARD ARNOTT COM. OF LONDON ARRIVED JULY 4. AN 1631. DEP. XXII. ? M I I H 24 Annals of the South African Museum. X. has three English inscriptions cut on a large slah found built, topsy-turvy, in one of the outer walls of the Castle in Capo Town, about ten feet above the glacis, and not far from the main gateway. There seems to be little doubt that this stone was lying close by, and was utilised for the original building of the lOMN-ROBERIi COMMRVN'DEROF Tl , -ER-IANES DECTM-DE-l LdTRES - 4 r c ALLE>X l BANISTER OJ-N RpWJAfT (\OB-LITLfR FIG. 18. 27 cm. x 20 cm. D : AUSTEN M K ' OF Y E SHIP SWAN ARRIVED 23 FEBR(UARY) 1632 DEPARTED 6 MARCH I ALEX : BANISTER JOHN ROW. E : ROB : LITLER. the instructions to the English Commanders to look for or deposit letters, etc., applied to Saldania, but the island may have been considered to have been part of the Bay. DUTCH INSCRIPTIONS. It is only at the end of the sixteenth century that the Dutch, who were still pressing on strenuously in their search for the North-West Passage to reach India, began to turn their attention to the Cape route, and the " Compagnie van Verre " (Association of Distant Lands) of Amsterdam and Middelburg sent Cornells Houtman from the Texel with four vessels to find the way to the east. Houtman sailed from Texel on April 2, 1595, reached Sumatra in July, 1596, and returned to Amsterdam in August, 1597. The new venture was so readily taken up that within six years no less than forty-nine ships were dispatched to India. They included the fleets of C. Houtman in 1595 ; of the same C. Houtman, Jan van Neck, W. van Warwyk, S. de Weert, and 0. van Noort in 1598 ; of Inscriptions left by Early European Navigators. 33 S. van der Hagen and P. van Caerden in 1599 ; of J. van Neck in 1600. The Dutch East India Company, the full title of which was " De Vereenigde Nederlandtsche Geoctroyeerde Oost - Indische Compagnie," was founded in 1602, but that the ventures were proving remunerative is shown by the increasing number of vessels sent from April, 1601, to 1606 (old reckoning). The expeditions which left Holland from that date are as follows: April, 1601, W. Harmansen, 5 ships ; J. van Heemskerk, 9 ships ; May, 1601, J. van Spielbergen, 3 ships ; June, 1602, W. van Warwyk, 14 ships ; Matalief, 11 ships ; April, 1606, P. van Caerden, 8 ships ; December, 1607, P. W. Verhoever, 13 ships, etc., etc. It is not known if all these fleets touched at Table Bay. Sailing at first with Portuguese maps they would make for St. Helena Bay and Mossel Bay ; but after the visit of Spielbergen to Table Bay, they made that place for some time a port of call. Cornells Houtman is the first Dutch navigator who landed in South Africa. He came to St. Helena Bay, where he bartered cattle for iron, and had some dispute with the Hottentots. The quarrel was, however, made up, and the fleet departed after nine days' stay. It may be the same fleet, sailed by " Portingalles sea cards" which came to Mossel Bay, where the inhabitants (Hotten- tots) spoke very strangely clocking like turkey cocks. The Com- mander says " the natives seem savage, yet with us they used all kinds of friendship." This friendship was not to be of long duration, for in his second voyage Houtman, in November, 1598, anchored in Table Bay with two ships, the Leeuw and the Lccuwin, but their crew fared badly at the hands of the natives, as narrated by John Davis of Arctic fame, who was the pilot of the ship. " We came to Saldanha Bay on the llth November, and traded with the natives at very easy rates, obtaining fat oxen and sheep for old nails and pieces of iron. The Dutch having done them some injuries they absented them- selves for three days, and having in the meantime alarmed the country by fires from the mountains, they returned again on the 19th bringing a large number of cattle with them. But while the Dutch were bartering with them, they made a sudden and furious assault upon them, slaying thirteen in a moment with hand darts. The rest of the Dutch saved themselves by flight. They embarked and went under way the same evening." The Dutch Captain, Paulus van Caerden, came, in the year 1599, to a bay situated a few miles to the eastward of Table Bay, where he 3 34 Annals of the South African Museum. stayed six days. He was again in Table Bay in April, 1606 and 1609. It is he who is credited with having arranged caches on Kobben Island for the exchange of letters between the outward- and inward-bound vessels of the Dutch fleets. In the year 1601, the Dutch Admiral, Joris van Spilbergen, who had left Holland in May with the Bain, the Scliaap, and the Lceuw, landed at St. Helena Bay, from where he set sail on November 20th, and came on the 28th to a small island, which he named Elizabeth Island, but which was afterwards called Dassen Island. He weighed anchor on the 29th, and reached Robben Island and Table Bay on December 2nd. He seems not to have met any aborigines in the bay, although he is said to have sent some people into the country to get cattle. He departed on January 1, 1602, and changed in his new map the name of Saldanha Bay into Table Bay (it was the Portuguese, Antonio Saldanha, who had discovered the present Table Bay in 1503), but the name Saldania was retained by the English long after that change. In 1604, the ships Zirikzec, Hollandsche Turn, and Gans, still following the Portuguese itinerary, came to Saldanha Bay, where they remained till the end of September, and enjoyed much friend- ship from the Hottentots. The Dutch Admiral, Cornelis Matelief, came on April 7, 1606, into Table Bay no longer Saldania for the Dutch. He is said to have found on Eobben Island several English names of 1604, and one of December 28, 1607, engraved on the stones. Matelief commanded the Orange, Middelburgh, Mauritius, Swarte Leemv, Wilte Leemv, Groote Son, Kleyne Son, Amsterdam, Nassauiv, Erasmus, and Provincien. By this time it had become customary for the English and Dutch Commanders to bring from the mainland some of the bartered sheep and cattle to Robben Island, for the benefit of the other vessels calling, who in turn restocked the island by leaner beasts. Thus, Alexander Sharpey, in July, 1608, " took twenty fat sheep from the island, which had been left there by the Dutch, and put some oxen on it." Paulus van Caerden commanding the Banda, Bantam, Ceylon, Walcheren, Tcr Veere, China, and Patana, anchored March, 1609, etc., etc. And from that date onwards the Dutch continued to touch for refreshments, as did also the English. The two English fleets under the command of Andreas Shilling, and Humphrey Fitz- herbert, which were going to Surat and Bantam, found on their arrival at Table Bay, on July 1, 1620, a Dutch fleet of nine ships Inscriptions left by Early European Navigators. 35 bound likewise for Bantam. It will be remembered that these bold commanders took possession of the country in the name of King James. The Dutch are said to have been present when they executed that resolution, and entered no protest against it. The relations of the Dutch, and perhaps also of the Danes, with the Hottentot aboriginals were evidently by that time not all that could be desired. Beaulieu's statement of the bodies of Europeans found slain by his men in 1620 goes to prove this ; and even five years later, in William Minors's account of the homeward voyage of the Scout, we find that on the arrival of the vessel in Table Bay in November, 1625, the Dutch ship Leiden, bound for Batavia, and nine months out from Holland, came into the roadstead. She supplied the Scotit with necessaries, " as also wee imparted unto them beefes and sheepe which wee goat ashoare and they by their evill useadge of the blacks could not obtain." It is highly probable that the Dutch followed in the early days the example of the English, and left inscriptions recording the date of arrival and departure of their ships. But of these none have been found recording the names of the vessels already mentioned. On the other hand we find in an account of Eevett, who was in the waters of Table Bay with the English ships Ascension and Union, from April 12th to June 22, 1608, the following entry: " There was found upon the island [i.e. Robben Island] the Flemish General's name [Cornells MateliefJ written upon tynn in the month of April last, so that we imagine they had a favourable and quick passing." The number of the graved Dutch inscriptions recovered hitherto is five, the first in date being a very fragmentary one. Stone XIV. HIER ENRICH . . . IENSC. R MAN OP Rudely carved across these letters is the date 1618, and the letters VINCENT STA GEAERT Valentyn, the historian of the Dutch Indies, does not give the name of the Commander of the 1618 squadron. His vessels were : 36 Annals of the South African Museum. DC Orangieboom, Postpaard, Eendragt, W/' ilia South African M/ix<'/tin. Beddard had in hand when he labelled the different bottles. Every bottle has inside a piece of paper with the scientific name in Beddard's handwriting, and outside on the label an exact note written by Dr. Purcell, saying how many specimens the bottle contained, firstly when sent to Beddard, and secondly when returned to the Museum. This second note in all cases was in accord with what I found. If there is now much confusion, the cause of it must be seen in two rather gross mistakes of Beddard. Firstly, with one exception (Acanthodrilus pliotodilm and A. lucifuga), Beddard took it for granted a priori that each bottle contained only a single species, whilst most of the bottles in fact contained more than one. Beddard apparently has examined only a small number of specimens out of each bottle, and then labelled the whole according to his views on this small part only. Secondly, Beddard took it for granted a priori that the different bottles in each case contained different species, whilst in fact this or that species occurs in different bottles. It might be assumed that later the contents of different bottles became mixed. But I am sure that this is not the case. Two circumstances are against this view, viz. firstly the exactitude of Dr. Purcell 's registration, and secondly all species from Knysna are found only in the bottles with the label " Knysna," all species whose distribution really is restricted to the Cape Flats are found only in the bottles labelled "Cape Flats." If there indeed had been any intermingling, it could not be conceived why it was restricted in each case to the bottles of the same locality. This statement was necessary to justify my list of synonymies of the species in question. In the following I give a list of the Oligochaets of the South African Museum at Cape Town, together with short but sufficient diagnoses of the new or insufficiently known species, and with synonymical list and localities. FAMILY HAPLOTAXIDAE. PELODRILUS APRICANUS, Mich. 1905. Pdodrilus africanus, Michaelsen in Deutsche Siidpolar- Exp., 1901-1903, ix., Zool., i., p. 19. LOG. Newlands slope of Table Mountain, near Cape Town ; Dr. F. Purcell, leg. viii., 1886. Report upon the Oligochaeta. !> FAMILY MEGASCOLECIDAE. SUB-FAMILY AGANTHODBILINAE. EODRILUS AKUNDINIS (Beddard). 1897. Acanthodrihis arundinis + A. arenarins + A. falcatus, Beddard in P. Zool. Soc., London, 1897, pp. 339, 340, 341. 1900. Notiodrilus arundinix + N. areiiarius + N. falcatus, Michaelsen in Tierreich, x., pp. 132, 133. 1907. ? Eodrilus (? Microscolex nnnnlinis + Eodriln* iiri'iuiriits + '.' Eodriln* (? Microscolex) fn I rains, Michaelsen in Fauna Stidwest-Australiens, i., pp. 141, 143. Loc. Cape Flats, Roiide Vley, near Zeekoe Vley (types of Acait- tliodrihts anuidinis), E. from Wynberg (types of A. art'in/riiis), and 1 mile E. from Retreat Station (types of A. falcatus) . Cape Flats, near Zeekoe Vley ; Dr. F. Purcell, leg. 16, xii., 1898. Cape Flats, f mile SB. to S. from Eetreat Station ; Dr. F. Purcell, leg. 16, xii., 1898. Cape Flats, 1 mile SE. from Eetreat Station ; Dr. F. Purcell, leg. 16, xii., 1898. External Characters. Length 35-60 ram., thickness 1-3 mm., number of segments 12-103. Colour yellowish grey; without pigmentation. Head epilobous. Setae separated, in general aa : be > cd == ca. 1J- 2 ab ; del = ca. p. Clitellum ring-shaped at the 14-16 segments, covering also small parts of the 13 and the 17 segments. Prostate pores at the 17 and 19 segments in b. 48 Anna IK <>f the South African Museum. Seminal furrows bent rather strongly, laterally convex. Spermathecal pores at 7/8 and 8/9 in b. Internal Anatomy. Alimentary tract : A rather large glittering gizzard in the 5 segment. No calciferous glands. Male organs : Two pairs of free spermiducal funnels in the 10 and 11 segments. Three (?) pairs of sperm-sacs in the 9, 11, and 12 seg- ments (?). Prostates tube-like, restricted to 1 segment or to 2 segments ; glandular part irregularly wound ; duct rather short, quite straight, about half as thick as the glandular part. Penial setae in two different forms : (1) slender form ca. O9 mm. long and proximally ca. 8 p. thick, distally 3| p thick, slightly and simply bent; distal end flattened and somewhat broadened (to about 5 /.<), somewhat hollowed, ending in two clumsy tips between which is expanded a plane with concave edge ; distal end of seta ornamented with some scarce and small clumsy teeth or knobs, which are placed in the proximal ends of longitudinal scar-like recesses, and hardly project above the general surface of the seta ; (2) clumsier form ca. 0-4 mm. long and proximally 10 /< thick, in the middle still 9 ft. thick, and quickly diminishing not long before the distal end ; in general nearly straight, but distal end bent to the form of a spiral, with a simple tip ; distal part of the seta, with the exception of the bent tip, ornamented by rather gross scale-like protuberances at the proximal end of rather deep scar-like recesses. Spermathecae : Ampulla longitudinally sac-like; duct sharply separated from the ampulla, about as long and as thick as the latter ; somewhat above the distal opening of the duct the latter is entered by a diverticulum, which is somewhat shorter than the ampulla, and which has the shape of a forked tube ; the two ends of this forked diverticulum are of somewhat different length, and the longer one is about as long as the common basal part. EODRILUS DRYGALSKII, Mich., var. 110V. CASTELLI. Loc. Kasteels Poort Gorge, Table Mountain, near Cape Town ; Dr. F. Purcel, leg. Northern slope of Table Mountain, near Cape Town ; Dr. W. Michaelsen, leg. l'].rtcnial Characters.- Length 48-58 mm., maximal thickness 3-3^ mm., number of segments 110-150. Copulatory organs wanting or two unpaired transversely oval glandular cushions medially-ventrally at the 17 and 19 segments, and one pair of transversely oval papillae at the hinder part of the G or the 9 segment, or an additional unpaired similar one at one side of the 21 segment. Report upon the Oligochaeta. Internal Aiuttonn/. Penial setae in general shaped like those of the typical form, but differing in the shape of the ornaments, which in this variety are not sharply pointed smooth thorns, hut more clumsy protuberances, the distal slope of which is roughened by a rather large number of very small roundish or pointed knobs. Spermathecae : Ampulla apparently constantly with a neck-like contraction at the middle. In other respects like the typical form. CHILOTA CAPENSIS (Bedd.). 1885. Acantliodrilus capensis, Beddard in Proc. Phys. Soc., Edin- burgh, viii., p. 370. 1886. Acanthodril/i* cujx'nxis, Beddard in P. Zool. Soc., London, 1885, p. 170. 1895. Antliodrilus capcu^i*, Beddard in A Monograph of the Order of Oligochaeta, Oxford, 1895, p. 539. 1900. Chilota capensis, Michaelsen in Tierreich, x., p. 147 Loc. Cape Colony (without further notes, types of Acanthodrilus capensis}, Moddergat, near Lynedoch in the Stellenbosch district ; L. Peringuey, leg. External Characters. Length 90-110 mm., maximal thickness 6-7 mm., number of segments 80-146. Colour dorsally light brownish grey, like smoke. Head tanylobous. Setae at the hinder end somewhat enlarged, in general ventrally narrowly or widely paired, dorsally separated; at the 8 segment aa : ab : be : cd 6 : 4 : 8 : 9 ; at the hinder end aa : ab : be : ccl = 6:4:6:6; ab towards the male pores diminishing ; eld -= ca. yu. Nephridial pores generally in c. Clitellum at 1 13-18 segments (= 5). Prostate pores in b upon small papillae. Seminal furrows slightly bent, laterally convex, passing the 18 segment laterally from the setae ab which here are normally developed. Spermathecal pores at 7/8 and 8/9 in b. Copulatory organs : Ten pairs or less of copulatory cushions or papillae at or near the ventral pairs of setae (at a part of the segments 7-21). Internal Anatomy. Septa 6/7-13/14 thickened, the septa 9/10 and 10/11 very strong. Alimentary tract : A large gizzard in the 5 segment. No calci- ferous glands. 50 Annals of the South African Museum. Male organs: A pair of grape-like sperm-sacs in the 11 segment (in the 9 segment no sperm-sacs seen wanting?). Prostates tube-like, occupying only a few segments. Glandular part forming some windings ; duct short and thin. Penial setae 2-2-| mm. long and proximally ca. 30 /i thick, distally slowly diminishing, being 20 /.i thick a little before the distal end, nearly straight in the proximal three quarters ; distal quarter bent at a blunt and rounded angle, flattened and somewhat broadened, smooth at the extreme end, or else ornamented by rather densely crowded slender triangular spinelets. Spermathecae : Ampulla sac-like, distally narrowed. Duct shorter than the ampulla and proximally about half as thick, distally thinner. The duct arises from the ampulla at a right- angle and bears at its proximal end a moderately large unstalked diverticulum which is bent down and is lying just in the line of the ampulla. The diverticulum is provided with some seminal chambers which are placed peripherally and are separated only incompletely from the main central chamber of the diverticulum. CHILOTA BERGVLIETANUS, Mich. 1908. Chilota bergvlietanus, Michaelsen in Denksch. Jena, viii., p. 37, Taf. v., figs. 5-9. Loc. Table Mountain near Cape Town. CHILOTA VANHOFFENI, Mich. 1905. Chilota Vanlioffeni, Michaelsen in Deutsche Stidpolar-Exp., 1901-1903, ix., Zool. i., p. 42, Taf., figs. 8a, 9. Loc. Table Mountain near Cape Town ; Dr. P. Purcell, leg. CHILOTA MONTAGUAKUS, n. sp. Loc. Montagu Pass, 3 miles N. from George ; Dr. P. Purcell, leg. External Characters. Length 63-72 mm., thickness 21 nun., number of segments, 126 and 116. Head tanylobous. Setae ventrally widely paired, dorsally separated, in genera] act : ab : be : <{. Colour (of preserved specimen), light brown ; lai'ge dark spots in more or less longitudinal rows on body and on head, belly and isthmus without spots ; pectoral fins with large dark spots in irregular lines, outer half whitish ; dorsal and anal fins blackish. One specimen, 358 mm. in length, from Mr. Homer Robinson, Natal. GEN. DENTEX, Cuv. DENTEX BIVULATUS, Riipp. Neue Wirbelt. Fisch. p. 116, pi. 29, f. 2, 1837. Teeth, canines strong, a series of conical teeth on the sides. Depth of body 2 1 times in total length excluding caudal, length of head 3^,, times. Snout 1-J- times diameter of eye, which is 3 times in length of head and f interorbital width ; maxillary reaches to anterior nostril ; preorbital naked, its depth about equal to diameter of eye ; 4 series of scales between preorbital and angle of preoperculum ; hind limb of preopercle feebly emarginate, entire, with a few ser- rations at its rounded angle ; opercle with a blunt inconspicuous spine. Dorsal x 10 ; spines increasing in length to 3rd, which is ^ length of head, the remainder decreasing in length ; middle soft rays about 1^- times as long as longest spine. Pectorals a little more than A Descriptions of fV.sAv.s from the Coast of Nntnl. ('>!) length of head, reaching to anal. Ventrals f length of head, reach- ing a little beyond vent. Anal iii 10 ; 2nd spine stronger but shorter than 3rd, which is length of longest dorsal spine. Caudal forked. Lat. 1. 47, lat, tr. r 7 r . Colour (of preserved specimen), uniform grey, top of head darker and brown ; a narrow curved brown band across base of pectorals and a faint one across nape ; a dark brown spot on upper margin of each eye ; one or two curving dark lines on preorbital. One specimen, 294 mm. in length, from Mr. Romer Robinson, Natal. FAMILY SPARIDAE. GEN. LETHRINUS, Cuv. LETHRINUS CHRYSOSTOMUS, Rich. Voy. Erebus and Terror, Fishes, p. 118, pi. 60, figs. 6 and 7, 1846. Teeth, 4 moderately strong canines on each jaw ; the lateral teeth on each jaw pointed in front but more or less rounded posteriorly, especially those of the upper jaw, the last one being very molar- like. Depth of body 2f times in total length excluding caudal, length of head 2i times. Snout 2f times diameter of eye, which is 4f- times in length of head and H times in interorbital width ; cleft of mouth lateral, maxillary scarcely extends to vertical of anterior nostril and is concealed by preorbital, the height of the latter b^ing twice the diameter of the eye; pi'eoperculum entire, the angle rounded ; operculum with 2 blunt inconspicuous spines; a slight protuberance before upper anterior angle of orbits. Dorsal x 9 ; spines strong, increasing in length to 3rd or 4th, which is ^ length of head ; longest soft rays nearly f length of head. Pectorals as long as head, anterior rays longest and reaching beyond origin of anal. Ventrals f length of head, reaching to anal. Anal iii 8 ; 3rd spine longest, about -^ longest spine of dorsal. Caudal emarginate, scaly on base. Lat. 1. 47, lat. tr. /y . Colour (of preserved specimen), brown, silvery beneath ; scales, especially on upper part of the body, with a black centre forming longitudinal streaks on the body; fins whitish. One specimen, 336 mm. in length, from Mr. Romer Robinson, Natal. 70 Annals of the South African Museum. GEN. CYPHOSUS, Lacep. CYPHOSUS CINERASCENS, Forsk. Descr. Anim., No. GO, p. 53, 1775. Teeth, a single row of flat cutting teeth, their horizontal portion longer than their vertical ; minute rounded teeth on vomer and palatines. Depth of body 2^ times in total length excluding caudal, length of head 4^ times. Snout l^y times diameter of eye, which is 3 times in length of head and 1^- times in inter- orbital width ; maxillary reaches to vertical of anterior margin of eye ; preoperculum feebly serrated at angle, which is rounded ; body oblong, compressed, a slight swelling in front of orbits ; snout obtuse. Dorsal xi 14 ; spines flexible, increasing in length to 5th, which is ^ length of head and about same length as longest soft ray. Pectorals f length of head and about same length as venti'als. Anal iii 13 ; 3rd spine longest, a little more than ^ length of longest dorsal spine and ^ as long as longest soft ray of anal; both anal and soft dorsal are covered with small scales. Caudal forked. Lat. 1. 64, lat. tr. i-g- ; 17 scales between lateral line and ventral, 10 between lateral line and 6th spine of dorsal. Colour (of preserved specimen), light olive-brown, darker above than below ; a dark line between each row of scales ; fins darkish ; a light band below eye. One specimen, 228 mm. in length, from Mr. Romer Robinson, Natal. FAMILY TEACHINIDAE. GEN. LATILUS, G. & V. LATILUS DOLIATUS, C. & V. Hist. Nat. Poiss. v. p. 371, 1830. Teeth, a series of sharp-pointed teeth, with 4 canines at sym- physis and a posterior canine on each side of upper jaw, and 2 posterior canines on each side of lower jaw. Depth of body 3? times in total length excluding caudal, length of head 4 times. Snout as long as eye, which is prominent, placed high in the head, and is 2f times in length of head ; interorbital width |- diameter of eye. Profile of head flat on top, rounded before orbits and descend- Descriptions of Fishes from the Coast of Natal. 71 ing abruptly to end of snout ; a ridge on nape from above centre of orbits to origin of dorsal ; preorbital depth f diameter of eye ; preoperculum finely serrated on its vertical limb and on the rounded angle ; cleft of mouth slightly oblique, maxillary reaches to vertical of anterior margin of eye. Dorsal vi 16 ; commences above base of pectorals, spinous por- tion lower than soft ; posterior soft rays longest, length of head, the 14th ray prolonged and nearly 1J- times as high as adjacent rays. Pectorals falcate, reaching to anal, the 6th ray longest and as long as head. Ventrals i as long as head, not reaching to vent. Anal ii 12 ; rays increasing in length to the penultimate, which is about f length of head. Caudal emarginate, a little more than f length of head. Scales ciliated, extending over opercles and cheeks, and on top of head as far as the centre of the orbits. Lat. 1. 102, lat. tr. ./,,. Colour (of preserved specimen), reddish ; 15 dark brown bands across upper part of body ; a black opercular spot. One specimen, 198 mm. in length, procured by the Cape Govern- ment trawler P. Faure (s.) off the Natal coast, in 50 frns. ; Tugela Eiver mouth, N. 19^ miles. FAMILY BATBACHIDAE. GEN. BATBACHUS, Klein. BATRACHUS APIATUS, C. & V. Hist. Nat. Poiss. xii. p. 477, 1837. Teeth in 3 rows on each jaw anteriorly, a single series laterally, the teeth on mandibles largest and directed a little inwards ; an irregular double row on vomer, a single series on palatines. Depth of body 5J times in total length excluding caudal, length of head 3 T 3 ,j times. Longitudinal diameter of eye 4^ times in length of head, and equal to snout, which is broad, depressed, and surmounted by short tentacles which are most distinct along the mandibles ; vertical diameter of eye 5f times in length of head and equal to the width of the bony ridge between the orbits, maxillary reaches to vertical of posterior margin of eye, lower jaw projects ; no tentacles above the orbits ; 4 backwardly directed spines on gill-covers, situated 2 on the operculum and 2 on sub-operculum ; anterior nostril with a tubular flap ending in a bunch of filaments; head with loose folds of skin on nape. 72 Annals of the South African Museum. Dorsal iii 20; 1st dorsal triangular, middle spine length of head; soft dorsal higher than spinous, longest rays about J length of head. Pectorals f length of head, reaching to anal ; no foramen in the axil. Ventrals f length of head. Anal 14. Caudal truncate. A series of pores along the hody, with a slight vertical fold of skin on each. Colour (of preserved specimen), yellowish, dotted with faint dark spots and with 3 or 4 faint dark cross-bands ; tips of dorsal and anal r~ays brown ; pectorals spotted with brown in irregular cross bands. One specimen, 142 mm. in length, procured by the Cape Govern- ment trawler P. Faure (s.) off the Natal coast, in 54 fins. ; Port Natal, W. by N. 6^ miles. BATRACHUS DIEMENSIS, Lesueuv. Journ. Acad. Nat. Sc. Philad. iii. p. 402, 1823. Teeth in 3 rows anteriorly on each jaw, a single series laterally; a band on vomer and palatines. Depth of body 4 times in total length excluding caudal, length of head 2f- times; head broad, its width nearly equalling its length. Longitudinal diameter of eye 3 times in length of head, vertical diameter 3f times length of head and 1J times as long as snout ; width of bony ridge between the the eyes narrow, 8| times in length of head ; maxillary reaches to vertical of middle of eyes, lower jaw projects ; no tentacles above the orbits ; gill-covers with 4 spines, 2 of which belong to the oper- culum and 2 to the sub-operculum ; anterior nostrils with a bunch of filaments on each ; no tentacles on snout, which is short, obtuse, and its upper border parabolic ; a row of large open pores along lower edge of mandibles, on preorbital, across opercles, and round orbits. Dorsal iii 20; 1st dorsal triangular, middle spine nearly -^ length of head. Pectorals |- length of head, reaching to anal, no foramen in the axil. Ventrals with outer ray much longer than inner, taper- ing, J length of head. Anal 16. Caudal truncate. Loose folds of skin on head and cheeks, and on the body, especially along base of anal fin. Colour (of preserved specimen), brown ; spinous dorsal dark, with a dark patch on anterior soft rays ; pectorals covered with minute dark spots forming irregular bars. One specimen, 45 mm. in length, procured by the Cape Govern- ment trawler P. Faure (s.) off the Natal coast, in 50 fms. ; Umhlangakulu Eiver, NW. by N. 7J miles. Descriptions of Fixing from ///<' Const of Natal. 73 FAMILY PEDICULATI. GEN. LOPHIUS, L. LOPHIUS UPSICEPHALUS, Smith. Illustr. Zool. S. Afr. p. 9, pi. 9, 1849. Teeth arranged in 2 alternate series ; a minute patch on vomer, with a strong tooth on each side ; a single series of strong, slightly recurved teeth on palatines. Head disproportionately large, de- pressed, broad and flat. Depth of body 2|- times in total length excluding caudal, length of head 1^ times ; width of head nearly -,'77 its length. Snout l^t- times as long as eye, which is 6f times in length of head and about equals the interorbital width ; lower jaw projects beyond upper, cleft of mouth wide and reaches to vertical of anterior margin of eye, upper lip fringed with a row of cirri, lower lip with a fringe of branched filaments ; 4 strong spines on pre- orbital, 2 on each side of symphysis of jaw; orbital ridge with coarse serrations, with a strong spine behind posterior upper angle of each orbit ; a short, strong, upright spine on preoperculum ; a strong humeral spine with 3 points ; a spine on top of head on each side. Dorsal iii + iii 8 ; the first 3 spines distinct and situated on the head ; the 1st consists of a simple filament, T % length of head, terminating in a few cirri and a long simple flap, and is inserted just behind the lip ; the 2nd spine rises close behind it and is longer, nearly ? length of head, with a row of soft spines on its anterior margin, and with short stalks or filaments branching off the main stem ; the 3rd spine is about the same height as the 1st and is inserted midway between the posterior margin of dorsal fin and 2nd spine, which latter it resembles, but the branches are fewer and less developed ; the 4th spine is a little more than f length of head, originates in line with base of humeral spine, and is a little apart from but connected by a low membrane with the remaining 2 spines. Pectorals length of head, the carpal bones being much produced form a sort of arm to the fin. Ventrals about same length as pectorals. Anal 6 ; posterior rays longest and about )- length of head. Caudal truncate, nearly ^ length of head. Colour (of preserved specimen), light yellowish brown, with a few small dark spots ; membrane of the 3 posterior spines of dorsal blackish. 74 Annals of the South African Museum. One specimen, 77 mm. in length, procured by the Cape Govern- ment trawler P. Faure (s.) off the Natal coast, in 54 fms. ; Cape Natal, W. by N. 6 miles. FAMILY COTTIDAE. GEN. HOPLICHTHYS, Giinth. HOPLICHTHYS LANGSDOBFI, C. & V. Hist. Nat. Poiss. iv. p. 264, pi. 81, 1829. Teeth, a narrow band of minute villiform teeth on each jaw and on vomer and palatines. Depth of body 3^ to 3f times in total length excluding caudal, length of head 3 to 3^- times ; width of head between base of preopercular spines 3i to 4 times. Head greatly flattened; snout wide, produced, and rounded anteriorly. 3 to 3| times in length of head; diameter of eye 4 to 4^ times in length of head ; interorbital space very narrow, deeply channelled ; mouth inferior, the lower jaw shorter than upper, everywhere in- cluded; maxillary reaches to vertical of anterior margin of eye. Lateral profile of head formed by a sharp dentigerous ridge divided into 4 lobes, in each of which the posterior spine is longest and strongest ; preoperculum strongly produced at the angle where it terminates in a strong sharp spine, vertical margin marked by a double ridge with strong serrations ; opercle with 2 strong ridges radiating from its upper angle, each armed with strong serrations and ending in a strong opercular spine ; a strong humeral spine ; orbital ridge strongly and coarsely serrated ; occiput with a sharp spine pointing backwards, and with a cluster of 3 smaller spines anteriorly on each side of nape. Dorsal vi 15 ; 1st dorsal longest anteriorly, its 1st spine strongest and about 1 length of head; 2nd dorsal higher than the 1st and with the rays slightly filamentous. Pectorals 13 + 3 ; with 3 simple rays almost free but joined to each other and to the rest of the fin by a very low membrane at the extreme base ; upper rays filamentous, f length of head. Ventrals a little more than f length of head, inserted in advance of pectorals. Anal 17 ; similar to soft dorsal. Body naked with the exception of a single series of large lateral plates, 27 in number, which extend over the greater part of the back and sides from occiput to caudal ; each plate is armed at its inner angle with a strong backward-pointing spine, with '2 much smaller ones below it. Descriptions of Fishes from the Coast of Nnf///. 75 Colour (of preserved specimens), light yellowish brown; a black ocellus on membrane of 1st dorsal from 2nd to 4th spines ; 2 dark patches crossing the back through posterior extremity of soft dorsal ; ends of pectoral rays dark ; caudal with 2 or 3 faint dai'k bars. Three specimens, 56 mm., 109 mm., 143 mm. in length respectively, procured by the Cape Government trawler P. Fanre (s.) off the coast of Natal, in 63 fms. ; Tugela River mouth N. 22 miles. GEN. LEPIDOTRIGLA, Giinth. LEPIDOTKIGLA PAUBEI, n. sp. Teeth in narrow villiform bands on jaws and vomer. Depth of body 4 to 4^ times in total length excluding caudal, length of head 3^ to 3^ times. Snout slightly elongate, feebly concave, 1^ to 1 times diameter of eve, which is 3^ to 3| times in length of head and If times interorbital width ; space between orbits concave, super- ciliary ridges strong, with 2 small spines at supero-anterior angle of orbit and with a deep groove behind each orbit ; preorbital project- ing feebly beyond snout, with 2 strong spines on each side anteriorly ; preoperculum striated and granulated, angle feebly produced and jagged but without distinct spines ; operculum striated, with a strong spine ; a strong humeral spine ; suprascapula with serrated upper margin and a ridge ending in a strong spine ; maxillary reaches vertical of anterior margin of eye. Dorsal viii 16, the first 3 or first 2 spines serrated anteriorly ; 3rd spine longest, T 7 ^ length of head and equal to the distance between point of snout and posterior margin of eye. Pectorals 11 + 3, 1 to 1^ times length of head and reaching to vertical from 5th or 6th anal ray. Ventrals f length of head. Anal 16, situated below soft dorsal, of equal length but lower. Caudal deeply emarginate, f to | length of head. Scales of moderate size, with spines on their free margin. Twenty-three spines along base of dorsal fin. Lat. 1. '-t S 1 60-61, with radiating tubes but without armature. Lat. tr. ' ^ . Colour (of preserved specimens), uniform pale yellow, or grey with a green tinge on head and spinous dorsal ; pectorals dark underneath, with or without diagonal rows of dark ocelli near base. Three specimens, procured by the Cape Government trawler P. Fanre (s.) off Natal coast; 1 of 120 mm. in length, in 40 fms., Tugela River mouth N. by W. \V. lyi miles; 2 of 120 mm. and 146 mm. in length respectively, Tugela River mouth N. 22 miles, in 63 fms. 76 Annals of the Sonth, African Musewft. LEPIDOTRIGLA NATALENSIS, n. sp. Teeth in villiform bands on jaws and vomer. Depth of body SjL times in total length excluding caudal, length of head 3^ times. Snout elongate, upper profile straight, 1| times diameter of eye, which is 3f times in length of head and 1^ times interorbital width ; space between orbits concave, superciliary ridges strong with 2 inconspicuous spines at supero-anterior angle of orbits and with a short deep groove behind each orbit ; preorbital flattened, truncated anteriorly and armed with a row of strong spines on the margin ; preoperculum radiated and striated, with a small flat inconspicuous spine at the angle ; operculum radiated and striated, with a strong spine ; a strong humeral ridge ending in a spine ; suprascapula serrated on its upper margin, with a prominent ridge ending in a strong spine, and with a short detached ridge between it and the orbit ; maxillary reaches to vertical of anterior margin of eye. Dorsal ix 17, first 3 spines serrated anteriorly ; 3rd spine longest, f length of head and equal to the distance between point of snout and posterior margin of eye. Pectorals 11 + 3, 1^ times length of head, reaching to vertical from 5th anal ray. Ventrals -J length of head. Anal 15, situated below soft dorsal, of equal length but lower. Caudal emarginate, T 7 n length of head. Scales cycloid, large. Twenty-four prominent spines along base of dorsal fin. Lat. 1. 58, with radiating tubes but no armature, the scales larger than on rest of the body. Lat. tr. g. Colour (of preserved specimen), uniform grey ; pectorals dark underneath. One specimen, 130 mm. in length, procured by the Cape Govern- ment trawler P. Faiire (s.) off the Natal coast, in 40 fms. ; Tugela Eivev mouth N. by W. JW. 16 miles. GEN. TRIGLA, L. TRIGLA NATALENSIS, n. sp. Teeth in villiform bands on jaws and vomer. Depth of body 5^ times in total length excluding caudal, length of head 3^ times. Snout elongate, slightly concave, lj?- times diameter of eye, which is 3^ times in length of head and nearly twice the interorbital width, the space between the orbits concave ; preorbital obtuse anteriorly, granulated and striated, with a ridge across to the preopercular angle which ends in a short spine ; opercular spine feeble ; a strong Descriptions of Fishes from the Coast of Natal. 77 humeral spine; suprascapula with a strong granular ridge ending in a blunt spine and with a small detached ridge between it and the orbit ; 2 strong spines on supero-anterior angle of orbits ; maxillary reaches scarcely to vertical of anterior margin of eye. Dorsal ix 15; first 3 spines tubercular ; 2nd spine longest, a little more than | length of head and equal to the distance between anterior nostril and posterior margin of eye. Pectorals 10 + 3, a little longer than head, reaching to vertical from the 5th ray of anal. Ventrals a little more than f head, reaching to anal. Anal 15, situated below soft dorsal and of same length, but not so high. Caudal emarginate, i length of head. Scales very small, cycloid. Twenty-five spines along base of dorsal fin. Lat. 1. 65. (The lateral line on the right side of this specimen bifurcates about the middle of the caudal peduncle, one branch passing upwards and backwards to the median line of the back at the caudal.) Colour (of preserved specimen), pale greyish brown, slightly darker above than below, head with a reddish tinge ; pectorals dark brown underneath on the upper portion and pale yellow on the lower, with a few small ocellated spots ; caudal and ventrals yellowish, dorsal whitish. One specimen, 204 mm. in length, procured by the Cape Govern- ment trawler P. Faure (s.) off the Natal coast, in 48 fms. ; Cape Natal W. by N. 6| miles. TBIGLA CAPENSIS, G. & V. Hist. Nat. Poiss. iv. p. 53, 1829. Teeth in villiform bands on jaws and vorner. Depth of body 5 to 5| times in total length excluding caudal, length of head 3~^ to 3^ times. Snout elongate, upper profile straight, about twice diameter of eye, which is 4 times in length of head and If to 1^ times interorbital width, the space between the orbits concave ; preorbital produced anteriorly and ending in about 4 prominent points or spines, with a keel along the lower margin extending across pre- operculum to the angle where it ends in 2 spines, one at the angle and a shorter diverging one just below it, many radiations branch upwards from a point about midway along this keel or ridge ; operculum with a sharp strong spine ; suprascapula with a strong spine and with a short detached ridge between it and the orbit ; 2 spines on supero-anterior angle of orbits; maxillary reaching to vertical of anterior margin of eye. Dorsal ix 16 ; 1st spine smooth or slightly granular ; 2nd spine 78 Annals of the South African Museum. longest, J to | length of head and slightly more than the distance between anterior nostril and angle of preoperculum. Pectorals 11 + 8, 1 to 1^ length of head, reaching to the vertical from 6th or 7th ray of dorsal. Ventrals f to 1- length of head. Anal 16, similar to soft dorsal. Caudal ernarginate or slightly forked, T 7 ^ to f length of head. Scales very small, cycloid. Twenty-four to 25 spines along the base of dorsal fin. Lat. 1. 70-74, without armature, Colour (of preserved specimens), greyish, darker above than below ; pectorals blackish, with a few oval spots on the lower half. The smallest specimen was of a uniform light green, the fins except the pectorals being of a darker green ; the pectorals were blackish with a few white spots. One specimen, 104 mm. in length, from Durban, Natal. Three specimens, procured by the Cape Government trawler P. Faurc (s.) ; 1 of 234 mm. in length, from Inner Harbour, Durban ; 1 of 238 mm. in length, caught in 40 fms., Tugela River mouth N. by W.J W., 16 miles ; 1 of 254 mm. in length, caught in 46 fms., Tugela River mouth N. by W., 18 miles. TRIGLA PERONI, C. & V. Hist. Nat. Poiss. iv. p. 53, 1829. Teeth in narrow villiform bands on jaws and vomer. Depth of body 5 times in total length excluding caudal, length of head 3^ times. Snout elongate, upper profile nearly straight, l- times diameter of eye, which is 3f times in length of head and nearly twice interorbital width; space between the orbits concave; pre- orbital strongly striated and produced anteriorly into 2 broad plates slightly projecting beyond snout, each with about 4 obtuse points and some fine serrations, a keel or ridge extends along the lower margin across preopercle to the angle of the latter where it is toothed or roughened and ends in a sharp spine with a smaller diverging spine below it ; opercle with a sharp spine ; a strong sharp humeral spine ; suprascapula with a strong spine ; orbital ridge strongly marked, with 2 strong spines at supero-anterior angle of eye, the posterior angle bluntly produced and crenellated ; maxillary reaches to vertical of anterior margin of eye. Dorsal ix 16 ; 1st spine smooth, about the same length as 2nd, which is \ length of head and equals the distance between anterior nostril and angle of preoperculum. Pectorals 114-3; \\ times length of head and reaching to vertical from 7th ray of dorsal. Ventrals about as long as head, reaching to anal. Anal 16, similar Descriptions of Fishes from the Coast of Natal. 79 to soft dorsal. Caudal truncate, f length of head. Scales small, cycloid. A series of 24 spines along each side of base of dorsal tins. Lat. 1. 65, without armature. Colour (of preserved specimen), light or pale reddish brown, with a few small dark specks on body ; pectorals black, with indistinct whitish spots ; ventrals and tip of spinous dorsal blackish ; distal extremity of caudal blackish. One specimen, 74 mm. in length, from Mr. Eomer Eobinson, Natal. FAMILY SCOMBKID.E. GEN. ECHENEIS, L. ECHENEIS NAUCRATES, L. Syst. Nat. 10th ed., p. 261, 1758. Teeth, mandible pointed and covered superiorly with rows of villiform teeth directed backwards and forming a more or less triangular toothed space in advance of the upper jaw, which latter is pointed; a similar band of villiform teeth in upper jaw; a band on vomer and palatines ; a curved row on tongue. Depth of body Ill- times in total length excluding caudal, breadth of body between pectorals 8|- times; length of head, with disk nearly 3?- times, without disk 5^ times ; width of head nearly i its length. Eyes transversely oval, directed obliquely outwards and downwards, distance apart superiorly 3^ diameters from end of snout, Lnferiorly 3f diameters; 9 times in length of head with disk. Lower jaw longer than upper, maxillary reaches to vertical of 3rd lamina of disk. Dorsal xxiii 37 ; 1st dorsal forming an elliptical disk rather broader posteriorly than anteriorly, its greatest width nearly f its length, which is nearly 4 times in total length excluding caudal ; 23 trans- verse laminae, each with a toothed posterior margin, the teeth being in 3 rows, a smooth elevation dividing the disk along the central line ; the anterior laminae are directed slightly forwards, the succeeding ones nearly transverse, the posterior directed slightly backwards ; external to the disk is a moderately wide fleshy membrane, which posteriorly extends to the distal half of the pectorals and anteriorly does not quite reach point of snout. The 2nd dorsal is situated opposite the anal, commencing midway 80 Annals of the South African Museum. between point of snout and base of caudal ; highest anteriorly, about | length of disk. Pectorals f length of disk, situated behind head in line with 19th lamina of disk. Ventrals f length of disk, equal to the distance between point of snout and posterior margin of eye. Anal 37; similar to soft dorsal but higher anteriorly, Caudal with emarginations, nearly |- length of disk. Colour (of preserved specimen), uniform reddish brown ; external margin of caudal and anterior tips of dorsal and anal edged with white ; pectorals deep brown ; centre of caudal nearly black. One specimen, 348 mm. in length, from Durban Museum. FAMILY GOBIID^E. GEN. GOBIUS, L. GOBIUS OBSCURUS, Peters. Wiegm. Arch. 1855, p. 250. Teeth small, villiform, outer row slightly enlarged ; no canines. Depth of body 5 times in total length excluding caudal, length of head 3i to 3f times; height of head % its breadth, which is con- tained 1-jL to 1| times in its length. Snout slightly convex, 11 to 1'2- times diameter of eye, which occupies the 2nd quarter of length of head, is 1 to If times interorbital width and 3 times in length of head ; cleft of mouth slightly oblique, maxillary reaches to below anterior margin of eye and does not ascend to the level of the eye ; lips thick, the upper slightly overhanging lower. Dorsal vi, i 8-9; 2nd spine of 1st dorsal longest, nearly ^ to ^ length of head ; soft rays longest posteriorly, 1^ to 1^ height of longest spine. Pectorals 4 length of head, reaching to anus, the upper rays silk-like. Ventrals about same length as pectorals. Anal i 8 ; similar to soft dorsal but not quite as high. Caudal wedge-shaped, i length of head Scales feebly ctenoid, extending on to crown of head ; 16 anterior to 1st dorsal, 14 between origin of 2nd dorsal and anal. Lat. 1. 38. Colour (of preserved specimens), pale brown, with dark spots on body ; dorsal, anal and caudal with small dark spots ; a dark spot at upper angle of axil of pectorals. Two specimens, 44 mm. 80 mm. in length respectively, from Mr, Eomer Robinson, Natal. Descriptions of Fishes from the Coast of Natal. 81 GOBIUS MALABABICUS, Day. Proc. Zool. Lond. 1865, p. 27; Fishes Malab. p. Ill, pi. 7, fig. 2, 1865. Teeth in a villiform band, the outer row enlarged and strong ; no canines. Depth of body nearly 5 times in total length excluding caudal, length of head 3J times ; height of head about ^ its width, which is contained 1^ times in its length. Snout slightly longer than 1 the eye, which is 4f times in length of head and 1^ times interorbital width ; cleft of mouth oblique, lower jaw longer than upper, maxillary extends to below middle of eye. Head naked, 2 rows of pores or warts on each side of lower jaw and many rows on cheeks. Dorsal vi, i 10 ; 2nd and 3rd spines of 1st dorsal highest, nearly \ length of head, and about same height as posterior rays of 2nd dorsal, which is lower anteriorly, the rays gradually increasing in length. Pectorals i length of head, scarcely reaching anal. Ventrals ? length of head, not reaching vent. Anal i 10 ; similar to soft dorsal but lower. Caudal rounded, 5^ times in total length. Lat. 1. 50. Sixteen rows of scales between bases of 2nd dorsal and anal fins, 10 rows anterior to 1st dorsal fin. Colour (of preserved specimen), brown, with dark irregular spots on body and head ; dorsals with a light band running along lower third of each fin, with a row of dark spots above and below it; pectorals with a dark curved band on upper half and a dark crescentic band with a white upper border on lower part of fin stretching across base of first 7 or 8 rays. One specimen, 73 mm. in length, from Mr. Homer Robinson, Natal. GEN. PBRIOPTHALMUS, Bl. Schn. PERIOPHTHALMUS KOELREUTEBI (Pall.). Spic. Zool. viii. p. 8, pi. 2, fig. 1, 1769. Teeth strong, conical, pointed. Depth of body 5 to 6 times in total length excluding caudal, length of head 4 to 4^ times ; width of head f to f its length. Snout 1| to 1^ times as long as eye, profile very abrupt, the skin forming fleshy flaps ; eyes very prominent, situated on upper margin of head, diameter 4 times in length of head and twice the interorbital width, outer eyelid well developed ; cleft of mouth almost horizontal, upper lip slightly over- 7 82 Annals of the South African Museum. hangs lower, maxillary extends to below vertical of anterior third of eye. Dorsal xvi-xvii 11-12 ; anterior rays of 1st dorsal longest and about | length of head ; 2nd dorsal not as high as 1st. Pectorals f length of head, with a long, scaly, muscular base. Ventrals very small, almost entirely separated from each other. Anal 12. Caudal with its lower edge obliquely truncated. Scales 75-80. Colour (of preserved specimens), greyish or bluish brown ; lower half of dorsal fins with numerous white spots, above them on the 1st dorsal is a dark band or patch deeper on anterior rays near to and parallel with the whitish margin of the fin ; on the 2nd dorsal the band is narrow, brown, and edged with white above and below ; anal fin whitish. Two of the specimens have indistinct brown cross-bars, and many silvery specks on body. Two specimens, 66 mm. 78 mm. in length respectively, from Mr. Eomer Eobinson, Natal. Two specimens, 66 mm. 72 mm. in length respectively, from Durban Bay. GEN. TEYPAUCHEN, C. & V. TRYPAUCHEN VAGINA (Bl. & Schn.). Syst. Ichth. p. 73, No. 20, 1801. Teeth, an outer row of rather distantly placed, moderately long, conical, feebly curved teeth on either jaw, behind which is a single series of small teeth on the upper jaw and 2 rows on the lower. Depth of body 8 to 8| times in total length excluding caudal, length of head 61 to 6| times. Body elongated, compressed; occipital crest elevated ; width of head f to T 7 o its length, height slightly more than its length behind the eyes. Snout 3f to 3f times in length of head and 3 times diameter of eye, which is very small and situated in anterior fourth of head ; interorbital width 1 times diameter of eye; cleft of mouth oblique, lower jaw longer than upper, maxillary reaches to vertical of anterior margin of eye. Dorsal vi 43-46 ; commences a little behind pectorals, spines and rays about ^ length of head, posterior rays filamentous. Pectorals T 3 5 length of head, the lower 5 rays short and unbranched. Ventrals a little longer than pectorals. Anal 44-46, similar to soft dorsal. Caudal pointed. Dorsal and anal fins confluent with caudal. Scales 70, cycloid, striated, in rather irregular rows, lightest at their edge and sometimes depressed in their centre. Descriptions of Fishes from the Coast of Natal. 83 Colour (of preserved specimens), uniform flesh-colour ; fins whitish. Two specimens, 83 mm. 114 mm. in length respectively, procured by the Cape Government trawler P. Faurc (s.) in 12-14 fms., off South Head of Tugela River, Natal. FAMILY MUGILIDAE. GEN. MYXUS, Giinth. MYXUS BABNAKDI, n. Sp. Teeth fine, villiform, in a single series on each jaw, those of the upper jaw overlapping those of the lower; a narrow cross band on vomer. Depth of body 3f times in total length excluding caudal, length of head 3 times. Snout as long as diameter of eye, moderately depressed, its upper profile ascending in the same curve in which the lower descends ; eye with an adipose lid more strongly developed anteriorly than posteriorly, diameter of eye 4| times in length of head and If times in interorbital width, which is slightly convex ; preorbital serrated inferiorly and posteriorly ; nostrils as far apart as they are distant from the eye and snout respectively ; cleft of mouth f as deep as broad, slightly oblique, upper lip overlapping lower which is sharp-edged ; maxillary scarcely reaching vertical of anterior margin of eye, concealed ; mandibles meet at an obtuse angle, notched at symphysis ; uncovered space below the chin lanceolate. Dorsal iv, i 8, commences midway between front edge of eye and base of caudal ; 1st spine of anterior dorsal longest and strongest, about | length of head ; base of 2nd dorsal f its height, which about equals that of longest spine of 1st dorsal. Pectorals inserted above middle of depth of body and reaching to vertical of origin of 1st dorsal fin, f length of head. Ventrals inserted in vertical of midway between base of pectorals and origin of dorsal fin. Anal iii 8 ; having its anterior half situated before origin of 1st dorsal, 3rd spine f length of longest spine of dorsal. Depth of free portion of tail 3i times in length of head. Lat. 1. 41, lat. tr. 15; 23 rows of scales between snout and origin of 1st dorsal fin ; the llth and 23rd scales of the lateral line correspond to the origin of the 1st and 2nd dorsal fins ; no enlarged axillary scale ; vertical fins not scaly. Colour (of preserved specimen), silvery, dark above ; scales with 84 Annals of the South African Museum. dark streaks on centre, forming indistinct longitudinal lines on the body ; top of head and snout covered with minute dark brown specks. One specimen, 47 in length, from Durban Bay ; K. H. Barnard. FAMILY CHIASMODONTIDAE. GEN. CHAMPSODON, Giinth. CHAMPSODON CAPENSIS, Began. Trans. Linn. Soc. Lond. Zool. xii. p. 244, 1908. Fine, curved, villiform teeth on each jaw; a patch on vomer, some of the teeth on each side anteriorly being enlarged ; tongue strongly toothed, Depth of body 5f to 6 times in total length excluding caudal, length of head 3^ to 4 times ; depth of head about f its length. Snout 3^ to 4 times in length of head, distance from tip of snout to end of maxillary about length of head ; eye 4|- to 5 times in length of head, situated in a notch of the upper profile, with one or two filaments on the eyeball at its superior posterior angle, least distance between eye and maxillary much less than diameter of eye ; interorbital width about ^ diameter of eye, feebly con- cave, with 2 rows of pores down the centre ; cleft of mouth exceedingly wide, about f length of head and extending beyond posterior margin of eye, lower jaw projecting and bent upwards ; praemaxillaries with a double notch anteriorly ; preoperculum with a few fine serrations on vertical limb, angle armed with a strong lanceolate spine curving upwards ; opercular margin very thin, fringed and striated ; preorbital with 2 sharp diverging spines on anterior margin ; a ridge from snout passing along upper margin of each orbit and across nape to suprascapula, where it ends in a small spine ; one or two detached ridges on head behind eye. Dorsal v 18-20 ; spines of 1st dorsal feeble, slightly filamentous, highest anteriorly and about f to length of head ; soft dorsal higher than spinous, rays slightly filamentous. Pectorals small, f length of head. Ventrals | length of head, reaching to vent, 3rd and 4th branched rays longest and considerably higher than the 1st. Anal 17, similar to soft dorsal. Caudal truncate, about length of head. Scales small, strongly toothed on their posterior margin ; covering Descriptions of Fishes from tlie Coast of Natal. 85 the whole body, head, maxillary, cheeks, and opercles ; 2 lateral lines marked by rows of pores and both provided with 24 vertical branches, also marked by a row of pores and passing over the back. Colour (of preserved specimens), light brown, darker above than below ; a dark patch on base of caudal. Three specimens, 76 mm. 70 mm. 64 mm. in length respectively, procured by the Cape Government trawler P. Faure (s.) off the Natal coast; the two larger in 46 fms., Tugela Eiver mouth N. by W. 18 miles, the smallest in 54 fms., Cape Natal W. by N. 6| miles. FAMILY CENTRISCIDAE. GEN. CENTEISCUS, L. CENTEISCUS HUMEROSUS, Eich. Voy. Erebus and Terror, Fishes, p. 56, pi. 34, figs. 5 and 6, 1846. (Trumpet-fish, Bellows-fish.) Height of the body contained 1^ times in the distance of the operculum from the base of the caudal fin, the length of the head is slightly less than its distance from the caudal. Head elevated posteriorly, compressed into a ridge above and produced anteriorly into a long compressed tube terminating in a small mouth ; cleft of mouth oblique, extremity of lower jaw prominent, maxillary broad and triangular. Eye large, equals length of postocular part of head, the skin which covers the iris is provided with small ctenoid scales except on anterior portion ; margin of orbit smooth ; interorbital space smooth, slightly convex, nearly f diameter of eye in width ; nostrils close together, situated one before the other at a short distance from the orbit; preoperculum with its posterior margin descending obliquely forward, partly confluent with orbit, and indistinctly denticulated or roughened, the angle strongly produced backwards. The scales advance very far on the rostral tube. The body is strongly compressed and much elevated, its greatest depth is above the ventrals ; the upper profile makes a slight bulge on the nape, behind which is a patch of bristles, and then ascends gradually to dorsal fin, descending abruptly from 2nd spine to the free portion of the tail ; lower profile of body semicircular between throat and end of anal fin. 86 Annals of the South, African Museum. Dorsal vii 14 ; 1st spine minute, its distance from caudal fin | its distance from occiput ; 2nd spine very strong, compressed, striated, grooved along posterior margin and movable, its length equals \ distance of opercle from caudal, and the spine points obliquely upwards and backwards ; the remaining spines are short and their connecting membrane strong. Soft dorsal higher than long, its distance from caudal equals f the length of its base ; anterior rays highest. Pectorals with a short oblique base, inserted about the middle of the depth of the body and extending almost to end of ventrals. Ventral fins small, close together and received into a common groove on the belly. Anal 17 ; commences immediately behind vent in the vertical from the posterior spines of dorsal and extends as far back as posterior margin of soft dorsal, but is much lower. Caudal truncate, composed of 9 undivided rays, the others on the upper and lower side of its base being rudimentary. Body covered with small rough scales, each of which ends in a weak spine posteriorly ; 2 series of bony plates on the sides of the back, each of 4 plates which have a centre with vertical and horizontal stripes radiating from it ; the lower series commences in the scapulary region, the upper runs in a parallel line above it. Margin of thorax cuirassed with 3 similar plates, the belly with a single series ; edge of thorax and belly sharp. Colour (of preserved specimen), yellowish brown, slightly darker above than below. One specimen, 197 mm. in length, from Durban Museum. FAMILY LABRIDAE. GEN. PLATYGLOSSUS, Klein. PLATYGLOSSUS ROBINSONI, n. sp. Teeth, a posterior canine, 4 strong canines at symphysis of each jaw, slightly curved and directed a little outwards. Depth of body 3f times in total length excluding caudal, length of head 4 times. Snout 2|- times in length of head and lyV times diameter of eye, which is nearly 5 times in length of head and about li times in interorbital width ; jaws about equal ; maxillary reaches to vertical of anterior nostril. Dorsal ix 13 ; spines weak, slightly increasing in length to the last which is a little more than f length of head ; soft rays gradually Descriptions of Fishes from the Coast of Natal. 87 increasing in length from the last spine, the longest ray being f length of head. Pectorals nearly f length of head. Ventrals a little more than - length of head. Anal iii 12, similar to soft dorsal ; 3rd spine longest, f length of longest spine of dorsal. Caudal with the outer lohes slightly produced, the posterior margin of fin enclosed between them being rounded in the middle. Lat. 1. 27, lat. tr. f ; tubes of lateral line strongly marked and radiate. Scales comparatively large, cycloid ; 2 rows of scales on the cheeks, the rest of the head naked. Colour (of preserved specimen), uniform yellowish brown ; dorsal fin with a black oval spot at the base of the membrane between 1st and 2nd spines, and with a dark basal band, the upper edge of which is emarginate and edged with a narrow pale yellow border, a similar but narrower band occurs on the upper third of the fin, the distal margin of the fin is whitish, and there is a row of 8 or 9 small ocellated olive spots near the extremity of the posterior soft rays ; anal with 2 longitudinal bands similar to those on the dorsal fin ; caudal with curved transverse bands and reticulations ; 2 dark streaks from eye to mouth on each side, a dark streak across chin from one corner of the mouth to the other, 2 or 3 irregular dark streaks on the cheeks ; 2 more or less indistinct dark streaks from the preoperculum to the caudal, the upper one following the dorsal curve ; scales dark in the centre. One specimen, 133 mm. in length, from Mr. Eomer Eobinson, Natal. FAMILY GADIDAE. GEN. BREGMACEROS, Thomps. BREGMACEROS MACCLELLANDI, Thomps. Charlesw. Mag. Nat. Hist. iv. p. 184, fig., 1840. Teeth minute on both jaws, a few on vomer. Depth of body 7 times in total length excluding caudal, length of head about 6 times. Body fusiform, compressed posteriorly ; snout equals interorbital width, 4 times in length of head ; eye 3| times in length of head ; upper jaw slightly the longer, extending to behind vertical of centre of eye. Dorsal i, 16+ x +15 ; 1st dorsal rises on the occiput in the form of a single slender ray, which is slightly longer than the head and 88 Annals of the South African Museum. filamentous ; 2nd dorsal commences in the middle third of the total length and is highest in front, the 4th ray longest and about the length of the head, each ray is unbranched but articulated and slender, the membranes deeply notched, the last 10 rays are very short and slender, almost like a distinct fin, the posterior rays are lengthened and extend nearly to the base of the caudal. The dorsal and anal rays can be laid backwards in a groove formed by the scales along the base of these fins. Pectorals T 7 ]>ltnts the central teeth have remained tricuspid, and the lateral teeth may have come to resemble them by the inner portions of their bifid mesocones becoming separated to form small endocones similar to the ectocones. When the teeth in the radula are numerous and arranged in nearly straight transverse rows, it is evident that all those towards the centre will have very similar functions, and that the right and left sides of any one of these teeth will have much the same work to do ; and we might therefore be surprised if the central and lateral teeth did not tend to become like each other, the cusps of the laterals becoming more symmetrical. A parallel case occurs among the true Helices of Europe. Nearly all of these have bicuspid lateral teeth, though the mesocones are frequently bifid. But in Helix apcrta, Born, and H. subaperta, Ancey, the laterals are tricuspid, as in Trigonephrus, the inner portions of the mesocones having separated to form true endocones. The internal structure of the penis in most of the species reminds one of Wiegmann's figure of the penis of Papidna vitrea.* Some of the shells of Trigonephrus have long been a source of trouble to students. Miiller's originals of T. ylobulus, rosaceus, and Incanus are pre- served in the Copenhagen Museum. Drs. Nordmann and Jensen of that Museum have kindly compared specimens, furnished by myself, of the shells which usually pass under the above names in British collections with the originals, and have reported that globulus and lucanus, as generally known, are quite correctly identified, and that the rosaceus, though not exactly agreeing with the Type, is undoubtedly conspecific. This preliminary matter being determined, it is possible to prescribe means whereby the more puzzling forms may be dis- tinguished. The actual shape and size of the shell, and, to a less extent, the coloration and sculpture, may vary greatly in the same species; but, in a large array of material, I have failed, so far, to disprove the * Abh. Senckenb. Naturf. Ges., Frankfurt, 1898, xxiv. PI. XXXI, f. 8. Notes on South African Mollusca. 143 constancy of two features, namely, the colour of the peristome and the relative shape of the aperture. As regards the former, though exceptions may of course exist, I have never seen T. lucanus or namaquensis with any but a white peristome, nor good specimens of the remaining species, globulus, gypsinus, rosaceus, porphyrostoma and ambiguosus, with other than a deeply coloured one. With regard to the second point, we have what may he roughly divided into two forms of aperture, one drooping, the other out- standing. In T. globulus the upper end of the outer lip is com- paratively further away from the columella than in rosaceus, so that it forms with the body whorl an obtuse external angle of about 125, and imparts to the aperture a drooping appearance. In rosaceus the ends of the aperture appear to be comparatively nearer together, the outer lip consequently leaving the bod} 7 whorl at a much sharper angle of about 105, so that the aperture appears to be flatter and more outstanding. T. namaquensis has the drooping ylobulus aperture, while T. porphyrostoma and gypsinus have, more nearly, that of T. rosaceus. T. lucanus and ambiguosus form, of course, a separate group. Certain species of Trigoncplirus exhibit, under a strong lens, irregular patches of granular, or of a kind of close, incised, spiral sculpture. These are usually present where there is least malle- ation, but are of very partial and uncertain occurrence, and cannot, in my opinion, be regarded as constant factors in determining the specific position of a shell. TRIGONEPHKUS GLOBULUS (Miiller). (PL II, f. 1, 2. PI. IV, f. 1, 7, 9, 17, 27. PI. V, f. 1, 9.) 1774 Helix globulus, Miill., Verm. ii. p. 68. D. Shell large, globose, umbilicate, solid, translucent, early whorls red-lilac above, later violet-blue, with occasional whitish mottling and small dark spots, and a narrow infra-sutural white band ; under- part paler, almost white ; peristome, callus, and interior reddish purple. Spire somewhat produced, apex rounded. Whorls 5, rounded, regularly and rapidly increasing, the apical smooth, remainder covered with very fine, close, transverse striae, with irregular malleation on the upper part of the later whorls and occasional traces of microscopic spiral sculpture. Suture well denned, subcrenulate. Aperture quadrate-ovate ; peristome thick- I 1 I Annuls of tlie South African Museum. ened and somewhat reflexed, ends joined by a thin callus ; outer lip making with the body whorl an angle of about 125, and imparting a drooping appearance to the aperture. Columella erect, slightly concave, margin reflexed, partially concealing the narrow umbilicus. Dimensions of a typical specimen from Hout Bay : Alt. max. 32 - ; diam. 3O3 ; apert. 19'0x 15 - 7 mm. ; ends of peristome 15 mm. apart. Animal of a single full-grown specimen from Milnerton, the shell of which measured about 32 mm. in altitude. Colour drab, probably due to long immersion in alcohol ; roof of mantle-cavity unpigmented. Body-lobes indistinguishable, owing to the bad preservation of the specimen. Principal pulmonary vein giving off more numerous transverse branches than usual (see PI. IV., fig. 1, which also shows the form of the kidney, etc.). Cerebral ganglia covered with grey connective tissue. Jaw 2-9 mm. long, more curved than usual, reddish brown and of moderate thickness, with scarcely a trace of a median projection (PI. IV., fig. 17). Eadula 6^x3J mm.; transverse rows of teeth almost straight ; teeth relatively larger than in the allied species ; centrals very similar to the laterals ; outer marginals longer and narrower than usual, with single well-developed cusps (see PI. IV., fig. 9) ; formula (45 + 1 + 48) x 115. Eadula-sac projecting beyond the buccal mass (PI. IV., fig. 7). Eeproductive system (PL V., fig. 1) : hermaphrodite duct slender, with broader convolutions than in the other species; vesicula seminalis club-shaped, rather thick ; receptaculum seminis oval ; anterior third of receptacular duct swollen ; vagina short, somewhat swollen ; vas deferens curving a little further round the free oviduct than usual ; epiphallus longer than in the other species, being nearly one-third of the length of the penis ; posterior part of penis curved ; rugae on the longitudinal folds inside the penis diamond- shaped, being much narrower than in the remaining species (PI. IV., fig. 27). Hab. CAPE PROVINCE. Generally distributed along the coast from Algoa Bay (fide Layard) to St. Helena Bay ; Eobben and Dassen Islands. Type in Copenhagen Museum. A large sinistral specimen, collected by Craven on Eobben Island, is in the British Museum. The late E. L. Layard, through whose hands passed most of the * In order to avoid unnecessary repetition in describing the animals of the species, only those parts will be mentioned which have been found to differ in the various forms. Notes on South African Moil unco. 145 material sent home by the earlier collectors, left some valuable manuscript notes on the distribution of the Trigonephri, which, by Mr. Ponsonby's courtesy, I am enabled to publish. The record of T. (jlobulus on Green Point Common is remarkable, as the species is now unknown there, having been completely ousted by the introduced H. piscina, Mull. It will be noticed that Layard wrote in the days when only three species had been described, and he attributed every form to one or other of them, but this detracts but little from the interest of his notes, to which I shall have course to refer later. "Helix globulus, Mull. Various forms of this very variable shell are found on all sandy plains along the seaboard from Cape Agulhas to Walfisch Bay and Namaqualand. During the dry summer season they lie concealed, buried to a considerable depth in the sand, but on the fall of heavy rain they emerge from their retreats in thousands. I shall never forget my first sight of the living shells. I had found the sandy plain near Cape Town, known as Green Point, covered with the dead, bleached shells, but not a live one could I procure. Some friends even hinted at their being fossil and extinct, but I asserted they were too fresh-looking for that, and waited for the rains. They came, and I sallied out in the downpour, calling on an enthusiastic friend, C. A. P., to accompany me. On getting on to the Common, past the Battery, we found the surface of the ground literally heaving with the swarms coming up ! They were every- where ! We gathered our handkerchiefs full, and as they emit a most copious, clear slime, we were soon covered with the sand which adhered to it and wet from head to foot with the pitiless downpour, and presented a draggle-tailed spectacle ; but we agreed that the sight of tens of thousands, emerging from their long sleep, repaid us for all our dirt and discomfort. " The specimens found near Cape Town, Kalk Bay and the Cape Flats may be taken as of fair medium size. They are about 31 x 29 mm. On Eobben Island, a sandpatch in the mouth of Table Bay, there is a fine large variety, similar in colour, 38J x 40 mm. In Nord Hoek, not far from Kalk Bay, I took a small variety, fully formed shells varying from 25J x 19 J to 15x15 mm., shells purely white. In the George District there is a small variety, 19 x 19 mm., with a pale purple, or puce-coloured mouth. Another variety, prob- ably from Algoa Bay, rather larger, 27i x 25J mm., is much darker in the mouth, and the apex is also dark bluish purple. " These seem to lead into the large solid shell, with the broadly recurved, heavy, purple lip, from Namaqualand, named rosacea by 146 Annals of the South African Museum. Miiller. The transition is through a shell resembling the Eobben Island form, but with a rose-coloured lip and a general bluish-purple tint throughout, also found in Namaqualand. There are two forms of this, one globular, the other elongated, 44 x 38J mm. " There is yet another variety from Namaqualand, a small, stout, glossy form, 19-5x17 mm., of a pinkish colour, of which I have only seen two examples. " I am ignorant of the exact localities whence these varieties were severally procured ; they were brought out by the late James Chapman, who also procured a solid white variety in Ovampoland. " I suspect the coarse, solid shell of the variety called rosaceamust be meant as a protection against the great heat and drought of the locality where found. " The small purple-mouthed variety from George runs into one of the varieties of Helix lucana, Mull., from the same locality." The shell selected for description is of average size, from Hout Bay, Cape Peninsula, and the animal is taken from a similar specimen, which was broken for anatomical purposes. This solid, bluish-purple form is that which is now found alive all over the extreme south-western corner of the Cape Province, the largest Peninsula example which I have measured being : alt. max. 37'6 ; diarn. 33; apert. 23'4xl7'5 mm. ; and the smallest living one : alt. max. 25-7; diam. 25; apert. 15-7x12-2 mm. Whether this form is of comparatively recent growth from a smaller one, I cannot say; but in an old shell mound at Milner- ton are the subfossil remains of a smaller race, measuring about 22ix21| mm., and a somewhat similar variety is mentioned by Layard as existing, in bleached condition, at Nord Hoek. Almost the same is now found alive on Dassen Island (PI. II., fig. 2), but the shell is thinner and apparently of a redder hue, with a browner peristome than the normal form. This leads up to a very distinct local race, inhabiting the main- land at St. Helena Bay. In it, the shell nearly regains the size of typical globuliis, which it also resembles in general shape and drooping aperture, but it is of thinner texture, rosy brown in colour, and the surface is more glossy and far more malleate. The four specimens known to me measure : Alt. max. 29-8; diam. 28'5 ; apert. 17-3x14-1 mm. 27-0; 28-7; 16-9x13-3 27-0; 26-9; 15-2x12-2 26-2; 25-1; 13-9x11-1 Notes mi South African Mollusca. 147 This is the most northerly race of the true ylobiilns which I have yet seen, for on reaching Namaland the drooping globiilus aperture is transferred to the thin, white-lipped T. nninaquamis, and the solid shells, which might otherwise be considered almost inseparable from uli: 17-3 x 13-6 mm. In all of these the umbilicus is a little smaller and less overhung by the columellar margin than in the Type pair, but the discrepancy is not sufficient to necessitate varietal distinction. The callus is variable, being entirely absent in some fully formed shells and quite distinct in others. This species might perhaps be regarded as one of the more primi- tive members of the genus, though the radula is of a somewhat specialized type. In the form of the shell and reproductive organs D. coagulum approaches Trigonephrus more nearly than do the other known species of Dorcasia ; nevertheless the sculpture of the shell, the tripartite footsole, the form of the kidney, the internal structure of the penis, and especially the unicuspid central and lateral teeth of the radula, prove beyond doubt that this species belongs to the genus Dorcasia. The shell is peculiar for South Africa, being far more reminiscent of the Mediterranean H. vermiculata, Miill., than of the neighbouring forms of its own genus. DORCASIA ROGERSI, sp. nov., 1915. (PI. Ill, f. 2, 3. PL IV, f. 15, 23. PL V, f. 7. Text-fig. 1, C, D.) Shell rather small, umbilicate, depressed orbicular, fairly solid, translucent, calcareous, creamy white, with slight, irregular, fawn blotches and spots, which are chiefly present on the third whorl ; apex pale corneous ; peristome white. Spire depressed, but each whorl, in profile, projects clearly above the next ; apex rounded. Whorls 5, narrowly rounded, regularly increasing, the two apical smooth, remainder prettily sculptured with close, transverse striae, which become rather coarser and less regular towards the aperture and are hardly visible on the base. Suture deep, very little crenulate. Aperture almost circular ; peristome reflexed, ends joined by a very slight callus. Columella very weak, margin slightly thickened and reflexed, but not approaching the umbilicus, which is perspective and very deep, but not wide. Diam. maj. 21-1, min. 17-5; alt. max. 11-7 ; apert. 9-7 X 8'9 mm.; ends of peristome 4'3 mm. apart. Notes on South African Mollusca. 165 Animal of specimens from TKaigas : Colour (in alcohol) whitish, roof of mantle-cavity tinged with grey near the edge and along the rectum. Pallial organs very similar to those of D. coayidum (cf. PI. IV., fig. 5). Pedal gland partially embedded in the muscles of the foot, especially at the hind end (Text-fig. 1, C, D). Jaw 1-3 mm. long, rather narrow, thin, yellow-brown (PL IV., fig. 23). Eadula of specimens, the shells of which measured about 21 mm. in diameter, 3'9 X 1'3 mm. ; transverse rows of teeth trending slightly forwards on each side of the middle line, where they form a very obtuse angle ; teeth broad and short (PI. IV., fig. 15) ; ectocones are present on about two-thirds of the teeth ; formula of one specimen (35 + 1 + 37) x 128, of another (30 + 1 + 30) x 137. Crop and salivary glands surrounded with darkly pigmented connective tissue. Eeproductive system (PI. V., fig. 7) : hermaphrodite duct long, very slender, and closely convoluted ; vesicula seminalis rather small ; free oviduct scarcely swollen ; receptaculum serninis small, with a slender duct ; vagina long ; vas deferens rather closely bound to the anterior half of the penis, but only loosely attached further back; penis rather small and slender, curved at the hind end. Hab. LITTLE NAMALAND. T'Kaigas (Rogers). Type in South African Museum. Eight examples, the smallest measuring : Diaru. maj. 18 - 3, min. 14'8 ; alt. max. 8 ; apert. 8 - 5 x 7 - 4 mm. I have founded this new species on a series of small shells in perfect condition, of which some of the animals have been available for dissection. It is possible, however, that the Type represents the smallest race of a species which usually attains much greater dimen- sions, for I have seen examples from Henkries District, Little Namaland, apparently conspecific with those from T'Kaigas, but attaining such dimensions as : Diam. maj. 27'9, min. 21-7; alt. max. 12-2 ; apert. 14'0 x 11-4 mm. and 33-9, 26'8 ; 18-0 ; 18-5 x 14-2 The last of these is illustrated on PI. III., fig. 3. They are too long dead to be classified with any certainty, but they agree in form with the smaller shells, and show calcined traces of a mottling, which would probably correspond, in life, to that which appears on the early whorls of the Type set. Although connecting links may doubtless be found, all these shells, large and small, can at present be clearly distinguished from other 166 Annals of the South African Museum. known species of Dorcasia. They have neither the continuous peristome of alcxandri nor the open umbilicus and comparatively small aperture of cernua, while coagulum is a more globose form, with more rapidly increasing whorls. In many features of its internal anatomy D. rogersi bears a close resemblance to D. coagulum. The radula, however, is very distinct ; for not only are there fewer teeth in each transverse row, but the shape of the teeth is different, the inner marginals being quite unlike those of D. coagulum, as will be seen from the figures. The repro- ductive organs are very simple, the relatively small size of the penis being, perhaps, the most characteristic feature. I should not be surprised to find that the new species is more nearly allied to D. cernua, when live examples of the last- named are available for examination ; the difference in the umbilicus and aperture, however, should always afford means of distinction. DOBCASIA CERNUA (von Martens). (PL III, f. 4.) 1889 Helix cernua, von Mts., Sitz.-Ber. Ges. Nat. Fr. Berlin, p. 161. D. Shell large, flat, deeply urnbilicate, rather thick and solid, but translucent, type bleached white, but exhibiting faint traces of mottling, which would probably represent patches of colour in a live specimen. Spire hardly raised. Whorls 5|-, rounded, gradually increasing, the last descending so abruptly and steeply in front that when the empty shell rests in its natural position the interior can hardly be seen ; surface almost smooth, the fine, close, regular transverse striation, which is present on all but the first 1^ whorls, being only just visible without a lens. Suture shallow. Aperture comparatively small, ovate ; peristome thickened and reflexed, ends joined by a thick callus. Umbilicus wide and deep, extending to the apex. Dimensions of Type : Diam. maj. 3O5, min. 24'5 ; alt. max. 12-5 ; apert. 14-3 x 10-7 mm. ; ends of peristome 5'5 mm. apart. Animal unknown. Hob. GREAT NAMALAND. Angamthal ; Kuibis ; Eooiberg (sub- fossil). Type in Berlin Museum. With this is another subfossil shell from Eooiberg, near Bethany. It is much smaller than the Type, spire more raised, sculpture slightly more pronounced, whorls 5, the last not descending so far nor so- Notes on South African Mollusca. 167 abruptly. Aperture almost circular, the ends joined by so thick a callus as to make the peristome practically continuous. Umbilicus wide and deep, as in the Type, and it is owing to this feature, in particular, that I agree with von Martens in considering the two shells conspecific. The measurements of this smaller form are : Diam. maj. 19'3, min. 15;6 ; alt. 9-4 mm. The abrupt final descent of the last whorl, which causes the entire peristome to lie flat on the ground and conceal the aperture when the shell is in its normal position, is not of such specific value as it was considered by von Martens. In large series, both of D. alex- andri and its var. rotundata, I have seen some examples in which this feature is very marked, while, in the generality of specimens, the descent is either less abrupt or less extensive, so that the interior of the empty shell is plainly visible from the front, when the shell is laid in its normal position. As will be seen from the figures, the Type, with its extraordinarily flattened spire and small aperture, looks almost like an abnormal example ; but Dr. Thiele informs me that there are two more subfossil shells, from Kuibis, in the Berlin Museum, both very similar to the Type, so that the form is probably well established and distributed, and should be easily distinguishable from others of the genus. DOKCASIA ALEXANDRI, Gray. (PL III, f. 5.) 1838 Dorcasia alexandri, Gray, Alexander's Expedition, ii. p. 268. D. Shell large, depressed-globose, rimate-perforate, rather thin, translucent, type bleached white, but normally corneous ; peri- stome white. Spire but little raised ; apex obtuse. Whorls 5, the later rapidly increasing, all but the li apical covered with very fine and close, regular, curved transverse striae, almost disappearing on the base ; last whorl swollen, so that it is nearly as high as the spire, ascending slightly at the suture and descending very abruptly, nearly perpendicularly, in front, almost concealing the aperture. Suture well defined, simple. Aperture rounded ovate ; peristome continuous, free, margins not thickened but widely and strongly reflexed, though not overhanging the perforation, which is narrow, strangulate, and so eccentric that a portion of the penultimate whorl is fully disclosed. 168 Annals of the South African Museum. The measurements agreeing most nearly with those given in Gray's description, of a specimen in his Type set, are : Diam. maj. 32-6, min. 24'8 ; alt. max. 15-5; apert. 13'7 x 1V7 mm. Animal only known from a single, slightly immature specimen, from " Herero and Namaland " ! ? examined by Simroth and Pilsbry. According to their descriptions and figures, the possession of the following characters distinguishes the typical form of I), alexandri from the other members of the genus. Pedal gland lying free in the body-cavity. Jaw * " entirely smooth," with little or no median projection. Eadula t with teeth resembling those of the var. rotundata, but broader in front, and the centrals and laterals with longer basal plates. Reproductive system J : free oviduct not swollen, vagina long, vas deferens not attached to the side of the penis, but free throughout ; penis rather long, becoming thicker and bending abruptly towards the hind end, extending 1^ mm. beyond its junction with the vas deferens, to form a short terminal caecum or flagellum, on the apex of which the penial retractor is inserted. Hab. GREAT NAMALAND. Neighbourhood of the Great Fish Eiver. LITTLE NAMALAND. Neighbourhood of the Orange River. Type set in British Museum. Judging from the descriptions of Simroth and Pilsbry the typical form of D. alexandri differs widely from the other known members of the genus in possessing a smooth jaw and a terminal caecum on the penis ; for in all the remaining forms that have been examined the jaw is transversely striated, and the penis scarcely extends at all beyond its union with the vas deferens, as will be seen from the figures. It must be remembered, however, that the observations of both these authors were made on the same specimen, which was stated to be badly preserved and slightly immature; and it is therefore to be hoped that further material will be collected in order that a new examination of the anatomy may be made. Many varieties have been attributed to this species. The typical form is chiefly known from the neighbourhood of the Lower Orange River ; I have seen one beautiful example of dark reddish-corneous hue, and it is possible that when further good species have been collected this coloration will be found to prevail in the compara- tively smooth typical form, and to supply additional ground for its specific separation from varieties such as rotundata. * Man. of Conch., 1895, ix. PI. LX, f. 3. f Ibid. PI. LX, f. 6. I Ibid., frontispiece, f. 3, and Ber. Senckenb. Naturf. Ges. Frankfurt, 1894, p. 94, text-figs. Notes on South African Mollusca. 169 DORCASIA ALEXANDEI, Gray, var. MINOR, O. Boettger. (PI. Ill, f. 6.) 1886 Helix (Dorcasid) alexandri, Gray, var. minor, Bttg., Ber. Senckenb. Naturf. Ges. Frankfurt, p. 22. PI. II, f. 1. Shell differing from typical D. alexandri in being smaller, and in having a comparatively higher spire, very slightly more pronounced sculpture above, and a deeper, less eccentric umbilicus. Animal unknown. Hab. BECHUANALAND. Ghous. GREAT NAMALAND. .Geitsi Gubib. Type in Senckenberg Museum, Frankfurt am Main. The example figured, S.A.M. No. A 2818, from Geitsi Gubib, measures: Diam. maj. 22-6, min. 18'8 ; alt. max. 13 - 5 ; apert. 11-0 x 9-9 mm. Bottger founded the variety on five specimens from Ghous, north of Smalviseh Kop, Gordonia, and gives the measurements as : Diam. 21-24 ; alt. 10-111 ; apert. 10-10 X 11-12 mm. Almost every intermediate size between the typical form and the smaller variety can be found, the sculpture, height of spire, and consequent form of the umbilicus being by no means constant. DORCASIA ALEXANDRI, Gray, var. ROTUNDATA, Mousson. (PL III, f. 7. PL IV, f. 6, 16, 24. PL V, f. 8, 11.) 1887 Helix alexandri, Gray, var. rotundata, Mouss., J. de C. xxxv. p. 292. PL XII, f. 1. D.F. 1914 Dorcasia alexandri, Gray, var. sier/manni, Honigmann, Nach- richtsbl. d. D. Mai. Ges. Ixiv. p. 29. D.F. Shell depressed-globose, umbilicate, thin, semitransparent, pale corneous, peristome white and glossy. Spire depressed, each whorl, in profile, just projecting above the next ; apex obtuse. Whorls 4^, narrowly rounded, rapidly increasing, all but the apical sculptured with close, regular, transverse costae, which become closer and finer, but show very clearly, on the base and extend into the umbilicus ; last whorl descending very abruptly in front. Suture deep, simple. Aperture rounded-ovate ; peristome quite free, continuous, widely reflexed, but in no way overhanging the umbilicus, which is deep, but strangulate and very narrow. Dimensions of a specimen from Eehoboth : Diam. maj. 2T1, min. 16'8 ; alt. max. 12~3 ; apert. 1O8 x 9'2 mm. 170 Annals of the South African Museum. Animal of full-grown specimens from the same locality. Colour drab, possibly due to immersion in strong spirit ; roof of mantle-cavity apparently unpigmented. Left body-lobe divided into two separate portions, the left being rather small and not connected with the right by any fold or ridge (see PL IV., fig. 6, which also shows the arrangement of the pulmonary veins and the form of the kidney). Pedal gland embedded in the muscles of the foot at its hind end, but emerging into the body-cavity further forward. Jaw 1-9 mm. long, rather thin, golden-brown ; broader towards the middle, more pointed at the ends, and rather more curved than in D. coagulum and D. rogersi (PI. IV., fig. 24). Eadula of a specimen, the shell of which measured about 21 mm. in diameter, 5xl'8mm. ; transverse rows of teeth almost straight; teeth less diverse in shape than in D. coagulum and D. rogersi; outer marginals with squarer bases (PI. IV., fig. 16) ; ectocones are present on about five-eighths of the teeth ; formula (39 + 1 + 40) x 139. In another specimen several of the rows of teeth are abnormally shortened and crowded, the formula being (41 + 1 + 41) x 166, and the radula measures 5'2 x 1'8 mm. Crop and salivary glands apparently unpigmented. Buccal retractor united with the left tentacular retractor for a longer distance than in the other species. Eeproductive system (PI. V., fig. 8): hermaphrodite duct very slender and closely convoluted ; vesicula seminalis long ; common duct abruptly curved at its anterior end; free oviduct scarcely swollen, receptaculum seminis larger than in D. coagulum and D. rogersi ; vagina long ; vas deferens very loosely attached to the side of the penis ; the part next to the posterior half of the penis is closely convoluted, the convolutions being bound together by a sheath of connective tissue ; penis long, curved and contorted, especially towards the posterior end, though the bends occupy different positions in different individuals. Hab. DAMABALAND. Eehoboth District. Type of rotundata in Zurich Museum ; siegmanni in coll. Natermann. The published figures of rotundata hardly convey a proper idea of the actual shell, as they entirely fail to show the well-marked basal sculpture, which is its most prominent characteristic. This unfortunate omission was the cause of its being re- described by Honigmann under the varietal name of siegmanni. However, at the instance of Herr Carl Natermann, cotypes of the last-named form have been compared by Dr. 0. Stoll, of Zurich, with the type set of rotundata, and pronounced inseparable. Both were Notes on South African Mollusca. 171 described from the Rehoboth District, and are known, as yet, from no other locality. In a large series, the shape of the peristome and the relative position of the umbilicus differ considerably. The peristome may be either acuminate-ovate or nearly circular ; the last whorl, also, may descend very abruptly in front and cause the peristome to be entirely solute, or less abruptly, when the peristome may be almost adnate. The striation is not quite constant, being perceptibly closer in some specimens, both above and beneath, than in others. The dimensions vary considerably, a few specimens, taken at random, measuring : Diam. maj. 25'2, min. 2OO ; alt. max. 13-5; apert. 12-2x11 mm. 25-1, 20-0; 13-2; ,, 12-3x9-8 22-0, 17-0; 13'0; 10'7x9-5 21-8, 17-1; 13-0; 11-2x9-5 This form differs anatomically from the other members of the genus that have been examined in several minor features, one of the most striking being the close convolution of the posterior part of the vas deferens. Although the vas deferens is not wholly detached from the side of the penis, as is said to be the case in the typical form of D. alexandri, it is much more loosely joined to it than in D. coaguliim and D. rogersi ; and it is interesting to note that this gradual separation of the vas deferens from the wall of the penis is correlated with the lengthening and contortion of the latter organ, just as in Trigonephrus lucanus. The jaw is striated, and the caecal prolongation of the penis, described as occurring in the typical form of D. alexandri, is absent from this variety. DOBCASIA ALEXANDRI, Gray, var. TRIVIA, 0. Boettger. 1910 D. alexanderi, Gray, var. trivia, Bttg., Abh. Senckenb. Naturf. Ges. Frankfurt, xxxii. p. 439. PI. XXVIII, f. 3. D.F. I have not seen this vai'iety, the following notes on the Type being compiled from information kindly rendered by Dr. Haas. Shell intermediate in size between the typical form and var. minor, but of thinner texture. The elevation of the whorls and general form of the aperture and umbilicus are similar to typical alexandri, but the sculpture consists of raised, rather distant costae, from ^ to 1 mm. apart, whereas the fine striae of alexandri are far closer together, 3 to the mm. on the last whorl. 172 Annals of the South African Museum. Animal unknown. Hab. DAMARALAKD. Khoma's Plateau. Type in Senckenberg Museum. Boettger founded this variety on 13 specimens, and gives the measurements as : Diam. 24-30; alt. 14-15 mm. DORCASIA ALEXANDRI, Gray, var. PERSPECTIVA, nov., 1915. (PI. Ill, f. 8.) Shell depressed-globose, umbilicate, thin, semitransparent, type pale buff, peristome white and glossy. Spire flattened, each whorl, in profile, just projecting above the next ; apex obtuse. Whorls 44, very rounded, fairly rapidly and regularly increasing, the apical smooth, remainder beautifully sculptured with curved transverse costae, at first close, fine and regular, gradually becoming coarser and, towards the aperture, irregularly waved or broken and wider apart. The last whorl descends abruptly in front, but not so as to conceal the aperture entirely. Aperture roundly ovate ; peristome continuous, broadly reflexed, quite free and clearly projecting from the last whorl, but in no part overhanging the umbilicus, which is broad and very deep, so that the apex is fully disclosed and quite transparent. Diam. maj. 29'0, min. 22-0 : alt. max. 12'8; apert. 13'8xll-5 mm. Animal unknown. Hab. DAMARALAND. Omaruru Eiver (A. Wohlfahrt). Type in Kimberley Museum. This is the most northerly form of alexandri yet known. The Type set, being almost subfossil, are nearly colourless, but would doubtless be pale corneous were they in live condition. The shell differs from that of var. trivia, Boettger, in having even coarser sculpture, and in its umbilicus being very broad and deep instead of more or less shallow and narrow, as in other described forms of alexandri. The dimensions vary considerably. I have selected the largest example as Type ; others measure respectively : Diam. maj. 26-0, min. 19'8; alt. max. 11-0 mm. 23-0, 18-5; 10-5 22-6, 18-2; 10-7 22-0, 17-4; 10-1 A glance at D. alexandri and its varieties will show that, if they all belong to the same widely distributed species, it is an extremely Notes on South African Mollusca. 173 variable one. Little reliance can be placed on the comparative size of the shell, height of the spire, or shape of the aperture, but the perforation varies from a slit to a well, and the sculpture from fine and regular to irregular and costate. Moreover, the difference in anatomy between the only two forms which have yet been examined may well be more than merely varietal. It is quite possible, there- fore, that, when we have a better knowledge of their anatomy and exact distribution, more than one of the so-called varieties of alexandri will be proved worthy of specific rank. On the other hand, it will be seen that the gradual, constant divergence from Type increases quite regularly in a northerly direction, from the rimate typical form with hardly visible sculpture in the south, through rotundata and trivia, to the widely umbilicate perspective!, with costate sculpture in the north. This gradual divergence is less incompatible with all the forms belonging to one species than if they were scattered about indiscriminately, irrespective of geographical restrictions. I therefore prefer, for the present, not to disturb the varietal arrangement ; it can easily be done later, if wan'anted by the occasion. GENUS TULBAGHINIA, Melv. & Pons., 1898. A.M.N.H. i. p. 28. Shell rather large, depressed-globose, umbilicate, usually cor- neous and ornamented with bands or mottling ; peristome thickened or reflexed, sometimes showing weak dentition on the colurnella. Animal unknown. Distribution. The South-western district of the Cape Province, chiefly in the more wooded areas between Tulbagh and Bredasdorp. Genotype, Tulbaghinia isomcrioidcs (M. & P.). Founded as a sub-genus of Dorcasia for T. isomerioides, on account of its peculiar columellar formation. As it is extremely doubtful whether this species belongs to the Dorcasiinae at all, it is obviously advisable to raise Tulbaghinia to generic rank. I have no hesitation in including schaerfiae, Pfr., in the genus on account of its close conchological affinity with the genotype. The general appearance of the shell, especially the white, thickened peristome, recalls certain members of the Dorcasiinae, and, until more is known of the animal, I am content to regard the genus as representing the sylvan races of the subfamily. 174 Annals of the South African Museum. TULBAGHINIA ISOMEKIOIDES (Melv. & PonS.). 1898 Dorcasia (Tulbaghinia) isomerioides, M. & P., A.M.N.H. i. p. 28. PL VIII, f. ]0. D.F. Shell rather large, depressed- globose, umbilicate, fairly thin, trans- lucent, bright corneous, slightly paler beneath ; peristome white and glossy ; interior showing the colour of the exterior. Spire depressed, apex very obtuse. Whorls 5, rounded, rather gradually increasing, all but the apical covered with close, curved, well-defined transverse striae, the earlier whorls showing considerable faint malleation, and the last, clear microscopic granulation. Suture simple, rather shallow. Aperture truncate-ovate ; peristome narrowly reflexed, ends joined by a thin callus. Columella furnished with three small protuberances on the inner edge ; outer columellar margin forming a distinct angle of 130 3 -8 mm. from its junction with the paries. Dimensions of Type: Diam. inaj. 30-0, min. 24'6; alt. max. 15-8; apert. 16'2xl2'4 mm.; ends of peristome 4'1 mm. apart. Animal unknown. Hab. CAPE PEOVINCE. Tulbagh. Type in British Museum. Only three specimens are known, and in these the peculiar columellar dentition is variable, there being three processes in the Type and only two in another example. The last mentioned, which I described in Vol. XI. p. 152 of these ANNALS, also differs widely from the Type in coloration, being dark olive-brown, beautifully mottled with yellow on the upper whorls. Whether this, or the uniform brown of the Type, is the normal colour scheme of the species, will be proved when further examples come to hand. Although the little protuberances on the columella may prove to be of specific value in the case of T. isomerioides, something of a similar nature is of irregular, though infrequent occurrence in other Dorcasiinae. Possibly owing to its slime attracting minute par- ticles of sand, the parietal region of Trigonephrus globulus is some- times quite rough with brown, horny points, while even in the shell figured (PI. II, f. 1) a somewhat similar excrescence is notice- able on the exterior of the outer lip. I have also seen an example of T. gypsinus, which showed a minute, perfectly formed denticle just inside the basal margin of the aperture. TULBAGHINIA SCHAERFIAE (Pfeiffer). 1861 Helix schaerfiae, Pfr., Mal.Blatt., viii. p. 73. PI. II, f. 1-3. D.F. Shell depressed orbicular, umbilicate, thin, glossy, semitrans- parent, bright corneous, with several narrow, regular, spiral rufous Notes on South African Mollusca. 175 bands, more frequent above, but also present, though fewer and fainter, beneath; peristome white and glossy; interior nacreous blue. Spire flattened. Whorls 4, flattish, rapidly increasing and ex- panding, covered with close, regular, transverse striae which impart a satin-like appearance to the shell. Suture simple, rather shallow. Aperture quadrate-oval ; peristome very slightly thickened. Colurnella extremely weak. Umbilicus deep and open. Dimensions of a shell from Oudebosch, in my collection : Diam. maj. 29 - 9, rnin. 24'0 ; alt. max. 14'7 ; apert. 14'6xl3 - mm.; ends of peristome 8*2 mm. apart. Animal unknown. Hab. CAPE PROVINCE. Bredas Bosch and Oudebosch. Type in Stettin Museum, from Bredas Bosch. Layard's notes on this species run : " Of this beautiful shell there are three very distinct varieties : (a) a pale, almost white var., marked with sparse, faint, brown lines ; (b) also pale, but covered with close-set, well-marked, dark brown longitudinal lines. " These two varieties are from the open veldt at Bredasdorp, and are, except slightly on the underside, destitute of epidermis. This, I conceive, is burnt off by the sun, for at Oudebosch, in Caledon District, in the forest, my son and I took (c) a lovely variety, of a dark brown colour, covered with a beautiful transparent epidermis, quite polished and glistening on the underside, through which the dark brown bands of the shell show quite plainly. In this locality the shells are protected from the sun by the dense forest. I never saw this shell from any other localities than those named, and it is there not a common species." The pale coloration of Layard's vars. (a) and (b) is not due to loss of epidermis, as I have seen similarly marked specimens in excellent condition. The ground colour is pale cream, and the narrow reddish bands may be either quite conspicuous or almost invisible. APPENDIX. UNDETERMINED VARIETIES. A few specimens which have come under examination are not referable to any of the preceding forms, but, owing either to insuffi- 176 Annals of the South African Museum. cient material or poor condition, I have not ventured to found new species on them. When live examples come to hand, some of them will doubtless prove worthy of names. I append rough diagnoses of the more remarkable. 1. TEIGONEPHBUS, spec. (S.A.M. No. A 2817). Shell somewhat resembling in contour a small, blunt-apexed T. 2)orp]ii/rostoma, bleached and subfossil, but once, apparently, of brownish colour with reddish purple peristome. Whorls 5, sculp- ture resembling that of rosaceus. Aperture similar to that of globidus ; peristome much thickened, columellar margin completely overgrowing the umbiicus, so that the shell appears to be imperforate. Alt. max. 37'8; diam. 33'5; apert. 19'6xl7 4 5 mm.; ends of peristome 12'75 mm. apart. Animal unknown. Hal. GREAT NAMALAND. Granite Berg, 27 30' S. ; 15 30' E. (Rogers). Possibly an aberrant form of porphyrostoma. 2. TRIGONEPHBUS, spec. (S.A.M. No. 8235a). Shell slightly elongate-globose, thin, semitransparent, dark reddish brown ; peristome brown. Spire a little produced, apex bluntly rounded. Whorls 4^, rapidly increasing, all but the apical covered with close, faint transverse, and microscopic spiral striae. Aperture quadrate-ovate, shaped like that of T. globidus; peristome moderately thickened and reflexed, half concealing the narrow umbilicus. Alt. max. 25-8; diam. 21'1 ; apert. 13'5 x lO'l mm.; ends of peristome 9'6 mm. apart. Animal unknown. Hub. CAPE OP GOOD HOPE. St. Helena Bay (Gould). A single specimen, possibly a sport from the local race of globulus, but differing in its darker colour and the absence of the infra-sutural white band, while in form resembling a squat T. namaquensis, var. procems, rather than globulus. A longer series is necessary before its exact status can be determined. 3. TRIGONEPHRUS, spec. A little brown shell, almost similar in shape to T. ambiguosus, var. compactus, but considerably smaller, with a white peristome. Its Notes on South African Mollusca. 177 dimensions are: Diam. maj. 21, min. 17'3 ; alt. max. 15-8; apert. 11 3 x 9-3 mm. Two specimens, labelled " Namaqualand," in the Layard Col- lection. I am uncertain whether they can be the pair mentioned as from Namaqualand on p. 146, or whether they are not rather the small form of lacanus from Bredasdorp (p. 158). Under such cir- cumstances, it seems inadvisable to name them. 4. DORCASIA ALEXANDRA var. (S.A.M. No. A 2819). Shell similar to the typical form in all respects except the sculpture, which, though much worn, appears to be slightly more pronounced, and the umbilicus, which is very wide and open, deep and perspective, extending to the transparent apex. Diam. maj. 28'1, min. 22-8 ; alt. max. 14-2 ; apert. 15 x 11 mm. Animal unknown. Hab. DAMABALAND. Erongo Mountains (Eogers). A connecting link between the var. perspectives, which it resembles in its open umbilicus, and the typical form, which it nearly resembles in sculpture. The locality, however, being just north of the Omaruru, suggests that it is a smoothish sub-variety of pcrspectiva, rather than a widely umbilicate one of the true alexandri. 5. HELIX BULBUS, Menke. 1848 Helix bulbus, Mke., Pfr., Zeitschr. f. Malak. v. p. 116. D. 1853 ,, Conch Cab., p. 268. PI. CXXII (1852), f. 4-6. D.F. Apparently founded on a single specimen, whose present where- abouts cannot be traced. A translation of Pfeiffer's diagnosis runs: "Shell moderately umbilicate, globose-depressed, thin, irregularly rugose and sculp- tured with impressed concentric lines ; white ; spire flattish. Whorls 4i-, almost flat, the last rounded, scarcely descending in front. Aperture oblique, lunate-oval, interior white, shining ; peri- stome simple, margins approximating, the right lip straight, curved forward ; the basal very slightly reflexed ; the columellar margin dilated. Shell 26 x 21 ; alt. 13 mm." " Hab. CAPE, in coll. Menke." The description and figure should be quite sufficient for the identification of the species, should it ever be rediscovered. Not only, however, do the conspicuous spiral striae suggest little affinity 178 Annals of the South African Museum. with the Dorcasiinae, but the shell appears to be quite unlike any- thing known to exist in South Africa, though, were it not for the spiral sculpture, it might be attributable to some bleached form of Natalina. Failing the reappearance of the Type, therefore, I am inclined to believe that the locality quoted is erroneous, and, for this reason, to expunge H. bulbus altogether from the South African list and place it in the category of lost species. PLATE II. Fig. 1. Trigoncphriis globnlus (Mull.) ; from a specimen in my collection. ,, 2. T. globulus, forma minor; from a specimen in my collection. ,, 3. T. gypsinns (Melv. & Pons.); from the Type in British Museum. ,, 4. T. rosacens (Miill.) ; from a specimen in the South African Museum. ,, 5. T. rosacens, forma minor; from a specimen in my collection. ,, 6. T. porphyrostoma (Melv. & Pons.) ; from a specimen in the South African Museum. ,, 7. T. natnaquensis (Melv. & Pons.) ; from a specimen in the South African Museum. ,, 8. T. namaqnemis, var. procerus, nov. ; from the Type in coll. Ponsonby. ,, 9. T. namaquensis, var. procerus ? ; from a specimen in the South African Museum. ,, 10. T. lucanus (Miill.) ; from a specimen in my collection. ,, 11. T. ambiguosus (For) ; from a specimen in my collection. ,, 12. T. ambiguosus, var. compactus, nov.; from the Type in my collection. Ann. S.Afr.Mus.Vol. XIII. Plate II. Wesb.Newrr.au del.et lith. SPECIES OF TRIGONEPHRUS. PLATE III. Fig. 1. Dorcasia coaynlum (v. Mts.) ; from a specimen in the South African Museum. ,, '2. D. rogerxi, nov. ; from the Type in the South African Museum. ,, 3. D. roycrsi, forma maxima; from a specimen in the South African Museum. ,, 4. D. cernua (v. Mts.) ; from the Type in Berlin Museum. 5. D. alexandri, (Gray) ; from the Type in British Museum. ,, 6. D. alexandri, var. minor, Bttg. ; from a specimen in the South African Museum. ,, 7. D. alexandri, var. rotundata, Mouss. ; from a specimen in the South African Museum. ,, 8. D. alexandri, var. perspcctira, nov. ; from the Type in Kimherley Museum. Ann. S.Afr.M-us.Vol. XIII. Plate III West, Newman del.eL lath. SPECIES OF DORCASIA. PLATE IV. ANATOMY OP THE DORCASIINAE. Figs. 1-6. Pallial organ* seen from below, showing the arrangement of the pulmonary veins, with the mantle-edge and left body-lobes above, the pericardium and kidney below, and the rectum on the left side. (Somewhat diagrammatic.) Fig. 1. Trigonephrus globulus (Mull.). ,, 2. T. porphyrostoma (M. & P.). ,, 3. T. namaquensis (M. - f t /~~\ f~\ r ~\ r Q 12 - g 18 19 27 35 41 28 23 18 .13 S ^ ^ 17 18 I 1 K 27 PLATE V. ANATOMY OP THE; DORCASIINAE. Figs. 1-8. Reproductive organs, showing the genital opening above, the albumen gland and vesicula seminalis below, the hermaphrodite gland on the right, the penis on the left, and the receptaculum seminis in the middle. Fig. 1. Trigonephnw globulus (Miill.) x 3. ,, 2. 2'. rosaceus (Miill.) x 1*5. ,, 3. T. porplnjrostoma (M. & P.) x 1-5. ,, 4. T. namaquensis (M. & P.) x 3. ,, 5. 2'. lucanus (Miill.) x 2-25. ,, 6. Dorcasia coagulum (v. Mts.) x 3-3. ,, 7. D. rogersi, nov. x 3'3. ,, 8. D. alexandri, var. rotundata (Mouss.) x 4. Figs. 9-11. Spermatozoa, showing the head and anterior end of the tail. Fig. 9. Trigonephriis globulus (Miill.) x 1,200. ,, 10. 2'. lucanus (Miill.) x 1,200. ,, 11. Dorcasia alexandri, var. rotundata, Mouss. x 1,200. Ann. S.Afr.Mus. Vol. XIII. Plate V. West.Newman collotype. (179) 8. Notes on South African Non-marine Mollusca. By M. CONNOLLY. (Continued.} IV. A hitherto unnamed variety of DORCASIA ALEXANDRI Gray. IN the Monograph of Dorcasiinae, published last year in these Annals, I mentioned on p. 177 a shell from the Erougo Mountains, of which I had then only seen a single specimen, as being probably worthy of a varietal name. Through the kindness of Messrs. Henry Burnup and John Pousonby- Fane I have now been enabled to examine an extensive series of this form, collected on Mt. Usakos by Mr. P. Ross Frames, and can thus furnish further particulars. To Mr. Burnup I am also much indebted for copious notes, whose incorporation in the present paper adds greatly to its value, and reduces my own task to a minimum. DORCASIA ALEXANDRI Gray, var. MONTANA, nov. 1916. Shell depressed-globose, widely umbilicate, rather thin, translucent, Type slightly bleached, pale chestnut above, shading to pale greyish- yellow beneath, peristorne yellowish-white. Spire but little raised, though each whorl, in profile, projects clearly above the next ; apex obtuse. Whorls 5, very rounded, rapidly increasing, the 2 apical almost smooth, remainder prettily sculptured above with very fine, close, regular, curved striae, which become much fainter beneath ; last whorl descending rapidly in front ; suture simple, rather deep. Aperture acuminate-ovate ; peristonie quite free, continuous, margins not 14 180 Annals of the South African Museum. thickened, reflexed, but not overhanging the umbilicus, which is very wide and deep, extending to and clearly exposing the transparent apex. Diain. maj. 27'9, niin. 22'5 ; alt. 14'1; apert. 16'2 x 13'0 rum. Hob. DAMARALAND. Mt. TJsakos (Frames, 1915). Erongo Moun- tains (Rogers, 1914). Bullspoort, between Nauchas and Maltahohe (Tucker, 1916). At Mr. Burnup's request I have placed the Type in the British Museum. The chief points in which the new variety differs from typical alexandri are in the umbilicus, which is wide and deep instead of shallow and strangulate, and the aperture, which is more acuminate ; the sculpture also, though fine and close, is markedly more pronounced than in the typical form. Both its umbilicus and aperture closely resemble those of rar. perspectiva, but the sculpture is so distinct that unless intermediate forms are found there will never be any difficulty in differentiating one from the other. I have selected as Type a shell possessing the double advantage of being the freshest specimen, and also almost exactly intermediate between the two extremes in size, for the latter feature varies greatly, the largest example measuring: Diain. maj. 34'5 ; min. 28 - ; alt. 16'4 ; apert. 21*1 x 15'6 mm.; and the smallest: Diam. maj. 21'7; min. 17 - 3; alt. lO'O : apert. ITS x 9'7 mm. The average size of the variety, however, would appear to be a little greater than that of the Type, the smaller specimens being in a minority. The fact of its only occurring, so far, on mountains permits the choice of a distinctive varietal name, but I do not suppose that montana will necessarily prove to be confined to mountainous districts, or that such surroundings exercise any influence on the characters of the shell. The Type-set were collected at different altitudes between 300 and 1200 ft., but the size does not appear to be affected by the height. The largest example comes from the 700 ft. level, and the smallest from that of nearly 1200 ft., but there is no average uniformity, as the highest and lowest levels also produce shells only infinitesiinally smaller than the maximum. The aperture is fairly constant in form throughout the series, measuring in four other specimens 19 - 5 x 16, 16 - 8 x 14, 16'75 x 14'3, and 14-8 x 12'3 mm. A series of bleached shells in the South African Museum from the Erongo Mountains present very nearly the same characters as the Notes on South African Non-marine Mollusca. 181 Type-set, although the sculpture is not quite so fine, and the peristome shows a tendency to coalesce with the last whorl instead of being perfectly solute. Since the foregoing was written two bleached examples have been received by the South African Museum from Bulls Mouth Pass (Bullspoort) between Nauchas and Maltahohe, which undoubtedly belong to the new variety. They differ slightly therefrom, however, in that their sculpture is less pronounced than in the Type ; their apertm-e also is more remote from the umbilicus, so that a consider- able expanse of the base of the last whoi'ls is exposed between the umbilicus and the refiexed edge of the peristome. The shells measure respectively : Diam. maj. 33'2, min. 26'0 ; alt, 17'0; apert. 17'9 x 147 mm. 31-5, 24-8 ; 16-5 ; 16-0 x 12-0 mm. V. On the introduced Land-Moll uscan Fauna of South Africa. I have more than once been taken to task for inserting the introduced species in my Revised Reference List, iii their natural order instead of sequestrating them to some other portion of the volume. My answer is that not only is it almost impossible to decide, in some instances, whether a species is indigenous or otherwise, but also that I have been often misled, in books where the last-mentioned system prevails, by not noticing or by being unable to find the introduced species ; so that I much prefer including them in Generic sequence in the body of the work. As time goes on, however, it will become increasingly difficult to determine the introduced species, so it may be well to publish a tentative list while it is still possible to collect information from living authorities as to the dates and means of their introduction. This list combines two distinct groups. One contains, for the most part, large forms whose importation by human agency can be actually verified and whose distribution is even now confined to the most restricted limits of civilisation ; the other consists of minute shells, found as often as not in primeval jungle, the date and means of whose introduction, if they were introduced at all, is problematical, and whose diffusion is probably attributable to the agency of birds and winds. I include Land-slugs and one or two of the Limnteidte in the following list, but omit semi-marine Genera such as Melampus and 182 Annals of the South African Museum. Onchidium, owing to the uncertainty as to their correct identification and the difficulty of determining their original home. TESTACELLA MAUGEI Ferussac ( T. aurigaster Layard in MS.). Taylor * holds that aurigaster Layard is synonymous with maugei, and as his views have recently been confirmed by H. Watson f there is no ground for the retention of the former name, a desirable result, since no description or figure of aurigaster can be traced and the name is really nude. T. maugei is restricted to Cape Town, and is now becoming fairly frequent in other gardens than those of the South African Museum, in which it was first noticed by Layard. It is peculiarly spasmodic in its appearance, being moderately abundant one season and then allowing several years to elapse before again attracting attention. Its introduction to its South African habitat is easily accountable. VlTREA CRYSTALLINA (Miiller). Only known so far from a few gardens in the neighbourhood of Cape Town and Wynberg, where it has been found locally abundant by E. M. Lightfoot, who first noticed the species in 1890 ; it has doubtless been imported in soil. POLITA ALLIARIA (Miller). Frequent in gardens at Grahamstown, where Mr. Farquhar tells me that he found it in decayed leaves under bushes, fifty yards from his house, when he first went there about 1894. Its introduction probably dates to a considerably earlier period, for the G-rahamstowii shells are so much more highly sculptured than typical alliaria that they might have been considered a distinct species, were it not that the Rev. E. Wake Bowell has pronounced their anatomy to be identical with that of the European form. The ordinary smooth variety has existed for at least six years in the greenhouses round the South African Museum, Cape Town. POLITA CELLARIA (Miiller). Considering that it was noticed by Benson at Roudebosch, where it is now abundant in the woods of Groot Schuur, as long ago as 1846, and was also recorded by Gibbons from the Cape in 1878, it is * Mon. Brit. Moll. 1902, pp. 25, 27. t Ann. Natal Mus. 1915, iii, p. 220. Notes on South African Non-marine Mollusca. 183 surprising that this species is not now more widely diffused than is actually the case. V It is pretty general all over the cultivated part of the Cape Peninsula, without, however, encroaching much upon the wilder districts, and it is also recorded from Stellenbosch, Somerset East and Somerset West. The only specimen which I have seen from Bula- wayo has the appearance of having travelled there dead in a flower- pot, but Miss Wilman informs me that the species has been observed within the last two years at Kimberley, where it is not infrequent in one or two gardens. POLITA DRAPARNAUDI (Beck). Found in nursery gardens by W. J. Oakley about 1908 at Ronde- bosch, and by myself in 1909 at Kenilworth, C.P., where it is associated with Z. arboreus (Say), but is confined to one or two greenhouses, whereas arboreus is as happy in the open as under glass. The Kenilworth examples of draparnaudi grow to a large size, my finest measuring 16 x 14 mm. in diameter. The animal has been examined and identified by the Eev. E. W. Bo well. ZONITOIDES ARBOREUS (Say). Shells apparently inseparable from this widespread American species have been collected in nursery gardens at Kenilworth ; the Botanical Gardens, Pietermaritzburg ; the Zoological Gardens, Pretoria ; and at Grahamstown, Queenstown, Kiugwilliamstown and Port Elizabeth, to all of which localities it may easily have been transported through commerce. Of course the presence in the Sub-continent of Zonitoides africanus Bttg. and Z. ciipido M. & P. renders it by no means improbable that other endemic species of this Genus exist therein, and it is really far more remarkable that shells from so many diverse localities should be inseparable from arboreus than if they belonged to distinct indigenous species. KALIELLA SIGURENSIS Godwin-Austen. Dautzenberg and Germain * consider the above to be synonymous with K. barraJcporensis (Pfr.). Whichever name it should bear, this little shell is abundant in many wooded districts up the eastern side of the Continent where it has certainly not been spread by human agency. Its distribution south of the Zambesi includes the Botanical Gardens, * Eev. Zool. Africaine, 1914, iv, p. 17. 184 Annals of the South African Museum . Pietermaritzburg, and other Natalian localities in Dargle, Equeefa, Karkloof and Tyeloti, while in the Transvaal it occurs at Fountains, Pretoria, in company with introduced species like V. excentrica, P. orcula and L. truncatida, and on the banks of Hennops River, 15 miles west of Pretoria, where it is hardly likely to have been carried by the hand of man. In regard to the group of introduced Slugs I can add but little, to the bare details given in my Reference List. Mr. Hugh Watson very kindly permits me to publish a few additional localities from which he has recently received material, with the proviso that they must be accepted for the present as purely conjectural, owing to the impossibility of accurate identification until his anatomical analyses are completed. LlMAX FLAVUS Limit'. Chronicled by Collinge under the name of variegatus in 1900 from Cape Town and in 1901 from Natal, where it is said to be common at Pietermaritzburg. Lightfoot writes that he first noticed it at Cape Town in 1898, but has never found it outside the precincts of gardens and outhouses. A slug that is almost certainly attributable to this species is reported by Watson from Gfrahamstown (Farquhar). LIMAX MAXIMUS Linne. Discovered by Lightfoot on Table Mountain, above Newlands, in 1900, and collected by Gr. French in the same locality in 1913. MILAX GAGATES (Draparnaud). Date of introduction uncertain, but it was collected near Cape Town by the " Challenger" Expedition in 1873, while Smith* considers that it may have provided the original material on which Krauss founded his Liinax capensis in 1848. M. cjagates is also recorded from Ash ton and Storms Vlei, Cape Province (Purcell), and from Pietermaritzburg. AGRIOLIMAX AGRESTIS (Linnc). Recorded by Sturany from Port Elizabeth (no finder mentioned) in 1898, and by Collinge from Cape Town (Lightfoot) in 1900, and from Pietermaritzburg in 1910. * P. Z. S. 1884, p. 276. Notes on South African Non-marine MoHusca. 185 Watsou considers that specimens collected at Caledon and East London by Mrs. Longstaff in 1914, and at Albert Falls, Natal, by Akermaii in ]910, will probably prove to belong to this species. Lightfoot has also taken it in gardens at Stellenbosch, Ceres and East London. AGRIOLIMAX L^VIS (Miiller). Recorded by Sturauy from " Cape " (in Vienna Museum) in 1898,. by Collinge from Cape Town (finder not mentioned) in 1901, and by Taylor from Queenstown, Cape Province (Dower) in 1904. It is probable that examples from Thornville Junction, Natal (Burnup, 1907), will eventually prove to belong to this species. ARION FUSCUS (Miiller). Lightfoot found this species to be fairly common on the slopes of Table Mountain at Plaat Klip, and on Signal Hill, in 1898. It was chronicled by Colliuge from Pietermaritzburg in 1910. ARION INTERMEDIUS Normand. Stated by Simroth to have been collected on the Cape Flats by Schultze in 1904. In addition to the chances of possible importation by the earlier Dutch and Huguenot settlers, there has more recently been established a considerable German agricultural colony in this neighbourhood, so that the presence there of any of the commoner Eui'opeau Molluscs is easily explainable. EULOTA SIMILARIS (Ft'russac). A widespread circum-tropical species whose presence at Durban is doubtless accountable to introduction in plants from Mauritius or Ceylon. It is making little headway in South Africa, for although collected in Durban by Plant about 1860 and in a garden on the Berea, near the Botanical Gardens, by Quekett about 1900, Mr. Burnup informs me that the only fresh locality known to him is in the Stella Bush, near Durban, where specimens have been taken within the last four years. As houses have recently been built abutting on the Bush, E. similar is may well have been carried there in plants from the Berea, but it certainly appears probable that the species is now breeding in Natal. 186 Annals of the South African Museum. COCHLICELLA ACUTA (Milller). I believe that the only South African locality for this Mediterranean species is St. James, Cape Peninsula, where a little colony was discovered by the present writer in 1909 under spare sleepers near the railway station, in company with P. ceUaria, which found the little helicoids a particularly appetising luxury. Dr. Periuguey courteously informs me that the sleepers have disappeared, but that C. aciita is now to be found on Eichardia (the beautiful white arum, locally known as Pig-lily) in the vicinity of the station. The sleepers are supposed to have been brought either from Australia or the Knysna forest, which does not account for the intro- duction of this species, but the shells are remarkably thin and fragile, in great contrast to the solid Mediterranean form. PUPISOMA JAPONICUM Pilsbry. A species inseparable from this Eastern form has evidently been long naturalised in Natal, as it is widely distributed far from the haunts of man, as well as in orchards in the neighbourhood of big towns. The localities given by Burnup are Pietermaritzburg, Edendale, Karkloof, and N'timbankulu. PUPISOMA ORCULA (Benson). This Indian species is still more widely distributed than the fore- going, with which it has been found in all the above-mentioned locali- ties. It has also been identified from Richmond and Dargle in Natal ; Port Elizabeth and Grahamstown in the Cape Province ; Fountains, Pretoria ; and the Eaiu Forest, Victoria Falls. VALLONIA EXCENTRICA Sterki. Every South African specimen of Vallonia, formerly attributed to pulchella, which has been subjected to expert examination has proved to belong to Sterki's species. Although first found by Benson at High Constantia as long ago as 1846, it does not appear to have travelled far from civilisation, its distribution being confined to the near vicinity of large towns, and easily attributable to quite a mild tornado of that peculiarly dusty type which adds so little to the doubtful charms of life on the veldt. Thus it is found at Fountains, Pretoria, where original bush is inter- Notes on South African Non-marine Molln*<-. 187 spersed with patches of cultivation, in common with tho introduced P. orcida, K. sigitrensis, and L. truncatula, as well as the endemic Trachycystis hottentota M. & P. ; but in the Cape Peninsula, while hottentota inhabits the little piece of apparently original jungle in the Admiralty Ravine, Simoustown, excentrica has not spread beyond gardens in Cape Town and Wynberg. Its other localities are Somerset East, Grahamstown, Kingwilliams- town. and Port Elizabeth in the Cape Province, and Pietermaritzburg in Natal. HELIX ASPERSA M filler. The late Lord de Villiers informed me that he remembered this species being first brought to Cape Town by Mous. Dastre for eating- purposes about 1870. The rapidity with which it adapted itself to its new surroundings is evinced by the fact that it was one of the only three land-molluscs collected in that neighbourhood by the members of the " Challenger " Expedition iu 1873, while Gibbons wrote in 1878 that he had never seen the species so plentiful as it then was in the neighbourhood of Cape Town. Outside the Cape Peninsula and Robbeu Island H. aspersa is only known from Port Elizabeth, where Mr. Farquhar found it not un- common as long ago as 1882, and from Kimberley, where Miss Wilmau informs me that it made its first appearance in gardens in 1915. HELIX FAUX-NIGRA Chemnitz. Pallary* has shown that Mailer's original description of Helix lactea cannot possibly be applied to the well-known Mediterranean species, which must pass in future under the hideous, though appro- priate, name faux-nigra of Chemnitz. Two examples of this species were found by Mrs. Barber in 1897 in a garden on the bank of the Kowie River, where it does not appear to have perpetuated itself. The erroneous record of Pondoland in Melvill and Ponsonby's Check-list refers to this occasion. As the shells are no longer in existence it may be worth remarking that they were of the dark, bandless variety, such as is frequent at Teneriffe, a port of call for nearly half the traffic between Europe and the Cape. HELIX PISANA Mailer. This species was first noticed by W. G. Fail-bridge in 1881 on what was then Gallows Hill, but now forms part of Cape Town Docks. * Nachrichtsbl. d. D. mal. Ges. 1911, p. 8. 188 Annals of the South African Museum. It is now by far the commonest shell in the Cape Peninsula, where I believe it has caused the extinction of at least one native form, Trachycysti* rariplicata Bs., for which I have often searched at Green Point, its sole locality, without unearthing anything more interesting than thousands of the European species. From Cape Town H. piscina has spread across the Flats to Somerset West and Gordons Bay, and as far inland as Stellenbosch, while within the last thirty years it has become extremely plentiful at Port Eliza- beth and in the G-amtoos Valley. It was first noticed at Durban on sand-hills near the lighthouse in August, 1905, by Dr. Longstaff, and at East London in November, 1915, by E. M. Lightfoot, who rightly points out that its presence in the three last-mentioned localities is more likely to be due to separate introductions than to spreading of the species. LEUCOCHILOIDES CALAHAKICUS (Bottger). Even if the above is identical with such as senegalensis Morelet, or fallax Say, it can hardly be classed as an introduced species until the original home of this world-diffused form is determined. South African localities are: Jansenville ; Prieska ; Tauugs ; Hay District ; G-hous ; Bullspoort ; near Schlip in Damaraland ; and the Victoria Falls. ACHATINA AURORA Pfeiffer. There can be little doubt that the beach-rolled singleton which con- stitutes this species was neither born in Durban nor ever entered that port alive, but until it can be definitely identified with one of the equatorial forms it is impossible to determine its true habitat. ACHATINA FULICA (Ferussac). It is rather remarkable that this common East Coast and Mauritian species has not secured a wider footing in South Africa, the only known instance of its incursion being a half-grown specimen, which was captured in a Durban garden near some tins containing Crotons from Mauritius, and presented alive to Mr. Burnup about 15 years ago. C^ECILIOIDES ACICULA (Muller). Widely diffused, though infrequent, throughout the continent, apparently quite inseparable from the European form. I have found Notes on South African Non-marine Mollusca. 189 it in gardens at Wynberg, where it was very probably introduced direct in soil from England, and in the Bushveldt in the Northern Transvaal, where it is most unlikely to have been deposited by human agency. Other recorded localities ai-e Bloemfonteiu, Prieska, Cradock and Kimberley, to which may now be added Grahamstown (Kiucaid and Farquhar) and Macequece District, Portuguese East Africa. I have little doubt that G. advena Aucey, from Disappointment Vlei, Ovampoland, and C. ovampoensis M. & P., described from Ovampolaud and recorded by Sturany from Matolla, near Delagoa Bay, are synony- mous with C. acicula, but no authentic example of advena can be traced, while the Type-set of ovampoensis is now in hardly sufficiently good condition to admit of accurate comparison. SUBULINA OCTONA (Bruguiere). A shell attributed to this circum-tropical species is common at the Victoria Falls. As it is recorded by Pilsbry from both the East and West Coasts of Africa its occurrence in the centre is not unnatural. Pilsbry remarks : " It is generally and I believe correctly held that this species in the tropics of the Old World is an emigrant from America. It appears first to get foothold in centres of trade and agriculture and to spread with extraordinary rapidity into neighbouring districts" (Man. of Conch, xviii, p. 74). RUMINA DECOLLATA (Lilllle). As mentioned in my Reference List, there is no evidence that the two examples of this species which were found at Port Elizabeth in 1897 were imported in other than dead condition. They have recently been secured for the collection of the South African Museum. LIMN.EA TRUNCATULA (Miiller). The species named by Kiister L. umlaasianus and placed in the above synonymy by Bourguignat is by no means common in South Africa, being only recorded from the Umlaas River, Natal ; Fountains, Pretoria, and Stellenbosch. PLANOEBIS GIBBONSI Nelson. As this species was described from Zanzibar its occurrence in the Black River, Maitland, where it was first found in 1910, might appear to be due to human aid, but as it has since turned up in the Congo 190 Annals of the South African Museum. Free State and subfossil in a second South African locality, Newlauds, near Kimberley, it may well be endemic to a great part of South- equatorial Africa. IsiDORA CONTORTA (Micliaud). Although included in my Reference List, it is a little doubtful whether the truly typical form of this northern species exists south of the Zambesi, or whether the slightly immature examples from Grahams- toAvu, which I have attributed to it, might not have developed into I. tropica (Krauss). The latter is, in my opinion, merely the southern race of contorta, a variable species from which not only tropica, but several other named forms from various parts of the continent are hardly varietally separable. (191) INDEX. A. PAGE abbreviata (Pythia) . . 105 ACAVID^E . . .122 Achatina ( Achatinidte ) 188 acicula (Csecilioides) . 188 acuta (Auricula) . . 105, 120 advena (Csecilioides) . 189 sequaiis (Melampus) . 105 affinis (Pedipes) . . 106 agrestis (Agriolimax) . 184 Agriolimax (Limacidse) . . 184 alexandri (Dorcasia) . . 1C7 alliaria (Polita) . . 182 amarula (Tiara) . . 99 ambiguosus (Trigonephrus ) . 159 arboreus (Zonitoides) . . 183 Arion (Arionidse) . 185 aspersa (Helix) . . .187 aurora (Achatina) . 188 australis (Ophicardelus) . . 105 B barrakporensis (Kaliella) . . 183 bulbus (Helix) . . 177 C Csecilioides (Achatiuidse) . . 188 calaharicus (Leucochiloides) . 188 callaoensis (Auricula) . . 100, 107 cancellata (Tiara) . 99, 101 cellaria (Polita) . . 182 cernua (Dorcasia) . 166 coacta (Tiara) . . . 100 coagulum (Dorcasia) . . . 162 Cochlicella (Helicidse) . 186 compactus (Trig, ambiguosus, war.) . . 160 conica (Laimodonta) . . 106 contorta (Isidora) . 190 cornea (Cremnobates) . . 105 costata (Melania) ... 99 Cremnobates (Auriculidse) . 103, 107 crystallina (Vitrea) . . .182 cymbseformis (Auricula) . 107, 116 D PAGE decollata (Runiina) . . 189 Dorcasia (Acavidae) . . 121, 161 DOECASIIN^ . . 120, 134 draparnaudi (Polita) . . 183 E elongata (Auricula) . . 106 Enterodonta (Auriculidae) . . 106 Eulota (Helicidse) . 185 excentrica (Vallonia) . . 186 F fallax (Leucochiloides) . 188 t'aux-nigra (Helix) . . 187 filholi (Marinula) . 115 firminii (Auricula) . . 105 flavus (Limax) . . . 184 forestieri (Pedipes) . . 106 fulica (Acliatina) . 188 fuscus (Arion) . . 185 G gagates (Milax) . . 184 gibbons! (Planorbis) . . 189 globulus (Trigoncphrus) . . 143 gracilis (Melampus) . . 105 gypsinxis (Trigonephrusi . . 147 H Helix (Helicidse) . . .187 hottentota (Trachycystis) . . 187 intermedius (Arion) . . 185 Isidora (Limnseidas) . . . 190 isomerioides (Tulbaghinia) . 174 japonicum (Ptipisoma) . 186 192 Annals of the Smith African Mutt-inn. K PAGE Kaliella (Zonitida?) . . IS.'} lactea (Helix) . . 187 laevis (Agriolimax) . . 185 LeucochiJoides (Pupillidse) . . 188 Limax (Limacidse) . . 184 Limnsea (Limnaeidae) . .189 loweana (Phytia) . 105 lucanus (Trigonephrus) . 156 M maindroni (Marinula) . 114 Marinula (Auriculidse) 102, 107 maxigei (Testacella) . . 182 inaxinms (Limax) . 184 Melania (Tiaridse) . 99 MELANIID& . . 99 MELANI1N& . . 99 Milax (Limacidae) . 184 minor (D. alexaiidri, me.) . 169 minor (M. nigra, war.) . 113 Monica (Auriculidse) . . . 103 montana (D. alexandri, var.) . 179 N namaquensis (Trigonephrus) . 154 O octona (Subulina) . 189 orcula (Pupisoma) . 186, 187 ovampoensis (Csecilioides) . . 189 ovulus (Pedipes) . . . 116 parva (Marinula) . .114 patulus (Melampus) . . 107, 116 pellucida (Auricula) . . . 106 pepita (Marinula) . 102, 107 perspectiva (D. alexandri, var.) . 172 Phytia (Auriculidae) . . 103, 120 pisana (Helix) .... 187 Planorbis (Limnasidse) . 189 Polita (Zonitidse) . 182 ponsonlyi (Dorcasia) . . . 159 porphyrostoma (Trigonephrus) . 152 procerus (T. namaquensis, var.) . 155 pulchella (Vallonia) . . .186 punctata (Ovatella) . . . 105 Pupisoma (Helicida?) . . . 186 E PAGE rariplicata (Trachycystis) . . 188 recluziana (Auricula) . . 106, 120 rhoadsi (Marinula) . . . 106 rogersi (Dorcasia) . .164 rosaceus (Trigonephrus) . . 150 rotundata (D. alexandri, i-nr.) . 169 Rumina (Achatinidse) . . 189 schaernse (Tulbaghinia) . . 174 Senegal ensis (Leucochiloides) . 188 setosa (Tiara) . . 99 siegmanni (D. alexandri, var.) . 169 sigurensis (Kaliella) . . 183, 187 similaris (Eulota) . 185 solida (Cremnobates) . . 107, 116 sub ula (Auricula) . 106 Subulina ( Achatinidse) . 189 Testacella (Testacellidte) . 182 Thiara (Tiaridse) . 99 thiarella (Melania) . . 100 THIARIDJE . 101 Tiara (Tiaridse) . 99 TIAEID^J . 99 TIARIN^E . . 99 Trachycystis (Endodontidse) 187, 188 Trigonephrus (Acaviilse) . 121, 140 triplicate (Phytia) . 106,120 tristanensis (Marinula) . . 108 trivia (D. alexandri, var.) . . 171 tropica (Isidora) . 190 truncatula (Limnsea) . 1N7, 189 tuberculata (Tiara) . . 99 Tulbaghinia (Acaviche ) 173 umlaasianus (Limnseus) . . 189 Vallonia (Helicidae) 186 variegattts (Limax) . . 184 velaini (Marinula) . 113 vespertina (Phytia) . . 105 Vitrea (Zonitidee) . 182 vulcani (Auricula) . 105 xanthostoma (Marinula) . .116 Zonitoides (Zonitidse) . . . 183 (193) 9. Two New Species of Marginella from South .(/'rim. By LEWIS J. SHACKLEFORD. MARGINELLA TOMLINI sp. nov. Shell. Four whorls rather obtusely conical, smooth and very polished, pale straw-coloured, with no markings except two rows of irregularly J. S. Gladstone, photo. FIG. 1. Marginella tomlial. x 2. J. S. Gladstone, photo. FIG. 2. Marginella. tomlini. x 2. oblong black spots on the body-whorl, the upper of which is continued round the upper whorls, the spots becoming rounder and smaller as they approach the apical whorls, which are plain and glassy. The lower begins near the margin and ascends spirally on to the upper- most plait. There are ten spots in this row, three of which are on the plait itself. Spire raised only about 3 mm. above the summit of the outer lip. Suture not impressed. Spire moderately convex. Aperture long., 15 mm. ; lat. max. 3 mm. Margin moderately thickened. Columella with four well-defined plaits, the upper two being nearly straight and rather far apart, the lower two oblique. The outer lip 194 Anna/* <>f the Month African is white and smootli within and considerably curved. The plicae and margin are also white. Long. 18 nun. ; lat. 9 mm. Hob. Cape St. Blaize (S. Africa) N. by E. i E., distant 68 miles- 105 fathoms, s.s. " Pieter Faure." Type unique in the South African Museum. MARGINELLA TAYLORI sp. nov. Shell. Subtriangular ovate, smooth, shining, colour pale cream with a faint yellow band round the base ; spire blunt, the apex glassy ; suture slightly impressed ; whorls 4, the last whorl rising distinctly towards the aperture. J.S. Gladstone, phuto. FIG. 3. Marginella taylori. x 4. J. S. Gladstone, photo. FlG. 4. Marginella taylori. x 4. Coluninella covered with a thin callus, with seven plaits, somewhat oblique, the three uppermost almost obsolete, the others well defined and rather far apart, the penultimate the largest, the last very oblique. Aperture narrow for two-fifths of the upper part, thence widening as far as the base. Length of aperture 4 mm. ; greatest width 5 mm. Labrum moderately curved, thickened, finely lirate within, minutely denticulated along its entire length and inflected backwards in the lower part. Long. 5 mm. ; cliam. max. 2 mm. Hob. Cape St. Blaize (S. Africa) N. by E. E., distant 68 miles- 105 fathoms, s.s. " Pieter Faure." Two specimens, one broken, in the South African Museum. Named after Mr. J. Kidson Taylor (Buxton, Eug.), who has made Marginella a special study. The apparent marking shown on the figures, especially the back view, is due to the partial erosion of the shell. (195) 10. A Revision of the Lizards of the Genus Nucras, Gray. By Gr. A. BOULENGER, LL.D., D.Sc., F.R.S. (Published by permission of the Trustees of the British Museum.) (With Plates VI-VII.) INTRODUCTION. When, some twenty-five years ago, the late Dr. E. Klebs submitted to me the oldest known Lacertid (Oligoceue) with the lepidosis preserved through imbedding in amber, a careful comparison with recent lizards led me to refer it to the genus Nucras, although the essential generic character of the position of the nostril could not be ascertained, my conclusion being based on an examination of the digits and of the scaling of the gular and pectoral regions, which agreed better with Nucras tessellata than with any other lizard with which I was acquainted.* Since then I have made a more thorough study of the Lacertidae from the point of view of their probable evolution, and independent, correlative reasons have confirmed my provisional identification so far that, quite apart from any palae- ontological consideration, I am now inclined to regard Nucras as, on the whole, the most primitive genus of the Lacertidae. At the time I examined the lizard in amber, the representatives of the genus were believed to be confined to Africa no further north than the Zambesi Basin, and my suggested identification may there- fore have seemed somewhat risky from the standpoint of zoogeo- graphy. We must, however, bear in mind that, in Tertiary times, the general character of the reptile fauna of the northern parts of * Cf. R. Klebs, Schrift. Phys.-oek. Ges. Konigsberg, li., 1910, p. 227. As this lizard has uot received a name I propose to designate it as Nucras succineus. 15 196 Annals of the South African Museum. what is now the Palaearctic Region differed strongly from that of the present day. Iguanidae, now confined to the New World, Fiji, and Madagascar, occurred in the Miocene of Europe, and the Pleurodirau Chelouiaus, at the present time found only in Tropical and South Africa, Madagascar, and South America, were represented in the Eocene as far north as England. Wilhin the last fifteen years the range of Nucras has been ascertained to extend further to the north in Africa (Lake Victoria), and, in accordance with the view of the probable origin of these lizards, the northernmost species (N. emini) has every claim to be considered, from the morphological standpoint, as the most primitive of the genus. I therefore believe that Nucras had a northern origin, an opinion further supported by the fact that the Lacertidae, like the Agamidae, being absent from Madagascar, must have extended their range towards the south only after the connection of Africa with that island had been severed, whilst the presence of Iguanidae, Grerrhonotidae, and Chamaeleontidae may be explained by these having reached Madagascar from Africa at a period previous to the southern extension of the Lacertidae and Agamidae. The reasons for regarding the genus Nucras as the most primitive of the Lacertidae are the same as set forth in my recent paper on the derivation of the species of Lacerta,* in which L. acjilis is held to be the surviving representative of the ancestor of most, if not all, of the species of the genus Lacerta with which we are at present acquainted. Of the ten characters, or sets of characters, there mentioned nine are in accoi'dance with this view, the only two (7, 9) in which Nucras is not so primitive being the reduction of the dorsal lepidosis to smooth granules and the long tail, in which all the species at present known agree. f Otherwise we find (1) constant presence of teeth on the palate ; (2) a non-depressed or feebly depressed skull of moderate ossification (no supraorbital fontauelle, no dermal ossifications in the temporal region), although less primitive than that of L. agilis, owing to the narrower internarial space (comparable to L. vivipara in N. delalandii, to L. muralit in N. tessellata) ; (3) presence, in some forms at least, of the foramen parietale ; (4) nostril between two or three nasals, the first upper labial being well separated from it, and absence, in some species, of small scales between the supraoculars and the superciliaries ; (5) lower eyelid without transparent disc ; (6) no * Tr. Zool. Soc. xxi., 1916, p. 1. t Unless it be true that the tail of N. loulengeri is only 1? to li times the length of head and body, as stated in the description ; but it is not improbable that the fact of the organ being in a regenerated condition has been overlooked. A Revision of the Lizard* <>f I In' 'imy Nucrcts, Gray. 197 deuticulatiou in front of the ear-opening ; (8) cylindrical or feebly compressed digits with smooth lamellae interiorly ; (10) the ideal type of primitive markings in some forms, no vivid colours on the head and body. The niain principles of the evolution of markings, as held by me, are well supported by a study of the genus Nucras, which embraces striated, ocellated, and barred forms. The most primitive pattern, with 11 light longitudinal streaks, at least anteriorly, occurs in N. intertexta, var. holubi, and in N. tessellata (taeniolata, Smith). In the latter species the markings may vanish towards the posterior part of the body, and the streaks 011 the sides break up into spots and, further, rearrange themselves into cross-bars, as happens also in N. intertexta, var. liolubi. The dorsal striation may disappear and lead to ocellated forms (N. intertexta, typica). The most pronounced ocellar pattern, accompanied by the loss of the longitudinal streaks, is exemplified by N. delalandii, in which, further, the ocelli may disappear, to be replaced by black cross-bars. As a rule the white longitudinal streaks are more numerous on the nape than on the body, but I find one individual exception in a typical N. tessellata, which shows three dorsal streaks on the nape and four on the body. There are two important points in which the striation in Nucras differs fi'om that in Lacerta : (a) The outer light dorsal streak, instead of starting from the superciliary edge, originates on the border of the frontal shield and then follows the supraorbital border and the parietal shield ; (b) the vertebral streak, instead of ending on the base of the tail, may be continued a considerable distance along that organ ; evidently a- primitive condition in accordance with Eimer's law. The distinction of species in this genus has always been a matter of difficulty, all the greater for the small number of specimens which most authors have had at their disposal. I have been so fortunate as to be able to compare large series, preserved partly in the South African Museum, partly in the British Museum. Not long ago* I attempted a rearrangement into varieties from the South African material entrusted to me by my friend Dr. L. Peringuey, but I have since made a more profound study of the subject, resulting in the present monograph, in which detailed descriptions are given of the species and varieties. So much doubt still exists as to the value of certain characters of lepidosis and coloration, that the minute analysis of individual variations, as presented in this paper, will prove useful to * Ann. S. Afr. Mus. v., 1910, p. 473. 198 Annals of the South African Museum. those who might feel inclined to pursue further the investigation of this difficult group of lizards. NUCRAS. Nucras, Gray, Ann. N. H., i, 1838, p. 280 ; Lataste, Ann. Mus. Genova (2), ii, 1885, p. 124; Bouleng., Cat. Liz., iii, p. 52 (1887). Lacerta, part., Dum. & Bibr., Erp. Gen., v,p. 174 (1839) ; Bedriaga, Abh. Senck. Ges., xiv, 1886, p. 24. Nucras, part., Gray, Cat. Liz., p. 33 (1845). Zootoca, part., Gray, op. cit. p. 27. Bettaia, Bedriaga, t.c., p. 435. Head-shields normal. Nostril well separated from the labials, pierced between two or three nasals. Lower eyelid scaly. Collar well marked. Dorsal scales small ; ventral shields feebly imbricate, smooth. Digits cylindrical or very feebly compressed, with smooth lamellae interiorly. Femoral pores. Tail long, cylindrical. Synopsis of the Species. I. No small scales between the supraoculars and the superciliaries, or one or two exceptionally present ; head not or but little broader than deep ; 16 to 20 lamellar scales under the fourth toe. Head 4 to 4 times in length to vent* ; foot as long as or a little longer than head; parietal foramen present ; 40 to 51 scales across middle of body ; ventrals in 28 to 32 transverse series ; transversely enlarged plates under the fore-arm 1. N. emini. Head 4| to 5j times in length to vent ; foot not longer than head ; parietal foramen usually absent ; 34 to 41 scales across middle of body ; ventrals in 32 to 37 transverse series ; trans- versely enlarged plates underthe fore-arm absent or small 2. N. delalandii. Head 4 to 5 times in length to vent ; foot shorter than head; 45 to 53 scales across middle of body ; ventrals in 27 to 34 transverse series . 3. N. boulengeri. II. A series of 2 to 7 small scales between the supraoculars and the super- ciliaries ; 40 to 60 scales across middle of body ; transversely enlarged plates under the fore-arm. * The head is measured to the posterior border of the ear-opening, the skull being considerably longer than the pileus, which accounts for Bedriaga' s state- ment that the ear-opening is situated further back than in Lacerta, " on the side of the neck." A Revision of the Lizards of the Genus Nucras, Gray. 199 Head 3f to 4 times in length to vent, not or but little broader than deep ; foot not or but slightly longer than head ; parietal foramen usually present ; ventrals in 27 to 34 transverse series; 20 to 26 lamellar scales under the fourth toe . 4. N. intertexta. Head 4 to 4f times in length to vent, considerably broader than deep ; foot considerably longer than head ; parietal f oramon usually absent ; ventrals in 25 to 33 transverse series ; 25 to 31 lamellar scales under the fourth toe 5. N. tessellata. 1. NUCRAS EMINI. Nucras delalandii, Tornier, Zool. Jahrb., Syst, xiii, 1900, p. 593. Nucras emini, Bouleug., Ann. and Mag. 1ST. H. (7) xix, 1907, p. 488 ; Nieclen, Mitt, Zool. Mus., Berl., viii, 1913, p. 76. Nucras uJcerewensis, Bolkay, Archivum Zool. (Budapest), i, 1909, p. 13, figs. Nucras tessellata, Sternf. in Schubotz, Wiss. Ergebn. Deutsch. Z.-Afr. Exped. iv, ii, p. 222 (1912). But for the longer tail, proportions much as in L. agilis. Head a little broader than deep, If to 1| times as long as broad, its length (to posterior border of ear-opening) 4 to 41 times in length to vent ; snout obtuse; cheeks swollen in the male. Pileus twice as long as broad. Body scarcely depressed. Hind limb reaching the wrist or the axil ; foot as long as the head or a little longer ; digits feebly compressed. Tail nearly twice as long as head and body. Nasals in contact behind the rostral ; frontonasal broader than long ; praefroritals forming a median sutui'e, or frontal narrowly in contact with the frontonasal ; frontal about If times as long as broad, as long as its distance from the end of the snout; fronto- parietals much shorter than the frontal ; parietals 1| times as long as broad ; interparietal 2 to 2| times long as broad ; occipital very small. Four supraoculars, first and fourth small, first in contact with the frontal ; 4 or 5 superciliaries, in contact with the supra- oculars. Two superposed postnasals ; anterior loreal not half as long as second ; subocular not or but little narrower beneath than above, between the fourth and fifth upper labials ; two large upper temporals, first much longer than the second and in contact with the fourth supraocular; lower temporal scales rather large, upper smaller and granular ; a large tympanic shield. Five large and vertically elongate scales in the middle of the lower eyelid. 200 Annals of the South, African Museum. Parietal foramen aud pterygoid teetli present. G-ular scales much enlarged towards the collar, 18 to 21 between the symphysis of the chin- shields and the median collar-plate; no gular fold. Collar serrated, composed of 7 to 9 plates. Scales granular, round or squarish, smooth, enlarged on the lower part of the side and passing gradually into the ventral plates ; 42 scales across the middle of the body. Ventral plates in 6 or 8 longitudinal and 28 or 29 transverse series.* Two large praeanal plates, one befoi'e the other, and a single semicircle of smaller plates. A series of 7 or 8 transversely enlarged plates on the lower surface of the forearm. Scales on upper surface of tibia smaller than dorsals. 10 to 12 femoral pores on each side. 17 or 18 lamellar scales under the fourth toe. Upper caudal scales rather broad, slightly oblique, strongly keeled, posterior border very obtusely pointed or rounded. The two specimens examined differ in the coloration. The smaller, the type of N. emini, appears to be a half-grown male. Pale reddish brown above, with very small black dots and a faint trace of a light vertebral streak ; a black lateral band from the eye to the root of the tail, edged with a light streak above and beneath and bearing a series of white spots with a tendency to run together into a streak ; limbs with small dark brown spots or vermiculations ; tail reddish ; lower parts white. The larger specimen, an adult male of stouter habitus, agrees better with Bolkay's figure of N. ukerewensis. Dark brown above, with an interrupted white vertebral streak ; five series of small, white, black- edged spots on each side, the upper and lower corresponding to the light streaks of the preceding specimen ; hind limbs with small white, black-edged ocellar spots ; lower parts white. Measurements (in millimetres) : From end of snout to vent ,, fore limb Length of head ..... Width of head Depth of head ..... Fore limb ...... Hind limb . . . , Foot ... Tail 63 46 23 16 15 11 10 7 9 6 20 15 26 24 15 14 134 * 32 in the type of N. ukerewensis, according to Bolkay. A Revision of the Lizards of the Genus Nucras, Gray. 201 Particulars of Specimens Examined. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. c?,Loika . 63 42 29 10 21 11-10 17 Hgr. ,, Pirie Bush (Trevelyan) c? ,, (Stenning) . ? East London $ E. Cape Colony . Van Keenen, Natal ,, Natal .... 5 Sibudeni, Zululand Lessouto, Basutoland (Lataste coll.) $ Krugersdorp, Transvaal + $ Barberton, ,, ,, Damaraland . 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 90 36 36 9 29 15 17 86 38 34 12 29 ? p 60 38 32 9 25 13 17 120 40 37 9 30 13-14 19 89 37 34 9 30 14-13 18 112 39 35 14 27 13-11 20 96 37 36 13 31 14 18 75 41 34 10 27 12-13 19 86 36 35 9 25 11-12 19 71 40 35 11 29 15 20 88 35 35 9 24 12-10 17 102 36 37 10 24 12 18 106 35 37 8 23 12 16 93 39 36 8 26 12-13 20 83 37 34 10 23 12 19 102 34 32 8 26 12-13 18 74 40 35 9 23 10-11 17 90 35 36 10 25 13-14 17 81 89 93 94 38 35 37 37 35 35 37 34 7 9 9 10 29 30 29 28 14-15 13 11 14 19 19 20 19 Columns as in the preceding species. Habitat. Eastern parts of Cape Colony, Natal, Basutoland, Trans- vaal. As observed by Hewitt, Ann. Transv. Mus., ii, 1910, p. 114, the occurrence of this eastern species in Damaraland is doubtful and rests only on the specimen recorded above, which forms part of a series of Reptiles purchased in 1865, without any indication of the collector ; but there is this to say in favour of the correctness of the locality, that the other specimens associated with it belong to species known to inhabit S.W. Africa, A Revision of the Lizards of the Genus Nucras, Gray. 205 3. NUCRAS BOULENGERI. Nucras boulengeri, O. Neumann, Ann. and Mao;. N. H. (7), v, 1900, p. 56 ; Sterufeld in Sclmbotz, Wiss. Ergebn. Deutsch. Z.-Afr. Exped., iv, ii, p. 222 (1912) ; Nieden, Mitt, Zool. Mus., Berl., vii, 1913, p. 76. " Body elongate; head not depressed, its length (to ear-opening) con- tained 4|- to 5 times in the length from snout to vent ; two postnasals ; no granules between the supraoculars and the superciliaries ; inter- parietal not so long and narrow as in N. tessellata and N. delalandii ; occipital very small ; subocular bordering the lip between the fourth and fifth upper labials ; two supratemporals bordering the parietals ; tympanum half as large as the ear-opening. Dorsal scales small, pointed behind, larger on the sides of the body ; 45 to 53 scales round the body ; ventrals in 6 longitudinal and 27 to 30 transverse series. Femoral pores 11 or 12. Foot much shorter than the head. Tail thinner than in N. tessellata and N. delalandii, lj to 1^ as long as head and body.* Colour brown above, with small indistinct blackish spots ; bluish white boneath." Distinguished from N. delalandii by the smaller size, the smaller and pointed dorsal scales, fewer ventrals, and the shorter foot. Lubwas, Usoga, British East Africa (two specimens). This species, which is only known to me from the above description, appears to be perfectly distinct. A third specimen, a male 63 mm. long from snout to vent, from Lake Victoria, has since been described by Sternfeld. 51 scales round the body, ventrals in 8 longitudinal and 34 transverse series, 12 femoral pores on each side. A fourth, from the Eldaina River, British East Africa, with 10-11 femoral pores, has been noticed by Nieden. 4. NTJCRAS INTERTEXTA. Forma typica. Lacerta intertexta, A. Smith, Mag. N. H. (2), ii, 1838, p. 93.f Lacerta delalandii, var. &, Dum. & Bibr. Erp. G-en., v, p. 243 (1839). * Tail probably regenerated. In the specimen noticed by Nieden, it is nearly twice as long as head and body. f The type specimen, described by A. Smith and by Dumeril and Bibron, was presented to the British Museum by the former author in 1865, tinder the name of L. delalandii, along with the types of the other Nucras in his private collection, and its absolute concordance with the original description was over- looked by me, when, following Smith himself, I placed L. intertexta in the synonymyof N. delalandii. Although not labelled as such, the specimen is cer- tainly A. Smith's type. It was referred by me to N. tessellata. 206 Annals of the South African Museum. Nucras tessellata, part., Bouleuger, Cat. Liz., iii, p. 52 (1887) ; Hewitt, Ann. Transv. Mus., ii, 1910, p. 112. Nucras tessellata, var. ocellata, Bouleug., Ann. S. Afr. Mus., v, 1910, p. 475. Nucras delalandii, part., Hewitt, t.c., p. 111. Head small, slightly broader than deep, 1| to If times as long as broad, its length 4 to 4 times in length to vent ; snout obtuse. Pileus 24 times as long as broad. Body feebly depressed. Limbs moderate, the hind limb reaching the wrist or the elbow ; foot as long as the head ; digits feebly compressed. Tail tapering from the base, 1^ to 2| times as long as head and body. Nasals forming a short or very short suture behind the rostral ; frontonasal broader than long, broader than the mteruarial space ; praefrontals forming a short or very short suture ; frontal as long as its distance from the end of the snout, l to If times as long as broad, narrower, behind, than the supraoculars ; frontoparietals much shorter than the frontal or than their distance from the posterior border of the pileus ; parietals If times as long as broad, outer border some- times emargiuate for the accommodation of the anterior upper temporal ; interparietal narrow, 3 times as long as the occipital, which may be broader or rudimentary and pushed back behind the pileus ; parietals and interparietal shorter in proportion to their width in the very young. Four supraoculars, first and fourth small, first narrowly in contact with the frontal ; 5 or 6 superciliaries ; 2 to 4 small scales between the supraoculars and the superciliaries. Two superposed postnasals ; anterior loreal barely half as long as second ; 4 upper labials anterior to the subocular, which is usually narrower beneath than above ; an elongate upper temporal, in contact with the fourth supraocular, followed by 2 or 3 smaller shields ; temple covered with small hexagonal or granular scales, which are about as large as the dorsals ; a round or oval tympanic shield. Lower eyelid with 5 or 6 vertically enlarged scales in the middle. Parietal foramen and pterygoid teeth present. Griilar scales small, juxtaposed, increasing in size and imbricate towards the collar, 27 to 36 in a straight longitudinal series ; no gular fold. Collar even-edged or feebly serrated, composed of 10 to 13 plates. Scales on body oval, juxtaposed, smooth, 40 to 44 across the middle of the body, 2 and 3 on the side corresponding to a ventral plate. Ventral plates in 6 or 8 longitudinal series, those of the second series from the median line the broadest, and 29 to 34 transverse series A Revision of the Lizards of the Genus Nucras, Gray. 207 Praeanal plate large, with a smaller one on each side and a large pair in front, or two subequal praeauals, one in front of the other. A series of 4 to 7 transversely enlarged plates on the lower surface of the fore limb. Scales on upper surface of tibia smaller than dorsals. 11 to 14 femoral pores on each side. 20 to 25 lamellar scales under the fourth toe. Caudal scales forming whorls of nearly equal length, upper rather narrow, the median pair sometimes broader, rather strongly keeled, truncate behind, with distinct sensory pits. The type specimen, a female from Latakoo, near Kurumau, now rather bleached, has the markings well preserved, although the black has turned to a pale brown, and answers to A. Smith's diagnosis : " Colour above, reddish brown, with two rows of circular white spots, discontinued about half-way between the anterior and posterior extremities, each spot surrounded by a black ring ; sides chequered, black and white, the latter colour disposed in narrow vertical stripes. Tail light brown, with a dotted black line on each side, and the space between them above marked with small black spots. Under parts white." This description is supplemented by a very good account of the same specimen by Dumeril and Bibrou, of which this is a translation : Instead of a great number of small black spots with white pupils (as in L. delalandii), there are only two series, but a little larger, on each side of the back. Two or three irregular blackish spots on the upper lip. Two vertical blackish stripes on the temple, which is white ; a third above the ear, and three or four on the neck. Others along the flanks, but shorter ; on examining them carefully, one may guess how they were formed. It is probable that, in early youth, white spots encircled with black existed on the flanks ; gradually, as they enlarged, the black circle opened above and beneath ; then each of the two portions became raised and fused with the other, whilst simul- taneously the white central spots enlarged vertically, thus producing alternating black and white vertical bars. Upper surface of hind limbs with some white spots incompletely surrounded with blackish. Here and there some black spots on the upper surface of the base of the tail ; others, smaller, are present on the sides, so regularly arranged and so crowded as to form a longitudinal stripe (PI. VI, fig. 8). The interpretation given to the markings by the authors of the ' Erpetologie Gencrale' is fully confirmed by the examination of the young, with which we are now acquainted (var. ocellata, Blgr.). Very young specimens (37-40 mm. to vent), from Pietersburg, Transvaal, are dark brown above and blackish on the sides, with 208 Annals of the South African Museum. numerous white ocelli in three or four series on the back and three series on each side ; a white vertebral streak on the nape, which may be continued, interrupted, on the body ; sides of head and neck with black and white vertical bars ; upper orbital border whitish ; a white streak on each parietal shield, continuous with the outer dorsal series of ocelli; tail coral-red. In a larger young (43 mm.), from Kokong. Bechuaualand, the dorsal markings are the same, but the ocelli on the sides of the body have fused to form vertical bars (PI. VI, fig. 7). A half-grown female, from Rusteuburg, Transvaal, is reddish brown above, with an interrupted light, black-edged vertebral streak, a dorso- lateral series of ocelli, and three series of ocelli on each side, the lower of which are more or less confluent into a light longitudinal streak from the shoulder to the root of the hind limb ; head and neck as in the preceding (PI. VI, fig. 6). A half-grown male, from Rustenburg, Transvaal, is similar to the preceding, but the white eyes of the ocelli on the nape are in the form of longitudinal lines, whilst the black borders of the ocelli run together to form cross-bands on the back, as is frequent in JV. delalandii, from the young of which it is hardly to be distinguished, so far as the coloration is concerned. Measurements (in millimetres) : Length of head Width of head Depth of head Fore limb . Hind limb . Foot . Tail . 1. ?, type, Latakoo. 2. ?, Pietersburg, Transvaal. 3. $ , Kus- tenburg, Transvaal. Under the name of var. holubi, Stdr., I group together a number of specimens which, whilst agreeing essentially in structure with N. intertexta, differ from the type in the back being striated through- out life. 1. 2. 3. , to vent ... 80 63 55 fore limb . . 25 21 17 . 17 14 12 . 11 9 8 9 7-5 7 . 22 20 16 . 34 29 26 . 17 15 13 . 117 106 112 2. ? , Pietersburg, Transvaal. 3. 3 Var. holubi. Lacerta tessellata, part., Peters, Reise Mossamb., iii, p. 44 (1882). Eremias holubi, Steind., Sizb. Ak. Wien, Ixixvi, i, 1882, p. 83, pi. . A Revision of the Lizards of the Genus Nucras, Gray. 209 Lacerta cameranoi, Bedriaga, Abb. Senck. Ges., xiv, 1886, p. 378 pi. -figs. 2, 9, 11, 31. Nucras tessellata, part., Bouleng., Cat. Liz., iii, p. 52 (1887). Nucras tes$ellata, Bouleng., in Distant, Nat. Transv., p. 174 (1892). Nucras tessellata, var. taeniolata, Bocage, Herp. Ang., p. 30 (1895). Nucras tessellata, var. ornata, Bouleng., Ann. Natal Mus., i, 1908, p. 225. Nucras tessellata, vars. holubi, ornata, Bouleng., Ann. S. Afr. Mus., v, 1910, p. 474. Nucras liolubi, Sternf. in Schubotz, Wiss. Ergebn. Deutsch. Z.-Afr. Exped., iv, ii, p. 222 (1912). Head 3| to 4 times in length to vent, sometimes as deep as broad, sometimes a little broader, the cheeks often swollen in the males, Pileus usually twice as long as broad. The hind limb reaches the wrist or the elbow, rarely the axil * or just overlaps the fore limb t ; foot as long as or slightly longer or slightly shorter than the head. Lepidosis as in the typical form, but suture between the praef rentals sometimes longer, frontal sometimes nearly twice as long as broad, interparietal often broader (2 to 3 times as long as broad), first supra- ocular often extensively in contact with the fi-ontal, the fourth some- times separated from the anterior upper temporal + ; 2 to 6 small scales between the supraoculars and the superciliaries, of which there may be 7 ; anterior loreal sometimes more than half as long as second ; tympanic sometimes very small, rarely absent. 25 to 33 gular scales in a longitudinal series ; collar composed of 7 to 14 plates. 44 to 60 scales across the middle of the body. Ventral plates in 27 to 34 transverse series. A large praeaual bordered by 4 or 6 smaller shields, or 2 large praeanals, one in front of the other, or 3 forming a triangle bordered by a semicircle of small plates. 11 to 20 femoral pores on each side. 20 to 26 lamellar scales under the fourth toe. * Male and young from Bulawayo. t Female from Lake Nyassa. J Males from Vredefort Road and Eustenburg, females from Lydenburg and Kimberley. The upper temporal is then entirely on the temple. Bedriaga observes, a propos of his L. cameranoi, that the upper temporals are on the upper surface, forming part of the pileus, in the South African species (my Nucras). The series of specimens here referred to N. intertexta shows this character to be by no means a constant one, as these shields may be lateral and perpendicular to the parietals. There is thus in Nucras the same amount of variation with respect to this feature as in L. muralis, in which Mehely has used it for the distinction of his Archaeolacertae and Neolacertae. A single postnasal on one side in a young from Bulawayo. 210 Annals of the South African Museum. Varies much in markings. The principal variations may be arranged as follows, starting with the most primitive. A. (N. tessellata, var. taeniolata, Bocage.). Four or five* white dorsal streaks separated by wider dark brown interspaces, and three white streaks on each side, the upper (proceeding from the temple above the ear-opening) broken up, anteriorly, into a series of round spots ; on the posterior part of the body, these markings fade into a pale buff colour, which also occupies the upper surface of the limbs and tail. The coloration is thus very similar to that of Smith's L. taeniolata. Dongwenna, Mossamedes. (PI. VII, fig. 1.) B. (E. liolubi, Stdr., I.e., lower figure). Three white dorsal streaks separated by broader black or dark brown interspaces, and 2 (some- times broken up into spots) along each side ; the white vertebral streak continued for a short distance on the tail, which bears 3 dark longitudinal streaks ; the outer dorsal light streak extends on the parietal shield, where it joins the light supraoi'bital border. Limpopo Valley, Transvaal (Steindaclmer) ; Eustenburg, Transvaal ; Vredefort Eoad, Orange River Colony ; Kimberley, Burghersdorp, Cape Colony. (PL VII, fig. 2). C. (E. holubi, Stdr., I.e., upper figure). Back reddish brown, with 3 dark-edged light streaks ; a broad dark brown or black lateral baud from the temple to above the hind limb, bearing 1, 2, or 3 series of roundish white spots, and edged below by a white streak which may be broken up into spots. Limpopo Valley (Steiudachner) ; Zoutpansburg, Transvaal ; Lydenburg, Transvaal ; Vredefort Eoad, Orange Eiver Colony ; Bulawayo ; Port Elizabeth. (PI VII, fig. 3). D. As in the preceding, but temple and side of neck with black and white vertical bars. Umfolosi Eiver, Natal; Pretoria; Bindura, S. Rhodesia. (PI. VII, fig. 4). E. The black and white vertical bars are continued, more or less distinct, on the flanks. Umfolosi Eiver. (PI. VII, fig. 5). F. Back reddish brown with black dots and mere traces of the 3 light streaks ; a blackish lateral band with very numerous small round white spots ; sides of head with black and white vertical bars, tail with numerous small dark and light spots. Lake Nyassa. (PI. VI, fig. 10). This form appears to represent Bedriaga's L. cameranoi, from Tette, Mozambique, but the fingers are not quite so short f, the figure accompanying the desci'iptioii showing them to be very similar to those of N. delalandii. Four in the male, five in the female ; only two specimens examined, t They are shorter and thicker in the female than in the male. A Revision of the Lizards of the Genus Nucras, Gray. 211 Gr. As in K, but without the light vertebral streak, and with black dots on the back and on the sides of the belly. Urnfolosi River. H. As in D, but no light vertebral streak, and the light dorso-lateral streak ending midway between the fore and hind limbs ; black dots on the sides of the belly. This variation forms a complete connection with the typical N. intertexta, the only difference being that the light ocellar spots on the nape and anterior part of the back have fused to form a dark-ed^ed lateral streak. I)e Kaap Groldfields, Transvaal. (PL VI, fig. 9). All the young specimens examined have 3 or 5 light dorsal streaks and the tail is of a coralline red. The var. holubi must be regarded as more primitive than the typical form, and the pattern described under A, along with the taeniolata form of N. tessellata, as the original from which all others in the genus can be derived without the least difficulty. Measurements (in millimetres) : 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. From end of snout to vent 80 96 95 75 86 55 62 58 70 to fore limb. 2S 29 34 25 30 19 20 21 23 Head . . . 19 20 24 17 20 13 14 13 15 Width of head . . 12 13 15 11 12 8 9 8 10 Depth of head . . . 11 11 13 10 10 7 7 8 8'5 Fore limb 25 26 29 22 25 17 17 18 20 Hind limb 38 39 45 33 36 26 26 29 33 Foot . .... 19 20 21 17 18 13 13 14 16 Tail 170 215 123 180 116 135 1. (?, Nyassa. 2. ?, Nyassa. 3. $, Umfolosi E. 4. ? , Zoutpansberg. 5. ? , De Kaap Goldfields. 6. $ , Yredefort Eel. 7. ? , Vredefort Ed. 8. n>ad; occipital very short, sometimes broader than the int.T] ;< i -id;tl. Four supraoculars, first and fourth small, and sometimes divided into two, first extensively in contact with the frontal ; 7 or 8 superciliaries : 2 to 7 small scales between the supraoculars and the superciliaries. Two superposed postnasals, rarely one * ; anterior loreal i to f times as long as second ; 4 upper labials anterior to the subocular, which is a little narrower beneath than above ; an elongate anterior upper temporal, often in contact with the fourth supraocular f, followed by 1 or 2 smaller shields ; temple covered with small hexagonal or gran- ular scales, which are about as large as the dorsals or smaller ;. tym- panic shield roundish, often small or absent. Parietal foramen usually absent. Pterygoid teeth present. Grular scales small, juxtaposed, increasing in si/e and imbricate * Types of L. taeniolata. Also in a young from Clamvilliam which, in its marking's agrees with the f Not in contact in five S| 3 : one of the types of L. taeniolata, two of the types of L. livida, male from Deelfontein, and female from Little Namaqua- land. 214 Annals of the South African Museum. towards the collar, 25 to 33 in a straight longitudinal series ; no gular fold. Collar even-edged, composed of 8 to 13 plates. Scales on body roundish or oval-hexagonal, smooth, 40 to 60 across the middle of the body, 2 and 3 on the side corresponding to a ventral plate. Ventral plates in 6 or 8 longitudinal series, those of the second series from the median line the broadest, and 25 to 34 transverse series. Praeaual region covered with several irregular shields, or with two large shields one in front of the other. A series of 6 or 7 transversely enlarged plates on the lower surface of the fore limb. Scales on upper surface of tibia smaller than dorsals. 11 to 16 femoral pores on each side. 25 to 31 lamellar scales under the fourth toe. Caudal scales forming whorls of nearly equal length, upper rather narrow, the median pair often broader, rather strongly keeled, truncate or very obtusely pointed behind, with more or less distinct sensory pits. As in the preceding species, the markings differ very strikingly according to individuals, and some at least of the different patterns, on which species have been founded, perhaps indicate local forms or varieties. I here enumerate those with which I am acquainted, be- ginning with the most primitive : A. (L. taeniolata, Smith). Eight white streaks on the back and sides, sometimes nine on the nape and anterior part of back, separated by black streaks ; the outer dorsal light streak extending to the fourth supraocular, the upper lateral, originating just above the ear, some- times broken up into spots. Posterior part of back and tail brown above, the latter inclined to red near the extremity and with a blackish lateral streak. Lower parts white. " Grassy districts of Cape Colony," Smith ; Little Namaqualand ; Pine Town, Natal (South African Museum). (PI. VII, fig. 6.) B. (L. livida, Smith). Back with light and dark streaks as in the preceding, or pale buff behind with black vermiculations ; sides black with numerous small white spots, which form irregular vertical bars on the temple and neck. " Northern parts of Cape Colony," Smith ; Little Namaqualand ; Deelfontein. (PI. VII, figs. 7, 8.) C. (L. tessellata, Smith ; T. ornata, Gray). Neck and anterior part of back black, with 3 or 4 white lines above and very regular white vertical bars on the sides ; posterior part of body grey or pale buff, with more or less distinct black bars on the sides. Feet and tail coral-red or reddish, at least in the young. " Eastern parts of Cape Colony," Smith ; Clanwilliaui, Calviuia, Worcester, Klipfontein, in Cape Colony ; Zambesi (Sir J. Kirk). (PI. VII, figs. 9, 10.) A Revision of the Lizards of the Genus Nucras, Gray. 215 In the var. pseudotessellata, Bedr., from Mozambique, there are 5 white lines on the nape. D. (L. elegans, Smith). Pale reddish brown above and on the sides; two white, black-edged streaks on the neck. " Little Namaqua- laud and the country towards the Orange River," Smith ; Smithfield, Orange River Colony. In the following tabulation of specimens examined the same arrange- ment is adopted : Measurements (in millimetres) : 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. From end of snout to vent . 70 65 47 74 80 62 fore limb . 24 24 18 25 28 20 Head 15 15 11 16 17 13 Width of head . . . . 9 10 7 10 12 8 Depth of head . . . .77 5 7'5 9 6 Fore limb 20 22 16 22 22 18 Hind limb . . . 34 37 27 39 40 29 Foot .... . 19 20 15 21 21 16 Tail .... . 125 120 1. Type of L. tessellata. 2,4. Little Namaqualand. 3. Klipfontein. 5. Type of L. livida. 6. Type of L. taeniolata. Particulars of Specimens Examined. (1). A. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. ? Type of L. taeniolata 62 48 6 32 11 28 15-14 26 6-7 Yg. 40 45 6 27 11 30 15-16 25 5 ? Little Namaqualand 57 52 8 29 10 29 13 28 4 B. $ Type of L. livida .... 54 46 6 25 8 29 13 27 4-3 . . . . 47 56 6 29 8 33 12-13 30 2 ? . . . . 80 47 8 30 11 33 11 28 5 c? Deelfontein, Cape Colony 72 48 8 27 11 31 13 26 4-3 C. $ Type of L. tessellata 70 47 6 31 9 31 15-13 27 7-6 Little Namaqualand 65 45 6 29 9 29 15 27 4 ? ... 74 42 6 31 12 30 15 27 5-4 cj Guires, Little Namaqualand 58 44 6 27 12 31 15 28 4 Yg. Clanwilliam, W. Cape Colony . 40 41 6 31 9 29 14-15 30 7-6 35 ?) jy 40 40 6 31 9 32 14 26 5-4 , . 62 47 8 32 8 p 14-15 30 4 Smithfield, O.E. Col. (S.A. Mus.) . 63 45 6 32 8 33 14 29 3 (1) Tabulated as in the preceding species. 216 Annals of the South African Museum. I have examined in addition 19 specimens preserved in the South African Museum. Scales across the body 40 to 60 ; femoral pores 12 to 16. One specimen, from Little Namaqualand, with a single postnasal. The habitat of N. tessellata is a wide one, extending from Great Namaqualand to the Karroo and Natal, and the species being also on record from Mozambique (Berlin Museum) and the Zambesi (Sir J. Kirk), it will probably be discovered in Southern Rhodesia. The species of Nucras appear to be of very local occurrence, and much more collecting will have to be done before their distribution can be properly mapped out. It is hoped that this contribution to the knowledge of them may be an incentive to the collecting and study of further material. EXPLANATION OF THE PLATES. PLATE VI. Pig. 1. Nucras delalandii, young'. East London, f. 2. $ . Van Beenen, Natal, f. 3. $ . Knigersdorp, Transvaal. 4. $ . Barberton, Transvaal. 5. ? . Krugersdorp, Transvaal. 6. intertexta, $ . Pietersburg, Transvaal, f . 7. young. Kokong, Bechuaualand. |. 8. V > type. Latakoo, near Kurainan. 9. var. holubi. ? . De Kaap, Transvaal. 10. $ . Lake Nyassa. PLATE VII. Fig. 1. Nucras intertexta, var. holubi. $ . Dongwenna, Mossamedes. -|. 2. $ . Burghersdorp, Cape Colony. 3. ,, $ Barberton, Transvaal. |. 4. $ . Umfolosi, Natal, -y-. & !> O j) ,J -g. 6. tessellata, young, type of L. taeniolata. Cape Colony, f. 7. $. Deelfontein, Cape Colony. W-. 8. $ , type of L. livida. Cape Colony. -Y . 9. $ , type. Cape Colony. |. 10. young. S. Africa, f . ANN S . AF P.. M u s . Vo i, HIE. 1 ' > E . .. 2! C rj 0) 0) i I 3 r+ CD H r4- 0) X i p o CO PL, ro_ QJ 0) 00 J. Green, del . ; ! . \e-wn.inirnu ANN. S. APR. MTJS. PLATE \ I CO rt CD M W 0) Ol CO ro 2! o T P CO rl- CC H r- 0) CD r 17%, are Indo-Pacific, while 2 are austral and 8 are Atlantic. These figures show at a glance what a highly characteristic fauna The Echinoderm Fauna of South Africa. 225 South Africa possesses, but this will be more evident if we first see what the relation is between the Mozambique fauna and that of the Cape. Of the 216 species here listed, 59 occur at Mozambique; of these, 32 or 5i" are not known from south of that district and 5 others are not known south of Delagoa Bay, and 12 others either are not known west of Durban or the records for them on the Cape Colony coast are dubious. There are then only 10 species common to the South African coast and to that of the Mozambique region. On the other hand, of the 59 species occurring at Mozambique, 50 occur at Zanzibar or further northward and 5 others are known from some other part of the Indo-Pasific region. Examination of the list of ten species common to Cape Colony and Mozambique shows that one (Tropiometra carinata] ranges from Zanzibar, around the Cape of Good Hope to Brazil and the West Indies, and another (Parechinus angulosus) is one of the endemic species of the Cape, which apparently has extended its range northward along the coast far enough just to reach the Mozambique region. Still another (Asterina exigua] is very common in southeastern Australia and may possibly have reached Mozambique via Cape Colony. The records of the remaining seven species, like Oreaster mammilla! us and Ophiocnemis marmorata are based on single specimens or single instances or on old unreliable Museum specimens, so that there are not more than two <>r three species of echinoderms which can really be called common to both Cape 'Colony and Mozambique. As already pointed out 55 of the 59 species listed from Mozambique are characteristic Indo-Pacific species so that there can be no question in what zoogeographical region the Portugese colony belongs. If we subtract from the 210 species included in this report, the 32 species not known from south of Mozambique, we shall be able to emphazize better the peculiarities of the South African fauna. Of the 184 species of echinoderms known from south of Mozambique, no fewer than 100 or 54 4 are endemic, certainly a very large number. Not quite half (86) of the species are littoral and 45 of these are endemic, while only 7 seem to belong to some other than the Indo- Pacific fauna. Even the 45 endemic forms as a rule show their affinity to some Indo-Pacific species. The littoral echinoderms of South Africa then seem to have come from the east but with the passage of time have become very largely specifically differentiated. The additions from the west have been so exceptional (Ophiothrix fragilis for example) as to be conspicuous. When we examine the continental and abyssal faunas however we find a striking difference. There are 98 species in this combined 226 Annals of the South African Museum. group and of these 55 are endemic, about the same percentage as among the littoral species. But the remaining 43 species show very little Indo- Pacific connection. Only half a dozen are really species of that region, while at least 15 are from the Atlantic and a dozen more are distinctly austral. The remainder are more or less cosmo- politan. When we examine the 55 endemic species we find that their nearest relatives are very largely Atlantic Ocean or West Indian forms or at least they belong in genera occurring in the Atlantic. It seems clear then that the deeper water fauna of the Cape region has not come in from the east but has largely come from the west and north, with the addition of a considerable austral element, the significance of which is not clear. Examination of a chart showing the ocean currents on the coasts of South Africa suggests that they have been a determining factor in the development of the echinoderm fauna of the region. The warm Agulhas current has brought the shoal water Indo-Pacific fauna clear to the Cape itself but the further south and west this fauna has been carried the more it has become modified until no truly Indo-Pacific species occurs at the Cape itself. The Benguela current flowing northward along the western coast has effectually prevented any influx of northern littoral species from the Atlantic. The few notable exceptions such as Ophiothrix fragilis and Ophioderma leonis (an endemic species of a West Indian genus) may perhaps be accounted for as the result of artificial introduction, for example on the foul bottom of a sailing vessel. It is worthy of note that the cold winter water at the Cape, westward of the bend in the Agulhas current, has acted as a very effective barrier in preventing any con- siderable extension of the echinoderm fauna of Natal and southeastern Cape Colony up the west coast. The west coast fauna as revealed by collections at Saldanha Bay and Angra Pequena is a small one made up of about sixteen species, of which only one (Parechinns angulosus) is known from east of Algoa Bay. On the other hand the great surface currents seem to have had little to do with the development of the deeper water fauna, which seems rather to suggest changed continental boundaries. The very evident relation of this fauna to that of the North Atlantic and the West Indies is difficult to account for with the present ocean depths and their boundaries as they are to day. Moreover the distinct and considerable austral element suggests the possibility of former con- tinental lines to the south very different from those of to day. And finally the considerable percentage of widely distributed, if not cos- mopolitan, species, such as those occurring in the North Pacific, The Echinoderm Fauna of South Africa. 227 indicates the lapse of a long time since this deep water fauna entered the South African region. Perhaps the conclusion is more sweeping than the facts warrant but the impression left by the study of the South African fauna is that the region south of Delagoa Bay now forms a very distinct zoogeographical region, only superficially connected with the Indo- Pacific region to the north and east, and quite isolated from any other region : that its original echinoderm fauna was common to a large continental area to the northwest in the Atlantic and to the southward ; and that its present day littoral fauna has moved in from the northeast under the influence of the Agulhas current, but res- tricted by the cold winter water from the southeast. SEA-LILIES. CRINOIDEA. The crinoids form a very insignificant part of the Echinoderm fauna of South Africa. They were listed in 1915 by Mr. Austin Hobart Clark (Deutsche Siid-Polar Exp. : Zoologie, vol. 8, p. 163) who gives three species as occuring along shore in 0-30 fms. and two species as occuring in deep water, 250-450 fms. The col- lection of the South African Museum (45 specimens) contains four of these five species and also four species not known hitherto from the South African region. Of these, one is from comparatively shal- low water (90 fms.) but the other three were taken by the PIETER FAURE only in depths of 900-1000 fms. It is interesting to see therefore that the South African crinoids fall into three groups of three species each, an "abyssal" group of two stalked forms and a five-armed comatulid, a "continental" group of comatulids and a "littoral" group of comatulids. Of the abyssal group, one (Monachocrinus coelus) appears to be a new species of a genus previously known from both the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. A second species (Bijtnocrinus chuni) was hitherto known only from the western part of the Indian Ocean near the Somaliland coast in something over 900 fins. The third species (Pentametrocrinus varians) was hitherto known only from the -northeastern Indian Ocean, the vicinity of the Philippine Islands and southern Japan, in 361-1050 fms. It is interesting to note that the YALDIVIA took an as-yet-undescribed species of Pentametrocrinus in the same region where Bi/thocrinus chuni was taken, but in slightly shallower water. The PIETER FAURE found the two genera at the same station. Of the three continental comatulids, one (Liparometra midticirra) appears to be an uridescribed species of a wide-spread East Indian 228 Annals of the South African Museum. group, while the other two are also apparently endemic species of East Indian geneni. The three littoral species are of particular interest in connection with questions of geographical distribution. One ( Cominia occidental is] is a peculiar, endemic species of a genus known otherwise only from Korea Strait in 170 fms. while a second (Comanthus wahlbergii), also endemic, finds its nearest relative in a South Australian species. The third South African littoral comatulid is the wide-ranging Tro piometra carinata, which occurs from Zanzibar, the Seychelles and Mauritius, southward around the Cape of Good Hope and thence northwestward to St. Helena, the coast of Brazil and the extreme southeastern West Indies. The genus is otherwise distinctly East Indian. It is evident therefore that the South African crinoid fauna is essentially East Indian in its relationships and no doubt in its origin also. The only exception is the Comanthus which is closely allied to a species known only from southern Australia in shallow water. This clearly hints at a common origin for the two and suggests interesting speculations. In the following key to South African crinoids, 1 have used only the simplest and most obvious characters. There are two reasons for this: first, Mr. Austin Hobart Clark, in his most useful work on the Crinoids of the Indian Ocean (1912, Echinoderma of the Indian Museum, pt. 7) has given admirable keys to the families and genera and it is therefore quite superfluous for me to repeat his work; second, the South African species of Cominia is so unlike the Coman- thus that it is not feasible to fit them into the same section of a brief, artificial key and 1 have therefore ignored their family relationship. Consequently the following key is absolutely artificial and does not give the natural sequence of the species, a sequence which is followed in the subsequent pages. The number of species involved is, however, so small that little inconvenience will result from the inconsistency. Key to the South African Species of Crinoids. Stalk present. Only one or two short discoidal segments at top of stalk, immediately below calyx ....... Bythocrinus chuni. More than a dozen short discoidal segments at top of stalk Monachocrinus coelus. Stalk wanting (Comatulids). Arms 10 or more. Cirri numerous, 35 40. Cirrus segments few, 14 18 . . . Cominia occidentalis. Cirrus segments many, 30 36 . . Liparometra multicirra. The Echinoderm Fauna of South Africa. 229 Cirri not so numerous, 12 30. Cirrus segments few, 12 20. Mouth excentnc; basal pinnules of arms with terminal comb Comanthus wahlbergii. Mouth central; no terminal combs on pinnules. Arms 10, more or less compressed; arm-segments beyond middle of arm, short, the distal portion more or less rough and projecting . . . Tropiometra carinata. Arms 10, or more in adults, not compressed ; arm-segments beyond middle of arm not short with the distal portion more or less rough and projecting Pachylometra sclateri. Cirrus segments numerous, 60 63 . Crotalometra magnicirra. Arms only five. . Pentametrocrinus varians. BOURGUETICRINIDAE. BYTHOCRINUS CHUNI. Rhizocrinus chuni Doderlein, 1907, SIBOGA Stalked Crinoids, p. 14, fig. 6; pi. 1, fig. 5. Rhizocrinus (Bythocrinus) chuni Doderlein, 1912. VALDIVIA Stalked Crinoids, p. 14, pi. 3. The specimens of Bythocrinus in the collection all lack the arms, and only two have the calyx still intact. The best has the stalk 47 mm. long and half a millimeter thick at the top; the calyx is 3 mm. high and rather more than 1'5 mm. in diameter at the top. All the specimens are white. They answer so well to Doderlein's descrip- tion and figures of his specimens from off the Somaliland coast, that, in spite of their imperfect condition, their identity seems sure. PIETER FAURE. 17350. Cape Point. N. 86 E., 43 miles. 9001000 fms. Gray mud. 4 specimens. MONACHOCRINUS COELUS, * Sp. nOV. Plate VIII. Fig. 1. Fragment of upper part of stem present, not quite 7 mm. long, about -30 mm. in diameter at broken end, a very little thicker where it joins calyx; it is made up of 29 segments of which the topmost 1'2 are very low and discoidal, the height about one-fifth or one-sixth the diameter; the next six are discoidal but successively higher; the nineteenth is nearly, and the twentieth quite, as high as thick, and * xol/loc; ^ hollowed, in reference to the slightly concave lines of basals and radials. 230 Annals of the South African Museum. the remainder are much higher than broad (the 29th is three times as high as thick), smooth and cylindrical. Basals completely fused into a truncated cone, about half a milli- meter high, nearly half a millimeter in diameter, where it joins the radials, and about one-third of a millimeter where it joins the stem. Seen from the side, the lateral margins of this cone are distinctly though very slightly concave. Radials 5, about -75 mm. high; the upper (distal) diameter of the cup they form is one millimeter. Seen from the side, the lateral margins of this cup are distinctly though slightly concave. I BR, about MO mm. long and *85 mm. wide, very little wider distally than proximally. The lateral margins are very slightly thinned and flaring. The median line is not at all carinate but is barely elevated on the distal two-thirds of the plate. I Bn 2 , the axillary, is remarkably low and wide; it measures about 85 mm. in width, but is only about '60 mm. high, even in the median line where it is slightly higher than at the sides. The lateral portions are flat, in contrast to the middle, but are hardly flaring. The brachials are about twenty in number; the lowest is about 40 mm. wide where it joins the axillary but is only about -35 mm. at the distal end, and that is the approximate width of the following segments. The brachials are arranged in pairs, -75--80 mm. long, the total length of the arms, from axillary to tip being about 8 mm. The latero-distal margin of the distal brachial of each pair is slightly projecting and overlapping, first on the outer side of the arm (second brachial), then on the inner (fourth), and thus in regular alternation, but the projection is much too slight to give the arm a serrate or even a rough appearance. Colour, nearly white. P.F. 17350. Cape Point N. 86 E., 43 miles. 900-1000 fms. Gray mud. 1 specimen only. Holotype South African Museum, no. A 6434. This is a most interesting little crinoid, clearly a Monachvcrinus, but differing from all the previously known members of the genus in the very wide, low axillaries, and in the slightly concave radials and basals. These two characters taken in connection with the large number of discoidal columnars and the structure of the arms, make the species easily recognizable. As the genus is known from both the Atlantic and Indian Oceans, its occurrence off South Africa is quite natural. The Echinoderm Fauna of South Africa. 231 COMASTERIDAE. COMINIA OCCIDENTALIS. A. H. Clark, 1915. Deutsche Siid-Polar Exp.: Zool., vol. 8, p. 164; pi. 10. This little comatulid is a most perplexing form, for while the general appearance is quite like a comasten'd, the central mouth and excentric anal tube combined with the absence of terminal combs on the basal pinnules completely conceal the family relation- ship. Mr. Clark in his original description says: "Die Zlihne des Endkammes sind so wenig entwickelt dass sie bei gewohnlicher Untersuchung nicht auffallen." I have failed to detect the combs even with the aid of a magnification of 70 diameters, in either alcoholic or dry material. It is true that with high magnification, on dry pinnules an uneven margin can be found at the tip, but it is not enough to consider even as a rudimentary comb. In view of this absence of combs and the central position of the mouth, it is hard to see why this species should be considered one of the Co- masteridae but in deference to Mr. A.H. Clark's much wider expe- rience and greater knowledge of the group, I leave it where he has placed it. Some of the PIETER FAURE specimens are a little larger than those of the GAUSS and there are some trivial differences. The cirri are about XL, 16-18, and the longer ones measure 12-15 mm. The dorsal interradial perisome has calcareous plates more or less abun- dant but it is not "heavily plated". The three lower pairs of pinnules are approximately equal. Genital glands occur out as far as the twentieth pinnule. The color is yellow-brown with no trace of olive. The GAUSS specimens were taken in False Bay (west side, Simon's Bay) while those of the PIETER FAURE, it is interesting to note, were collected well up on the Atlantic coast of Cape Colony, P.F. 14905. Saldanha Bay, Cape Colony, 10-14 fms. Sand and mussel-beds. 16 specimens. COMANTHUS WAHLBERGII. Plate VIII. Fig. 3. Alecio wahlbergii 3. Miiller, 1843. Arch. f. Naturg., Jahrg. 9, vol. 1, p. 131. Comanthus tcuhlbergii A. H. Clark, 1911. Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., vol. 40, p. 17. Actinometra parvicirra Bell, 1905. Mar. Inv. South Africa, vol. 4, p. 141. It is interesting to note, although the fact may not be of any significance, that the distribution of this characteristically South 232 Annals of the South African Museum. African species is from Simon's Hay, eastward to the Tugela River, Natal, while the preceding species seems to range rather from Simon's Bay westward and northward. This apparent difference of distribution may however be quite unreal and due only to our present ignorance. P.F. 18282. Simon's Bay, False Bay, Cape Colony, 8-10 fms Rocks. 3 specimens. MARIAMETRIDAE. LlPAROMETRA MULTICIRRA, * Sp. nOV. Plate VIII. Fig. 2. Disk about 23 mm. across, ver^ deeply incised; arms about 85 mm. long but they are not quite equal and some scarcely exceed 75 mm. Disk membrane full of crowded, small, calcareous plates. Centro-dorsal large, thick, dorsally flat or a little concave, 6 mm. in diameter; bare dorsal area, nearly 4 mm. across. Cirri XLIII, 30-36, cylindrical at base, but compressed distally; the segments 710 have the length about equal to or even a little exceeding the diameter, but elsewhere the greatest diameter exceeds the length ; beginning usually with the tenth or eleventh segment, but on some cirri further out, there is a median, dorsal elevation, at first rather blunt but soon with a short compressed tip or even a sharp point; on the last segment this becomes an opposing claw as long as half the diameter of the segment ; terminal claw longer than last segment, very sharp. Arms about 50, all but two broken and detached from disk at or near base; arm-segments numerous, exceeding 150, the distal ones being quite short. Division series all 2, well-separated, rounded and smooth. First syzygy between brachials 3 and 4 of the free arm ; second syzygy far out, usually after an interval of more than 20 segments and often 30-40, rarely before segment 20; subsequent syzygies few and at very wide intervals. Low and relatively incon- spicuous synarthrial tubercles occur on all the division series. Lower pinnules not noticeably larger on outer side of arm than on inner. P, (P,, similar) about 9-10 mm. long, consisting of 17-21 segments, all but the basal three longer than wide and all but the basal five or six, cylindrical. P. 2 and P/, very similar but noticeably larger, 12-13 mm. long, with 24-26 segments. P 3 and P t similar to P 2 and approximately equal, or a little smaller and with 1-3 fewer segments. P/, and P ( < distinctly smaller, about equal to Pj. * Multicirrus = having many cirri. The Echinoderm Fauna of South Africa. 233 Succeeding pinnules somewhat smaller, about 7 mm. long. All the basal pinnules are moderately stout at base but taper to a slightly flagellate tip, which is not however very slender. Colour, pale fawn with the oral surface of disk and arms very dark brown, almost black; margins of food grooves on disk, black. P.F. 12157. Durnford Point, Zululand, N.W. b /, W., 12 miles. 90 fins. Broken shells. 1 specimen. Holotype, South African Museum, No. A 6435. It is with no little hesitation that I put this fine new comatulid in the genus Liparometra, but as P 2 and P 3 are of approximately equal size, it seems to me clear that it cannot be placed in either Diehrometra or Lamprometra, as those genera are diagnosed by their founder, Mr. Austin H. Clark. I am somewhat inclined to question the desirability of recognizing these three very closely allied genera, but here again I must defer to the much wider experience of my friend. The present species is, I think, quite distinct from any pre- viously known form, as the large number of arms and cirri, with their numerous segments, are quite characteristic. The few and widely spaced syzygies is also a noticeable feature. TROPIOMETRIDAE. TROPIOMETRA CARINATA. Comatula carinata, Lamarck, 181(5. Anim. s. Vert., vol. 2, p. 534. Tropiometra carinata, A. H. Clark, 1907. Smithson. Misc. Coll., vol. 50, p. 349. Antedon capensis, Bell, 1905. Mar. Inv. South Africa, vol. 4, p. 139; pi. 2. The distribution of this species is of considerable interest. It ranges from the Seychelles, Reunion, Mauritius and Zanzibar southward to the Cape of Good Hope and thence northwestward to St. Helena, Brazil and the southernmost West Indies. It is true that Mr. A. H. Clark considers the specimens from the latter regions specifically distinct from those taken on the east coast of Africa, but a prolonged comparison of specimens from Tobago, B. AY. 1., with individuals of the same size from Zanzibar has satisfied me that the supposed differ- ences do not exist. The specimens from the South African Museum are not notable, except that the smallest (12405-c) has the arms only 20 mm. long, and, like specimens from Tobago of a similar age, the colors are pale yellow and pink-purple. Mozambique; low tide. Nov. 1912. K.H.Barnard coll. 2 specimens. 234 Annals of the South African Museum. Delagoa Bay, Portugese East Africa. Oct. 1912. K. H. Barnard coll. 1 specimen. P.F. 12405-c. Itongazi River, Natal, N.\V. 3 /,, \Y.. 3 miles. 25 fms. Sand and stones. 1 young specimen. THALASSOMETRIDAE. * CROTALOMETRA MAGNICIRRA. Antedon magnicirra, Bell, 1905. Mar. Inv. South Africa, vol. 4, p. 141 ; pi. 4. Cro/alometra magnicirra, A. H. Clark, 1909. Proc. Biol. Soc. Washington, vol. 22, p. 80. This species is not now in the South African Museum, the original specimens having apparently all been retained at the British Museum. It was taken in 300-450 fms., 15-20 miles oil" the coast of Cape Colony, near East London. PACHYLOMETRA SCLATERI. Antedon sdateri, Bell, 1905. Mar. Inv. South Africa, vol. 4, p. 140 ; pi. 3. Pachylometra sdateri, A. II. Clark, 1909. Proc. Biol. Soc. Washington, vol. 22, p. 21. This characteristic species is represented in the present collection by an armless adult specimen and a number of quite young indivi- duals. The latter were rather puzzling owing to the small centro- dorsal and the relatively long 1 BR series, and the presence in every case of just ten arms. On the other hand, the cirri are essentially like those of the adult (XV-XV1, 15-17) and the I BR series and lower brachials are distinctly wall-sided and in close apposition. The radials are conspicuous, the height being equal to half the breadth, while in the adult specimen they are not only completely concealed but even 1 BRj is barely visible. The adult specimen has the calyx about 12 mm. in diameter and the cirri 18-20 mm. long, while the young ones are only 2 mm. in diameter through calyx and the cirri are but 4-6 mm. long. It is to be regretted that the condition of the adult does not permit of a full description for Bell's account is utterly inadequate. In the young specimens, PI is stiff, erect with 7 seg- ments and P a is similar. P 2 is a little longer, with 9 segments; ,P6, the same. P 3 (and P c ) is a little longer, with 11 segments and is more flagellate at the tip. Subsequent pinnules are shorter. P.F. 12872. East London, Cape Colony, N. 15 miles. 310 fms. Mud. 1 adult specimen, with arms all broken off. * Those species marked with an asterisk are not represented in the South African Museum collections. The Echinoderm Fauna of South Africa. 235 P.F. 12884. East London, Cape Colony, N. 15 miles. 310 fms. Mud. 1 young specimen. P.F. 13227. Cove Rock, near East London, N.W. 3 , , W., 13 miles. 80-130 fms. Coral rock. 13 young specimens. PENTAMETROCRINIDAE. PENTAMETROCRINUS VARIANS. Ettdiocrinus varians, P. H. Carpenter, 1882. Jour. Linn. Soc., Zool., vol. 16, p. -496. 1888, CHALLENGER Comatulae, pi. VIII, figs. 3-7. Pentametrocnnus vanans, A. H. Clark, 1908. Proc. Biol. Soc. Washington, vol. 21, p. J35. Although this specimen lacks cirri and has all the arms broken, it is so similar to specimens of vartans from southern Japan, with which I have compared it, that I do not doubt it belongs to that species. The nearest point to South Africa at which the species has previously been taken is near the Andaman Islands in the north- eastern Indian Ocean. P.F. 17351. Cape Point, N. 86 E., 43 miles. 900-1000 fms. Grey mud. 1 specimen. SEA-STARS. ASTEKOIDEA. * The sea-stars form a very large and important part of the South African Echinoderm fauna. They were listed in 1910 by Doderlein (Schultze's Zool. Anthrop. Ergeb. Forschungsr. Sudafrica, vol. 1, pt. 1, p. ^46) but he did not include species occurring only at depths over 278 fms. (50U m.) nor did he extend the South African region to include Mozambique. His list includes 30 species, but two are synonymous (Astropecten capensis and puntoporaeua) and one (i. e. Sladen's record of Aslerina yunnit) is probably due to a mistaken identification or a misplaced label. The collection sent me from the South African Museum contains 51 species but of these only 14 are in Doderlein's list. There are however 9 additional species pre- viously recorded from Mozambique or from deep water off South Africa and hence not listed by Doderlein which fall within the scope of the present report, which thus includes 74 species; 18 seem to be new to science and are here described for the first time. * After this section was ready for the press I had the pleasure of a visit from Dr. W. K. Fisher, the well-known authority on sea-stars, who very kindly ex- amined many of the specimens and permitted me to proht by his wide knowledge and sound judgement. For this help I beg to offer him herewith my best thanks. 236 Annals of the South African Museum. Of these 74, 35 are truly littoral occurring in water less than twenty fathoms deep, while 9 are strictly abyssal, occurring only in depths beyond 600 fms. The remaining 30 species may be classed as continental. Of the 35 littoral species, 13 are endemic so far as our present knowledge goes ; as 10 of these have been known for a considerable time and have not yet been reported from elsewhere, it is probable that they are truly characteristic forms. Of the remaining 22, 18 are East Indian or Indian Ocean species, of which 15 were previosuly known from the east coast of Africa, north of Mozambique. There are two littoral species (Asterina calcarata, Henricia ornata) which occur on the shores of the southern end of South America, but both these cases require further investigation; each belongs in a genus in which specific limits are ill-defined. There are also two littoral species known from the coasts of southern Australasia; one of these (Coscinasterias calamaria) is a well-defined species and its occurrence at Mauritius lias long been known ; it is unquestionably a valid link between the littoral faunas of Australasia and Africa; the other species however is the dubious Henricia ornata, a name under which several species are perhaps involved. Of the two remaining South African littoral species, one is the rare and little known Culcita veneris, originally from St. Pauls Island, southern Indian Ocean, and since recorded by Bell only, from Cape Colony; the other is the northern starfish, Marthasterias glatialis, whose occurrence at the Cape no longer admits of doubt. It is of importance to note that 12 of the littoral seastars here listed as South African, are not known from south of Mozambique and there are two or three others whose occurrence south of that point is known from only a single record. Of the 30 Continental species, 20 appear to be endemic, but 12 of these are here described as new and may later be found elsewhere. Nevertheless the Continental fauna is very characteristic for in addition to the endemic forms, three are known only from the Kerguelen region. There are three species hitherto known from the Atlantic, two from the East Indian region and one from Australia. The thirtieth, one of the most remarkable members of the Conti- nental fauna is Ceramasler patagonicus, which occurs not only in South American waters but along the Pacific coast of North America to the region of the Commander Islands in Bering Sea. One of the Atlantic members of this fauna (Diplopter aster multipes) has an equally remarkable range, as it occurs in the North Atlantic from about 35 North to Barents Sea and Norway and in the North Pacific The Echinoderm Fauna of South Africa. '237 from San Diego, California, and Suruga Gulf, Japan, to Bering Sea. Of the 9 abyssal species occurring in the present list, only 3 are endemic, while 5 are already known from the deep waters of the Atlantic and one is Antarctic. The endemic species are all new to science. It is of interest to note that none of the abyssal species seems to have come from the east, whereas the littoral fauna has nearly all come from the Indian Ocean. In conclusion then, we may say that so far as our present know- ledge goes the sea-star fauna of South Africa is highly characteristic. Nearly half (36) of the species are endemic and several others occur only in the region of Kerguelen or St. Pauls Island. Of the non- endemic forms, 20 are from the Indo-Pacilic region and 10 from the Atlantic, while the remainder are Australian or South American. The affinities of the littoral fauna are distinctly Indo-Pacific, but if the tropical species, not known from south of Mozambique, are left out of account, it is evident that most of the littoral starfishes of South Africa have become specifically differentiated. On the other hand the continental and abyssal faunas, while perhaps equally well differentiated and as characteristic, have slight East Indian but rather strong Atlantic affinities. The impression made by the study of the South African sea-stars is that the shallow-water forms are of Indian origin and the deeper-water forms are from the Atlantic. There is very little evidence of an Australian or South American influence in the composition of the fauna. It is true that Coscinas- terias calamana is a characteristic Australian species, but it seems to be very rare in South African waters. As already stated no reli- ance can be placed on evidence offered by such forms as Henricia ornata and Asterina calcarata. The occurrence of the characteristically Antarctic genus Cry aster in Algoa Bay is worthy of more than pas- sing notice, since the entire family is otherwise unknown outside of the Antarctic region. The 74 species included in this report belong to no fewer than 16 families. They can be most easily recognized if these families are first differentiated from each other. Under each family will be found the necessary key to the species included in it, which occur in South African waters. Key to the South African Families of Asteroidea. Marginal plates large, defining the contour of the body; abactinal skeleton never reticulate or imbricated but made up of plates, which often bear paxillae or granule-bearing tabulae. 16 238 Annals of the South African Museum. Cribriform organs* present in each interradius . . Porctllanasteridae. No cribriform organs. Marginal plates very spiny, more or leas alternate; papulae restricted to special areas at base of rays .... Benthopectinidae. Marginal plates opposite ; papulae not restricted to special areas at base of rays. Abactinal surface covered witb paxillae. Superornarginal plates well developed . Astropectinidae. Superomarginal plates aborted . . . Luidiidae. Abactinal surface not covered with paxillae. Disk large with big actinal interradial areas, but no actinal papulae. Marginal plates large and conspicuous; disk more or less flat; papulae single or a few together Goniasteridae. Marginale plates not conspicuous; disk elevated or at least very thick ; papulae numerous in large groups. Marginal plates large; abactinal skeleton more or less conspicuous. .... Oreasteridae. Marginal plates small and with abactinal skeleton covered and concealed by a thick skin . . Poraniidat. Disk small with very small actinal interradial areas, or if the latter are well developed there are actinal papulae; marginal plates small; tegumentary developments, granulate (rarely wanting) Ophidiasteridae. Marginal plates small or wanting; abactinal skeleton more or less imbricated or reticulate. Disk not circular and sharply set off from long, more or less terete, and readily detachable arms; marginal plates small but regularly present (except Cryasteridae). Pedicellariae rare or wanting, never pedunculate forcipiform; ambulacral ossicles rarely crowded; pedicels usually in two series. Oral plates rather small, not shovel- or plowshare-shaped; ambu- lacral furrows narrow. Marginal plates conspicuous; actinal plates regularly radiatingly arranged .... . Ganeriidae. Marginal plates quite inconspicuous. Abactinal skeleton formed of closely imbricated plates, bearing very small spineleta .... Asterinidae. Abactinal skeleton not imbricate. Abactinal skeleton more or less reticulate Echinasteridae. Abactinal skeleton entirely aborted Cryasteridae. Oral plates big and shovel- or plowshare-shaped; ambulacral furrows wide. Abactinal skeleton with paxillae or pseudopaxillae, not concealed by a supradorsal membrane . . . Solasteridae. * Technical terms used in this or subsequent keys are fully explained and llustrated in Sladen's CHALLENGER report (1889) or in Fisher's North Pacific Asteroids (Bull. 76 U.S.Nat. Mus , 1911). The Echinoderm Fauna of South Africa. 239 Abactinal skeleton with paxillae concealed, more or less, under a remarkable aupradorsal membrane . . Pterasteridae. Pedicellariae abundant, especially forcipiform; ambulacral ossicles crowded; pedicels in four series ..... Asteriidae. Disk circular sharply set off from the long, more or less terete and readily detachable arms; marginal plates microscopic or wanting . Brisingidae. PORCELLANASTERIDAE. This deep water family is represented in the South African region by only a single species. PORCELLANASTER C/ERULEUS. Wyville Thomson, 1877. Voy. Challenger: Atlantic, vol 1, p. 378; figs. 97, 98. The specimens are all small, with R = 7-9 mm. They are too young to make their specific identity certain but comparison with somewhat larger specimens of ccerulms, taken by the CHALLENGER and the BLAKE, indicates that they are immature examples of that species. The only noteworthy differences are the absence of spines on the supermarginal plates and the incomplete calcification of the inter- brachial areas below. Both these however are easily accounted for as evidence of immaturity. On account of the locality, it would be natural to refer these specimens to P. eremicus Sladen but I am myself satisfied that the specimen on which that species is based, is a young cceruleus. P.F. 16905. Cape Point, N.E. by E. '/4 E., 40 miles. 800-900 fms. Green mud. 1 specimen ; young. P.F. 17351. Cape Point, N. 83 E., 43 miles. 900-1000 frns. Gray mud. 3 specimens; young. BENTHOPECTINIDAE. This family of deep-water starfishes was not known from the South African region hitherto, but the PIETER FAURE has found two species, each representing an interesting genus. One of these forms was known only from near Kerguelen while the other is a widely distributed Atlantic species. They may be separated from each other by the characters given in the following key. but it is evident that each is somewhat variable and does not conform exactly to a strict specific description. 240 Annals of the South African Museum. Key to the South African Species of Benthopectinidae. Papularium a small, circular elevated area; one large spine on actinal surface of adarnbulacrals ...... Pectinaster filholi. Papularium V-shaped; three large spines on actinal surface of each adambul- a.rral ........ Luidiaster hirsutus. PECTINASTEU FILHOLI. Perrier, 1885. Ann. Sci. Nat. (6), vol. 19, no. 8, p. 71. Sladen, 1889, CHALLENGER Ast., pi. 8, figs. 3, 4 (as forcipatns). The South African specimens show slight, hut obvious differences from a coti/pe of filholi with which I have compared them, hut agree very closely with a cotype and other specimens, from the north- western Atlantic, of Sladen's Pontaster forcipatns. From the geogra- phical point of view they would naturally, and I think correctly be referred to Sladen's variety echinata (sic) but Ludwig considers forci- patns a synonym of filholi and after a comparative study of the material in the M. C. Z., I believe he is right. The species has a wide range from near Nova Scotia in the northwest to the vicinity of Marion Island in the southeast, but it is always an abyssal form, ranging from 699 fms. down to 1700. The specimens taken by the I'IETER FAURE are of varied size, the smallest having R = 8 mm. and r = 2(R = 4r), while the largest has R = 59 mm. and r = 11 (R = 5'4r); the body form is thus assumed very early in life. In spinulation, the smallest specimen is surprisingly like the largest, the only difference of importance being the presence, in the adult, of two spines on many inferomarginal plates. The youngster has only a very minute madreporite, scarcely distinguishable, and the papularia are each represented by a single pore, or two, but in the largest specimen there are only 10-12 pores in each papulariurn. The number and distribution of the pedicellariae shows great diversity in this species; in the PIETER FAURE specimens they are rather numerous but are confined to the actinal surface. I'.F. 16902. Cape Point, N.E. by E. '/', E., 40 miles. 800-900 fms. Gr. in. 3 specimens; young. P.F. 16905. Same station. 1 specimen; very young. P.F. 17332. Cape Point, N. 86 E., 43 miles. 900-1000 fms. Gray m. 6 specimens; adult and young. P.F. 17351. Same station. 1 specimen; young. The Echinoderm Fauna of South Africa. 241 LUIDIASTER HIRSUTUS. Studer, 1884. GAZELLE Ast., p. 47; pi. 4, figs. la-d. This species was originally found northwest of Kerguelen, on sandy bottom, in 130 fms. of water. Its occurrence in South African waters is thus of much interest, though not surprising. The individ- uals before me show a range in size from R = 20 mm. to R = 65 mm. but the growth changes are trivial between these two extremes. In the largest specimen, there are not infrequently 3 large spines on the actinal surface of the adambulacral plates and there are 2 large inframarginal spines. It is remarkable that Ludwig in his otherwise useful key to the species of Luidiaster (1910. Sitz. K. Preus. Acad. Wiss. Berlin, p. 453) says of hirsutus "untere Rand- platten mit einem Stachel", when Studer distinctly says they bear two long spines. Even in the smallest specimen at hand, there are two such spines on the basal inferomarginals. P.P. 18904. 36 40' S x 21 26' E, 200 fms. Gr. s. 3 young specimens. P.F. 18913. Same station. 2 adult specimens. ASTROPECTIN1DAE. This family is represented in South African waters by 10 species, most of which are however continental rather than truly littoral forms. One, apparently new species, is distinctly abyssal. They may be distinguished from each other as follows: Keif to the South African Species of Astropectinidae. No specialized spines or spinelets on either series of marginal plates Leptychastcr kerguelenensis. More or less conspicuous spines or spinelets on inferomarginals and often on superomarginals as well. Actinal interradial areas more or less extensive; madreporic body hidden by paxillae on its surface. Inferomarginals, and often superomarginals also, with single large spinelets. No large spine on actinal surface of adambulacral plates Plutonaster intermedius. A large erect spine on actinal surface of each adambulacral plate, at least distally ..... Plutonaster proteus. Inferomarginals with a few insignificant spinelets on each, none on superomarginals . ... Dipsacaster sladeni. Actinal interradial areas small ; madreporic body small not hidden by paxillae on its surface. Marginal plates, especially inferior, more or less vertical, at least at base of ray, the vertical height of ray at base being approximately equal to combined height of both series of marginals. 2 '(2 Annals of the South African Museum. Papillae of marginal plates squamiform, and spinelets short and very flat ..... Bathybiaster robustus. Papillae of marginal plates not at all squamiform ; spinelets of infero- marginals slender and rather long . . Psilaster acuminatus. Marginal plates, at least inferior, oblique or nearly horizonal; vertical height of ray at base not remarkable. Large sharp spines present on superornarginals Astropecten polyacanthus. Spines on superornarginals small or wanting. Small spinelets on at least some superomarginals. R =r 2'5 3'5r; radial paxillar areas much wider than com- bined marginal plate series . Astropecten pontoporaeus. R = 4 5r; radial paxUlar areas narrower than combined marginal series . . . Astropeclen hemprichii. No superomarginal spinelets . Astropecten granulatus. * LEPTYCHASTER KERGUELENENSIS. E.A. Smith, 1876. Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. (4), vol. 17, p. 110. Sladen, 1889. CHALLENGER Ast., pi. 31, figs. 1, 2. Although Bell (1905, Mar. Inv. South Africa, vol. 3, p. 242) records this starfish from three stations, there are now no specimens in the South African Museum, and I include it here solely on the strength of Bell's identification. PLUTONASTER INTERMEDIUS. Goniopecten intermediits Perrier, 1881. Bull. M. C. Z., vol. 9, p. 25. 1884, BLAKE Ast. pi. 7, figs, 1, 2. Pl/t'onaster intermedius Perrier, 1894. TRAV. et TAL. Ast., p. 31(3. Comparison of the South African specimens with others from off the east coast of the United States fails to reveal any differences worthy of note. The African specimens are adult, the greater radius being 53-75 mm. P.F. 17394. Cape Point E. '/; N., 34 miles. 500-550 fms. Green mud. 1 specimen; adult P.F. 18110. Cape Point N. E. '/* N., 46 miles. 760 fms. Green mud. 1 specimen; adult. PLUTONASTER PROTEUS * sp. nov. Plate XIII. Figs. 3-7. R i= 58 mm.; r = 14-5 mm. ; R = 4 r. Br = 14'5 mm. R = 4 br. Disk moderately large, rather flat; rays narrow, flat, tapering, at * IfQMrfi'c; = Proteus, in reference to the remarkable change in appearance during growth. The Echinoderm Fauna of South Africa. 243 first very slightly, but distally more abruptly, to a somewhat blunt tip. Disk and rays, within area bounded by supermarginal plates, covered by numerous low, rounded pseudopaxillae, each -lO-'SS mm. in diameter, the height, little, if any, greater: each carries about ten (6-16) short slender spinelets, some of which form a slightly radiating marginal circle ; these are rather longer than those within it and the latter may be scarcely more than rounded granules; the pseudopaxillae show no regular arrangement. Papulae small, single, numerous. Madreporic body large, nearly 4 mm. across, concealed under some 14 pseudopaxillae of varied size ; the outer margin of the madreporite is less than 3 mm. from the inner margin of the superomarginal plates. The latter are 29 in number on each side of the ray, interradially they are nearly square but conspicuously swollen or elevated at center; distally they soon become longer than wide and less swollen and on the distal half of the arm they are scarcely swollen at all but are evidently wider than long; each plate bears a single large spinelet, which is, in the interradial regions, 1 mm. high and basally -5 mm. in diameter and occupies the center of the plate but becomes smaller and smaller distally and is placed more and more near tlie outer (lower) edge of the plate; on most of the proximal plates a second, but much smaller spinelet occurs on the inner (upper) margin of the plate; the rest of the surface of each superomarginal is covered by a fairly uniform but well-spaced coat of low spinelets or spiniform granules, longest and most numerous along the lateral margins of the plates. Terminal plate moderately large ; it has all its spinelets rubbed off in the only instance where the plate itself is not missing. Inferomarginals almost exactly like the superomarginals in all particulars, except that the large spinelets are rather longer, and the second spinelet on tlie inner edge of the interradial plates is larger and so is quite conspicuous. The two series of marginal plates form a vertical wall for each side of the ray, about equally in evidence above and below; the fasciolar channels between the plates are moderately developed more particularly in the interradii. Actinal intermediate plates wanting at tip of ray and indeed on the entire distal half; the first one adjoins the sixth inferomarginal (counting from interradial line) and there are rather more than a dozen, lying next to the adambulacrals, between that point and the oral plate : a second series begins at the fourth marginal and contains nine or ten plates; some 25-30 smaller plates fill up, more or less irregu- larly, the remainder of the notably small actinal interradial area; all the intermediate plates are covered, but not very thickly, with 244 Annals of the South African Museum. short, well-spaced, rough spinules; a few of these are enlarged here and there into short, thick spinelets and rarely a little group make up a pedicellaria of a rudimentary sort. Adambulacrals about 37 on each side of the furrow; except the first two or three and the distalmost half dozen, they are longer than wide ; furrow-margin of each plate with about 8 conspicuous spinelets, the middle ones 1'5 mm. long, the ad oral one shortest; outside this series, on the actinal surface of the plate, near its distal margin, is a single large spinelet, nearly equal to those on the marginal plates; the rest of the surface of each adambulacral plate is sparsely covered by spinelets like those on the actinal inter- mediate plates. Oral plates rather large, swollen; each bears a marginal series of a dozen spinelets, of which the first (inner) two are the largest (about 2 mm. long), the others being gradually smaller; surface of plate rather thickly covered with spinelets, of which those near the interradial margin are largest, particularly those at inner end of plate. Color, dull brownish-yellow, in the present condition, dried from alcohol. Cutting through and laying back the skin of one ray reveals large double ampullae, the complete absence of dorsal muscle bands, and the genital glands confined to the interradial regions. Seen from within the plates of the dorsal skeleton are circular and isolated, but seemingly more crowded along the sides of the ray. P.F. 16743. Cape Point, N.E. by E. ^ E., 38 miles. 755 fms. Gr. m. 1 specimen; adult. P.F. 16902. Cape Point, N.E. by E. i/4 E -, 40 miles - 800-900 fms. Gr. m. 5 specimens; young. P.F. 16931. Same station. 1 specimen; adult. P.F. 16944. Same station. 4 specimens; young. P.F. 17351. Cape Point, N. 86 E., 43 miles. 900-1000 fms. Grey m. 2 specimens; young. Holotype, South African Museum no. A 6427, P.F. 16931. This species is undoubtedly near to P. bifrons (Wyv. Th.) but it is at once distinguished from that species by the absence of large spinelets on the actinal interradial areas and the presence of a second series of spines on both sets of marginal plates in the inter- radii. Another very marked difference is that in very young bifrons, the infero marginal spines are well developed while in much larger specimens of proteus, they are lacking or just beginning to appear. The series before me affords opportunity for a very interesting study of growth changes which are of more than ordinary interest The Echinoderm Fauna of South Africa. 245 in this species. The smallest specimen (R = 6 mm.) has R = 1-5 r and is thus somewhat pentagonal with deeply concave sides; the pseudopaxillae are similar to those of the adult and the madreporite is completely concealed ; there are 8 marginal plates in each series, on each side of a ray and they are quite uniformly covered with minute rough spinules; the actinal interradial plates are few and covered like the marginals. In two particulars this youngster is quite different from the adult; the large spines and spinelets of the adambulacral and marginal plates are wanting and there are distinct, though simple, pedicellariae on the abactinal surface and between the marginal plates, as well as actinally. On the most interradial of the inferomarginals, one spinule is distinctly larger than the others and may be considered the first indication of the spine, later so prominent. The terminal plate of each ray is relatively very large; on each side of the tip. near the oral surface is a large spinelet and back of this (orally) are two smaller spinelets. The next larger specimens have R = 7'5 mm., r = 3 - 5; hence R = 2-lr. The spinulation of these individuals is exactly like that of the smallest, except that on some of the distal adambulacral plates, one of the actinal spinelets is noticeably bigger than the others ; pedicellariae are very noticeable, especially among the marginal plates. A specimen with R 10 mm. is not essentially different in any way. A specimen with R = 12-5 mm. and r = 4'5mm. (R = 2-75 r) has the large spinelet indicated on most of the inferomarginal plates, quite distinct on nearly all the adambulacrals, and evident on the interradial superomargmals; there are no pedicellariae except on the actinal interradial areas. A specimen from the same station as this one, with R = 13 mm. and r = 5'5 mm. (R = 2'37 r) has distinctly wider rays and there are many pedicellariae, chiefly of two spinelets, all over the abactinal surface ; large spinelets are indicated only on the interradial inferomarginals and doubtfully on a few distal adam- bulacrals. The largest of the young individuals, from the same station as the holotype, has R = 19 mm. and r = 7 ; R = 2'7r; there are no pedicellariae, the large spinelets of the inferomarginals are conspicuous while those of the superomarginals are evident; the proximal adambulacrals show no large actinal spinelet but on all of those on the distal half of the arm it is perfectly distinct. The adult specimen from 16743 has R = 48 mm., r= 14 and hence R = 3'5r but in only one other particular does it show any notable difference from the holotype ; there is no second large spinelet on any margi- nal plate. To sum up the growth changes of this species then we may say 2i(> Annals of the South African Museum. that it changes from a nearly pentagonal form, uniformly covered with pseudopaxillae and minute rough spinules, with no large spine- lets whatever', into a stellate form with moderately long rays, having conspicuous spinelets on all adambulacral and marginal plates. During this change pedicellariae are whollv lost, at least abactinallv. O / li It is worthy of special note that the large spinelet of the adambula- cral plates appears first on the distal part of the ray and occurs proximally only after the individual is half grown. The second set of spinelets on the marginal plates appears only in what is apparently the fully grown individual. DlPSACASTER SLADENI. Alcock, 1893. Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. (6), vol. 11, p. 87; pi. 5,. figs. 3, 4. These specimens answer so well to Alcock's description that I feel satisfied they should be referred to sladeni, but in two particulars they are different; the pedicels of the paxillae are certainly not "long, slender", as I understand those terms, and the adambulacral spines are not what I should call "needle-like". Such terms ought not however to be construed too rigidly. The adambulacral armature of the South African specimens is almost exact lv like that of laetmophilus Fisher, and the only point in Fisher's description to which the present specimens do not answer is the covering of the infermnarginal plates, in describing which Fisher uses the word "squamiform". There is nothing "squamiform" in the spinelets covering the inferomarginals of the African specimens. Comparison of Fisher's description and figures of laetmophilus with Alcock's of sladeni certainly suggests the identity of the two, but oddly enough Fisher makes no reference whatever to sladeni. * The present series reveals some very interesting growth changes in this starfish. The smallest specimens have R = 15 mm, and r = 7, while the rays are nearly 10 mm. across at their very base ; thus R = 2r and about 1-5 br. A somewhat larger specimen has R = 26 mm., r = \\ and Ar 13; thus R = 2-36 r and 2 br. The next larger specimen has R = 45 mm., r = 17 and br = 18; thus * After critical examination of the South African specimens of sladeni, Fisher finds at least half a dozen differences between them and laetmophilus. Of these the most obvious, if not the most important, is in the spinelets of the infero- marginals, which are distinctly squamiform in the Alaskan species and spiculiform in the African. Other important differences are to be found in the form of the inferomarginals, in the plates and fasciolar channels of the actinal intermediate areas, and in the mouth plates. The two species, although nearly allied, seem to be perfectly distinct. The Echinoderm Fauna of South Africa. 2'i7 R = 2'65r and 2-5 br. In the largest specimen, R = 78 mm., r = 26 and 6r = 28; thus R = 3r and '2-78 hr. It is thus obvious that the larger the specimen of this species, the longer and proportionately narrower are the rays. The number of supermarginal plates on each side of a ray in these four specimens is 1C), 22, 28 and 39 respectively. The number of marginals is relatively greater there- fore in proportion to the length of the ray in young specimens than in adults; thus, while the length of ray increases five times tin* number of marginals is increased only two and a half times. It will be noticed that the largest African specimen has several more supero- marginal plates than much larger specimens of sladeni and laetmophilus, but I think this is merely a matter of individual, or possibly, geo- graphical variation. In the smallest specimen, the enlarged spinules on the outer ends of the inferomarginal plates are barely recognizable and then only in the interbrachial arcs. They are more pronounced but are not at all conspicuous in the specimen with R = 26 mm. The adambu- lacral armature shows very little change with growth; in the smallest specimen there are 5 and often 6 adarnbulacral spines and they are somewhat compressed, especially near base; in the largest specimen, there are 7, occasionally 8, adambulacral spines and they are mar- kedly compressed at base. Colour in life: upper surface reddish orange, lower surface pale. P.F. 2285. Lion's Head, Cape Town, N. 67 E., 25 miles. 131-136 fms. Black specks. 2 specimens; adult. P.F. 2330. Same station. 2 specimens; young. P.F. 2798. Vasco de Gania Peak, N. 71 E., 18 miles. 230 fms. St. 1 specimen ; adult. P.F. 17604. Cape Point, E. by N., 30 miles. 345 fms. Green sand and mud. 4 specimens; very young. BATHYBIASTER ROBUSTUS. Archaster robustus Yerrill, 1884. Amer. Journ. Sci. (3), vol. 28, p. 383. Bathybiaster robustus Verrill, 1894. Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., vol. 17, p. 256. These specimens range in size from R 7 mm. to R = 80mm. The largest has been critically compared with similar specimens of robustus from off the Eastern coast of the United States and there is no doubt of their identity. The growth changes of this species are very interesting. Small individuals were described by Sladen (1889, CHALLENGER Ast., p. 236, pi. 40, figs. 3-6) as Phoxaster pumilus, supposedly representing a new genus, distinguished from Bathybiaster 248 Annals of the South African Museum. by the presence of an epiproctal cone and the absence of pedicellariae, but Verrill has shown that both these features are youthful and quite unreliable. In the present series, there is no epiproctal cone in the large specimen, but it is obvious in all the small ones; it is however smallest in the smallest specimen (1 mm. high) and largest (3 mm.) in a specimen with R = 17 mm. Apparently therefore it reaches its fullest development in late youth and then disappears, but is still evident in specimens one-third grown. The terminal plate is but very little larger in the big specimen than in the smallest and has entirely lost the three conspicuous spines which it bears in youth. The adambulacral plates are relatively considerably longer in the adult but the adambulacral armature changes but little, as there are 3 spines in the smallest specimen and only 5 in the big one. There is no indication of a supermarginal spinelet in the smaller specimens but in the largest it is evident on a dozen plates or more in each series; it is however remarkably low and squamiform. P.F. 16742. Cape Point N. E. x E. J /4 E., 38 miles. 755 fms. Green mud. 1 specimen; adult. P.F. 16902. Cape Point N. E. x E. '/ 4 E., 40 miles. 800-900 fms. Green mud. 2 specimens; young. P.E. 17351. Cape Point N. 83 E., 43 miles. 900-1000 fms. Green mud. 2 specimens; young. PSILASTER ACUMINATUS. Sladen, 1889. CHALLENGER Ast., p. 225; pi. 40, figs 1, 2. It is not without some hesitation that I refer these specimens to Sladen's species, for in one particular they are very different from his description. He says the marginal plates are more or less bare (lower part of superomarginals, upper part of inferomarginals) and covered by a membrane, while in the African specimens, papillae cover the plates; along the margins the papillae are slender but on the surface of the plates they are quite squamiform. In one specimen, the lower portion of the largest superomarginals is only sparsely covered with papillae so perhaps if the specimens were larger these plates would be bare. But in these specimens, R 60 mm. + and Sladen's type had R only 65 mm. Another difficulty is that these specimens are so unlike a much larger Psilaster from Australia which in my ENDEAVOUR report I have called aciiminalus, that it is hard to believe they are the same species. Sladen however called attention to differences between the African, Australian and New Zealand specimens of the CHALLENGER The Echinoderm Fauna of South Africa. 249 collection, but he felt that more material was necessary before it could be conclusively determined whether all were the same species or not. I certainly have not sufficient available material to enable me to satisfy myself in the matter, so I follow Sladen's example and let all remain under the name which he gave. P.F. 2330. Lions Head, Cape Town, N. 67 E., 25 miles. 131-136 fins. Black specks. 1 specimen; adult? P.F. 14976. Lions Head, Cape Town, S.E. V, E., 47 miles. 175 fins. Green sand. 4 specimens ; adult ? ASTROPECTEN POLYACANTHUS. Midler and Troscliel, 1842. Syst. Ast., p. 69. The occurrence of this species south of Zanzibar is noteworthy and its presence on the coast of Natal is really remarkable. The present specimen (R = 70 mm.) though the rays are somewhat broken, is in admirable condition for study. The superomarginal spines are unusually small and slender, the largest (those on the interradial pair of plates) being less than 3 mm. high and about two-thirds of a millimeter in diameter at base. The paxillae bear many spinelets ; those on the convex surface are very low and papilliform while those on the margin are relatively long and slender. The oral surface is much less spiny than in typical examples of poly acanthus, this ap- pearance being due to the somewhat squamiform spinelets and the absence of large spines on the adambulacral end of the inferomarginal plates. The species is so widespread and so diversified that local races will probably be recognized ultimately, and when that is done the South African form will probably be given a subspecific name. The more typical form is well figured by Savigny, 1803. PI. d'Ech. Egypte, P 1 - &, % i- P.F. 12516. Off Umhlanga River, Natal, 2V 2 miles. 22-26 fms. Fine sand. 1 specimen; adult. Delagoa Bay. K. H. Barnard. ASTROPECTEN PONTOPOR^EUS. Sladen, 1883. Jour. Linn. Soc. Zool., vol. 17, p. 259. 1889, CHALLENGER, Ast., pi. 35, figs. 1, 2. Astropecten capensis Studer, 1884. GAZELLE Ast., p. 44. The present specimens (R = about 35 mm.) are a trifle smaller than Studer's but they leave no doubt in my mind as to the identity of capensis and pontoporceus. The differences mentioned by Studer are trivial. The relatively longer arms in Sladen's specimens are 250 Annals of the South African Museum. due to their larger size, while the degree of projection of the infero- inarginal plates and the exact form of their spines is a matter of in- dividual diversity. Bell (1905, Mar. Inv. South Africa, vol. 3, p. 243) records pontoporams from 21 stations and rapensis from one, but lie does not hint at the means by which lie distinguished them. P.P. 15835. Cape Point, N.W. 5 miles. 47 fuss. Sand and rocks. 4 specimens; adult? * ASTROPECTEN HEMPRICHII. Miiller and Troschel, 1842. Syst. Ast., p. 71. De Loriol, 18S5. Cat. Rais. Ech. Mauritius: Stellerides, jil. 21, figs. 7-8. This species is reported by Peters (1852) from Inhambane, P.E.A. and by Bell (1884) from Mozambique. I have not myself seen specimens from the African coast, south of Zanzibar. ASTROPECTEN GRANULATUS. Miiller and Troschel, 1842. Sys. Ast, p. 75. Diiderlein, 1890. Jena Denksch., vol. 8, lief. 3, pi. 18, figs. 30, 30a. These South African specimens were at first identified with mona- canthits Sladen but in the larger specimens the paxillae always show several to many central granules, and Sladen emphasizes the single central granule as an important species character. Koehler however has stated that the number of central granules on the paxillae is a matter of age and examination of these specimens satisfies me that he is correct. Careful study of his text and figures, and those of Doderlein, with Sladen's, convinces me that monacanthus is identical with granulatus. The only point on which I am doubtful is the coloration, gome specimens (none from South Africa however) showing a conspicuous mottling of the upper surface. This mottled form is figured by Sladen as granulatus and Koehler says his specimen from the Aru Islands is exactly like it in color. On the other hand he says his specimen is identical with that figuied by Doderlein from Torres Strait and Doderlein's specimen is unicolorous. Probably the coloration is more or less subject to individual diversity. The length of the superomarginal plates and the extent to which they occupy the dorsal sin-face of the arms is a matter of age; they are longest and dorsally most conspicuous in the smallest individuals before me (R = 7 - 5 mm); they are relatively shortest and least visible from above in the largest specimens (R = 38 mm). These large specimens are just the size of Koehler's from the Aru Islands, and considerably larger than those seen by Sladen and Doderlein, but they are smaller The Echinoderm Fauna of South Africa. 251 than some which Koehler has had from India. One of the smaller African specimens shows six superomarginal spines and similar spines occur in one of the larger specimens of the Indian Museum. It is interesting to note that the proportion of R to r is practically the same in the smallest and largest specimens, namely R = 4r, but the arms are broadest in the smallest specimens, R = 2-7 br ; in the large individuals, R = 3-5 br. In spite of a deficiency of material which is much to be regretted, I think we may say then that granulatus is a small species of Astropeclen with unarmed superomarginal plates, which ranges from India to South Africa on the west and to Torres strait on the east. One of the specimens here referred to granulatus (18904) may perhaps represent .a different species. The colour is a noticeably deeper brown, there are usually two and often three infero-marginal spines, and the spinules everywhere, but especially on the oral surface, appear to be more or less sacculate. This individual is obviously immature (R = 19 mm.) and comes from deeper water than the others, so that the probability of its not being granulatus is rather strong. P.F. 10975. Tongaat River, Natal, N. W. by N. / 4 N., 5 miles. 3(3 fins. Sand and rocks. 2 specimens, very young. P.F. 12516. OK Umhlanga River, Natal, 2 1 /, miles. 22-20 fms. Fine sand. 9 specimens; adult? and young. P.F. 18904. Cape Agulhas, Cape Colony, N. W. 175 miles (36 40' S., 21 26' E.). 200 fms. Green sand. 1 specimen, Young and dubious. LUIDIIDAE. It is not certain whether two or three species of this family are found on the coast of South Africa, but it is likely that at least three occur and not improbable that others will be found when the marine fauna is better known. The species recorded from the region may be distinguished from each other as follows; Key to the South African Species of Luidiidae. Rays 5; no enlarged central spinelet on paxillae . . Luidia africana. Rays 7 or more. No enlarged central spinelet on any paxillae; latter with quadrate tabulum Luidia maculate*. An enlarged central spinelet on many paxillae ; latter with a stellate crown Luidia savignyi. 252 Annals of the South African Museum. LUIDIA AFRICANA. Sladen, 1889. CHALLENGER Ast., p. 256; pi. 44, figs. 1 and 2. 1 have not seen this species but Sladen records it from Simon's I Jay, Cajie of Good Hope and Bell lists it from four stations in 85-90 fins. * LUIDIA MACULATA. Midler and Troschel, 1842. Sys. Ast., p. 77. II. L. Clark, 1916. ENDEAVOUR Ech., pi. 5. This species is recorded by Peters from Mozambique (1852, Monatsb. Berlin Akad., p. 178) but de Loriol thinks he probably had L. savignyi. While this is quite possible, it does not seem to me unlikely that maculata occurs as far south as Mozambique and I therefore let Peter's record stand. LUIDIA SAVIGNYI. Asterias savignyi Andouin, 1826. Expl. soni. des pis. Echinod. de 1'Egypte pub. par Savigny, p. 208; Rayonnes, pi. 3. Luidia savigni/i Gray, 1840. Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. (1), vol. 6, p. 18o. This fine Luidia, originally noted from the Red Sea, was known only as far south as Mauritius and Zanzibar. In the PIETER FAURE collection however, I find a badly broken specimen with R = 170 mm., which is undoubtedly this species, thus greatly extending the known range to the southward. It would be interesting to know by what characters Sladen distinguished his CHALLENGER species aspera from savignyi, for they seem to me identical, but he makes no reference to the old species. P.F. 10833. Natal: Umhloti River, N. W. by W. 3 / 4 W., 2 3 /,, miles, 25 fins. \ specimen; adult. GONIASTERIDAE. Up to the present time only three species of this large family had been taken in South African waters. All of these are in the collection at hand and in addition the PIETER FAURE captured eight species, six of which seem to be new to science. Nearly all of the eleven species are deep water' (85-500 fms.) forms and none seems to be common. Indeed not a species of Goniasteridae is represented in the collection by more than four specimens, and of four species there is but a single example of each. Unfortunately two at least The Echinoderm Fauna of South Africa. 253 of these four appear to be new. The following key shows how easily the South African goniasterids can be distinguished from each other. Key to the South African Species of Goniasteridae. Abactinal surface of disk covered with pseudopaxillae or granule-bearing tabula. Rays more or less elongated; R more than 2 r. Each inferomarginal with 1 3 small, more or less appreesed spinelets; no true (alveolar) pedicellanae present. R = 3 4r; superomarginals occupy less than */ r;.paxillar area at base of arm about '60 of arm-width . Pseudar chaster tessellatus. R = 2 2'5 r; superomargmals occupy '/3 r ! paxillar area at base of arm about '40 of arm -width . . Pseudarchaster brachyactis No spinelets on inferomarginals ; at least a few true pedicellariae present Mediaster capensis. Rays short, form more or less pentagonal; R less than 2 r. Interradial superomarginals squarish, often longer than wide, but occa- sionally wider than long; distal subambulacral spines not conspicuously enlarged. Inner ends of interradial superomarginals distinctly squarish; their length equals or exceeds width; paxillae granules very close set, the marginal series with vertical outer sides Ceramastcr chondriscus. Inner ends of interradial superomarginals markedly rounded; their width exceeds length ; paxillae granules rounded and not close-set Ceramaster trispinosus. Interradial superomarginals nearly twice as wide as long; distal subambu- lacral spines conspicuously enlarged Ceramaster patagonicus, var. euryplax. Abactinal surface of disk with no pseudopaxillae or distinct tabula. Actinal intermediate plates, each with a heavy spine, more or less elongated. Pedicellariae wanting; adambulacral furrow series of 3 or 4 stout spines Calliaster baccatvs. Pedicellariae present; adambulacral furrow series with 6 9 slender com- pressed spines ..... Calliaster acanthodes. Actinal intermediate plates with granules, tubercles and pedicellariae, but no spines. No marginal plates with spines or conspicuous tubercles Tosia tuberculata. Many marginal plates with tubercles or stout spines. No disk plates with stout capitate spines or big central tubercles Cladaster macrobrachius. Many disk plates with -stout capitate spines or big central tubercles Hippasteria phrygiana. PSEUDARCHASTER TESSELLATUS. Sladen, 1889. CHALLENGER Ast., p. 11 1 2: pi. 17, figs. 3, 4 The specimens at hand (R = 32-50 mm.) are about the same size as Sladen's (R = 48 mm.) and answer very closely to his description. There is however a median unpaired spine at the tip of the jaw 17 254 Annals of the South African Museum. which is not mentioned by Sladen. Bell (1905, Mar. Inv. South Africa, vol. 3, p. 242) lists the species from five stations but gives no data about the specimens. It way be mentioned here that he, consistently and erroneously, throughout his report gives the date of Sladen's CHALLENGER report as 1887. P.F. 15436. Cape Point, N.E. by N. 7 3 / 4 miles, 85 fins. F. gn. s. 4 specimens; adult. PSEUDARCH ASTER BRACHYACTIS *, sp. nov. Plate XII. Figs. 1, 2. R = 33mm.; r = 15mm.; R = 2-2r. Br = 18mm., with paxillar area 6 mm. wide at same point. Disk large, flat, about 6 mm. thick. Arms also flat and nearly as thick as disk, except distally ; they taper rapidly from the wide base to the bluntly pointed tips. Inter- brachial arcs broadly curved. Abactinal area of disk and rays, within the boundary of superomarginals, covered by low pseudo- paxillae which typically bear one central granule and a marginal series of 6-8 ; the granules are large, somewhat angular, rather close- set and more or less nearly subequal; near the superomarginals the granule-bearing plates lose their tabulate form and the granules are arranged more or less evidently in rows parallel to the margin. Madreporite small but distinct, about half way between the inner end of the superomarginals and the center of the disk. Supero- niarginal plates very oblique, approaching the horizontal, in position, about 22 on each side of each ray but the distalmost three are very small, with their inner ends abutting on the somewhat swollen but not large terminal plate; the two plates on either side of the inter- radial line are about 5 mm. wide, but only 1 mm. long at the outer end and less than 1-5 mm. at the inner; the succeeding plates gra- dually become longer and narrower but even near the tip of the ray they are twice as wide as long; each plate is closely covered by granules like those on the pseudopaxillae but more rounded; the largest granules (-25-* 30 mm. across) are at the outer (lower) end of the plate while the smallest are along the inner margin ; there are no spinelets or tubercles on any of the plates. Inferomarginals exactly like those of upper series, with granulation and end-width reversed ; on all however, one or more (sometimes as many as four) of the median granules is, or are, enlarged, lengthened and flattened to form a small and appressed but distinct spinelet; the largest of these however rarely exceeds half a millimeter in length and they xi's = short -|- "xfK = ray, iu reference to the relatively short arms. The Echinoderm Fauna of South Africa. 255 are only bluntly pointed. Actinolateral plates about 40 in each area; the series next to the adambulacrals extends out only as far as the fifth inferomarginal ; beyond that the infero marginals abut directly on the adambulacrals; actinal areas covered so closely with coarse granules like those on the inferomarginals that it is almost impossible to make out the plates; near the oral plates are two or three very simple and slightly differentiated pectinate pedicellariae, formed by the marginal granules of adjoining plates. Adambulacral plates '28-30 in each series, about as long as wide or longer, markedly convex on inner margin and slightly swollen on the oral surface. Each plate, on proximal half of ray at least, carries a marginal series of 0, rarely 7, spines, subequal as to length (about 1 mm.) or the first and last shortest, the middle pair most slender and distal pair evidently the stoutest; on the oral surface of each plate are two or three slightly oblique series of 2-4 blunt well-spaced spinelets or granules; those nearest the furrow margin are most spine- like, while those of the opposite margin are only granules; one spinelet of the series nearest the furrow or of the next series, is somewhat enlarged and distally becomes conspicuous as a thick, blunt but not very long subarnbulacral spine ; not rarely two such spines occur on a plate, especially near tip of arm. Oral plates not much swollen; each plate carries two series of 8-10 spinelets, one along the sutural margin, the other following the outer margin; in each series, the longest spines are proximal and they become shorter and stouter distally quite rapidly ; sometimes there is an isolated spine between the two series. Whether an unpaired median spine is present at the tip of the jaw is not easy to determine in the holotype as the jaws are turned upward into the mouth. But on at least one jaw it seemed to be present while on another it was almost certainly wanting. Colour, uniformly brownish-yellow. P.F. 17965. Cape Point, N. 4P E., 38 miles. 315-400 fms. S., blk. sp. 3 specimens; very young. P.F. 18904. 36 40' S., 21 26' E., 200 fms. Gr. s. 1 specimen, adult, Holotype, South African Museum, no. A 6430, P.F. 18904. The specimens from 17965 are not only young but are in very poor condition and it is not impossible that they are the young of tessellatus or even that they represent some other species. The tips of the arms are missing and the granules are largely rubbed off from both surfaces. The holotype however is in good condition and I have little doubt that it is quite a different species from any as yet described. The short wide rays with the almost horizontal marginals give it a very characteristic appearance. In the young 256 Annals of the Sjuth African Museum. specimens, the median, unpaired spine at the tip of the jaw is very conspicuous in every case, so there is reason to believe it is nor- mally present in the adult. The smallest specimen has R = 7'5 mm., r = 4'5 mm., R:=1'66r; the unpaired spine on the jaw is perhaps '35 mm. long by -25 mm. thick. In the largest of the young specimens, r = 5'5 mm. while R was certainly more than twice as much; the unpaired jaw-spine is about -70 mm. long by '30 mm. wide. There is no indication of spinelets on any of the inferomar- ginal plates. MEDIASTER CAPENSIS *, sp. nov. Plate XVI. Figs. 1, 2. R 53 mm.; r = 19 mm.; R = 2-8r. Br = 20 mm.; at middle of ray, 8 mm. ; at tip, 2-5 mm. Disk large, somewhat swollen in the radial regions ; arms wide at base, narrowing rapidly at first and then, on distal half of arm, very gradually to the blunt tip. Abactinal plates of disk and base of rays, tabulate, more or less paxilliform, crowned with a marginal series of 12 15, slightly angu- lar, blunt spinelets or coarse granules and within this circle 3 8 similar and scarcely smaller granules; in the interradial regions, near the superomarginals and on the distal part of the rays, the plates are less paxilliform and carry 5-10 small granules, variously arranged ; occasionally one of the granules, on the larger plates, is replaced by a small 2-jawed pedicellaria, but these are neither numerous nor conspicuous. Papulae numerous, large, arranged quite regularly, so that around each plate, there are six, but around any two plates there are ten and around any four plates only sixteen. Madreporite small, rounded triangular, about as large as one of the larger abactinal plates, only half as far from centre of disk as from disk-margin. Superomarginal plates about 29 on each side of each ray, all wider than long, the interradial ones almost twice as wide as long; they are closely covered with granules, almost exactly like those on the adjoining abactinal plates; there are 50-60 granules on one of the interradial superomarginals; occasionally a pedicellaria replaces a granule. Terminal plates small, slightly swollen, almost circular or rounded hexagonal. Inferomarginals apparently one fewer than superomarginals on each side of each ray ; the series alternate more or less clearly at least at the middle part of the arm; the covering * In reference to the geographical occurrence, the region being a new one for the genus. The Echinoderm Fauna of South Africa. 257 of the inferomarginals is like that of the upper series. Actinolateral plates in about eight series; the first (next the adambulacrals) extends from the oral plates to about the fourteenth inferomarginal (counting from interradius): the second series extends to the eighth inferomarginal and the third reaches the sixth ; remaining series irregular and made up of somewhat smaller plates than the first three ; each actinolateral plate carries a marginal series of 7-9 angu- lar granules, more widely spaced than on the abactinal plates, and a single central granule, or rarely two; there seem to be no pedi- cellariae on these plates. Adambulacral plates about 56 on each side of the furrow; they are distinctly wider than long and their armature is in three very sharply defined parallel series; the furrow series consists of 4, rarely 5, subequal, almost cylindrical, blunt spines, over a millimeter long; the second series consists of 3, rarely 4, very similar but somewhat more prismatic spines of about the same size; the third and outer- most series is made up of 3 angular spinelets not much larger than the granules on the adjoining plates. Oral plates not at all conspic- uous and little swollen; their outlines are quite indistinct; proximally there are 5 spines on each side, the ones at tip of jaw longest (about 2 mm.) ; these spines are very strongly compressed, with widened and rounded tips; on the surface of each plate are a dozen or more smaller and more prismatic spines, the distalmost much like the actinolateral granules. Colour, brownish-yellow. P.F. 18183. Cape Point, N. by E., 9 miles. 81-87 fins. Gr. m. and s. 2 specimens; adult. P.F. 18230. False Bay, 21 fins. Fne. s. 2 specimens; adult. Holotype, South African Museum, No. A 6422, P.F. 18230. Examination of the internal anatomy confirms the evidence of the external characters, and proves this to be a true Mediaster: The internal radiating ossicles of the abactinal skeleton are well developed and rudimentary superambulacral plates are present. As regards the latter feature, however, I do not place very much confidence in its value, for unless these plates can be shown to have a real morpho- logical value in some group of sea-stars, I must doubt their phylo- genetic significance, and their presence in a rudimentary condition, or their absence, would not seem a matter of any real importance. Their position is such with reference to the ambulacrals and adam- bulacrals that their independent origin in totally unrelated groups would appear to be highly probable. There is no doubt that Mediaster capensis is very nearly related to M. australiensis H. L. C. but 1 think the differences in the paxilliform 258 Annals of the South African Museum. plates of both surfaces justifies regarding them as different species. Ahactinally these plates in capensis are noticeably larger, especially in the midradial line, and they carry more granules within the marginal circle, than in attstraliensis, while actinally the reverse is true, the actinolateral plates of capensis rarely having more than one central granule while in australiensis there are almost always 2-5. The papulae in capensis are noticeably larger and more regularly arranged than in australiensis. In this particular, capensis is more like ornatus Fisher of Hawaii, but the differences in the actinolateral plates and adambulacral armature prevent any confusion with that species. The specimens from 18183 are smaller than those from 18230 but they are like them in all essentials and call for no special comment. CERAMASTER CHONDRISCUS *, sp. nov. Plate XIV. Figs. 5, 6. R = 52 mm.; r = 30 mm.; R. = 1'7 r. Interbrachial arcs very broadly round ; the interradial margins of the body are almost per- fectly straight; rays well marked and rather abruptly projecting. Abactinal plates tabulate, completely granulated; the six primary plates are easily seen as the largest tabulae; otherwise the largest tabulae are at the center of the disk and on the median line of the basal half of each ray ; these larger tabulae are more or less perfectly hexagonal, but the plates of the proximal part of each interradial area are more rhomboidal (in the holotype, they are perfectly rhom- boidal) or pentagonal or irregular; distally in the interradii the plates become very small, and are roughly oblong or hexagonal; the sides of the tabulae are very straight, their marginal granules being sharply cut vertically on the outer side; on the larger tabulae there are about 20 marginal and about 25 central granules, all closely crowded. In the holotype and the smallest specimen, one or several of these granules are, on a few tabulae, replaced by large, bivalved, often excavate pedicellariae ; on the third specimen, these are remarkably abundant. Supermarginal plates 16-18 (17 in the holotype) on each side of each ray. Those in the interradii are nearly or quite square and there are only 6 or 7 on the basal half of the ray, as against 10 or 11 on the outer half; the distalmost three or four are however very short and this increase in number is no doubt correlated with the relatively long rays. The bare area, which in some species of Ceramaster may occupy the whole abactinal surface of the plate, is = a granule, in reference to the numerous abactinal granules. The Echinoderm Fauna of South Africa. 259 greatly reduced, and is entirely wanting on the large plates of the interradial region of the larger specimens; it is evident on all the plates of a specimen with R = 42 mm. On the inferomarginals, the bare space is present though small on 5 or 6 plates on each side of the interradius in this small specimen but is wholly wanting in the larger specimens. It looks therefore as though with increasing age and size, the marginal plates tend to become wholly covered with granules. The number and distribution of the pedicellariae is very variable; in the small specimen they are very few but in the larger ones they are more abundant; in one of the latter, they are present on a large proportion of the dorsal tabulae, and on all the supero- marginals, except those near tip of ray, there is at least one, often there are two and not infrequently, three; on most of the infero- marginals too they are present, and even on the actiriolateral plates a few are to be found ; in the region just back of the oral plates are 3 or 4 pedicellariae notable for their large size, fully twice that of those on the abactinal surface; on the adambulacrals, there seem to be no pedicellariae. Actinolateral plates rather numerous and crowded but their out- lines are very distinct at the center of each area, less so near mouth and least so on the outer part of each ray; except near the mouth and distally, the two series adjoining the adambulacrals are wider than long and oblong; those at center of area are rhomboidal; else- where they are irregularly polygonal or rounded; the granulation is much coarser than abactinally and there is no obvious distinction between the marginal and central granules; even the largest plates have only 20-25 altogether. The series adjoining the adambulacrals extends out to about the sixth or seventh inferomarginal from the tip; the next series reaches only to the ninth. At the middle of each interradial margin there are about 3'< 2 actinolateral plates abutting on each inferomarginal. Adambulacral plates 40-45 on each side (in the holotype) wider than long at first but becoming squarish distally. The armature consists of a furrow series of 4, blunt, thick, somewhat prismatic or slightly flattened, subequal spines about 1-5 mm. long; back of these is a nearly parallel series of 3 similar but shorter spines and the outer end of the plate is occupied by 2-4 still smaller, but yet some- what similar spinelets; these last are distinctly larger than the biggest granules of the adjoining actinolateral plates. Oral plates large but flat and not at all swollen ; the armature is almost exactly similar to that of the adjoining adambulacrals; there are about 8 large spines on each free margin and a series of about 8 prismatic 260 Annals of the South African Museum. granules along each of the opposed margins. - - Colour in alcohol, pale brown, becoming brownish-white on drying. P.F. 15147. Table Mountain, E. by S. / a S., 25 miles, 190 fms. Gr. s. and bl. sp. 3 specimens. Adult. Holotype, South African Museum, no. A 6414. I had determined to call these three specimens patagonicus but Fisher thinks they are nearer to his recently described C. smiihi from the Philippines, in 554 fms. He says that the South African specimens differ from smithi in the clean cut hexagonal tabulae of the mid-radial areas, the more numerous abactinal granules (only 10-15 central granules on largest tabulae in smithi}, in the smooth tips of the subambulacral and furrow spines, in the lower abactinal pedicellariae, and in the larger oral plates. From patagonicus (of which I have seen no specimens) Fisher tells me the South African species differs "in having narrow, sunken, wholly granulated mar- ginal plates, broader abactinal radial plates with more crowded, numerous granules, large instead of small plates in center of disk, a different sort of actinal pedicellaria, etc." It seems to me very clear that patagonicus, smithi and chondriscus are very closely related forms and that we shall not know the true interrelationship until we have far more material. CERAMASTER TRISPINOSUS *, sp. nov. Plate XIV. Figs. 3, 4. R = 41 mm.; r = 21 mm.; R = l < 95r. Interbrachial arcs broad- ly rounded ; rays bluntly pointed. Abactinal plates tabulate, poly- gonal, of diverse sizes and closely crowded ; most of the plates are rather large with a marginal series of 10-20 coarse, rounded gra- nules and 10-20 similar, not crowded, granules within the marginal series; smaller plates have 6-12 marginal granules and 4-10 more on the top; the five basal plates are easily distinguishable, as one is somewhat crescent-shaped and encloses the madreporite on its outer side, while the other four have more numerous and smaller granules than the other tabulae, about 30 in the marginal series and about 35 within. Superomarginal plates 13 or 14 on each side of each ray or 26 or 28 on each side of the pentagon ; the interradial pair are, each 4 mm. wide and 3 mm. long, with the inner end so curved as to be almost a semicircle ; they are fully covered by about 150 granules, of which the largest are on the lower margin, next * trispinosus = having three spines, in reference to the armature of the adam- bulacral plates. The Echinodenn Fauna of South Africa. 261 the inferomarginals; there are 8-10 on that margin, 8 or in the marginal series up each side and 18-20 on the semicircular inner (upper) margin; the second, third and fourth superomarginals are similar but progressively slightly smaller and with more square cut inner ends; on the fifth plate is a small bare area and this increases in size on the succeeding plates, until on the distal plates only a marginal series of granules remains; the last three superomarginals of the two sides meet in the midradial line, so the abactinal plates do not reach the terminal plate; the latter is of moderate size, rounded triangular or pentagonal and decidedly swollen. Madreporite small, only 1*5 mm. in diameter, its outer margin 12 mm. from edge of disk. Inferomarginals 14 or 15 on each side, always one more and sometimes two more than the superomarginals of the same side ; in the neighborhood of the sixth superomarginal there are two infero- marginals and at the tip of the ray another extra inferomarginal is often to be found ; the inferomarginals are very similar in form and granulation to the adjoining superomarginals. Actinolateral plates numerous, but so crowded and so closely granulated that the series can be made out only with difficulty; that adjoining the adambulacral plates extends to the eighth inferomarginal while the next series reaches only to the sixth ; the granulation is much coarser than that on the marginals or abactinal plates and is well-spaced ; there are rarely as many as 20 granules on a plate, Adambulacral plates about 50 in each series, short and crowded, much wider than long except distally where the length nearly equals the width. Each plate carries a series of 3 (or rarely 2) stout spines on the furrow margin ; these spines are a millimeter long, subequal, blunt, cylindrical or more or less compressed ; back of this series, there are on the oral surface of each plate, three pairs of spines; the first (innermost) of these is much stouter and a little shorter than the furrow-spines, and the distal spine is larger than the proximal ; on the terminal part of the arm, this larger spine becomes quite conspicuous as relatively the biggest adambulacral spine ; the other two pairs of spines are much smaller, and the outer one is scarcely larger that the granules of the actinolateral plates; on some adambulacrals, one (or even two) of these six surface spines is wanting. Oral plates not at all swollen; on each free margin is a series of- 5 or 6 stout, more or less prismatic, subequal spines; just back of these is a series of 5 similar but shorter spines, and on the distal part of each plate are about 5 still shorter spines or coarse prismatic granules. There seem to be no pedicellariae anywhere. Color of dried specimen, uniformly dingy, brownish-yellow. 202 Annals of the South African Museum. P.F. 27<)S. Vusro de Gania Peak, N. 71 E., 18 miles, 230 fins. Stones. 1 specimen, adult. Holotvpe, South African Museum, no. A 6415. This species has a very characteristic appearance due to the form of the marginals, the absence of pedicellariae and the crowded adam- Imlucral plates with their furrow-series of three spines. The form is distinctly less pentagonal than in most members of the family, the tips of the rays being markedly prolonged. The granulation both above and below is noticeably coarse, but it is especially so on the actinolateral plates. CERAMASTER PATAGONICUS var. EURYPLAX * var. nov. Plate XIV. Figs. 1, 2. R = 32 mm.: r = 20 mm.; R = l-6 r. Form nearly pentagonal but the sides are slightly concave. Abactinal plates tabulate, poly- gonal, of diverse sizes and closely crowded, so that the sides are very straight and clear cut, as in C. patagoniciis; radially the plates are perfectly hexagonal and interradially they are rhombic ; they are smallest at center of disk and near the marginal plates; the larger plates have a marginal series of 12-14 coarse granules and 10-18 similar but slightly smaller granules are within the marginal series; the latter have their outer sides quite vertical and the adjoining- angles sharp; a central plate and the live basals are distinguishable by their smaller granules. Superomarginal plates 10 or 11 on each side of each ray or 20-22 on each s.ide of the pentagon; the inter- radial pair are each 4 mm. wide and 2'5 mm. long, approximately rectangular, with nearly straight edges; succeeding plates similar but progressively shorter; there is little change in width until very near the tip of the ray ; the central abactinal part of each plate is slightly tumid, bare and smooth ; this bare area is largest distally and smallest on the interradial pair; elsewhere the plates are closely covered with a coat of granules of very uniform size, of which there may be more than 200 on a plate. Terminal plate of moderate size, very tumid, pentagonal, smooth. Madreporite small, wider than long, 1'75 mm. across, its outer margin 13 mm. from edge of disk. Infero- rnarginals of the same number as the superomarginals; the interradial pair underlie the interradial superomarginals but each succeeding plate lies progressively more distal so that near the tip of the ray the two series alternate ; in granulation the inferomarginals resemble * ivyvs = wide + /rAft? = plate, in reference to the very wide interradial superomarginals. The Echinoderm Fauna of Month Africa. 263 the upper .series exactly except that the bare area is smaller, while in form they are perfect complements of the adjoining superomarginals Actinolateral plates numerous and crowded, arranged in about eight series parallel to the adambulacrals ; first series extends from oral plates to sixth inferomarginal and is made up of about 21 plates, which, excepting 2 or 3 at each end, are distinctly wider than long; succeeding series very crowded and hard to distinguish, the component plates about square; all the plates are covered by a close granulation like that on the iriferomarginals but becoming coarser on the series near the adambulacrals. Adambulacral plates about 33 in each series, not much wider than long (if any) and not specially crowded. Each plate carries a series of i or 5 stout spines on the furrow margin ; these spines are about a milli- meter long, blunt and thickened at tip, more or less compressed ; when 4 are present, the middle pair are a trifle longer than the others; if a fifth spine occurs it is proximal in position and much smaller than the others; back of this marginal series, there are, on the oral surface of each plate, parallel with the furrow, three series of spinelets, of which two have three spinelets each and the outermost usually has four; the outermost series is no larger than the adjoining granules of the actinolateral plates, while the other series are slightly more spine-like; near the mouth, the outer series merges with the third or disappears altogether; distally the number of spinelets in each series is reduced. Just beyond the middle of the ray the distal spinelet of the second series is somewhat larger than its fellows : this disproportion increases as the tip of the ray is approached and the number of spinelets decreases, until, on the last ten or a dozen adambulacral plates, this spinelet is a conspicuous subambulacral spine, about a millimeter long and half a millimeter thick. Oral plates not at all swollen ; on the free margin is a series of 9 stout, prismatic spines, the innermost stoutest; parallel to the sutural line between the two plates is a series of 8 crowded spinelets, of which the distal ones are scarcely larger than the granules of the adjoining actino- lateral plates; a secondary series of 6 smaller spinelets runs irregularly parallel to this sutural series and there are 2 additional spinelets between it and the marginal series. There seem to be no pedicellariae. Colour of dried specimen, dingy brownish-yellow. P.F. 15366. Cape Point N. 16 E., 10 miles, 85 fms. Gm. m. 1 specimen; adult, Holotype, South African Museum, no. A 6413. This handsome goniasterid is very near patagonicus of the same size from Alaska. Dr. Fisher has kindly compared them and finds 20 i Annals of the tiouth African Museum. so little difl'erence that lie advises considering this specimen, for the present, as only a variety of patagonicus. He says the abactinal plates are larger than in patagonicus, being more as in grannlaris. It is possible that in larger specimens, the hare area on the marginal plates would disappear, at least interradially. CALLIASTER BACCATUS. Sladen, 1889. CHALLENGER Ast., p. 280; pi. 56, figs. 1-4. The PIETER FAURE specimens agree well with Sladen's description and figures. The larger has R = 44 mm. and the smaller, 40 mm.; the former is thus just the size of the original specimen. The Mossel Bay specimen is somewhat larger as R = 52 mm. On a single actinal plate of this specimen is an indubitable pedicellaria and there are several of the pits where pedicellariae have been. The pedicel- lariae are thus not invariably wanting in this species. Their usual absence is however one of the many good species characters which l/iiccatus possesses. The single pedicellaria seen has unequal, asym- metrical, non-denticulate valves; the larger valve is scarcely higher than wide and is a little bent sideways; the smaller is more decidedly bent and is distinctly narrower. P.F. 1173. 34 18' S., 22= 13' E., 38 fms. 1 specimen; adult' P.F. 1710. Cape St. Blaize, N. by E. /.t E., 6'/ 4 miles, 35 fms. M., s. 1 specimen, adult? Mossel Bay. C. W. Black, 1913. 1 specimen, adult. CALLIASTER ACANTHODES * sp. nov. Plate XII. Figs. 3, 4. R = 79 mm.; r = 27 mm.; R = nearly 3r. Br = 30 mm.; at fifth supermarginal, br = 14 mm. and at 12th, br = 9 mm. Disk large, slightly tumid but with depressions near interradial margins. Rays tapering at first abruptly but beyond fifth supermarginal, very gradually. Abactinal surface of disk covered with irregularly circular plates, which are more or less tumid and bare, though there is a marginal series of coarse, flat, irregular granules around each one; the median radial series comprises the largest plates and runs almost to the tip of the ray but the distalmost plates are separated from the terminal plate and from each other also, by the meeting in the midradial line of the distal superomarginal plates; the series of plates on either side of the radial runs as far as the 12th superomarginal; = full of thorns, in reference to the numerous abactinal spines. The Echinoderm Fauna of South Africa. 265 all the larger abactinal plates and many small ones too, bear a single, central blunt spine, 1-3 mm. long and about I j 2 mm. in diameter; not rarely the spine, on the smaller plates, is replaced by a large non-denticulate spatulate-j awed pedieellaria; on the larger plates, spine and pedicellaria may both occur. Madreporite large, tumid, about 3 mm. in diameter and 12 mm. from the disk margin. Supermarginal plates 16 on a side, bare and tumid; the proximal are squarish and about as long as wide but distally the plates become much wider than long ; each plate (except near tip of ray) carries 2, and sometimes 3, stout spines like those on the abactinal plates; these are placed one above the other ; besides these spines one or more coarse granules or small tubercles may be present or, occasion- ally, one or even two pedicellariae occur instead of the tubercles; the usual series of marginal granules surrounds each of the plates. Terminal plate quite small, swollen and with no spines or tubercles whatever; it is possible that these may have been present in life and have since been knocked oft' but if so they have left no scars. Infero- rnarginal plates 17 on each side, the basal ones longer than wide and longer than the corresponding superomarginals, but distally they decrease in length rapidly and an extra one is intercalated below the twelfth of the upper series, or thereabouts; these plates carry 2-5 spines in a central group, or in a vertical or horizontal series; the spines are similar to those of the upper plates, and like them may be accompanied by pedicellariae. Actinolateral plates in six or seven series, the first parallel to the adambulacrals and reaching as far as the seventh inferomarginal ; the second series does not quite reach the fifth inferomarginal ; the remaining series are confined to the disk ; each plate is surrounded by the usual marginal granules and these also occur more or less abundantly on the surface of the larger plates, especially near the mouth ; each plate, excepting only the small ones, carries a large, central spine, similar to those of the abactinal surface but perhaps a little bigger; on some of the plates, the large characteristic pedicellariae occur. Adambulacral plates 57 in each series but 21 of these are on the last 18 mm. of the arm ; there are 6-9 (usually 8 or 7) slender compressed spines on the furrow margin, which are subequal or the end ones may be much the smallest; on the surface of the plate are 2 large spines, placed one behind the other, and on the adoral, inner corner there is usually a big pedicellaria; the plates are surrounded by the usual marginal granules and a number of these occur on the face of the plate, particularly around the base of the outer spine. Oral plates long and narrow, but not swollen; on the free margin 266 Annals of the South African Museum. is a series of 8 or 9 long, blunt, compressed or prismatic spines, the innermost largest; on the face of each plate is a single big spine, between which and the tip of the jaw are three or four sharp, angular spinelets; distally a series of 10 or 11 granule-like spines runs along the outer margin, and 5 or 6 much coarser granules lie along the sutural margin. Colour of holotype, in alcohol, yellow- brown; of paratype, dull brownish-red above, more or less irregularly bleached; lower surface, nearly white. P.F. 12831. Buffalo River, N.N.E. 17 miles, 195 fms. St., r. 1 specimen; small adult. P.F. 14232. Cape St. Francis, N.E. 29 miles, 75 fms. S., sh., r. 2 specimes ; adult ; one very poor. Holotype, South African Museum, no. A 6424. P.F. 14232. This fine species is quite different from baccatus but is very near corijnetes Fisher and apinosus H. L. C. It is readily distinguished from the former by the spiny upper surface and the pedicellariae on the adambulacral plates, and from spinosus by the bare abactinal plates and the presence of only one large spine on each oral plate. I was at first inclined to consider these specimens as adult baccatus but careful comparison shows that this idea is absurd. The differences in the adambulacral armature are fundamental and cannot possibly be construed as growth stages, and the same must be said of the condition of the marginal plates. One of the specimens from 14232 was evidently dried directly from salt water, perhaps with the laud- able purpose of preserving the colour, but unfortunately, with the passage of time, it has disintegrated sadly and is now of little value. It was somewhat larger than the holotype, as r = 30 mm. The present colour is deep red brown, the marginals being darker than the abactinal plates. TOSIA TUBERCULATA. Plate IX. Figs. 1, 2. Astrogoniitm tuberculatum Gray, 1847. Proc. Zool. Soc. London, p. 79. 1866. Syn. Starfish, p. 10; pi. 1, fig. 2. Tosia t/fberculata Verrill, 1899. Trans. Conn. Acad., vol. 10, p. 161. Although Bell (1905, Mar. Inv. South Africa, vol. 3, p. 246) recog- nized the fact that this species is very little known, he does not give one word of information about the numerous specimens he had be- fore him, except that the species is now "found to grow to a good size". What "a good size" may be each reader must decide for himself! However, two of Bell's specimens are now in the collection The Echinoderm Fauna of South Africa, 267 of the Museum of Comparative Zoology and have been examined by Fisher, who has published some notes on them (1911, Bull. 7(5 U. S. Nat. Mus., p. 166). In the PIETER FAURE collection, I find a single starfish (P.F. 18154. Cape Point, N.E. by E. 3 / 4 E., 28 miles. IJOU fins. Fne. s.) which is undoubtedly identical with these M. C Z. specimens (as comparison side by side shows) but it is considerably larger and differs in certain details. Its most striking feature is the abundance of large bivalved, and often excavate, pedicellariae all over the ab- actinal and marginal plates ; they are rather infrequent on the actinal surface and seem to be wholly lacking on the adambulacral plates, the only plates on which they are to be found in the M. C. Z. spe- cimens, one would infer from Pusher's notes (pp. cit. p. 167). However Fisher probably does not mean to imply that, for there are numerous pedicellariae on the abactinal surface of both these specimens, while the adambulacral pedicellariae occur only in the larger. Judging from the three individuals at hand, in which R = 42, 48 and 54 mm. respectively, one would say of this species: large, bivalved, often excavate, pedicellariae occur commonly and even abundantly on the abactinal and superomarginal plates, but are less frequent and may be wanting on the inferomarginal and actinal plates; their occurrence on the adambulacrals is unusual and when present there, they are strictly bivalve and have high, rather narrow jaws. Both Verrill and Fisher put this species in Tosia but it would seem to be nearer to Plinthaster. Verrill apparently had not seen any specimens but, except for the large size of the pedicellariae, the individuals at hand, answer well to his diagnosis of Plinthaster. They also run down to Plinthaster most naturally and without question in Fisher's admirable key to the genera of Goniasteridae (oj>. cit., pp. 169 174); here again the only difference is in pedicellariae. On the other hand the obvious presence of secondary plates in the radial areas seems an obstacle to putting this species in Tosia, and the general facies is quite as unlike that genus as it is that of Plinthaster. Dr. Fisher thinks that the species these South African specimens represent might well be made the type of a new genus but I think it will be well to wait until more material is available and further study has been made of Gray's type material in the British Museum. The PIETER FAURE specimen has much longer rays relatively than either of the M. C. Z. specimens, so that the body form is quite different. This can best be shown by the following comparison. In the larger M. C. Z. specimen, R = 48 mm.; r = 28 mm.; br half- way to tip of ray, 22 mm.: br three-quarters of the way to tip, 8 mm. ; 208 Annals of the South African Museum. thus R = l - 7r; or 2 - 2 br at half-way point; or 6 br at three-quarters point. In the PIETER FAUKE specimen, R = 54 mm.; r = 20 mm.; &r at half-way point, 13 mm.; br at three-quarters point, 7 mm.; thus R = 2- 1 r ; or 4-1 6r at half way point ; or 7-7 br at three-quarters point. Probably a large series of specimens w r ould show that there is considerable individual diversity in these proportions, and very likely, an increasing ray-length, with age. Colour in life: upper surface reddish orange, lower surface pale. Perhaps it ought to be added that it is not certain that the spe- cimens identified by Bell are really tiibercalata : he does not say whether he compared them with the type or not. Certainly Gray's figure does not resemble at all closely any one of the three specimens at hand. CLADASTER MACROBRACHIUS * sp. nov. Plate XIII. Figs. 1, 2. R = 40 mm.; r = 10 mm.; R, = 2-5r; br = iS mm. but at half- way to tip it is only 9 mm. Disk large, somewhat convex but only about 8 mm. thick, even at center. . Rays flat, tapering, at first rapidly, then gradually to the blunt tip. Abactinal plates moderate in both size and number, irregularly polygonal, with rounded corners, thick and close together; papulae few, single, typically six about any one plate on center of disk or base of rays but usually one or more of the six, lacking. Each plate, in life, was evidently surrounded by a marginal series of small, well spaced granules and bore on top, several larger, more widely spaced granules, one of which was here and there replaced by a large bivalved, more or less excavate pedi- cellaria; in the preserved specimen (dry) all the top granules, some pedicellariae and many marginal granules have been rubbed off but each has left a shallow pit to indicate its location. Median radial series of plates shut off from terminal plate by the meeting of the five distal pairs of superomarginals ; series of plates adjoining radials only extends as far as the fourth or barely to the fifth superomarginal. Madreporite small (less than 2 mm. in diameter), pentagonal, situated about 10 mm. from the disk margin. Superomarginals 13 or 14 on each side of each ray, wider than long, more or less markedly tumid ; like the abactinal plates, each is surrounded by a marginal series of small granules, and in life was very sparsely covered by much coarser and more widely spaced granules ; on the upper end of each plate, where it is most markedly tumid, there are two or three (distally one or none) large, shallow scars, which indicate that in life rather o^ =. long -|- jj()nj(i U. S. Nat. Mus., p. 253) and as I have never seen an authentic specimen of Parasterina, I can only follow in the steps of these eminent predecessors. I may add however that I am not convinced of the great importance of imbrication as a generic character; for the degree of imbrication is subject to indivi- dual diversity, especially in the long-rayed Asterinas. I think the relationship between Parasterina and such Asterinas as granifera and penicillaris needs a careful re-investigation. The Echinoderm Fauna of South Africa. 281 * ASTERINA PENICILLAR1S Asterias penicillaris Lamarck, 1816. Aniin. s. Vert., vol. 2, p. 555. Asterina penicillaris von Martens, 1866. Arch. f. Naturg., Jhrg. 32, Bd. 1, p. 74. This species is very imperfectly known and has never been figured, so far as I can learn. Goto (1914, Mon. Jap. Ast., pt. 1, p. 651) denies its occurrence in Japan and says that the specimens, which Sladen, in the Challenger Report, recorded from Kobe represent a new species which he describes under the name batheri. Meissner (1892, Arch. f. Naturg., Jhrg. 58, Bd. 1, p. 187) records five specimens of penicillaris from Cape Town. One of these, and a similar one from the Red Sea, are now in the M. C. Z. collection, received in exchange from the Berlin Museum. They seem to me to belong to the following species (granifera}, which has been rather fully described by Perrier from specimens from Table Bay, Cape of Good Hope. But Perrier makes no reference whatever to penicillaris and 1 am not at all sure that granifera and penicillaris are not synonymous. At any rate, if distinct, they must be very nearly related. ASTERINA GRANIFERA. Plate XVII. Figs. 1, 2. Patiria granifera Gray, 1847. Proc. Zool. Soc. London, p. 82. Asterina granifera Perrier, 1876. Arch. Zool. Exp., vol. 5, p. 239. This is another little known and unfigured species of Asterina, recorded as yet only from the Cape of Good Hope. There are a number of Asterinas in the PIETER FAURE collection which seem to me better referred to this species than to any other. Perrier's des- cription is adequate and I hope the two figures given herewith may serve to make the species easily recognizable henceforth. The spe- cimens before me range in size from R = 20 to R = 45 mm. The smallest specimen has the rays flatter and less tapering that in the larger ones, the abactinal secondary plates and the papulae are fewer in number and the abactinal spinelets are smaller and more pointed ; orally there is little difference. The specimens from P.F. 3010 are so similar to the figures and description of Parasterina bellida given by Sladen (/. c.) that if they were the only ones before me, I should refer them to that species. But I fail to find any character by which they can be certainly distinguished from the others and I must there- fore refer them to the older species. One of the specimens from P.F. 15908 is remarkable for apparently 282 Annals of the South African Museum. having six rays, but seen from below, it is obviously a 5-rayed spe- cimen in which one ray split very early in life and has since devel- oped as two rather widely diverging rays. P.F. 3010. False Bay, Cape Colony; littoral. 3 specimens; adult. P.F. 5008. Rockland Point, False Bay, N.W. '/4 N., 2 miles. 23 fms. R. 1 specimen ; adult. P.F. 14711. Saldanha Bay, Cape Colony; low tide. 1 specimen; adult. P.F. 15908. False Bay, Cape Colony. 11 fms. R. 2 specimens; adult. P.F. 16151. False Bay, Cape Colony. 9 fms. Brk. sh. 2 speci- mens; young. Mossel Bay, Cape Colony. 1 specimen; adult, poor. ASTERINA GRANIFERA Vttf. SPORACANTHA *, Var. nOV. Plate XVII. Fig. 3. Three specimens of Asterina, which I am satisfied are but a variety of granifera, look so different that I at first believed them a distinct species. The alcoholic specimens are distinctly pinkish and this color is evident when dry, whereas the specimens of granifera are yellowish, though sometimes with a pinkish cast. The colour in life of both the type form and the variety is said to be bright orange-red, with the madreporite more or less violet. The chief character however is the spinulation of the abactinal plates; in the typical form these plates are well covered and often densely packed with minute spinelets; in the present variety these plates are more or less bare, the spinelets occurring in marginal or single, transverse series, or irregularly scattered ; they are rather larger than in the typical form and are generally acute; the surface of the larger plates where the spines are lacking is more or less evidently sha- greened or minutely tnberculated. I am led to regard this form as only a variety of granifera be- cause it occurs at the same stations with the typical from, and in the latter there is more or less individual diversity in the density of the spinulation of the abactinal plates. The largest of the specimens of sporacantha has R ^ 53 mm., br ^= 23 mm. and v.d. = 19 mm.; the form is thus very thick and heavy. The other specimens are less stout in every way but they * OTzogdi; scattered -f- axai'Qa = spine, in reference to the widely scattered abactinal spinelets. The Echinoderm Fauna of South Africa. 283 are nevertheless somewhat stouter than specimens of typical grani- fera of a corresponding size. P.F. 1268. Cape St. Blaize, N.E. by E., 27 miles. 45 fins. Fne. s. 1 specimen; adult. P.F. 5008. Rockland Point, False Bay, N.W. ^ N., 2 miles. 23 fms. R. 1 specimen ; adult. P.F. 147 1 1 . Saldanha Bay, Cape Colony ; low tide. 1 specimen ; adult. Holotype, South African Museum, no. A 6419, P.F. .1268. * ASTERINA CORONATA. Von Martens, 1866. Arch. f. Naturg. Jhrg. 32, Bd. 1, p. 73. This species, originally recorded from the East Indies, is given by Sladen as occurring at Mozambique. But I have not been able to find his authority for the statement. The species and three varietal forms have been fully discussed by Fisher (1919, Bull. 100 U. S. Nat. Mus., pp. 411-416). ASTERINA BURTONII. Gray, 1840. Ann. Mag. Nat, Hist., vol. 6, p. 289. This widely distributed species, well-figured by Savigny (1809, Desc. 1'Egypte. Rayonnes, pi. 4, figs. 2'l-2'8) but without a name, has very generally been called cepheus, the name given by Midler and Troschel in 1842. I can find no reason however for rejecting Gray's name. It is true no type specimen is extant but Gray's description is unusu- ally good (for him) and I have no doubt as to the Asterina he had in hand. Perrier gives burtonii as a synonym of cepheus without question but calmly ignores its two year's priority! Verrill has recently revived the older name and' I follow him therein. It may be mentioned in passing that Perrier (and others) spelled the specific name cepheus as cephea on transferring it from Asteriscus to Asterina, overlooking the fact that it is (as Bell pointed out in 1884) a proper noun (Cepheus, the father of Andromeda) and not an adjective. This species has been known from Mozambique for a long time, and there is a very fine specimen from there in the South African Museum's collection. It was taken by Mr. K. H. Barnard in No- vember, 1912. ASTERINA COCCINEA. Patiria coccinea Gray, 1840. Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., vol. 6, p. 290. Asterina coccinea Perrier, 1876. Arch. Zool. Exp., vol. 5, p. 234. This is another of the unfigured and little known species of Asterina. Perrier's description, based on material in the British Museum, where 284 Annals of the South African Museum. there are said to be many specimens, supplies some of the deficiencies of Gray's inadequate diagnosis, but is not wholly satisfactory. He says the species is pentagonal, and then that R = r ; of course if R = r, the outline is approximately circular; probably R = l-25r. Of the ambulacral spines, he says they are arranged in a single series ; if this were true, the species would be unique; if it means the furrow series only it is true of all Asterinas; if it refers only to the actinal surface of the plate it would be distinctive ; but there is no way of determining just what is meant. Bell records this species in his South African Report, 1905, as occurring at three stations, but he gives no information about the material and there is reason for doubting whether he examined the specimens carefully. Some at least seem to have been the following species, dyscrita. ASTERINA DYSCRITA *, Sp. HOV. Plate XVI. Figs. 5, 6. R = 14 mm. ; r = 11 mm. ; R = 1*3 r ; v. d. = 5-5 mm. General form pentagonal with slightly concave or notched sides, rather thick. Abactinal plates scarcely distinguishable under the covering of coarse, spherical granules; these are -20--35 mm. in diameter and occur 4-10 on each plate ; the plates or at least the groups of granules, are arranged very regularly in longitudinal series, radially, and hence in diagonal series, interradially. Papulae fairly numerous but small, not so large as most of the granules. Actinal intermediate plates numerous, in regular series parallel to ambulacral furrows, and hence forming oblique series running to the margins; each plate of the series adjoining adambulacrals carries a single, stout, bluntly pointed spinelet ; in the next series, a few plates carry two spinelets but most have only one ; in the following series, nearly all the plates carry two ; the size of the spinelets decreases from the adambulacrals outward. Adambulacral armature consists of two (or very rarely three) furrow spinelets, and a single large subambulacral spine, on the actinal sur- face of each plate ; furrow spinelets slender, '75- - 80 mm. long, sub- equal ; subambulacral spine, nearly a millimeter long, stout, slightly flattened, blunt or almost truncate. Oral plates each with 6 or 7 marginal spines and with one large, blunt spine on the actinal surface near the middle; the innermost spine (one of the pair at tip of jaw) is a millimeter long, stout, flat hard to determine, in reference to its doubtful status. The Echinoderm Fauna of South Africa. 285 and truncate; the next is rather smaller in every way; the remainder are very markedly smaller and are pointed. Colour in life, various shades of green, mottled with specks of red, blue, yellow etc. P.F. 10004 Between River and Sebastian Bluff, nearer the former ; low tide. 2 specimens; adult? Holotype, South African Museum, no. A 6420. These two specimens were sent to me with the label: " Asterias coccinea. Bell's no. 10004. (Not seen by Bell)." There is also a note saying: "These have not been actually seen by Bell, hut are taken from a bottle with the same number as given by Bell in his Reports". Of course, it is obvious from the appearance of the actinal surface that these specimens are not coccinea. They are closely related to both exigua and calcarata but are readily distinguished from either of those species by the armature of the oral plates, and the very coarse, nearly spherical granules of the abactinal surface. I find no species as yet described to which they are any nearer and I have therefore described them as new, but it is possible that they will prove to be only a variety of exigua. * ASTERINA EXIGUA. Asterias exigua Lamarck, 1816. Anim. s. Vert., vol. 2, p. 554. Asterina exigua Perrier, 1876. Arch. /ool. Exp., vol. 5, p. 222. This widely distributed Indo-Pacific species was collected at the Cape of Good Hope nearly a century ago and has also been reported from Natal. There are no specimens in the South African Museum but the Museum of Comparative Zoology has a specimen labelled Cape of Good Hope, received many years ago from the "Huguenot Seminary, South Africa". It is reported in numbers by Doderlein from Angra Pequena Bay. * ASTERINA CALCARATA. Asteriscus calcaratiis Gay, 1854. Hist. fis. pol. Chile. Zool., vol. 8, p. 427. Asterina calcarata Perrier, 1876. Arch. Zool. Exp., vol. 5, p. 222. Koehler (1908, Trans. Roy. Soc. Edinburgh, vol. 46, p. 632) records this species from two stations on the Cape Colony coast. He says he has compared the South African specimens with others from Chile and is sure they are identical. He also states that one speci- men had 6 rays. Such a 6-rayed specimen is probably the basis of the record of A. gunnii from South Africa. 19 286 Annals of the South African Museum. It is obvious that exigua, dijscrita, cakarata and gunnii are closely related forms which need much more careful comparative study than has been possible as yet. It is by no means clear how a 6-rayed individual of calcarata is to be distinguished from gunnii. ASTERINA LUDERITZIANA. Doderlein, 1908. Jahrb. Nass. Ver. Naturk. Wiesbaden, Jhrg. 61, p. 296; pi. 2. This well-characterized species is represented in the present col- lection by two specimens from Walfish Bay, some distance north of the type-locality at Angra Pequena. ASTERINA GRACILISPINA *, sp. nov. Plate XVI. Figs. 3, 4. R = 6 mm.; r^4 mm.; R = l'5r. ; v. d. = 2'75 mm. Rays 5. Abactinal plates arranged in half a dozen distinctly imbricating series on each ray and a few additional plates at the interradial margin; secondary plates few and confined to center of disk. Each abacti- nal plate has the free surface covered with well-spaced minute, short, sharp spinelets. Papulae rather large, in about eight series on each ray but many series are very incomplete. Seen from above there is no evident marginal fringe of spinelets. No madreporite can be seen. Actinal intermediate plates not very numerous, 50-60 in each interradial area, but most of these are small plates near the margin; each plate carries a single transverse series of 3-5 delicate spinelets, of which the middle ones are longest; those near mouth are *40 mm. long but they become smaller and smaller as the disk margin is approached. In many series the spinelets appear united by a web. Adambulacral armature in two series, as usual; the furrow series is made up of 3 or 4 slender, pointed spinelets, the middle ones half a millimeter long, united by a web; the series on the actinal surface of the plate is similar but is placed obliquely or almost directly at right angles to the furrow margin ; there are rarely, if ever, more than three spinelets in this series and they are smaller than the furrow series. Oral plates, each with five spines on the free margin and two spines on the actinal surface; of the marginal spines, the proximal two are large and flat, somewhat truncate while the other three * gracilis = delicate -j- spina = spines, in reference to the. delicate spinulation. The Echinoderm Fauna of South Africa. 287 are noticeably smaller, more terete and pointed; the pair on the surface of the plate is placed transversely across the plate ; each is about the size and shape of one of the larger spines of the furrow series of an adambulacral plate. Colour (dried) dull pinkish. P.F. 13280. Coke Rock, N. E. by E. i/ 2 E., 4 miles. 22 fms. R. and brk. sh. 1 specimen; young. Holotype, South African Museum, no. A 6421. 1 have been at a loss to know what to do with this little Asterina. I could not find a species to which it might be assigned properly, yet I hesitated to base a new species in so undigested a genus on a single small specimen. I am driven however to the latter course, as the only one which is justifiable. Moreover I do not know to what section of the genus it is most nearly related, for its spinula- tion is very characteristic and quite unlike any other Sonth African species of similar form. It is however not impossible (though highly improbable) that the present specimen is a very young stage of A. granifera. Abundant material, of early stages of that species, alone w r ill tell. The apparent absence of a madreporite may be an indication of very early youth. * ANSEROPODA NOVEMRADIATA. Palmipes novemradiatus Bell, 1905. Mai 1 . Inv. South Africa, vol. 3, p. 248. Although Bell was one of the first writers to point out the priority of Anseropoda over Patmipes, when he came to name his new spe- cies from South Africa, he lacked the courage of his convictions. Moreover he gives such a very inadequate description that were it not for the unusual number of rays, his species would be quite unidentifiable. His statement that "no Patmipes is known with more than five rays" ignores Anseropoda rosacea Lamk. which has 15 or 16 rays and has been known for a hundred years! ANSEROPODA HABRACANTHA *, sp. nov. Plate XVII. Figs. 4, 5. R = 16 mm. ; r = 11 mm. ; R = 1-45 r; v. d. = 3-5; r = 3 v. d. Rays 5. Form as usual in the genus, the central portion of the disk and median area of each ray rather abruptly elevated above the thin, flat interradial regions. Abactinal plates very numerous, = delicate -|- axi<0 = spine, in reference to the delicate spinulation. 288 Annals of the South African Museum. crowded, arranged in very regular longitudinal and diagonal series, their outlines hidden under the spinelets; each plate carries a tuft of 10-20, slender radiating spines about half a millimeter long; the plates of the median radial series are largest. No madreporite is visible. Of papulae, a single series can be detected on each side of the median radial series of plates. Actinal intermediate plates in regular series ; each carries a trans- verse series of long, very slender spinelets; on the larger plates, this series consists of 8-10 spinelets, the middle ones a trifle the longest and nearly a millimeter long; on the smaller plates, as the margin is approached the spines become fewer and shorter. Adambulacral armature consists of a furrow series of 4 (or 3) spines and an actinal series of about 5 spines; the middle spines of the furrow series are longest, exceeding a millimeter; all are webbed on the basal half; the second spine of the actinal series, which is oblique or distinctly curved, is much the longest, as a rule, and considerably exceeds a millimeter; these actinal spines are also webbed basally. All the adambulacral spines are exceedingly deli- cate and most of them are more or less broken and crushed. Oral plates, each with a marginal series of 6-8 long slender spines, the innermost longest, and a surface series of 6-8 slightly smaller spines placed longitudinally on the plate. Colour (dried) very pale woodbrown. P.F. 909. Off East London, Cape Colony, 33 3 6' S. X 28 11' E., 85 fms. 1 specimen; young. Holotype, South African Museum, no. A 6425. It is a pity there is only a single young specimen of this interesting species. It seems to be nearest to A. placenta (Penn.) of Europe but comparison with small specimens of that species shows it to be quite distinct. The abactinal spinelets are much longer, giving a very different appearance to that surface. Orally too the spinulation is finer and more crowded. ECHINASTERIDAE. This family is poorly represented in South African waters, only three species being present in the collection before me, and no others have been recorded hitherto. Bell (1905) lists Henricia ornata and a species of Echinaster, concerning which he says only that the two specimens do not "link on" to any known species. He considers that they "closely resemble" a specimen from Port Natal, long in the British Museum, whir 1 1 lie is "unable to determine". In spite then of having three available specimens, he not only does not describe The Echinoderm Fauna of South Africa. 289 the new species, but neglects to give a single character by which it may be recognized. It is quite possible that it is the species descri- bed beyond as E. reticulatus but, at present, there is no means of knowing. The three members of the family represented in the col- lection of the South African Museum may be distinguished from each other as follows: Key to the So'uth African Species of Echinasteridae. Abactinal plates with numerous very small spinelets Henricia ornata. Abactinal plates with isolated spines or tubercles. Rays short, inflated, with very large papular areas . Poraniopsis capensis. Rays long, terete, with small papular areas Echinaster reticulatus.. HENRICIA ORNATA. Echinaster ( Cribella) ornatus Perrier, 1869. Ann. Sci. Nat., vol. 12, p. 251. Henricia ornata Bell, 1905. Mar. Inv. South Africa, vol. 3, p. 250. Doderlein, 1910, Jena. Denksch., vol. 16, p. 252; pi. 4, figs. 2-2a. In view of the extraordinary diversity which Henricia sanguinolenta shows in nearly every character upon which species may be based, it would be most unwise to attempt to differentiate the natural forms of Henricia occurring in the southern temperate zone, without far more material than is at present available. Bell was wise in referring all his specimens to ornata and it would be foolish for me to do otherwise with the few in the present collection. They agree with each other well and there is no doubt they represent a single species. It is not so sure whether they are really ornata or not, but there is really little reason to doubt that, since the Cape of Good Hope is the type-locality for that species. The individuals at hand are all well-grown, R = 34-44 mm. One individual has six subequal rays which are relatively stouter and less tapering than in the others. S.A.M. No. 3011. Cape Colony: False Bay. Littoral. Dr. Purcell. 5 specimens. PORANIOPSIS CAPENSIS *, sp. nov. Plate XV. Figs. 3, 4. R = 27 mm.; r = 13-5: R = 2r. Disk large and inflated, Rays short, wide and inflated, about 16 mm. long and 13 mm. wide at base, triangular in outline. Abactinal skeleton rather weak, with very large papular areas; on many of these areas are minute, scat- * Capensis of the Cape, in reference to the general locality whence the type specimen came. 290 Annals of the Sauth African Museum. tered, calcareous plates, a few of which carry very small spinelets. Abactinal plates with scattered spines, 1-2 mm. long, thick and pointed; these spines do not show any serial arrangement either longitudinal or transverse. Along the sides of the ray, limiting the ventral surface is an indistinct series of inferomarginal plates, each of which carries a single spine about 2 mm. long. Actinal inter- radial areas rather large, traversed by about five series of more or less imbricated plates, between which is thin, naked skin. Madre- porite conspicuous, 2 mm. across. Adamulacral plates, each with two spines, of which one, usually much the smaller, is on the somewhat projecting inner margin of the plate, while the other, which may be 2-5 mm. long, is on the actinal surface of the plate ; these spines are either blunt or pointed, are often flattened and are more or less irregular in both size and position. Actinal intermediate plates do not extend half the length of the arm and are usually quite bare ; in no interradial area are there more than half a dozen scatterd spines. Oral plates rather large, very little swollen ; each carries a large, pointed flat spine at its inner end, a larger, blunt spine on the surface posteriorly and about three much smaller, sharp spines, or spinelets, on the free margin. Colour (dried) light yellow-brown, the bare skin darker than the plates. P.F. 2798. Vasco de Gama Peak, N. 71 E., 18 miles. 230 fms. Stones. 1 specimen. Holotype, South African Museum, no. A 6416. This interesting little starfish is very near the type-species of the genus, P. echinaster, from 53 fms. in Nassau Bay, Tierra del Fuego. It differs in the presence of only one spine on each inferomarginal plate, the lack of any serial arrangement of the abactinal spines, and the seemingly thinner skin. These differences are not important and a good series of specimens may show that the two forms are identical. But it is not desirable to list the South American species from South Africa until the identity is fully demonstrated and I have therefore given the African form a distinguishing name, for the present. ECHINASTER RETICULATUS *, Sp. nOV. Plate XV. Figs. 1, 2. R = 75 mm.; r = 15 mm.; R = 5r; br = 17 mm.; R = 4-5ftr. Disk rather small; arms terete, but slightly flattened. Abactinal skeleton markedly reticulate, the papular areas quite small, and in * reticulatus netted, in reference to the network formed by the abactinal plates. The Echinoderm Fauna of South Africa. 291 the holotype, quite depressed. The whole animal is covered with a rather thick skin, hut this does not greatly ohscure the ahactinal skeleton. Abactinal plates carry numerous isolated spines, about a millimeter high, sharp-pointed, hut with the basal half imbedded in a collar of the thick skin; when the tip is broken off or is undeveloped the spine has the appearance of a flat-topped tubercle. Madreporite small, sunken, near center of disk. Actinal interradial areas small, with few plates, each of which carries a single spinelet, more or less imbedded in the skin. Adam- bulacral plates, short and numerous, as usual in the genus. Each plate bears a small furrow spine and a transverse series of three (often two) spines, which appear thick and blunt from their skin- covering; the spine on the furrow margin is longest and least blunt, the second is stoutest and bluntest, the third is distinctly the small- est. Outside the adambulacral plates, the spinulation is irregular and resembles that of the abactinal surface, but in some places there are two indistinct longitudinal series of spinelets next to the adambulacral plates; here and there a third spine accompanies these in such a way that there is a transverse comb of three spines adjoining the adambulacral series. Papulae are numerous on the actinal surface, even adjoining the adambulacral plates. Oral plates ill-defined; each bears three spines on the margin, similar to and scarcely larger than the adambulacral spines ; on the surface of each plate, there is one, and frequently there are tw^o, thick blunt spines. Colour, in alcohol, bright yellow-brown, the spinelets yellow, at least at tip. P.F. 13509. Cape Morgan, Cape Colony, W. '/ 2 N., 3 miles. 17-20 fms. Rocks. 1 specimen; adult. P.F. 15602. False Bay, Cape Colony, 18-25 fms. Sand. 1 spe- cimen; adult. Table Bay, Cape Colony. 1 specimen ; adult. Holotype, South African Museum no. A 6423. P.F. 15602. The three Echinasters which 1 here list under the new name reticulatus are so unlike each other at first glance that I supposed each represented a different species, but after careful comparison I have decided it is probable the superficial differences are largely due to differences in preservation. The holotype is in fine condi- tion and was undoubtedly living when put in alcohol but in one particular, it is imperfect, for most of the abactinal spinelets have the tips missing, so that they appear like low tubercles, and as they are quite nnmerous, they make the reticulations of the skeleton very conspicuous. In some cases, it is clear that the tip of the 292 Annals of the South African Museum. spinelet was broken off but as a rule the tubercles seem never to have had a pointed tip. The specimen from Table Bay looks very different. It was ap- parently not preserved until it had been dead for some time, so that the spines and spinelets are seldom erect but are appressed to the body wall ; as they are whitish while the skin is deep brown, the coloration is quite different from that of the holotype. The abactinal spinelets are fewer than in that specimen while the ad- ambulacral spines are more numerous (often 4 on a plate) and more slender. The double series of actinal spinelets just outside the ad- ambulacrals is quite distinct. The reticulation of the skeleton is not at all distinct except on the distal halves of the rays, abactinally. The specimen from off Cape Morgan is slightly smaller than the others and much lighter coloured. It is uniformly light wood-brown, the spines not much lighter and hence not in contrast. The reti- culation is not so marked as in the type, partly because the skele- tal plates are wider and the papular areas smaller, and partly because the abactinal spinelets are fewer and are well-spaced. The madreporite is very small and hard to find. Aetinally the specimen is much like the holotype except that the spines are smaller and more slender; many adambulacral plates have only two spines, in addition to the furrow spine ; the oral plates on the contrary, may have four marginal spines instead of three. On the whole, reticulatus is no more variable than some of the other species of the genus and I think there is little doubt that these three specimens are really a single species. It is evident that if the genus Othilia is to be recognized because of the actinal papu- lae, reticulatus is an Othilia. On the other hand, it is superficially very near the Mediterranean sepositus, which is a typical Echinaster. It differs from sepositus, not only in the matter of the papulae but in the adambulacral armature. This latter feature also distinguishes reticulatus from several other Echinaslers to which it is nearly allied. CRYASTERIDAE. This small family was instituted in 1906 by Koehler for some remarkable starfishes taken by the first French Antarctic Expe- dition. Additional specimens were secured by the second expedition in 1908-09, one of which represented a second species. The genus Cryaster is distinguished especially by the almost complete absence of a skeleton ; only along the ambulacral furrows are connected calcareous ossicles present. This character is so unusual that Koehler The Echinoderm Fauna of South Africa. 293 considered it necessary to institute a new family for the reception of the genus. The French expeditions took Cryaiter far to the south of Tierra del Fuego, and the Shackleton expedition took it near South Victorialand, even further south from Australia. The occurrence of two specimens, which are certainly of the same family, in the PIETER FAURE collection, from shallow water in Algoa Bay, is thus of unusual interest. These individuals are obviously different from the Antarctic species but there seems to be no reason why they should not be placed in the same genus. CRYASTER BRACHYACTIS *, sp. nov. Plate XL Figs. 1, 2. R = 40 mm.; r = 25 mm.; R = l-6r; br = 27 mm. Disk very large, thick (v. d. = 18 mm.), dorsally flat, orally convex. Rays 5, short, wide, thick and bluntly pointed. Abactinal surface covered by a leathery body wall, a millimeter thick, in which are imbedded innumerable minute plates, each of which carries one (seldom two, very rarely more) sharp, rough spinelet, half a millimeter long; the entire upper surface is thus quite uniformly, minutely prickly. Papulae minute, very numerous, but not uniformly distributed. Seen from the inner side the abactinal body wall has the appearance of a decalcified wall in which there had been a well-developed reticu- late skeleton, and the papulae are confined to the meshes of this leathery reticulation. There is however no evidence whatever of decalcification having occurred anywhere. Madreporite not conspicuous, 3 mm. across, situated about half way between the margin and center of disk. Actinal intermediate areas large, without calcareous plates, spinules or papulae ; the surface is somewhat wrinkled or folded in radial series but very superficially. The boundary between the actinal and abactinal surfaces is well-marked by a series of rather large plates buried in the skin, most of which carry several small sharp spinelets but some are armed with spines 1'5 mm. long and nearly -5 mm. thick at base. Adambulacral plates numerous, short, wide and well developed; each plate bears on the furrow margin a stout, sharp, somewhat flattened spine, 1-2 mm. long; on a few plates here and there, this spine has distal to it, a smaller and more slender spine ; on the surface of each plate is a second spine, equal to or larger than the first and very rarely a third spine, somewhat smaller, occurs at the outer end of the plate; none of these adambulacral spines = short -f- amis = ray, in reference to the very short rays. 294 Annals of the South African Museum. are sufficiently clothed with skin to be called saccate. Oral plates flat, very small, each with four subequal spines (about 1-5-2 mm. long) on the free margin; occasionally a similar spine occurs on the surface of the plate. Pedicels in two series in each furrow. Ampullae large but single. Color (in alcohol) light brown, with a reddish- tinge orally; in life brilliant scarlet. P.F. 18771. St. Croix Island, Algoa Bay, N.W. 3 / 4 W., 8 miles. 26 fms. M. 1 specimen; adult? P.F. 19055. Nanquas Peak, Algoa Bay, N. by E., 11 miles. 57 fms. M. 1 specimen; adult, Holotype, South African Museum no. A 6412; P.F. 19055. One ray of the holotype shows a curious malformation, due to the forking of the ambulacrum about 12 mm. from the tip. This is obvious in the figure. The specimen from 18771 is remarkable for the extreme contraction of the dorsal body wall, which is evidently very muscular. The rays are drawn up into an almost vertical position, so that, although each ambulacral furrow is 38 mm. long, the disk is only 23 mm. across, and from the tip of one ray to that of the next-but-one is at most only 32 mm. In all essentials of structure however this specimen agrees very closely with the holotype. This remarkable starfish is readily distinguished from the other two members of the genus by the very short rays and the adam- bulacral armature. All three species are mud dwellers in shallow water but the occurrence of what was supposed to be a distinctly Antarctic genus in Algoa Bay is certainly of unusual interest. The two Antarctic species are much larger than the African and their longer rays give them quite a different appearance. SOLASTERIDAE. This family is best represented in the colder waters of the northern hemisphere. Only one species is recorded from the South African region. That and an undescribed species of Lophaster are in the PIETER FAURE collection. They may be distinguished from each other easily by the number of rays. There is also in the collection a dried, 9-rayed specimen of Solaster endeca with the label: " ? Palmipes novem- radiatus J. Bell. Loc. ? No number. (P.F. coll.)". It is highly im- probable that this particular specimen was ever taken by the PIETER FAURE. The species might occur in South African waters but it is not ' known south of the equator. * * This specimen is undoubtedly South African, it being labelled as a duplicate of specimens sent to Prof. Bell [Ed.]. The Echinoderm Fauna of Sotith Africa. 295 Key to the South African Species of Solasteridae. Rays 8 10 ..... Crossaster penicillatus. Kays 5 .... . Lophaster quadrispinus. CROSSASTER PENICILLATUS. Slu /4 S., 50 miles. 230 fms. Gr. s. 2 specimens; adult. Holotype, South African Museum no. A 6426; P.F. 15060. The discovery of a typical Lophaster in South African waters is very interesting, and the interest is increased by the fact that it is much nearer to L. furcilliger Fisher of the eastern North Pacific ocean than it is to L. stellans Sladen from the western coast of Patagonia. It differs from stellans in the body-form, the length of the paxillar and adambulacral spinelets and the much more numerous actino-lateral plates. From furcilliger it is more difficult to separate it, but the actinal intermediate areas are distinctly larger, four furrow spines are more generally present and the abactinal skeleton appears to be much stouter. From antarcticus Koehler, it differs in the much more numerous adambulacral plates, in having only one actino-lateral plate to each inferomarginal and in the armature of the oral plates. The young specimen from 2798 has R only a little more than 20 mm. long; the rays are flatter, blunter and less tapering; the The Echinoderm Fauna of South Africa. 297 actinal intermediate areas are relatively smaller; but the adambulacral armature is essentially the same, and the paxillae spinelets are characteristically long. The specific characters are thus well shown even in very small specimens. PTERASTERIDAE. This remarkable family of starfishes is well represented in South African waters, since two species occur in shallow water and half a dozen others are found further off shore. The family is a puzzling one and the limits of the typical genus are ill-defined. So far as the South African species are concerned, Retaster and Diplopteraster are excellent genera, sharply set off from each other as well as from Pteraster. But when all the known species are considered the line between Retaster and Pteraster becomes exceedingly hard to draw and that between Pteraster and Diplopteraster tends to become very hazy. So far as I can see, Retaster and Diplopteraster are quite distinct from each other and easy to separate, and it is strange Sladen should have united them. Key to the South African Species of Pterasteridae. Armature of adambulacral plates forming transverse combs, the spinelets united by a membrane. Adambulacral plates alike, equally prominent and equally armed; pedicels in 2 series. Paxillar spinelets united by conspicuous, ligamentous bands, forming a heavy reticulum, each mesh of which forms a sharply denned area, con- taining numerous small spiracles; R much exceeds 2r Retaster cribrosus. Paxillar spinelets united by slender fibres, often very indistinct, not for- ming a regular reticulum ; spiracles more or less scattered ; R = 2r or less. R = l'5r; oral spines, 57; adambulacral spines, 5 7 Pteraster capensis. R:=2r; oral spines, 4; adambulacral spines, 4 Pteraster ajfinis. Adambulacral plates unlike, a more prominent regularly alternating with a less prominent; latter with fewer adambulacral spines; pedicels m 4 series Diplopteraster multipes. Armature of adambulacral plates not forming webbed combs ; spinelets free. Adambulacral armature of 3 spinelets. Supradorsal membrane not very thin; fibres connecting paxillae indistinct; 3 oral spines on free margin of each plate . Hymenaster latebrosus. Supradorsal membrane very thin ; fibres connecting paxillae conspicuous ; 4 or 5 oral spines on sides of each plate . Hymenaster membranaceous. Adambulacral armature of fewer than 3 spinelets. Adambulacral armature of 2 spinelets . Hymenaster lamprus. Adambulacral armature of a single spinelet. Hymenaster gennaeus. 298 Annals of the South African Museum. * RETASTER CRIBROSUS. Pteraster cribrosus von Martens, 1867. Areli. f. Naturg., Jhrg. 33, Bd. 1, p. 109; pi. 3, figs. 2-2c. Belaster cribrosus Sladen, 1889. CHALLENGER Ast., p. 477. When Perrier instituted his genus Retaster in 1878, he gave a very indefinite diagnosis, mentioned no species by name and speedily forgot his own creation, ignoring it entirely in his faunal lists. Sladen revived it and added a number of species but so far as I know no type has ever been designated and all workers have found it difficult to draw a satisfactory line between Retaster and Pteraster. If how- ever we take cribrosus as the type (and I herewith so designate it), the difficulty greatly diminishes, if it does not wholly disappear. For R. cribrosus is a well-marked form, easily distinguished from typical Pteraster by the nature of the supradorsal reticulum, which is made up of ligamentous bands, becoming quite hard when dry, though apparently not calcified. Each mesh of the reticulum is a sharply defined spiracular area, with numerous small spiracles. The adam- bulacral plates are like those of Ptf raster and similarly armed with a transverse webbed comb but the actinolateral spines are notably short. If we accept the character of the dorsal reticulum as the real basis for generic separation from Pteraster, we find that Retaster is a small genus with few species. Sladen lists seven species but of these only insignis seems to me congeneric with cribrosus, although gibber may perhaps also belong with them. Aside from these, I find no representatives of the same type of structure among all the species of Pterasteridae known. The other so called Retasters should, I think, be relegated to Pteraster. Von Martens records cribrosus from Mozam- bic|ue but it is not known from south of that point. It seems to be one of the characteristic sea-stars of Zanzibar. PTERASTER CAPENSIS. Plate IX. Figs. 3, 4. Gray, 1847. Proc. Zool. Soc. London, p. 83. Bell (1905) records this species under the name Retaster capensis from seven stations on the South African coast chiefly in shallow water. But he gives no data whatever in regard to the specimens. In the collection sent me are two large Pterasters from False Bay (one of the stations noted by Bell) labelled "Retasler capensis' 1 ? With these is the note: "We have no specimens of Retaster capensis bearing numbers similar to those given by Bell, but two supposed specimens The Echinoderm Fauna of South Africa. 299 of this species are sent from False Bay, '20-30 fms". Besides these two, there are nine other Pterasters from half a dozen stations which seem to be identical with them. As this is evidently the common pterasterid of South Africa, I should have no question about consid- ering it Gray's species (it answers his brief description satisfactorily) were it not that Perrier, who had seen Gray's specimen, says that capensis and cribrosus agree in having "un reseau a large mailles formees de ligaments unissant les epines," etc. The specimens at hand differ from cribrosus strikingly in the absence of such a reticulum, except in the outer part of the actinal interradial areas. Either Perrier was mistaken, or capensis is very variable in the extent to which the meshwork is developed, or the specimens before me are not capensis. It is an interesting and surprising fact that these South African Pterasters which I am here calling capensis, can be distinguished only with great difficulty from specimens of the same size, of Pteraster tessellatus Ives from Puget Sound ! In fact after careful comparison, the only constant difference seems to be in the structure of the paxillae: in capensis each paxilla has a single central spinelet of a size about equal to the surrounding series of 6 or 7 similar spinelets, while in tessellatus instead of this central spinelet is a cluster of smaller and more slender spinelets. This difterence is not conspicuous but it seems to be constant and is certainly important. Some specimens of capensis, and of tessellatus also, have a well marked reticulum along the lower sides of the rays. It is possible, though I have no evidence to support the view, that there is much variation in the extent of this reticulum and the British Museum type may possibly have it developed dorsally. But if this proves to be so, it will be useless to try and maintain Metasler as a separate genus. The specimens before me range from R = 53 and r = 40 mm. (R = 1-325 r), to R == 19 and r = 12 (R = 1-6 r). One specimen has R = 36 and r = 20 (R = l'8r) which is the extreme arm-length for the group in which capensis and tessellatus belong. P.F. 2336. Lions Head, Cape Town, N. 67 E., 25 miles. 131-136 fms. Blk. spks. 1 specimen; small adult. P.F. 2429. Lions Head N. 84 E., 38 miles. 195-204 fms. Blk. spks. 2 specimens; small adults. P.F. 14532. Cape Point N. 50 E., 18 miles. 180 fms. Gn. s., blk. spks. 2 specimens; young. P.F. 18154. Cape Point N.E. by E. 3 / 4 E., 18 miles. 200 fms. Fne. s. 1 specimen; young. .'!(( Annals of the South African Museum. P.F. 19054. Nanquas Peak, Algoa Bay, N. by E., 11 miles. 57 fms. M. 2 specimens; adult. False Bay, Cape Colony, 20-30 fms. 2 specimens; adult. Mossel Bay, Cape Colony. 1 specimen; adult. Bathymetrical range, 20-204 fms. Colour in life: dark or pale violet, either uniform or with a dark angular ring on the upper surface on a paler ground colour. PTERASTER AFFINIS. E. A. Smith, 1876. Ann. Mag. N. H. (4), vol. 17, p. 108. 1879, Phil. Trans., vol. 168, pi. 16, fig. 5. The specimen before me has R = 28-30 mm., r = 15 mm., so that R = l'8-2r. It is thus considerably larger than Smith's type but it agrees with his description so well that I have no doubt it is the same species. The colour in alcohol is light dingy yellow. P.F. 2798. Vasco de Gama Peak, Cape Peninsula, N. 71 E., 18 miles. 230 fms. St. 1 specimen; adult, probably. DlPLOPTERASTER MULTIPES. Pteraster multipes M. Sars, 1865. Forh. Vid. Selsk. Christiana, p. 200. Fisher, 1911. Bull. 76 U. S. Nat. Mus., pi. 107. The occurrence of this northern species off the Cape of Good Hope is indeed remarkable. One of the specimens has R = 25 mm. and the other has R = 55 mm. I have compared them with a specimen, taken in 207 fms. off the northeastern coast of the United States, and there is no doubt, in my mind, of their identity. Fisher (op. cit. p. 371) has given a key to the three known species of Diplopter- aster and these specimens run down at once to multipes. One would naturally expect one of the two southern species to be the South African form. Sladen can hardly have compared this species with Retaster cribrosus when he placed Diplopteraster in the synonymy of Retaster. P.F. 14532. Cape Point N. 50 E., 18 miles. 180 fms. Gn. s., blk. spks. 2 specimens; 1 adult and 1 young. HYMENASTER LATEBROSUS. Sladen, 1882. Jour. Linn. Soc. London (Zool.), vol. 16, p. 230. 1889, CHALLENGER Ast., pi. 92, figs. 4, 5. The single specimen, which I refer to this species, has R = 27 mm. and r = 15 mm., but two of the arms seem to have been bitten or The Echinoderm Fauna of South Africa. 301 broken off at some time and are partly regenerated ; they are only 15 mm. in total length. This individual is thus somewhat larger than Sladen's type which was taken in the Antarctic Ocean, far to the south of West Australia, in 1950 fms. The South African speci- men agrees well with Sladen's description and figure, except that the dorsal paxillae are fewer and they project more strikingly, and there are only two, instead of three, oral spines on the free lateral margins of the plates. These differences seem to rne well within the probable range of individual diversity. P.F. 16906. Cape Point N.E. by E. '/i E., 40 miles. 800-900 fms. Gn. m. 1 specimen; adult. HYMENASTER MEMBRANACEUS. Sladen, 1882. Jour. Linn. Soc. (Zool.), vol. 16, p. 237. 1889, CHALLENGER Ast., pi. 92, figs. 6, 7. It is with much hesitation that I refer a number of small Hijmen- asters, in very poor condition, to this species. They are all small, R = 20-30 mm., and are so badly rubbed, orally, that it is impossible to determine what the armature of the oral plates was. The adam- bulacral plates certainly carried three short, slender spines. The supradorsal membrane is very thin and full of interlacing fibres. The type of membranaceus was from 1125 fms. in the northeastern Atlantic, and was larger (R = 35 mm.) than any of these South African specimens. The oral plates and armature were a very characteristic feature and it is to be regretted that all of the specimens before me have the oral plates badly rubbed. It is evident however that there were 5 small spines on lateral margins of each oral plate. In view of this fact and the character of the dorsal membrane, it has seemed to me best to refer these specimens to memdranace/ts though their identity is of course doubtful. P.F. 16906. Cape Point N.E. by E. '//, E., 40 miles. 800-900 fms. Gn. m. 7 specimens ; young ? P.F. 1726. Cape Pont E. 3 (/1 N., 12 miles. 930 fms. Gn. m. 6 specimens : young ? HYMENASTER LAMPRUS*, sp. nov. Plate XL Figs. 3, 4. R = 42 mm.; r=32 mm.; R = l'3r. Form almost pentagonal, as the rays are blunt and little produced and the sides are very lightly concave. Disk not very high or thick; radial paxillar areas * Aitp-7f(>6<; =1 bright-colored, in reference to the fine colour of the actinal surface. 20 302 Annals of the South African Museum. elevated and sharply defined, with paxillae in about half a dozen series; each paxilla has 3 or 4 rather stout spinelets, about 2 mm. long, which radiate widely and push the membrane up above them- selves to such a degree that the paxilla areas look very spiny. Spiracles in small groups of 3-5, lying in widely scattered little jmlches of slightly thickened membrane; there are also a few straight, narrow patches of spiracles extending out onto the interradial mem- brane, much as in H. nobilis. Interradial membrane, smooth and thick, but numerous fine, interlacing fibres can be made out on its surface. Actinally the interradial areas are smooth, but fibrous as above; the free area, not touched by actinolateral spines, is 20-25 mm. wide and 10 mm. deep. Adambulacral plates each with two subequal, sharp, slender, slightly diverging, sacculate spines; the saccules ex- tend far beyond the spine-tips. Aperture papillae sacculate, and not peculiar, fully occupying the areas between the bases of the actino- lateral spines. The latter are remarkably short, only a little over 6 mm. long, at the best; there are 25-30 on each side of each ray, but only 4 or 5 are in contact with those of the adjoining ray ; from the fifth to the thirteenth or fourteenth, they are subequal, but they then become rapidly shorter and shorter. Pedicels in two series. Oral plates short and wide, projecting greatly at the distal end ; each plate carries on the free lateral margin, which is somewhat flaring, 2 subequal, sharp, slender spines; a much longer and stouter spine stands at the middle of the anterior margin and back of it, near the middle of the plate is a second, similar spine. Colour, in alcohol; dorsally, dull pink, abruptly darker even dull claret on the interradial membrane; whole actinal surface, except the dull brown feet, deep, dull red, nearly claret. P.F. 16932. Cape Point N.'E. by E. \ E., 40 miles. 800-900 fms. Gr. m. 1 specimen; adult. Holotype, South African Museum no. A 6446. This handsome Hijmenaster belongs in the same group with glancus and giganteus, but it differs from them both in the very short actino- lateral spines, and the armature of the mouth plates. While it is not impossible that it is the young of giganteus, it seems to me highly improbable. The arrangement of the spiracles is peculiar, reminding one a little of nobilis or perhaps better of koehleri. HYMENASTER GENNAEUS *, sp. nov. Plate X. R = 75 mm.; r = 60 mm.; R =l'25r. Form almost perfectly of noble brith, in reference to the close relationship to H. nobilis. The Echinoderm Fauna of South Africa. :><>.'! pentagonal, the sides being only very slightly concave. Dorsally very similar to H. nobilis, but the radial paxillar areas are relatively nar- rower, only about 23 mm. wide or less than one-third R. ; in nobilis, they are about '-40 R. The narrow bands of spiracles running out onto the interradial membrane are numerous and well-defined and run clear to the margin. Actinally, the ambulacra are not at all petaloid but the pedicels and ainbulacral plates and armature, including the aperture papillae are very much like those of nobilis. The actinolateral spines are very short, only about 11 mm. long, and from the sixth to the twenty-fifth are subequal ; this gives a characteristic appearance to the ambulacra. Oral plates short and wide, conspicuously projecting distally and with lateral portions a little concave, so the margin projects downward (in normal position of animal) a trifle ; on the free margin of each plate are 4 (rarely 3) spines of which the inner- most is quite small, the others moderate and subequal; at the inner corner of each plate is a spine, conspicuously larger than the mar- ginal spines; back of this is a similar spine, but a little larger; and back of this again is a third spine, apparently the largest of all; these three superoral spines are close together but they do not form a straight series, as the middle one of the three is nearer the median suture than are either of the others. Colour, in alcohol, very light brown with a pink tinge. P.F. 16825. Cape Point N.E. by E. 3 / 4 E., 38 miles. 750-800 fms. Gn. m. 1 specimen; adult. Holotype, South African Museum no. 644-7. This fine starfish is in excellent condition except that most of the oral and adambulacral spines are broken. Apparently however they were all sharp, though sacculate as usual. The relationship to nobilis is evident but the armature of the oral plates is so different from that described and figured by Sladen for the CHALLENGER'S fine Antarctic species that the two forms cannot be conspecific. The shorter actinolateral spines and the longer series of interradial spi- racles are also characters of gennaens which cannot be ignored. ASTERIIDAE. This large family of starfishes, so common on the coasts of the northern hemisphere, and especially on the Pacific coast of North America, is represented by but few species in South African waters. I fully concur in Verrill's decision that the group called "Stichaste- ridae" is not of family rank and its members really belong in the Asteriidae. Perhaps Coronaster belongs in the Pedicellasteridae rather 304 Annals of the South African Museum. than here but as a matter of convenience, and for lack of material, I have left it in this family. Of the 7 species hitherto known from South Africa, only 3 are in the PIETER FAURE collection; on the other hand, that vessel secured a fourth species, which seems to be new to science. Of the four species recorded from South Africa but not in the PIETER FAURE collection, two are well defined and there is no reason to doubt their occurrence as recorded, but Bell has thrown some doubt on the vali- dity of Asterias capensis and there is a possibility that A. africana is identical with A. rarispina. The following key distinguishes the eight species included in this report. Key to the South African Species of Asteriidae. Abactinal plates small and rather uniform, arranged in very regular longitudinal (and also transverse) series, the intervals occupied by small but distinct groups of papulae; plates well covered by small blunt spinelets and numerous pedicellariae Stichaster felipes. Abactinal plates not as above. Adambulacral armature of 1 spine (monacanthid). Rays 5. Large pedicellariae of ambulacral furrows, slender (length 3 4 x thickness) . . . Marthasterias glacialis. Large pedicellariae of furrows, stout (length about twice thickness). Abactinal spines on rays few, all of one kind, stout Marthasterias rarispina. Abactinal spines numerous, large and small Marthasterias africana. Rays 612. Disk moderate, its diameter -25 '30 R ; rays not very long, R = 6 or Ibr . . . . Coscinasterias calamaria. Disk small, its diameter only '20 R; rays long and slender, R = 10 br Coronaster volsellatus. Adambulacral armature of more than 1 spine. Diplacanthid (with 2 adambulacral spines); rays 5 or 6 Asterias capensis. Polyacanthid (with more than 2 adambulacral spines) Perissasterias polyacantha. STICHASTER FELIPES. Sladen, 1889. CHALLENGER Ast., p. 433; pi. 101, figs. 1, 2. The specimens at hand, one with R = 88 mm. and the other with R = 44 mm., are quite typical. Verrill says this species is not a member of Stichaster in a strict sense, indeed he intimates that Stichaster is monotypic, but he does not suggest in what genus he would place felipes, and its final disposition may be left until the co-called Stichaster idae are properly revised. The Echinoderm Fauna of South Africa. 305 P.F. 2435. Lion's Head, Cape Town, N. 84 E., 38 miles. 194-204 fins. 1 specimen; adult. P.F. 15434. Cape Point Lighthouse, N.E. by N., T 3 /-, miles. 85fms. Fne. gn. s. 1 specimen; young. MARTHASTERIAS GLACIALIS. Asterias glacialis Linne, 1758. Sys. Nat. ed. 10, p. 661. Marthasterias glacialis AV. K. Fisher, 1906. Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. (7), vol. 17, p. 575. There are three starfishes in the PIETER FAURE collection which I think must be referred to this northern species. Bell has already recorded it (1905) from three South African stations. I have com- pared the present specimens with others from further north and find they agree very closely with those from the Azores. The species has an extraordinary range, as it is found throughout the eastern Atlantic from Iceland to the Cape of Good Hope; it occurs also on the coasts of northern Norway and yet in the Mediterranean too! The specimens in the PIETER FAURE collection are not large, R equal- ling 33, 50 and 90 mm. The smallest has very few spines abacti- nally except the median series, only 3-5 spines occurring between that series and the superomarginals. The larger specimens have a complete but not very regular lateral series on each side and some additional spines. I agree with Bell that the number of series of abactinal spines is not a valid specific character in glacialis. The species is beautifully figured in Lud wig's great monograph "Seesterne des Mittelmeeres", 1897, pi. 3, figs. 1-3. Much more South African material must be secured before the real relation of glacialis to africana, capensis and rarispina can be determined and the validity of the three South African species be established. P.F. 3009. Cape Colony; False Bay. 2 specimens; adult. Locality unknown. 1 specimen; young. MARTHASTERIAS RARISPINA. Asterias rarispina Perrier, 1875. Arch. Zool. Exp., vol. 4, p. 246. Marthasterias rarispina Verrill, 1914. Shallow Water Starfishes of the North Pacific Coast, p. 47. There is a well-preserved sea-star in the present collection which seems to me undoubtedly a representative of this species. It is ap- parently adult, R = 85 mm., (but as Perrier gives no measurements whatever, it is impossible to show how its size compares with that of the type). The abactinal surface of the rays is extraordinarily bare ; there are only 10-12 spines and these are all in the median radial 306 Annals of the South African Museum. series; they are less stout and much sharper than the corresponding spines in glacialis; many of the supermarginal plates, more parti- cularly on the basal half of the ray bear no spines. The colour of this specimen is deep, dull purplish-pink, in alcohol. P.F. 13743. Great Fish Point, Cape Colony, .N. by W., 7 miles. 49 fms. S., sh. 1 specimen; adult. * MARTHASTERIAS AFRICANA. Aster acanthi on africanus Muller and Troschel, 1842, Syst. Ast., p. 15. This species has never been figured or even fully described. The type locality is the Cape of Good Hope. A specimen of Martliasterias before me from Port Natal is regarded by Dr. W. K. Fisher as probably africanus, and it is from this specimen, and not from pu- blished descriptions, that the character emphasized in the key on p. 304 is taken. * COSCINASTERIAS CALAMARIA. Asterias calamaria Gray, 1840. Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., vol. 6, p. 179. De Loriol, 1885. Cat. Rais. Ech. Mauritius: Stellerides, pi. 7, figs, 1,2. Coscinasterias calamaria Perrier, 1894. TRAV. et TALISMAN Stell., p. 106. This sea-star, characteristic of the Australian and New Zealand coasts, has long been known from Mauritius and de Loriol says it is common there. Bell (1905) reports a specimen from rock pools at low tide, in Three Anchor Bay, Cape Colony, but evidently it is rare in South African waters. There are none in the present collection. * CORONASTER VOLSELLATUS. Asterias (Stolasterias) volsellata Sladen, 1889. CHALLENGER Ast., p. 584; pi. 107, figs. 1-4. Coronaster volsellatus Fisher, 1917. Proc. Biol. Soc. Washington, vol. 30, p. 25. The type-locality for this species is in the Philippine Islands but Bell (1905) ascribes "some remarkable fragments", "dredged off Great Fish Point Light House, N. by W. 3 / 4 W., 17 miles", in 100 fms., to this species. * ASTERIAS CAPENSIS. Perrier, 1875. Arch. Zool. Exp., vol. 4, p. 258. Little is known of this species, which was based on a specimen from South Africa, in the British Museum. Bell (1905) lists a spe- The Echinoderm Fauna of South Africa. 307 cimen; "Dredged off Cape St. Blaize, N. by E. ] / 4 E., 65 miles. Depth 89-90 fms." As I have never seen a specimen, and no ade- quate description or figure has been published, I do not know in what genus it really belongs. But it is probably not a true Asterias. At one time (188*2) Bell thought it identical with gladalis, which would indicate it is a Marthasterias. PERISSASTERIAS *, gen. nov. Abactinal skeleton made up of more or less cruciform plates, ar- ranged in numerous (15-17) longitudinal series, united internally by strong, transversely placed supplementary ossicles; the exact position of these ossicles is more or less oblique and occasionally longitudinal. Abactinal spines small and numerous, more or less wreathed with pedicellariae or with a cluster of pedicellariae near the tip. Median radial series of spines somewhat larger than the others and united together in longitudinal or oblique pairs and trios. Papulae numerous but none below the inferomarginals. Actinolateral plates wanting. Adambulacral plates very wide and short, each with a close-set trans- verse series of six, or usually seven spines; each of these spines bears one or more pedicellariae at or near the tip. Major and minor pedi- cellariae numerous, but small; no very large pedicellariae anywhere. Pedicels in four very regular parallel series, extending nearly to ex- treme tip of ray. This remarkable genus is sharply distinguished from the rest of the family by the adambulacral armature. The absence of actinolateral plates makes the actinal skeleton very simple but the excessive width of the adambulacral plates provides the necessary area for the attach- ment of the numerous crowded spines. PERISSASTERIAS POLYACANTHA **, sp. nov. Plate XVIII. Fig. 3. R = not less than 310mm.; r unknown; 6r = 40 mm.; R = nearly 8 br. Disk unknown. Ray wide at base, somewhat flattened, tapering steadily to the blunt tip; the ray is widest, not where it joins the disk but somewhat distal to that point. Abactinal skeleton made up of numerous series of plates arranged in longitudinal series of more or less regularity; the median series is largest and is more elevated = above measure, excessive + Asterias, in reference to the excep- tional development of adambulacral spines. ** ?itoAiictxi'fl = having many thorns, in reference to the numerous adambul- acral spines. 308 Annals of the South African Museum. than the others; at the base of the arm there are eight series on each side between the median plates and the superomarginals. Median series with spines about 5 mm. long, and over a millimeter thick, bluntly pointed and with a wreath of minor pedicellariae ; these spines are arranged in longitudinal or oblique pairs or trios which are apparently more or less fused together at base and are there enclosed in a common sheath of thick skin. The remaining abactinal spines are somewhat smaller (about 4 mm. long) and more slender and pointed; near the median series they are usually single and have a distinct wreath of minor pedicellariae but near the marginals there are often two and sometimes three spines on a plate and the wreaths of pedicellariae are reduced to irregular clusters. Superomarginal plates relatively rather large, each with a group of four or five irregularly placed spines about 4 mm. long, blunt and slightly widened and even flattened at the tip; there are several minor pedicellariae, as a rule, on each of the spines. Inferomarginals somewhat smaller than the upper series, each with three, or rarely four, spines, similar to those above them but a little smaller; as a rule these inferomarginal spines form an oblique series but they are occasionally irregularly placed; they are in close proximity to the adambulacral spines. No actino- lateral plates whatever. Adambulacrals about 6 mm. wide and not quite a millimeter long; each carries a series of six or more commonly seven spines, of which the innermost are about 5 mm. long and the outer about 3'5 mm.; these spines are much more slender than those of the abactinal plates and each carries one or more pedicellariae near the tip. Papulae very numerous, in groups in every interspace above the inferomarginals. Pedicellariae, both major and minor, abundant; the latter are about '40-'50 mm. long and not only com- pose the wreaths and clusters on the spines but are widely scattered on the skeletal plates and papular areas; the major pedicellariae are about ^O-'TS mm. long and occur all over the animal, even in the ambulacral furrow and attached to the adambulacral spines. Colour dull yellowish-brown. P.P. 2105. Lion's Head, Cape Town, S.E. V 2 E., 42 miles. 156 fms. Dk. gn. s. 1 arm of a large adult. Holotype, South African Museum no. A 6445. It is of course to be regretted that there was no complete speci- men secured of this remarkable starfish, but it is a cause for grati- fication that the arm taken is so well preserved that both generic and specific characters are unmistakable. It is a little hard to decide with what genus Perissasterias is inost nearly allied but probably the group which Perrier has named Distolasterias may be considered The Echinoderm Fauna of South Africa. 309 its nearest relative, although the type of that genus is from Japanese waters, and no species are known from the southern oceans. Some species of Asteriidae are already known which occasionally have three adambulacral spines on a plate, but there are no connecting links between such forms and this remarkable South African starfish. BRISINGIDAE. This remarkable family, not hitherto known from South African waters, is represented in the PIETER FAURE collection by the follow- ing species. BRISINGA CRICOPHORA. Sladen, 1889. CHALLENGER Ast., p. 606; pi. 109, figs. 6-8. There are two specimens of Rrisinga in the collection from South Africa, and they seem to be representatives of this species which Sladen described from a single fragmentary individual taken in the West Indies. The specimens before me answer well to Sladen's description and figures except in two or three points. The type of cricophora had but 11 rays while each of the PIETER FAURE speci- mens had 13, though all are now detached. As the number of arms in other species of Brisinga shows no little diversity, it is not strange that this discrepancy occurs. On many adambulacral plates there may be on the aboral margin, well up in the furrow, one or even two very delicate spines. These would have been very easily over- looked by Sladen if he did not dry his specimen. The oral plates have three pairs of superoral spines, instead of tw'O as in Sladen's description, and two on each margin instead of one. These differences are too trivial it seems to me, in the light of such scanty material, to warrant describing the South African Brisinga as a distinct species. The type of cricophora was 20 mm. across the disk ; the present specimens are about 24 mm. The curious actinal spines at the base of the ray are quite well marked but rather similar spines occur in a specimen of B. endecacnemos in the M. C. Z. collection. This speci- men was collected by the TALISMAN and identified by Perrier, by whom it was sent to the M. C. Z. If Sladen is right in stating that the basal actinal spines in endecacnemos are needle-like, this TALISMAN specimen ought to be referred to cricophora, but I have no authentic material of endecacnemos for comparison. P.F. 18960. 36 44' S., 21 4-4' E., 250 fms. Gn. s., st. 2 speci- mens; adult. Fisher (1917, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. (8), vol. 20, p. 426) places cricophora in his genus Craterobrisinga, a group separated from Bri- 310 Annals of the South African Museum. singa by diffeiences in the adambulacral armature which seem to me hardly of generic significance. For the present at least I think cricophora may remain in Brisinga. BRITTLE-STARS. OPHIUROIDEA. Brittle-stars form a relatively small part of the South African echinoderm fauna, there being fewer species represented than there are sea-stars and scarcely a dozen seem to be common along shore. Doderlein, in his list referred to previously (see p. 222), names 29 species as occurring in water of less than 278 fms. but one of these ( Ophio- zona capensis) is synonymous with another (Oph'mra costata) and two others ( Ophioderma tonganum and Ophiothrix roseocoeridans) are due to mistaken identifications. The collection from the South African Museum contains over 1200 specimens representing 44 species, of which 22 are in Dciderlein's list. There are however 5 species hitherto known from Mozambique and one from Algoa Bay, as well as two from deep water off South Africa, and hence not listed by Doderlein, which fall within the scope of this report. There is also a species (Ophiocnemis marmorata) in the collection of the M. C. Z. from the Cape of Good Hope, collected by Wahlberg, of which Doderlein was necessarily ignorant. There are thus 57 species of brittle-star included in the present report, of which however only 6 are new to science: these are here described for the first time. Of the 57 species, 30 are truly littoral occurring in water less than twenty fathoms deep, while 5 are strictly abyssal occurring only (or, at least, generally) in water beyond 600 fms. The remaining 22 species may be classed as continental. Of the 30 littoral species, 16 seem to be endemic and as all but one have been known for some years, it is fair to say that half the littoral brittle-stars are characteristic forms. Of the remaining 14 species, 12 are East Indian or Indian Ocean forms while one (Amphipholis squamata) is cosmopolitan and one (Ophiothrix fragilis) is European. None of the littoral species are known from either South America or the southern coasts of Australia. It is noteworthy that of the 30 littoral brittle-stars here treated as South African, 8 are not known from south of Mozambique and one or two others are of very doubtful occurrence south of that point. Of the 22 continental brittle-stars, no fewer than 14 are endemic, five of these being here described for the first time. The continental fauna is thus a very characteristic one. Of the eight species not The Echinoderm Fauna of South Africa. 311 endemic, two are antarctic, two are known from southern South America and one is known from Australia and the East Indian region. There are therefore no fewer than 19 distinctly austral species in the 22 making up the continental fauna. The remaining three species are more or less cosmopolitan in deep water and their occurrence in South African waters is thus of uncertain significance. Two of the three are species of Ophiactis, a difficult genus, the distribution of whose deep water species is still a puzzle. The other cosmopolitan ophiuran is Asteronyx loveni, which was originally discovered in Norwegian seas, but has since been taken in the North Atlantic, North Pacific and Indian oceans, as well as among the West Indian Islands, off the Western coast of Mexico and off the southeastern coast of Australia. Of the 5 abyssal ophiurans included in the present report, none are endemic but all are well-known and wide-spread species. Two are known from both the North Atlantic and North Pacific and two from the North Pacific and East Indian regions. One, Ophiernm vaUincola, being previously known only from the North Atlantic and the Antarctic abysses, would naturally be expected in the deeps oft' South Africa. In conclusion then, we may say, in the light of our present know- ledge, that the brittle-star fauna of South Africa is quite characteristic, more than half (30) the known species being endemic and five others being distinctly austral forms. Nearly half the remaining species are not really part of the South African fauna at all, as they are not known from south of Mozambique. The affinities of the littoral species are distinctly Indo-Pacific and yet there are two notable cases of Atlantic relationship, in Ophiothrix fragilis, an European species, and Ophioderma leonis, a member of a very characteristic West Indian genus. The continental fauna is more emplatically endemic than is the littoral, and its affinities are clearly not Indo-Pacific, as only four or five of its members are certainly derived from that side of Africa, while twice as many have a more or less clearly marked relationship to the Atlantic fauna and three are distinctly austral, two being Antarctic. The impression made by the study of the sea- stars that the shallow water fauna is of Indian origin while that of the deeper water is from the west, is thus strengthened by study of the brittle-stars. There is surprisingly little similarity between the brittle-stars of Australia, or those of southern South America, and those of South Africa. The small and specialized genera Ophiomisidium and Dicten- ophiura have Australian species but they are also known from the 312 Annals of the Smith African Museum. Atlantic, while the fine Ophiothrix aristulata, which seems to unite the Cape deep waters with those of the southern coasts of Australia, is also known from the East Indies and Indian Ocean. As for the South American connections, the Ophiomyxa of Agulhas Bank may not be the South American species, so that Gorgonoeephalus chilensis is the only species actually common to the two regions. The 57 species included in the present report belong to 11 families. They can be most easily distinguished from one another if these families are first differentiated, which the following key attempts to do. Thanks to the brilliant work of Matsumoto, the families of brittle-stars are now beginning to take on tangible form. Under each family will be found a key to its South African representatives. Key to the South African Families of Ophiuroidea. Disk and arms covered with a smooth skin ; upper arm plates rudimentary or wanting; side arm plates ventral or subventral in position. Arms simple, not very long, 3 5 times disk-diameter, not capable of vertical coiling ...... Ophiomyxidae, p. 313. Arms branching, or if simple, very long, capable of being vertically coiled. Teeth present in a vertical series on each jaw tip; arms not annulated with bands of microscopic hook-bearing granules Trichasteridae, p. 314. No true teeth; arms annulated with double series of hook-bearing granules Gorgonocephalidae, p. 315. Disk and arms not covered by a smooth skin ; upper arm-plates usually well- developed ; side arm-plates not ventral or subventral in position (except when upper arm-plates are unusually wide). Arm-spines moderately or quite long, more or less at right angles to long axis of arm, never minute or closely appressed. Upper arm-plates small, more or less triangular, in contact (if at all) only at base of arm; teeth triangular or sharply pointed; oral papillae well-developed, 3 or more on each side . Ophiacanthidae, p. 319. Upper arm plates well-developed, forming a more or less continuous series, or if triangular and discontinuous, then teeth broad, squarish and oral papillae only 1, 2 or on each side. Dental papillae none; two proximal oral papillae may occupy tip of jaw. Not more than 4, often only 2 or 3, oral papillae on each side of jaw ..... Amphiuridae, p. 325. 5 oral papillae on each side of jaw Ophiochitonidae, p. 343. Dental papillae present in a cluster at tip of jaw. No oral papillae . . . Ophiotrichidae, p. 335. Oral papillae several 'on each side of each jaw Ophiocomidae, p. 347. Arm-spines small or at least slender, often minute, closely appressed to side arm-plates. Disk closely granulated (rarely some plates are visible); arm-spines 5 10, short, subequal. .... Ophiodermatidae, p. 349. The Echinoderm Fauna of South Africa. 313 Disk without, or with a fugaceous coat of granules; arm-spines rarely more than 3, uppermost often decidedly longest (numerous and subequal in Ophiomusium lymani). Arms inserted laterally to disk; arm-spines 3 or rarely more Ophiolepididae, p. 353. Arms inserted ventrally to disk; ventral arm-plates small, covering only a narrow median area on lower surface of arm ; arm-spines 2 Ophioleucidae, p. 365. Statements made in the above key are not intended to apply to each family as a whole but only to its South African representatives. OPHIOMYXIDAE. This family seems to have but two representatives in South Africa, each representing a wide-spread genus. Each occurs in the PIETER FAURE collection but each has been recorded before at least once. They may be distinguished from each other as follows: Key to the South African Species of Ophiormjxidae. Second (outer) oral tentacle-pore small, opening within the mouth slit; oral papillae flat with wide somewhat serrate tips, the distalmost smallest Ophiomyxa vivipara. Second oral tentacle-pore large, opening on oral surface of mouth plate; oral papillae spiniform, the 3 distal ones conspicuously longest and largest Ophioscolex dentatus. OPHIOMYXA VIVIPARA. Studer, 1876. Monatsb. K.-Preus. Akad. wiss. Berlin, p. 462. H. L. Clark, 1915, Mem. M. C. Z., vol. 25, pi. 2, figs. 1, 2. The specimens at hand agree very well with those taken by the CHALLENGER on the Agulhas Bank, but they are not so closely similar to specimens from the Strait of Magellan. The available material is neither of sufficient quantity nor of suitable quality to determine whether the South American and South African are actually identical. The few specimens before me suggest that they are dis- tinguishably different. The largest of the PIETER FAURE specimens is about 20 mm. across the disk (dry) and has arms 80-90 mm. long. It is of a nearly uniform pale reddish-brown, the disk somewhat darker. Station 2528. Lion's Head, N. 63 E., 34 miles, 154 fms. Blk. spc. 5 specimens; adult. Station 13225. Cove Rock, N.W. 3 / 4 W., 13 miles, 80-130 fms. Crl. and r. 1 specimen; adult. 314 Annals of the South African Museum. OPHIOSCOLEX DENTATUS. Lyman, 1878. Bull. M. C. Z., vol. 5, p. 157; pi. VII, figs. 184-186. 1882, CHALLENGER Ophs., pi. XXIV, figs. 4-6. Mr. Lyman's figures are better in his preliminary, than in his final report. In neither case do they correspond closely to his excellent description. The picture of the remarkably long outer oral papillae is particularly bad in the CHALLENGER report and even in the preli- minary paper, they are not represented nearly long or slender enough. The four, long, flat, blunt arm-spines are better represented as to form, in the preliminary paper, but number, position and relative size are much better shown in the final plate. Apparently Mr. Lyman did not examine a dry specimen or he would not have called the tentacle-scale rounded, when it is conspicuously spiniform, nor would he have said "the upper aim-plates are only indicated by thin films of slightly calcified skin". The upper surface of the arms, at least the basal half, is covered by numerous small but distinct plates, similar to but rather larger than those which cover the disk. This species was taken by the CHALLENGER only on the Agulhas Bank, but Bell (op. cit. p. 259) records it from "off Buffalo" in 195 fms. The specimens before me in the PIETER FAURE collection have a disk diameter, ranging from 9-18 mm.; the largest is thus somewhat larger than Lyman's type. Station 2386. Lion's Head, N. 76 E., 28 miles, 140 fms. Blk. spc. 1 specimen ; half grown. Station 2528. Lion's Head, N. 63 E., 34 miles, 154 fms. Blk. spc. 3 specimens; adult. TRICHASTERIDAE. This family is poorly represented in South African waters, only the two following species having been found and these very sparingly. They are easily separated from each other as follows : Key to the South African Species of Trichasteridae. Arms long, 810 times disk-diameter or more, with 4 or 5 minute arm-spines on each side arm plate ...... Asteronyx loveni. Arms short, scarcely twice disk-diameter, with only 2 minute arm-spines Ophiuropsis lymani. ASTERONYX LOVENI. Mii Her and Troschel, 1842. Sys. Ast. p. 119; pi. 10, figs. 3-5. The discovery of this species off South Africa is interesting but not surprising. It has been known previously from almost all parts The Echinoderm Fauna of South Africa. 315 of the world in deep, cold water. The largest of the PIETER FAURE specimens is still young, with the disk only 12 mm. across, while others are only half as large. I have compared the specimen with those of similar size from other regions and find no differences to which weight may be given. The oral papillae are shorter, flatter and more regularly arranged than in most northern specimens and in this particular, the South African specimens approach most nearly to one from off Victoria, but some northern specimens show a similar tendency and I do not think even a varietal name can be given to the southern form. Station 17268. Cape Point, E. 3 / 4 N., 42 miles, 930 fms. Gn. m. 2 specimens; very young. Station 17303. Cape Point, E. % N., 41 miles, 890 fms. Gn. in. 2 specimens; young. * OPHIUROPSIS LYMANI. Studer, 1884. Abh. K.-Preus. Akad. wiss. Berlin, p. 55; pi. V, figs. 12a- N., 9 miles, 89 fms. D. m. and s. 7 specimens; adult. AMPHIURA CAPENSIS. Ljungman, 1867. Ofv. Kongl. Vet.-Akad. Forh., vol. 23, p. 320. Lyman, 1882, CHALLENGER Oph., pi. XVIII, figs. 14-16. These specimens range from 3*5 to 6'5 mm. across the disk; in the smallest there are as a rule but 5 arm-spines, but one or two of the basal segments have 6; in the largest, there are 7 spines on all the basal joints. Ljungman's type, 5 mm. across the disk, had 6 or 7 arm-spines but Lyman's specimen, figured in the CHALLENGER Report, must have been about 10 mm. across and had 8 arm-spines. Doderlein reports numerous specimens of this species from Luderitz Bay, Southwest Africa, 3'3-8 mm. across (1910, Schultze's Zool. Anth. Ergeb., vol. 4, Ifg. 1, p. 253). He suggests Lyman's large specimen with 8 spines was not c<.i/>ens!s, but I have examined several of the CHALLENGER specimens and can vouch for their identity. Lyman's figures are, as Doderlein suggests, rather "schematic". The species seems to be distinctly a littoral one, in spite of the fact that the CHALLENGER specimens were taken at 98 fms. S.A.M. No. 3015. False Bay. Littoral. Dr. Purcell coll. 5 speci- mens; adult. Rocks at Sea Point, Feb. 2, 1904. 1 specimen; young. AMPHIURA ANGULARIS Lyman, 1879. Bull. M. C. Z., vol. 6, p. 25; pi. XI, figs. 311-313. It is very interesting to find a fine adult individual of this Ant- arctic species in the collection. It is one of four specimens labelled "Ophiothrix triylochis Bell no. 15110 (not seen by Bell)". The others are Ophiactis abyssicola and are listed below. The Amphiura is 328 Annals of the South African Museum. about 7 mm. across the disk and has arms 50-60 mm. long. It agrees well with CHALLENGER cotypes. P.F. 15110. South Head, Table Mountain, E. by S. '/> S., 25 miles, 190 fins. Gn. s. and blk. spc. 1 specimen; adult. *AMPHIURA CANDIDA. Ljungman, 1867. Oft. Kongl. Vet.-Akad. Forh., vol. 23, p. 318. Koehler, 1904, Mem. Soc. Zool. France, vol. 17, p. 67, figs. 18, 19. Koehler has examined the holotype of this species and reports it in such poor condition that he wrote his description and made his figures from a specimen from Japan, now in the Vienna Museum and identified by Marktanner-Turneretscher. It does not seem to have occured to Koehler that the Japanese specimen was not iden- tical with Ljungman's lone specimen from Mozambique, but it seems to me more material must be collected and studied before we can feel sure of it. No specimen has been taken south of Mo- zambique, and referred to Candida, since Ljungman's type was collected. AMPHIURA INCANA. Lyman, 1879. Bull. M. C. Z., vol. 6, p. 20; pi. XI, figs. 285-287. This species is very near the preceding and I am inclined to think that Ljungman's type of Candida was a specimen of incana, while Marktanner-Turneretscher's specimen of Candida from which Koehler's figures were made represents another species. But since Ljungman's holotype is no longer identifiable (according to Koehler), it might be just as well to let the name Candida stand for the present for the Japanese species. Matsumoto (1917, Mon. Japan. Oph., p. 201) however asserts, without comment, that Candida Mark. Turn, is not Candida Ljungman, and treats it as a synonym of euopla H. L. C. Until more material is available from the vicinity of Mozambique, it will be impossible to definitely settle the matter. Meanwhile the name Incana may be used for the South African species. Lyman's types of incana came from Simon's Bay, 10-20 fms. Bell lists the species from "off the South Head, Tugela River, N. by W.", 4-75 miles, 25 fms., blk. m. but says he is not very con- fident of the accuracy of his determination. This is odd, for the species is unusually well characterized and Lyman's type is in the British Museum! I have compared the PIETER FAURE material with The Echinoderm fauna of South Africa. 329 some of the CHALLENGER specimens and have no doubt of their identity. They come from eight stations and as there are 77 of them, the species is evidently common in suitable localities. The disk-diameter ranges from '2 to 7'5 mm. The growth changes are very trivial: in the smallest specimen there are only 5 arm-spines, even at base of arm, and they are pointed, the radial shields are relatively larger, the disk scales are fewer and the arm-plates are relatively longer than in the adult. P.F. 545. Near Port Elizabeth, 33 D 54' S. : : 25 53' E., 31 fms. Fne. s. 10 specimens ; adult and young. P.F. 3068. False Bay, 18 fms. S. and sh. 2 specimens; adult, very fine. P.F. 3099. False Bay, 22 fms. R. and sh. 34 specimens; adult and young. P.F. 13280. Cove Rock, N. E. by E. \/ 2 E., 4 miles, 22 fms. R. and brk. sh. 1 specimen; young. P.F. 15502. False Bay, 22 fms. S. and sh. 15 specimens; adult and young. P.F. 16231. False Bay, 22 fms. Brk. sh. 9 specimens; adult and young. P.F. 17451. False Bay, 12 fms. S. and sh. 4 specimens; adult. P.F. 18282. False Bay, 8-10 fms. R. 2 specimens; adult. Bathy metrical range, 8-31 fms. AMPHIPHOLIS MINOR. Ophiactis minor Doderlein, 1910. Schultze's Zool. Anth. Ergeb. vol. 4, Ifg. 1, p. 253; pi. V, figs. 3, 3a. Amphipholis minor H. L. Clark, 1915. Mem. M. C. Z., vol. 25, p. 243. It is very curious that Doderlein did not recognize this species as an Amphipholis when it is so similar to the cosmopolitan A. squa- mata, with which he is unquestionably familiar. There is a single specimen (3'5 mm. across disk), of this species, in the PIETER FAURE collection. It agrees well with Doderlein's description but differs from the figures in having an elevated disk and sharper arm-spines. The species was previously known only from Angra Pequena Bay where it occurs with Amphiura capensis. P.F. 13732. Great Fish Point, N. by W., 7 miles, 49 fms. S. and sh. 1 specimen; adult. 330 Annals of the South African Museum. AlVIPHIPHOLIS SQUAMATA. Asterias squamata Delle Chiaje, 1828. Mem. Anim. sans Vert. Napnli, vol. 3, p. 74. Amphipholis squamata Verrill, 1899. Trans. Conn. Acad., vol. 10, p. 312. H. L. Clark, 1904, Bull. U. S. F. C. for 1902, pi. 6, figs. 33, 34; pi. 7, Jigs. 43, 44. This remarkably cosmopolitan species was first recorded from South Africa by Ljungman in 1871 under the name A. kinbergi. One of Ljungman's types is now in the M. C. Z. collection and is figured in the Mem. M. C. Z., vol. 25, pi. 6, figs. 9, 10. In 1882, Mr. Lyman decided that kinbergi was not distinguishable from sqnam- ata and hence the CHALLENGER specimens from South Africa are listed under the latter name. A specimen in the PIETER FAURE collection is apparently identical with the cotype of kinbergi now before me, but it is clear that to separate it from specimens of squamata from the east coast of the United States requires a most unscientific use of the imagination, and I must therefore agree with Mr. Lyman and call the South African specimens squamata. The PIETER FAURE specimen is quite different from the specimen of A. minor but large series of squamala from other regions show 7 inter- mediate forms and I am not fully satisfied that the two species are distinct. S.A.M. no. 301."). False Bay. Littoral. Dr. Purcell coll. 1 spe- cimen ; adult. * AMPHIOPLUS GIBBOSUS. Ophiophragmus gibbosus Ljungman, 1867. Ofv. Kongl. Vet.-Akad. Forh., vol. 23, p. 31(5. Amphioplus gibbosus H. L. Clark, 1915. Mem. M. C. Z., vol. 25, p. 257. This species has not been recorded since its original description from a specimen taken near Port Natal. Even its generic position is by no means certain. * AMPHIOPLUS INTEGER. Amphipholis Integra Ljungman, 1867. (Jfv. Kongl. Vet.-Akad. Forh. vol. 23, p. 313. Amphiura Integra Koehler, 1904. Mem. Soc. Zool. France, vol. 17, p. 65, figs. 16, 17. Amphioplus integer H. L. Clark, 1915. Mem. M. C. Z., vol. 23, p. 258. This species, like the preceding, was originally described from a specimen taken near Port Natal. Koehler has given a more detailed The Echinoderm Fauna of South Africa. 331 description and figures, based on one of Ljtingman's types. There are in the PIETER FAURE collection two amphiurids which agree so nearly with Koehler's figures and description that it seems to me best to refer them to this species. The larger and better preserved is 5 mm. across the disk and has arms about 20 mm. long. The one particular in which these specimens do not agree with the type is in the shape of the upper arm-spines. Koehler naturally lays great stress on this feature for such flattened biscuit-shaped arm- spines, as are shown in his figure, would certainly be a diagnostic character of great value, if it were constant. But Ljungman does not refer to it ; which indicates that it was either wanting in some of his specimens (if he had more than one) or was not conspicuous enough to attract his attention. In the two specimens before me there is only a hint of this character ; in the larger specimen a few of the uppermost spines near the base of the arm are flattened and widened and one or two even show the biscuit-shape of Koeh- ler's figure 16 to a trifling degree. The radial shields in the spe- cimens before me are not quite so wide in proportion to their length as in Koehler's figure, and the six primary plates of the disk are more distinct. Under the circumstances however, in spite of these differences, it seems to me better to refer these specimens to Ljung- rnan's species than to give them a new name. P.F. 13598. Great Fish Point, W. by N., 5 miles, 22 fms. R., crl., and st. 1 specimen; adult. Rocks at Sea Point, Feb. 2, 1904. 1 specimen; adult. *AMPHIOPLUS HASTATUS. Amphipholis hastata Ljungman, 1867. Ofv. Kongl. Vet.-Akad. Forh., vol. 23, p. 313. Amphioplus hastatm H. L. Clark, 1915. Mem. M. C. Z., vol. 25, p. k J.~>7. This is another of Ljungman's species which has not been met with since its original description from a specimen, 4 mm. in disk- diameter, from Mozambique. Verrill (1899) puts this species in Amphipholis (although he says frankly that it has four oral papillae) while gibbosus and integer he puts in Amphiodia. Ljungman however distinctly says in each description, "Papillae orales quaternae", so that until further material proves them to be otherwise unlike Amphioplus, the three species must rest in that genus. 332 Annals of the South African Museum. OPHIACTIS CARNEA. Plate XX. Figs. 3, 4. Ljungman, 1807. Ofv. Kongl. Vet.-Akad. Forh., vol. 23, p. 324. There is an excellent series of this characteristic species, which has previously been something of a rarity. The smallest is barely 2 mm. across the disk and the arms are scarcely 10 mm. long; the disk is covered by a central rosette of 16 primary plates with about ten additional plates in each interradial area, and two small plates between the proximal ends of each pair of radial shields; there are small sharp spinelets scattered over the disk more especially near the margin ; the upper arm-plates are broadly in contact and might be called transversely oval, but the proximal half is distinctly nar- rower than the distal and the plates are not much wider than long; the under arm-plates are squarish with rounded corners, nearly or quite in contact; there are only 4 arm-spines, even at base of arm, and they are relatively short and thick; there is a single, relatively large oral papilla at the distal angle of each jaw, on each side. In a specimen 2'5 mm. across the disk and with arms about 13 mm. long, the disk scales are much more numerous and the primary plates (except the central) are no longer distinct; the upper arm plates are broadly oval, much wider than long and there are 5 arm-spines. The largest specimen, 6 mm. across the disk and with arms nearly 35 mm. long, differs from this very little indeed ; the under arm- plates are wider than long and have the distal margin convex and the arm-spines seem to be relatively a trifle longer. Most of the specimens are very light, nearly white, or more or less pinkish, but the larger ones are light brown, with the arms more or less distinctly banded with darker. One specimen, from Sea Point, is variegated gray-green, olive-green, and greenish-white, but it is not otherwise peculiar. It will be interesting to learn the colour in life. P.F. 106 A. Between Cape St. Blaize and Mossel Bay, 4 fins. S. 14 specimens; adult and young. P.F. 215 A. Cape St. Blaize. S.W. by W. V 4 W., 6 miles, 15-18 fms. Stns. 46 specimens; adult and young. P.F. 769. Off East London, 32 52' S. X 28 12' E. Depth and bottom? 1 specimen; young. P.F. 859. Off East London, 32 & S. X 28 26' E. 36 fms. Stns. 2 specimens; young. S.A.M. No. 3015. False Bay, Cape Colony. Littoral. Dr. Purcell coll. 1 specimen ; small adult. The Echinoderm Fauna of South Africa. 333 P.F. 10975. Tongaat- River, N.W. by N. '//, N., 5 miles, 36 fins. S. and sh. 1 specimen ; very young. P.F. 12459. Umtwalurni River, N. by W., 2 miles, 25 fms. I'.rk. sh. 1 specimen ; young. P.F. 13280. Cove Rock, N.E. by E. V/ 2 E., 4 miles, 22 fms. S. and brk. sh. 2 specimens; young. P.F. 13520. East London, N.W. by W. 1/2 W., 2 miles. Depth ? R. and brk. sh. 2 specimens; adult, line. P.F. 13598. Great Fish Point, W. by N., 5 miles, 22 fms. R,, crl., and st. 3 specimens; young. P.F. 13619. Great Fish Point, W. by N., 5 miles, 22 fms. R., crl., and st. 8 specimens; adult and young; fine. P.F. 15627. False Bay, Cape Colony, 17-27 fms. R. 1 specimen; young. P.F. 18282. False Bay, Cape Colony, 8-10 fins. R. 2 specimens; adult, fine. Rocks at Sea Point, Feb. 2, 1904. 1 specimen; young. Bathymetrical range from shore to 36 fms. OPHIACTIS PLANA. Lyman, 1869. Bull. M. C. Z., vol. 1, p. 330. H. L. Clark, 1915. Mem. M. C. Z., vol. 25, pi. 10, figs. 1, 2. In the CHALLENGER Report, Lyman, after describing Ophiactis flexuosa (p. 116), records ten, small, six-armed specimens of Ophiactis from St. 142 (Agulhas Bank) as possibly young flexuosa but s;ivs they can scarcely be distinguished from plana. A recent critical study of the species of Ophiactis has led to the conclusion that plana and flexuosa are identical, the former name being the earlier though based as Lyman suggests, on young specimens. There are two very young six-armed specimens of Ophiactis, 23 mm. across the disk, in the PIETER FAURE collection which are certainly not either carnea or abyssicola. They agree fairly well with plana, except that the radial shields are not so large and the disk scales not so few and large as in that species. But in both specimens, the disk is being regenerated at least in part, and hence I think there is little reason to doubt that these youngsters are identical with those taken bv the CHAL- J J LENGER on Agulhas Bank, and all may properly be referred to plana. P.F. 13227. Cove Rock, N.W. 3 / 4 W., 13 miles, 80-130 fms. Crl. 1 specimen; young. P.F. 13859. Glendower Beacon, N. 1/4 W., 21 miles, 100 fms, Sh. and r. 1 specimen; very young. 22 334 Annals of the South African Museum. OPHIACTIS ABYSSICOLA. Amphiura abijssicola Sars, 1861. Ov. Norges Ech., p. 18; pi. 2, figs. 7-12. Ophiactis abyssicola Ljungman, 1867. Ofv. Kongl. Vet.-Akad. Fo'rh., vol. 23, p. 324. A recent critical study of the genus Ophiactis has shown that 0. poo, described by Lyman (1882, CHALLE:S T GER Rep., p. 110: pi. XX, figs. 13-15) from near Tristan d'Acunha in 500-1000 fms. is not to be distinguished from Sars' species abyssicola of the North Atlantic. The PIETER FAURE has extended the range of the species far to the southeastward by collecting a. good series of specimens, as listed below. They range in disk-diameter from 3 to 8'5 mm. While they agree well in most details and are with little doubt all to be referred to one species, they show an extraordinary and most interesting diver- sity in the disk covering ; the radial shields, while always large, vary from broadly triangular to a curved pear-seed shape with concave sides towards each other; the disk scales may be few, large and thick, or more numerous and thinner, and in two specimens (from very deep water) they are very numerous with many secondary plates intercalated around and among the larger ones; the disk spines may be numerous, all over the disk or confined to the margin, or there may be only two or three widely scattered ones; these spines are usually long and fairly stout, but they may be very slender and pointed, and in one or two specimens (from very deep water) they are very small. All the specimens are pale gray, pale brown or whitish; some have a pinkish tinge. P.F. 2134. Lion's Head, S.E. / 2 E -> 42 miles > 156 fins. D. gn. s. 1 specimen; adult. P.F. 2798. Vasco de Gaina Peak, N. 71 E., 18 miles, 230 fms. Stns. 19 specimens; adult. P.F. 14984. Lion's Head, 55'/ 2 E., 47 miles, 175 fms. Bottom? 1 specimen; adult. P.F. 15110. South Head, Table Mountain, E. by S. V 2 S., 25 miles, 190 fms. Gn. s. and blk. spc. 3 specimens; adult, P.F. 16758. Cape Point, N.E. by E. '/4 E., 38 miles, 755 fms. Gn. m. 1 specimen; adult. P.F. 17330. Cape Point, N. 86 E., 43 miles, 000-1000 fins. Grey m. 1 specimen; adult. P.F. 17541. Cape Point, N.E. by E. 3 / 4 E., 8 miles, 91 fms. S. and spc. 1 specimen; adult. P.F. 18154. Cape Point, N.E. by E. 3 / 4 E., 28 miles, 300 fins. Fne. s. 1 specimen; young. The Echinoderm Fauna of South Africa. 335 P.F. 18933. Southeast from Cape Agulhas, 36 40' S. X 2126'E., 200 fms. Gn. s. 15 specimens; adult. Bathymetrical range, 91-1000 fms. OPHIOTRICHIDAE. This large, tropical family is fairly well represented around the Cape, in view of the extratropical character of the region. There are ten species now known, representing four genera. The six species of Ophiothrix are more or less perplexing owing to the variability of several of the species, and to the fact that specific limits in the genus are not well worked out as yet. In some species, the colour pattern seems to be the most reliable character while in other cases it seems to be perfectly worthless. So too with the character of the spinelets or thorny stumps on the disk; these may give reliable specific cha- racters but as a rule they are not to be trusted. The arm-spines are usually dependable but their characters are not easily expressed in words and they are not often distinctive. The following key shows how the South African species of Ophiotrichidae may be distinguished from each other, but in this family in particular such keys must be used with caution. Key to the South African Species of Ophiotrichidae. Under arm-plates well developed. Disk plates with thorny stumps or spmelets or both ; these are often very numerous, concealing the plates, but they may be few and scattered. Disk plates with numerous thorny stumps or rough spinelets or both. Arm-spines, glassy, slender and sharp, though thorny Ophiothrix aristulata. Arm-spines more or less opaque, the longest ones at least, flattened dorso-ventrally more or less, and truncate or blunt. Radial shields big and bare; rest of disk covered chiefly with rough spmelets ; arm-spines little flattened Ophiothrix fragilis. Radial shields smaller and usually more or less covered by the small thorny stumps which occupy all the rest of the disk sur- face; larger arrn-spines much flattened. Arms moderately long, 4 6 times disk-diameter; upper arm-plates fan-shaped, rhombic or pentagonal, not much wider than long, if any . . Ophiothrix triglochis. Arms very long, 9 18 times disk-diameter; upper arm- plates very much wider than long Ophiothrix longipeda. Disk plates with scattered acicular spinelets. Upper and under arm-plates obscured by skin ; five distinct radiating black lines on disk, one extending onto base of each arm Ophiothrix capensis. .'!:(> Annals of the. South African Mnxeinn. Upper and under arm-plates distinct; no radiating black lines on disk. Upper surface of arms marked with narrow transverse lines of deep red . . . Ophiothrix poecilodisca. Upper surface of arms, at least near tip, with a narrow median stripe made up of three white lines separated from each other by distinct black ones . Ophiothrix trilineata. Disk plates flat, smoothly covered by a uniform coat of granules ; radial shields bare and very large . . . Ophiocnemis marmorata. Under arm-plates wanting or apparently so. Side arm-plates projecting as spine-bearing ridges occupying the whole height of the arm or nearly so; upper surface of arms in adults (except distally) covered by a coat of granules and not showing any upper arm- plates . ... Ophiopsammium nudum. Side arm-plates low, squarish, projecting as wing-like plates on lower half of arm; upper surface of arms with irregular granules among which the upper arm-plates can often be distinguished Ophiothela dividua. OPHIOTHRIX ARISTULATA. Lyman, 1879. Bull. M. C. Z., vol. 6, p. 50 ; pi. XV, figs. 421424. In Mr. Lyman's description, he says the arm-spines are "scarcely tapering' 1 and "slightly flattened". If this were so, it would be exceedingly difficult to distinguish this species from triylochis and fragilis (see below, under fragilis) but the many specimens I have seen from South Africa, the East Indies and Australia, including two of Lyman's cotypes from the Agulhas Bank, have tapering, acuminate spines which are seldom appreciably flattened. They show some diversity in length, relative thickness and thorniness but they are seldom stout and often very thorny. Bell (1905, Mar. Inv. S. Afr., vol. 3, p. 258) records this species from two stations, one in 35 fms. and one in 22 fins. Specimens of Ophiothrix from the latter station are before me and are here listed as triglochis, the common South African species, which Bell records from only one station. As aristtilata is normally a deep water species, I suspect all of Bell's specimens were triglochis. The PIETER FAURE collection contains only seven specimens of this line species. They range in disk diameter from 6 to 14 mm. and all are nearly white, with more or less of a pinkish tinge still left on the arms; on the upper arm plates, there are faint indica- tions of a more or less broken median longitudinal, white stripe. P.F. 2529. Lion's Head, N. 63 E., 34 miles, 154 fms. Blk. spcs. 3 specimens; adult. P.F. 2798. Vasco de Gama Peak N. 71 E, 18 miles, 230 fms. Stn. 2 specimens; adult. The Echinoderm Fauna of South Africa. 337 P.F. 13225. Cove Rock, N. W. 3 / 4 W., 13 miles, 80130 fms. Crl. and r. 2 specimens; adult. OPHIOTHRIX FRAGILIS. Asterias fragilis Abildgaard, 1789. In Miiller's Zool. Dan., vol. 3, p. 28; pi. XCVIII. Ophiothrix fragilis Diiben and Koren, 1846. Kongl. Vet.-Akad. Handl. f. 1844, p. 238. Some specimens of a coarse Ophiothrix from Saldanha Bay per- plexed me greatly until I found that Koehler had recorded this European species from that very place. Comparison of these speci- mens with some of equal size of fragilis from Heligoland shows that they may without impropriety be referred to that species, although they do not agree in all details. They approach so nearly to some specimens of triglochis, indeed, that one wonders whether fragilis and triglochis are really distinct. The only difference between the two species is that in typical triglochis there are no disk-spinelets among the stumps and the radial shields are more or less well covered by the latter. But as will be pointed out below, the pre- sent collection shows that triglochis is a very variable species and it may be that it will be best to treat it merely as a southern variety of fragilis. As pointed out in the key above, the Ophiothrix from Saldanha Bay has very large, bare radial shields and the rest of the disk is rather densely covered with long, stout, thorny spinelets. The gene- ral colour is dingy white on the disk, with both disk-spinelets and arm-spines pale brown; the radial shields have narrow dull red margins and the upper arm-plates are a mixture of dull reddish and dingy white. P.F. 14905. Saldanha Bay, Cape Colony, 10 fms. S. and mussel- beds. 6 specimens; adult. OPHIOTHRIX TRIGLOCHIS. Miiller and Troschel, 1842. Sys. Ast., p. Hi. Koehler, 1904. Mem. Soc. Zool. France, vol. 17, p. 81, iigs. 41 45. The PIETER FAURE collection shows clearly that this is the com- mon Ophiothrix of South Africa. There are 170 specimens from 23 stations, and while they show great diversity I feel no hesitation in referring them all to triglochis. The smallest is only 2'5 mm. across the disk and shows the primordial central plate very plainly. 338 Annals of the South African Museum. The largest specimen is 13 mm. across the disk. In colour, the diversity is very great, ranging from almost pure white (dry spe- cimens) to deep, dull indigo, on the disk. The arms range from white to pink, dull red or various shades of brown; often there are indications of alternating red and blue bands; sometimes there is a distinct median white stripe and usually the distal tip of the upper arm-plates is white: not uncommonly the whole distal margin of each plate is whitish. The variation in the disk covering is nearly as great as in the coloration. Typically, the whole upper surface of the disk including the radial shields is covered by low, thorny stumps as shown in Koehler's fig. 41, but the stumps themselves show no little diversity, for they may be low and crowned with short thorns (see Koehler's fig. 43) or slender and more cylindrical (Koehler's fig. 44) or they may, whether low or high, be crowned with three long, slender spinelets; all sorts of intergradations be- tween the extremes occur. Moreover in some specimens from False Bay, we find among the stumps, disk spinelets over a millimeter long and more or less thorny; in the largest specimen, these are so numerous as to replace most of the stumps and the radial shields are bare. This individual, if by itself and labelled "Saldanha Bay", would probably be considered frag His. Compared directly with Saldanha Bay specimens however, several differences are obvious; the radial shields are much smaller in triylochis, the disk spines, much less thorny, the upper arm-plates wider and smoother and the under arm-plates shorter and wider and more widely separated. These differences hold so well in all the material at hand that I feel justified in not uniting the two species as one. I am inclined to think 0. roseocoerulans Grube of St. Helena is not to be separated from triylochis but until more is known of the colour varieties of the Cape species, they may be kept apart. I have no doubt however that the specimens from False Bay, identified by Bell as roseocoerulans (op. cit. p. 258) are better referred to triglochis. The PIETER FAURE collected triglochis at the following points: P.F. 106 A. Between Cape St. Blaize and Mossel Bay, 4 fms. S. 2 specimens; young. P.F. 507. Algoa Bay, 33 58' S. 25 51' E, 25 fms. R., blk. spcs. 1 specimen ; adult. P.F. 590. Algoa Bay, 33 50' S. x 25 54' E., depth and bottom not recorded. 1 specimen ; young. P.F. 769. Near East London, 32 52' S. x 28M2'E., depth and bottom not recorded. 30 specimens; adult. The Echinoderm Fauna of South Africa. 339 P.F. 859. Oft' Great K>i River, 32' 45' S. 28 26' E., 36 fms. Stns. 7 specimens; adult and younu. S.A.M. 3014. False Bay, Cape Colony. Littoral. Dr. Purcell coll. 12 specimens; adult. P.F. 3028. Cape Point, N.W. by W. 1/4 W., ll 3 / 4 miles, 45 frns. M. and r. 1 specimen; adult. P.F. 10354. Gericke Point, N. 3 / 4 E., Knysna E. 3 / 4 N., 46 fins. S., sh., and r. 6 specimens; adult. P.F. 10975. Tongaat River, N.W. by N. '//, N., 5 miles, 36 fms. S. and sh. 13 specimens; young. P.F. 11556. Tugela River, N.W. by N., 22 miles, 47 fms. Brk. sh. 1 specimen; very young. P.F. -12360. Umhlangakulu River, N.W. by N., 7 miles, 50 fms. S. and sh. 1 specimen; young. P.F. 12983. Gonubie River, N.W. by W. 3 / 4 W r ., 3 miles, 20 fms. Brk. shs. 8 specimens; adult. P.F. 13068. Hood Point, N. by W. '/a W., 11 miles, 49 frns. Brk. sh. 1 specimen; adult. P.F. 13193. Cove Rock, N.W. by N., 6 miles, 43 fms. Brk. sh. and r. 4 specimens; young. P.F. 13240. Cove Rock, N. 3 /, ( E., 5 miles, 43 fms. St. and brk. sh. 14 specimens; adult and young. P.F. 13280. Cove Rock, N.E. by E. V-2 E., 4 miles, 22 fms. R. and brk. sh. 11 specimens; adult. P.F. 13455. Sandy Point, N.E. by N., 6 miles, 51 fms. Brk. sh. and st. 4 specimens ; small adults. P.F. 13519. East London, N.W r . by W. ] / 2 W., 2 miles. Depth? R. and brk. sh. 5 specimens; adult. P.F. 13619. Great Fish Point, W. by N., 5 miles, 22 fms. R,, crl. and stns. 20 specimens; adult and young. P.F. 15502. False Bay, Caue Colony, 22 fms. S. and sh. 2 spec- imens; young. P.F. 16231. False Bay, Cape Colony, 22 fms. Brk. sh. 1 spec- imen ; very young. P.F. 17468. False Bay, Cape Colony, 9 fms. S. and sh. 11 spec- imens; adult and young. P.F. 18282. False Bay, Cape Colony, 810 fms. R. 15 spec- imens; adult and young. Bathymetrical range, shore to 51 fms. 3-40 Annals of the South African Museum. OPHIOTHRIX LONGIPEDA. Ophiura lonyipeda Lamarck, 1816. Anim. s. Vert., vol. 2, p. 544. Oph-iothrix longipeda Miiller and Troschel, 184*2. Syst. Ast., p. 113. It is rather odd that this big, common and long known species has never been properly figured. The colored figure by Herklots (1869, Ech. p. d'apres Nature, pi. 7) is unlike any specimen I have ever seen, and I have examined scores of living individuals as well as large numbers of museum specimens. The collection from the South African Museum extends the known range of this tropical species far to the southward. This collection contains six fragmentary specimens, of which the two larger ('20-22 mm.) are unquestionably longipeda, while the four smaller (6-13 mm.) seem to be identical and are, with little doubt, the young. Their only peculiarities are the lack of blue in the coloration and the relatively short arms, which were apparently less than ten times the disk diameter. They are poorly preserved however and all the arms are more or less broken. There is reason to believe they were much more brightly coloured in life. It is probable too that in this species the relative length of the arms increases with age until maturity. The largest specimen I have measured, alive, was 37 mm. across the disk and had arms 625 mm. long, or 17 times the disk diameter. P.F. 12359. Umklangakulu River, N.W. by W., 7 miles, 50 fms. S. and sh. 1 specimen; small adult. P.F. 12405. Itongazi River, N.W., 3 / 4 W., 3 miles, 25 fms. R. and st. 4 specimens; adult and young. Delagoa Bay, P.E.A. K. H. Barnard, Oct. 1912. 1 specimen. * OPHIOTHRIX CAPENSIS. Liitken, 1869. Add. ad Hist. Oph., pt. 3, pp. 59 and 100. This species does not seem to have been met with since its original description, based on a specimen from the Cape of Good Hope. It has never been figured but is apparently nearly related to 0. suensonii of the West Indies. The concealment of the arm- plates in skin is a very remarkable character in this species and the radiating black lines on the disk would also seem to be distinctive. The Echinoderm Fauna of South Africa. .'341 OPHIOTHRIX POECILODISCA. II. L. Clark, 1915. Mem. M. C. Z., vol. 25, p. 276; pi. 13, fig. 5. This well-marked species, known hitherto only from Zanzibar, is represented in the present collection by a small and badly damaged specimen from Delagoa Bay. It is about 5 mm. across the disk and was collected by K. H. Barnard in October, 1912. The transverse, deep red lines across the arms are very distinctive. The lower arm plates however lack the red markings altogether. The disk carries only 7 or 8 spines. * OPHIOTHRIX TRILINEATA. Liitken, 18(39. Add. ad Hist. Oph., pt. 3, pp. 58 and 100. This wide-spread and handsome Indo-Pacific species has long been known from Mozambique, whence specimens came to the M. C. Z. many years ago, but it has not yet been found south of that point, and it is not represented in the collections of the South African Museum. * OPHIOCNEMIS MARMORATA. Oph turn ntarniorata Lamarck, 1816. Anim. s. Vert., vol. 2, p. 543. Opiocnemis marmorata Miiller and Troschel, 1842. Sys. Ast., p. 87. Doderlein, 1888. Zool. Jahrb., vol. 3, pi. XXXII, figs. Qa-c. The inclusion of this species in the South African fauna seems to rest wholly on a specimen in the M. C. Z. collection, collected by Wahlberg and said to have come from the Cape of Good Hope. It occurs commonly at Zanzibar but has not been recorded from Mo- zambique and its occurrence on the coasts of Natal and Cape Colony seems to me very unlikely. OPHIOPSAMMIUM NUDUM *, sp. nov. Disk 6 mm. in diameter ; arms five, 25-30 mm. long. Disk covered by a thin naked skin, through which the five pairs of large radial shields are plainly visible ; scattered sparsely over this skin are plates and granules; at the center of the disk are about a dozen, flat, nearly circular plates irregularly scattered, and others form a single dis- continuous series in each of the narrow interradial areas; these plates are from "10 to '25 mm. across and some of them bear spherical or * nudum = naked, in reference to the absence of plates at center of disk and on interbrachial areas below. 342 Annals of the South African Museum. conical granules ; all over the radial shields, which are about 2-5 mm. long and distally 1'5 mm. wide, and also on the interradial margin between the distal ends of the pairs of radial shields, are numerous granules about "10 mm. in diameter: these are well spaced, and even irregularly scattered except at distal ends of the radial shields where they become somewhat crowded to form the uniform granular- coat which covers the upper surface of the arms; in each inter- brachial area are scattered a dozen or more granules, of which about half are conical and pointed, -25-'50 mm. high. No upper arm-plates; distally the granular covering of the arms becomes less and less continuous, until there is only bare skin with a few scat- tered granules on each segment. Interbrachial areas below, perfectly naked except for a very few conical granules. Oral shields, adoral plates and under arm-plates wanting or apparently so, for if present they are completely obscured by the thin skin. Oral plates large and dental papillae numerous. No oral papillae, of course. Base of each jaw perforated as in Ophiothrix. Side arm plates short, about as high as arm, compressed into a spine-bearing ridge, which carries 6 or 7 short, blunt, not very thorny spines; uppermost and three lowest spines smallest, third longest and equal to an arm-segment; the lowest does not become hook-like until near tip of arm. No tentacle scales but the tentacles are protected by the basal part of each side arm-plate. Colour of dry specimen, pale salmon, the bare skin browner and the granules whiter. P.F. 10975. Tongaat River, N.W. by N. '/-', N., 5 miles, 36 fms. S. and sh. 1 specimen; very young. P.F. 10976. Same locality as 10975. 1 specimen; adult. Holotype, South African Museum no. A 6440, P.F. 10976. This species differs very noticeably from 0. semperi in the much coarser granulation of the dorsal surface, the large areas of naked skin and the conspicuous radial shields. The last two characters serve to distinguish it also from 0. rugosum, the only other member of the genus. The specimen from P.F. 10975 has obviously undergone fission as it has six arms, three of which, with their associated radial shields, are much smaller than the others. At first glance it resembles an Ophiothela but more careful examination shows that the side arm- plates are not like those of that genus. In colouration it is very similar to the adult. The upper surface of the arms, however, even at the base, is not uniformly granular but has few, irregular, unequal scattered granules on each segment, much as in Ophiothela, and just as on the terminal segments of the arms of the adult. The Echinoderin Fauna of South Africa. 343 * Ol'IIIOTIIKI.A IIIVIDUA. Von Martens, 1879. Sitzb. P.orlin Ges. Nat. Fr., p. -l!27, ligs. 1-i. Three of von Marten's cotypes are in the M. C. /. collection. They were taken at Algoa Bay on alcyoiiarian coral. There is nothing for me to add to the original description, but it may lie worth while to note that these dry specimens have retained their pretty colour- ation very well. The general effect is dull blue, of an indigo tint, variegated with whitish; the deep blue lines across the outer ends of the radial shields, and at intervals across the arm, are conspicuous. OPHIOCHITONIDAE. This small family was not previously known from South Africa but the PIETER FAURE has detected three species, representing the two most characteristic genera. They may be distinguished from each other as follows : Key to the So nth African Species of Oph loch i ton idae. Supplementary plates present on each side of each upper arm -plate. Disk scales exceedingly numerous and minute, 150 200 or more per sq. mm. near center of disk where they are scarcely distinguishable with a magnifying glass. ...... Ophionereis dubia. Disk scales fine or rather coarse, 25 100 per sq. mm. at center of disk Ophionereis porrecta. No supplementary plates present on the upper surface of arms Ophiochiton australis. OPHIONEREIS DUBIA. Ojihiolepis dubia Miiller and Troschel, 1842. Sys. Ast, p. 94. Savigny, 1809. Descr. de 1'Egypte (Audouin): Rayonnes, pi. 1, figs. 3'-3 10 .' Ophionereis dubia Lyman, 1865. Illus. Cat. M. C. Z., no. 1, p. 149. This species was not previously known from south of Zanzibar but the PIETER FAURE collection shows it is a regular inhabitant of the coast of Natal and eastern Cape Colony. None of the specimens are full grown, the disk-diameters ranging from 2-5 to 6'5 mm. No two are coloured alike; the disk is usually light, white or whitish, with or without a dark spot or line, between or across the radial shields; the arms are usually some light shade of brown or olive, with or without indefinite whitish variegation, but in all cases with trans- verse rings of brown at intervals of 3-10 (usually 4-6) segments; these rings are usually very distinct on the dorsal surface but they may be faint even there and wanting orally. Savigny's beautiful 344 Annals of the South African Museum. figures show the general colour pattern well but very wisely do not attempt to indicate the disk-scales. P.F. 859. Off Great Kei River, 32 45' S. X 28 26' E., 36 fms. St. 2 specimens; young. P.F. 11556. Tugela River, N.W. by N., 22 miles, 47 fms. Brk. sh. 1 specimen; young. P.F. 12360. -Umhlangakulu River, N.W. by N., 7 miles, 50 fms. S. and sh. 1 specimen; small adult. P.F. 13455. Sandy Point, N.E. by N., 61 miles, 51 fms. Brk. sh., and st. 1 specimen; small adult, diskless. P.F. 13520. East London, N.W. by W. '/ 2 W., 2 miles. Depth? S. and brk. sh. 1 specimen; small adult. OPHIONEREIS PORRECTA. Lyman, 1860. Proc. Boston Soc. Nat. Hist., vol. 7, p. 260. 1865, Illus. Cat. M. C. Z., no. 1, p. 147, figs. 14 and 15. The PIETER FAURE found this species even more common than the preceding and in the same localities, although it has not been pre- viously reported from the coast of Africa. I have compared these South African specimens with Lyman's types and find that they agree in all essentials. But whereas, in Lyman's original material from an unknown locality and in the other material at hand from various Indo-Pacific localities, the scaling of the disk becomes in- creasingly finer with growth, so that in large specimens it is, at center of disk at least, very fine, in these South African specimens the disk is always covered with relatively coarse scales ; in the largest specimen (15 mm. disk-diameter) even at center of disk, there are not more than 20-25 scales to each sq. mm. and there may not be so many. This retention of a youthful character is of no little inter- est and it may be desirable ultimately to recognize this form as a subspecies or variety. But the decision on that point must await further investigations along the East African coast and accumulation of more material. The PIETER FAURE specimens range from 5'5 to 15 mm. in disk- diameter, but show little diversity in coloration. No two are exactly alike but all are more or less variegated with dull shades of brown, purplish and whitish; the arms are more or less distinctly annulat- ed with a darker shade than the ground colour. The specimen from 13280 is peculair in the very smooth, tessellated plating of the disk; the primary plates are quite distinct and with other large plates are surrounded by circles of smaller ones in an indistinct but rather The Echinoderm Fauna of South Africa. 345 ornate pattern ; the dorsal side of the ar.ms is very prettily marbled with dull purplish and whitish ; the under surface is white but on each arm is a broad, dull purple, longitudinal stripe which does not decrease in width distally and hence comes to occupy the entire under surface of the arm. Such a stripe is faintly indicated on some other specimens. P.F. 507 A. Algoa Bay, 3358''S. 2551'E., 25 fms. R., blk. sp. 2 specimens; adult. P.F. 859. Off Great Kei River, 32 45' S. X 28 26' E., 36 fms. St. 3 specimens; young. P.F. 12361. Umhlangakum River, N.W. by W., 7 miles, 50 fms. S. and sh. 3 specimens; adult and young. P.F. 12405. Itongazi River, N.W. a / 4 W., 3 miles, 25 fms. S. and st. 5 specimens; adult and young. P.F. 13068. Hood Point, N.W. by W. '/ 2 W., 11 miles, 49 fms. Brk. sh. 1 specimen; young. P.F. 13280. Cove Rock, N.E. by E. '/ 2 E -, * miles, 22 fms. R. and brk. sh. 1 specimen; small adult. P.F. 13520. East London, N.W. by W. V 2 W., 2 miles. Depth .' S. and brk. sh. 1 specimen; small adult. Bathymetrical range, 22-50 fms. OPHIOCHITON AUSTRALIS *, sp. nov. Plate XX. Figs. 1, 2. Disk 8 mm. in diameter; arms 55-60 mm. long. Disk covered by a coat of thick, irregular, overlapping scales, many of which are 50- - 75 mm. across and among which the six primary plates can hardly be distinguished. (They are evident in the smaller specimen, which is 6 mm. across the disk.) Radial shields small and widely separated ; not much larger than the largest disk scales, in the smaller specimen; in the holotype they are about 1*5 mm. long, 80-1 mm. wide just distal to the middle and about -75 mm. apart. Upper arm-plates broadly hexagonal, 1-5-1-8 times as wide as long, the distal side slightly convex and occupying the full width of plate, the proximal margin only a little more than half as much; the disto-lateral angles are often a little rounded; the plates are in con- tact for the full width of the proximal margin. Interbrachial areas below covered by coarse, overlapping scales, no one of which is large or conspicuous. Oral shields, rhomboidal or spear-head-shaped, decidedly longer than wide, with all angles, except possibly the * austrahs = southern, in reference to the locality where found. 346 Annals of the South African Museum. proximal, rounded: proximal sides longer than distal; madreporite of liolotype, larger and much longer than the other shields, its dixtnl sides nearly twice as long as proximal. (On the other spec- imen, the madreporite is a trifle larger than the other shields but is not otherwise peculiar). Adoral plates curved pentagonal, pointed within where they barely meet, if at all, widest near middle and extending down between oral shields and side arm-plates. Oral plates small. Oral papillae, 5 on a side, of which the penultimate is much the largest; it is tetragonal and much wider than long, its width equalling the second and third together or even exceeding them; the distalmost papilla is partly concealed, as it passes inward Fig. 3. Upper side of part of disk and arm of Ophiochiton australis sp. nov. x 10. above the big one; the distal papilla and a part of each of the big- papillae are borne on the adoral plates, while the oral plates bear the rest. No dental papillae. Teeth 5 or 6 in a column, tetragonal, except the lowest which may be somewhat triangular. First under arm-plates rather small, distally rounded and proximally prolonged, decidedly longer than wide; following plates axe-head-shaped, at lirst wider than long but soon becoming longer than wide, broadly in contact; the distal margin is slightly convex and the lateral mar- gins markedly concave. Side arm-plates rather small, projecting but little and not meeting either above or below; each carries three short, thick, blunt spines, of which the uppermost equals one arm- segment, the middle one is a trifle longer, and the lowest nearly equals the middle one. Tentacle-scale, single, large, oval, nearly equal to the under arm-plate in length. Colour (dry) above light dull brown, with a purplish-shade, more or less variegated, especially on the upper arm-plates, with yellowish-white ; each radial shield is whitish with a brown margin ; beneath, yellowish-white. The Echinoderm Fauna of South Africa. 347 P.F. 11556. Tugela River, N.W. by N., 22 miles, 47 fins. Brk. sh. 2 specimens; small adults. Holotype, South African Museum no. A 6439. This species so closely resembles Ophionereis jtor recta in form, colour and all details, except the complete absence of supplementary upper arm-plates, that it might easily be mistaken for that species in life. It is interesting to note that it occured at the same station with Ophionereis dubia, while O. dubia and O. porrecta occurred together at least three times. The known species of Ophiochiton fall readily into two groups, of which the larger has 2 or more tentacle-scales, at least on the basal .arm-pores, while the smaller has only a single, large scale. The present species belongs in the smaller group but is easily distinguished from its other members by the short, thick arm-spines, the form of the oral papillae, the oral shields, and the upper arm-plates. It seems to be nearer to the Atlantic species, ternispinus and yrandis, than to any of the Pacific species. Excepting 0. lentux, from deep water near the Kermadec Islands, this is the only Ophiochiton known from south of the equator. OPHIOCOMIDAE. No representative of this tropical family has been taken at any time by the PIETER FAURE and I frankly question its right to a place in this report. It is true that several species are known from Mo- zambique and more probably occur there, but south of that point, there is not a single record except that of Ophiocoma scolopendrhui which Lyman reports was taken at Simon's Bay, Cape of Good Hope, in 10-20 fins. He does not say how many specimens there were, but evidently there were very few and probably only one, as the M. C. Z. collection contains but half of the disk of a large individual from this station. While this specimen is unquestionably correctly identified, I suspect there was some mistake about the locality label, and I shall not believe that Ophiocomo occurs on the coasts of Cape Colony until further .specimens are secured. Koehler has described an Ophiopsila (0. paucispina) from Fernao Veloso Bay, but the genus has not yet been found at Mozambique. The species of this family now known from Mozambique are dis- tinguished from each other as follows. Key to the South African Species of Ophiocomidae. Disk covered with a uniform coat of granules, except on the interbrachial areas below, where the scales are more or less bare. 348 Annals of the South African Museum. Tentacle-scales 2, often 1 distally. Colour variegated; more or lees whitish on under side of arms; arms 5-8 times disk-diameter . . Ophiocoma scolopendrina. Colour very dark, nearly or quite black; no light colour anywhere; arms short, 4 5 times disk-diameter . . . Ophiocoma erinaceus. Tentacle-scales 1, sometimes 2 on the first few basal joints. Colour very dark as in erinaceus . . Ophiocoma schoenleinii. Colour more or less light and variegated . . Ophiocoma valenciae. Disk free from granules, but usually with a few scattered, blunt spines Ophiornastix venosa. OPHIOCOMA SCOLOPENDRINA. Ojthiura scolopendrina Lamarck, 1816. Anim. s. Vert., vol. 2, p. 544. Ophiocoma scolopendrina Midler and Troschel, 1842. Syst. Ast., p. 101. H. L. Clark, 1915. Mem. M. C. Z., vol. 25, pi. 14, ligs. 10, 11. This common and wide-ranging brittle-star is known from Mo- zambique to Tahiti and from Torres Strait to southern Japan. As stated above, I do not accept the record of its occurrence at the Cape of Good Hope. Matsumoto, in his recent admirable monograph on Japanese ophiurans (1917, Jour. Coll. Sci. Imp. Univ. Tokyo, vol. 38, art. 2) considers the two following species as merely varieties of this one. While he may be right in this, I prefer not to discuss the matter here, as a revision of the family Ophiocomidae has appear- red in my recently published (1921) account of the Echinoderms of Torres Strait. There is no difficulty in distinguishing the three forms from each other. A specimen in the South African Museum collection, taken at Mozambique, in November, 1912, by K. H. Barnard, is undoubtedly sco lopendrina. * OPHIOCOMA ERINACEUS. Miiller and Troschel, 1842. Syst. Ast., p. 98. H. L. Clark, 1915. Mem. M. C. Z., vol. 25, pi. 15, figs. 5, 6. This species has been the source of much dispute for there are many museum specimens which are intermediate between typical erinaceus and scolopendrina. After studying the two forms alive in Torres Strait, I became convinced that, at least in that region, they do not interbreed, or even mingle. I therefore consider them distinct species. The occurrence of erinaceus at Mozambique seems to be established. The EcMnoderm Found of South 'Africa. .'!'i! ' * OPHIOCOMA SCHOENLEINII. Muller and Troschel, 1842. Syst. Ast., p. 99. H. L. Clark, 1915. Mem. _ M. C. Z., vol. 25, pi. 15, figs. 1, 2. Bell (1884, ALERT Rep. p. 510) records this species, without com- ment, from Mozambique. As it is not otherwise known from west of the East Indies, the record must be regarded as dubious, to say the least. * OPHIOCOMA VALENCIAE. Muller and Troschel, 1842. Syst. Ast., p. 102. H. L. Clark, 1915. Mem. M. C, Z., vol. 25, pi. 16, figs. 7, 8. This species is well known from Mozambique and northward. OPHIOMASTIX VENOSA. Peters, 1851. Monatsb. K. Preus. Akad. Wiss. Berlin, p. 464. Koehler, 1904, Mem. Soc. Zool. France, vol. 17, p. 73, figs. 28, 29. This handsome species is well known from Zanzibar but has not hitherto been recorded from Mozambique. A specimen from the latter place, collected by K. H. Barnard, in November, 1912, is in the present collection. It is of more than usual interest because, although it is about 20 mm. across the disk, and shows the specific characters clearly, there are no spines or granules whatever on the disk, and hence the specimen would properly be assigned to the genus Ophl- arthrum. Koehler's figure shows no disk spines, but I have not pre- viously noted a specimen, in which they were wholly wanting. OPHIODERMATIDAE. This is another family, like the preceding, characteristic of tropical shores and represented by few species outside of the tropics. In South African waters, four species have been found and three of these are in the present collection. It is very interesting to note that three and perhaps all of these species are peculiar to South Africa. They are distinguished from each other as follows : Key to the South African Species of Ophiodermatidae. Two long genital slits in each interbrachial area. Granulation of lower surface of disk completely covers oral shields and face of jaws ...... Cryptopelta aster. Oral shields . large and bare, generally with an accessory shield on distal side Ophiarachnella capensis. 23 :!."() Annals of the South African Museum, Four short genital slits in each interbrachial area. No conspicuous bare plates on disk, except that the radial shields may be either bare or concealed . . . Ophioderma leonis. Many conspicuously bare plates on disk; upper arm-plates often fragmented Ophioderma wahlbergii. CRYPTOPELTA ASTER. Ophiopeza aster Lyman, 1879. Bull. M. C. Z., vol. 6, p. 50; pi. XIV, figs. 395-397. Cryptopelta aster H. L. Clark, 1909. Bull. M. C. Z., vol. 52, p. 131. The rediscovery of this interesting species, and the collecting of a good series of specimens, is one of the noteworthy results of the PIETER FAURE'S work. In disk-diameter, the specimens range from 2-5 to 13 mm. ; the largest is thus somewhat larger than Lyman's type. The growth changes are very trivial and consist of an increase in the relative length of arm, in the number of arm-spines and in the widening and coming into broad contact of the upper and under arm-plates. The smallest specimen has arms less than 5 mm. long; one with disk 4*5 mm. lias arms 9 mm.; one with disk 6'5, has arms 17; one with disk about 9 mm. has arms 27 mm. long; and the largest has arms nearly 45 mm. The proportion therefore in- creases from "arms 2 X disk" to "arms 3'5 X disk". The number of arm-spines is 4 on the basal arm-segments of the smallest spec- imen, 5 in one somewhat larger, 6 in the specimen 6-5 mm. across the disk, 7 in the one 9 mm. across, and even in the largest spec- imen it is very rarely 8. Koehler has reported this species from two shallow water stations in the East Indies (713 fins.). But his specimens have decidedly longer arms and more arm-spines and I am inclined to think a comparison of specimens would show r that the South African and East Indian species of Cryptopvlta are not identical. The PIETER FAURE specimens are all unicolorous, nearly white. They were taken at the following places. P.F. 2798. Vasco de Gama Peak, N. 71 E., 18 miles, 230 fms. St. 2 specimens ; adult. P.F. 11359. Tugela River, N.W. by N. 1 / 4 N., 24 miles, 65-80 fms. R. 1 specimen ; very young. P.F. 13194. Cove Rock, N.W. by N., 6 miles, 43 fms. Brk. sh. and r. 4 specimens ; young. P.F. 13240. Cove Rock, N. 3 / 4 E., 5 miles, 43 fms. St. and brk. sh. 7 specimens; adult and young. The Echinoderm Fauna of South Africa. 351 P.F. 14365. Cape St. Blaize, N.E. by N. V 4 N., 94 miles, 116 fms. S., sh., and r. 1 specimen; adult. Bathymetrical range, 43-230 fms. OPHIARACHNELLA CAPENSIS. Pectinura c.apensis Bell, 1888. Proc. Zool. Soc. London, p. 282 ; pi. XVI, figs. 3, 4. Ophiarachnella capensis H. L. Clark, 1915. Mem. M. C. Z., vol. 25, p. 306. It is a matter of no little interest that this little-known species has been found by the PIETER FAURE. It was originally described from specimens in the British Museum labelled "Cape of Good Hope", and has not since -been met with. The three specimens at hand agree well with Bell's description, but there are often 6, and rarely 7, arm-spines. In the largest specimen (15 mm.) the colored bands on the arms are so faintly indicated as to be practically wanting, while in the smallest (9'5 mm.), they are very marked; dull olive- brown, conspicuously darker on both the proximal and distal margins; in this specimen, the ground colour of which is pinkish-white, there is a large blotch of pale brown on the disk. In the largest specimen, one of the oral shields entirely lacks the supplementary plate, and in one interradius of the smallest specimen, it is very small. P.F. 507. Algoa Bay, 33 58' S. ; : 25 51' E., 25 fms. R., blk. spks. 1 specimen ; small adult. S.A.M. No. 3013. False Bay, Cape Colony. Littoral. Dr. Purcell coll. 1 specimen ; large adult. P.F. 12359. Umhlangakulu River, N.W. by N., 7 miles, 50 fms. S. and sh. 1 specimen; adult. OPHIODERMA LEONIS. Doderlein, 1910. Schultze's Zool. Anthr. Ergeb., vol. 4, Ifg. 1, p. 252; pi. V, figs. 1, la. The species of Ophioderma described by Liitken in 1872 as tonga- num under the supposition that it was from the Tonga Islands has been recorded but once since, when in 1882, Lyman reported that the CHALLENGER had taken it at the Cape of Good Hope, in Simon's Bay, in 10-20 fms. As Liitken had but a single small specimen, and its specific characters, were far from clear, it seems strange that Mr. Lyman gives no information whatever about his specimen or specimens. It is to be inferred however from his "Table of Species of Ophiura" that he had several specimens and that they 352 Annals of the South African Museum. differed among themselves as to the nakedness of the radial shields. I think there can be little doubt that Doderlein is right in suspect- ing that Lyman's specimens were not tonga UK in but were identical with the species, leonis, from Liideritzbucht, S.W. Africa. Doder- lein's description and figures are quite sufficient but as there are several specimens before me in the PIETER FAURE collection, I shall add a few notes. As for tonganmn, I do not believe that Liitken's specimen came from Tonga, and I think it is probably to be refer- red to one of the West Indian species. Only one other Ophioderma has been described or even recorded from the Indo-Pacific region; this is the holotype of Koehler's species propinquum. Here again however I am sceptical that the specimen ever came from the East Indies ; but the species itself seems to be valid. The specimens from South Africa, now at hand, range from 17 to 25 mm. in disk-diameter; the arms are about three times as much. In the smallest- specimen, the radial shields are all visible and similar; in another, 9 are visible but unequal and irregular; in the other specimens they are completely concealed as in Doderlein's specimens. This accounts for Mr. Lyman's statement (apropos ton- yunum) "occasionally radial shields naked". I am inclined to think that in the young the radial shields are naked but become covered at full maturity (Doderlein's specimens were all 17 mm. or more in disk-diameter) but it may be purely a matter of individual diver- sity. A large specimen, with gaping mouth slits reveals the inter- esting fact that the tentacle-scale of the first oral pore is a long, thick and very conspicuous papilla. The adoral plates are very small and naked, as is well-shown in Doderlein's figure ; his descrip- tion, saying they are for the most part granulated, does not seem to me accurate. Curiously enough, one of the PIETER FAURE spec- imens, shows exactly the same fusion of an oral shield (apparently the madreporite) with an adoral plate which is so well shown in Doderlein's figure. The colouration of the present specimens is somewhat diversified; only two are gray, like Doderlein's, while three are very dark olive-brown, nearly black, above, and yellow or whitish beneath ; in one of these, the transition from dark to light is very abrupt but in the others it is gradual ; one specimen is uni- formly rather bright yellow-brown. S.A.M. No. 3013. False Bay, Cape Colony; littoral. Dr. Purcell coll. 3 specimens; adult. P. F. 14714. Saldanha Bay, Cape Colony ; littoral. 2 specimens; adult. P.F. 18282. False Bay, Cape Colony; 8-10 fins. R. 1 spec- imen; adult. The Echinoderm Fauna of South Africa. '>>> * OPHIODERMA WAHLBERGII. Miiller and Troschel, 1842. Sys. Ast., p. 87. This species, describe*] originally from Port Natal, has not been met with since, nor has it ever been figured. Bell (1905, Mar. Inv. South Afr., vol. 3, p. 255) says it "appears to be widely distri- buted as there are examples in the Museum from the Red Sea and from Puerto Cabello." The occurrence of an Ophioderma in the Red Sea, whether identical with one from Natal or not, would seem to be worthy of more than this scant, passing notice, and surely \ve might have been informed a little more particularly as to the grounds on which specimens from Venezuela, the Red Sea and Natal are regarded as identical. It is certainly a unique distribution. Accord- ing to Miiller and Troschel, the Natal species is very well character- ized, and it is much to my regret that I find no specimens in the PIETER FAURE collection. OPHIOLEPIDIDAE. This large, cosmopolitan family is well represented in South African waters, by a small but diversilied group of species, belong- ing to seven genera, three of which are of worldwide distribution, one is a distinctly Indo-Paciiic littoral group, and the others are deep water genera of whose actual range our knowledge is still incomplete. Only one of the species here included is new to science, but the occurrence of two specimens of the extraordinary genus Astrophiura is of no less interest, though the genus had already been reported from the Agulhas Bank. The following key shows the diagnostic characters of the eleven species here listed. Key to the South African Species of Ophiolepididae. Side arm-plates of one or more basal arm -segments greatly extended laterally so as to meet corresponding plates of adjoining arms, or prevented from that only by the genital plates. Basal arm-segments with their side-plates in contact all around the true disk area ........ Astrophiura cavellae. Basal segments of adjoining arms separated by genital plates Ophiomisidium pulchelhim. Side arm-plates of basal arm-segmeuts not extraordinarily widened. Tentacle-scales on second oral and first arm-pores numerous (5 15). Radial shields at margin of disk, in contact with basal upper arm-plates ; upper ends of genital plates not extending above dorsal surface of arms. Arm-spines minute, peg-like. 354 Annals of the South African Museum. Arm-spines 2 or 3, close together near middle or on lower half of side arm-plate; upper arm-plates pentagonal, in contact, be- coming rhombic and finally triangular and distally well separated Ophiura costata. Arm spines 3, the uppermost near top of side arm-plate, widely separated from the other two; upper arm-plates tetragonal, broadly in contact, distally elongated and finally somewhat sep- arated ..... Ophiura irrorata. Arm-spines 3, moderately long, the uppermost longest and equalling or exceeding an arm-segment. Arm-spines wide and flat; radial shields small; upper arm- plates, tetragonal, broadly in contact . Ophiura flagellata. Arm-spines acicular; radial shields large; upper arm-plates (except basal) oval, becoming elongated, little or not at all in contact ..... Ophiura trimeni. Radial shields pushed back from margin of disk and separated from basal upper arm-plates by two closely united, small, swollen plates, which lie between the considerably elevated upper ends of the genital plates; a secondary arm-comb of minute papillae lies on the outer side of each of these swollen plates . . . Dictenophiura anoidea. Tentacle-scales on second oral and basal arm-pores few, usually 1 or 2 but in Ophioplocus sometimes 4 or 5. Upper arm-plates single and unbroken. Upper arm-plates large and broadly in contact. Oral shields distinctly longer than wide; primary plates of disk and two similarly large plates in each interradius conspicuous, each surrounded by a distinct belt of smaller scales Ophiocten amitinum. Oral shields distinctly wider than long; disk plates thin, and rather indistinct, tho the primary plates are often quite evident Ophiocten pacificum. Upper arm-plates very small and widely separated Ophiomusium lymani. Upper arm-plates broken into half a dozen or more pieces, more or less symmetrically arranged . . . Ophioplocus imbricatus. ASTROPHIURA CAVELLAE. Koehler, 1915. Bull. Inst. Ocean., no. 311, p. 1, figs. 1-6. It was with great pleasure that I found in the PIETER FAURE collection, two specimens of Astrophiura in very fine condition. The first example of this remarkable genus was collected on the shores of Madagascar and was described by Sladen in 1879, as A. permira. (This date has been published by Koehler as 1870 and by Matsu- moto as 1878; the former is probably a typographical error while the latter is due to a preliminary notice of Sladen's not sufficient to establish the species). In 1898, the VALDIVIA collected a species The Echinoderm Fauna of South Africa. 355 of Astrophiura on the Agulhas Bank, off the coast of Cape Colony in 175 fms. ; 5 specimens were taken, one of which was figured, but not named or described, by Chun (1900, Aus den Tiefen des Weltineeres, p. 488). In 1913, Matsumoto was so fortunate as to be able to describe as a new species, a fine specimen of Astrophiura from Okinose, a submarine bank in the Sag-ami Sea, Japan. Finally Koehler in 1915 (I. c.) gave full descriptions of the five specimens taken by the VALDIVIA, which he considered different from both the Madagascar species and the Japanese. Matsumoto (1917, Mon. Jap. Oph., pp. 245-246) fails to realize that it is Chun's specimens upon which Koehler's species is based and hence he writes as though there were four species of Astrophiura known. There is no doubt that the Japanese species (A. kawamurai) is a well-marked form ; it needs no further discussion here. But when one begins to compare the South African and Madagascar species, difficulties arise. In the first place, there is but one specimen known of the latter (per in Ira') and it is obvious from Sladen's figures that it is either an aberrant individual or the dorsal surface has been injured and more or less regenerated. In the second place, no two of the five specimens of cavellae are exactly alike in the arrangement of their dorsal plates. It is true that no one of them agrees with permira but it is hard to see that they differ more from that species than they do from each other. In the third place, the two specimens in the PIETER FAURE collection, measuring 9 and 10 mm. in diameter of entire body, agree closely with each other but differ from both permira and cavellae in certain particulars, although they were taken very near the type-locality of cavellae. Both specimens have large tubercles on the five largest radial plates, and a central cluster of five erect, peg-like spinelets or tubercles crowded at the center of the centrodorsal plate ; the height of these is about one-half the radius of the centrodorsal. No such cluster is recorded for any specimen of Astrophiura as yet described. Again the first circle of plates surrounding the centrodorsal is made up, not of five plates as in typical cavellae, but of ten nearly equal plates, arranged in five radial pairs; there is a minute tubercle, at the center of more than half these plates. One of Koehler's spec- imens had ten plates in this first series but these were very une- qual and so arranged as to give three large plates in each inter- radial series, besides the extramarginal triangle. In one of the PIETER FAURE specimens, there are three such plates in one interra- dins but this is due to the horizontal division of what is typically the uppermost interradial. There is no trace of a tubercle on the 356 Annals of the South African Museum. extrumarginal triangle, but the other interradials may have a tuber- cle more or less well developed or may entirely lack it. The same is true of the upper arm-plates. In view of this diversity in the arrangement, form and appearance of the dorsal plates, I am very sceptical as to there being any true specific distinction between cavellae and permira. It would be per- fectly possible to consider the PIETER FAURE specimens representa- tives of an undescribed species, marked by the central cluster of spinelets and the circle of ten equal plates around the centrodorsal, but in view of the locality where they were taken and the diversity shown by the VALDIVIA specimens, I think they must be considered cavellae. I have compared them carefully with Sladen's description and figures and should have called them permira without hesitation had cavellae never been described. Koehler lays stress on the absence of oral shields in permira but, after examination of these specimens before me, I think this is only a matter of interpretation of the plate present in each adoral angle of each oral interbrachial area. One of these is fairly well marked and we are all agreed in calling it the madreporite, while the other four, as shown by Koehler's own figures, are more or less ill-defined. In the type of permira, they were so ill-defined that Sladen (1879, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. (5), vol. 4, p. 405) did not recognize their homology ; if the lowest one in his fig. 5 were treated by the artist as the madreporite is, the homology would be obvious! I therefore believe cavellae and permira will prove to be synonyms, but until more material is available, I prefer to let the South African Astropkiura continue to bear the honoured name, cavellae. As regards the position of Astrophiura in the system, I agree with Matsumoto in considering it only a highly specialized member of the Ophiolepididae, and not in any sense a primitive or annectent form. Sladen was carried away by the novelty of that original specimen ! P.F. 1909. Cape St. Blaize, N. by E. V* E., 67 miles, 90-100 fms. Rough bottom. 2 specimens; adult. OPHIOMISIDIUM PULCHELLUM. Ophiomusium pulchellum Wyville Thomson; 1877, The Atlantic, vol. 2, p. 67. Lyman, 1882. CHALLENGER Oph., pi. Ill, figs. 1-3. Ophiomisidium pulchellunt Koehler, 1914. Bull. 84 U. S. N. M., p. 32. It is quite natural to find this interesting little brittle-star in the collection, but it is particularly noteworthy that it was taken with Echinoderm Fauna of South Africa. 357 AstropMura and at no other station. The specimens are 3 to 4-5 nun. in disk diameter and show no trace of genital slits. P.F. 1909. Cape St. Blaize, N. by E. V 4 E., 07 miles, 90-100 fins. Rough bottom. 4 specimens ; adult and young. OPHIURA COSTATA. Ophioglyphu costata Lyman, 1878. Bull. M. C. Z., vol. 5, p. 7(3; pi. IV, figs. 92-94. OjtJihtra costata Meissner, 1901. Bronn's Thierreichs, vol. 2, pt. 3, p. 925. Ophtozona capensis Bell, 1905. Mar. Inv. South Africa, vol. 3, p. 256 ; pi. I, figs. 1, 2. Matsumoto (1915, Proc. Philadelphia Acad. Nat. Sci., p. 81) first called attention to the fact that Bell's Ophiozona capensis was an Ophiura. The M. C. Z. contains two cotypes of Bell's species received from the British Museum in exchange. On examining them in con- nection with the PIETER FAURE collection, I was struck by their resemblance to Ophiura costata and comparison with a cotype of that species proves them to be identical. Bell's figure does not show the arm-comb well and Matsumoto was misled into supposing it was made up of spiniform papillae, whereas the comb-papillae are really blunt, flat and very closely crowded together. It is curious that Bell should have considered the species an Ophiozona, for it is a very typical example of the irrorata-gfoup of Ophiura. It seems to be fairly common in the vicinity of the Cape of Good Hope but is not as yet known from anywhere else. The PIETER FAURE specimens range from 5 to 22 mm. in disk-diameter and show some interesting growth changes. The smallest has the disk covered by 51 plates, of which the radial shields, which are in contact at their middle, are largest, and the centrodorsal and 5 primary radials are conspicuous ; a second radial and two interradials, one of which is marginal, are the only other large plates. The first two upper arm-plates lie be- tween the distal ends of the radial shields; the third is the largest and widest of all, more than twice as wide as long ; the fourth is pentagonal, as wide as long, in contact with the third: the fifth is triangular and barely touches the fourth while the remaining plates, all small and triangular, are widely separated. The comb-papillae are not essentially different from those of the adult but they are relatively thicker and rather less truncate. The oral surface shows */ only very slight differences from what is to be seen in adults; the under arm-plates are all well separated and the greater part of each interbrachial area outside of the oral shield is occupied by a single 358 Annals of the South African Museum. large plate; the proximal end of the jaws is not at all elevated or swollen as it is so noticeably in adults. There are only 2 arm-spines on each side of three or four basal arm segments. A specimen 7 mm. across the .disk differs from this one chiefly in the complete separa- tion of the radial shields, between which the distal radial plate and the first upper arm-plate are in broad contact. One may now count more than 75 disk plates but the additional ones are small triangular scales, intercalated between the angles of the larger plates. Later growth changes consist chiefly in the multiplication of these secondary disk plates and in the increased size, especially width, of the basal upper arm-plates, of which as many as 25 are in contact in large adults. P.F. 461 A. Off Cape of ' Good Hope, 34 38' S. x 18 33' E., 110 fms. Bottom? 1 specimen; young. P.F. 2216. Lion's Head, E. 18 miles, 104 fms. Blk. spcs, and r. 5 specimens; adult and young. P.F. 2714. Vasco de Gama Peak, N. 10 E., 13 miles, 85 fms. Dk. gn. s. 9 specimens; adult and young. P.F. 2766. Vasco de Gama Peak, N. 40 E., 13 miles, 120 fms. R. 1 specimen; young. P.F. 2798. Vasco de Gama Peak, N. 71 E., 18 miles, 230 fms. Stns. 1 specimen; adult. Bathymetrical range, 85-230 fms. OPHIURA IRRORATA. Oplnoglypha irrorata Lyman, 1878. Bull. M. C. Z., vol. 5, p. 73; pi. IV, figs. 106-108. OpTiiura irrorata Meissner, 1901. Bronn's Thierreichs, vol. 2, pt. 3, p. 925. This characteristic species from the abyssal fauna is represented in the PIETER FAURE collection by a good series of 21 specimens, ranging from 6 to 27 mm. in disk-diameter; the arms are broken in every case, usually proximal to the middle. The only growth- changes of importance shown are in the upper and under arm-plates, for in the smallest, as in the largest specimen, the primary disk- plates are obvious but separated by numerous, less well-defined, more or less overlapping plates, and the upper arm-spine is near the top of the side arm-plate widely spaced from the other two. This arrangement of the little peg-like arm-spines is one of the best and most invariable specific characters at any age. In the smallest specimen, only a few basal upper arm-plates are in contact, and only the first two are tetragonal and wider than long. In older specimens, more of the basal upper arm-plates are wider than long The Echinoderm Fauna of South Africa. 359 and are broadly in contact, until we reach the condition of the largest adult at hand where all the arm-plates present (every arm is broken) are broadly tetragonal and very fully in contact, tho the more distal are markedly wider distally than prnxinially. The first under arm-plate of the smallest specimen is relatively large, much wider than long, somewhat heptagonal, in contact with the adoral plate on either side and with the second under arm-plate distally; the latter is considerably larger still, tetragonal with the convex distal side longest and the straight proximal side much the shortest; it is about as wide as long and is separated from the third under arm-plate by the side arm-plates; the third plate is similar to the first in size and shape: the fourth is similar but smaller; the fifth and subsequent plates are small, much wider than long, with a straight proximal side, strongly convex distally and with the lateral angles more or less truncated ; the under arm-plates, except the first two or three, are broadly separated from each other. With increasing- size, the basal under arm-plates become bigger and tend to be more and more in contact with each other, until the condition shown by the largest adult is reached where the first eight plates are in contact, and plates 2 and 3 are particularly large and conspicuous. P.F. 16905. Cape Point, N.E. by E. V* E., 40 miles, 800-900 fms. Gn. m. 4 specimens; young. P.F. 16991. Cape Point, N.E. by E. V 2 E., 43 miles, 900 fms. Gn. m. 4 specimens; adult and young. P.F. 17268. Cape Point, E. 3 A, N., 42 miles, 930 fms. Gn. m. 1 specimen ; young. P.F. 17330. Cape Point, N. 86 E., 43 miles, 900-1000 fms. Grey m. 11 specimens; young. P.F. 17351. Cape Point, N. 86 E., 43 miles, 900-1000 fms. Grey m. 1 specimen; young. OPHIURA FLAGELLATA. Ophioglypha flagellata Lyman, 1878. Bull. M. C. Z., vol. 5, p. 69; 'pi. II, figs. 49-51. Ophiwa flagellata Meissner, 1901 . Bronn's Thierreichs, vol. 2, pt. 3, p. 925. The specimens in the PIETER FAURE collection are all young (7'5-14 mm. in disk-diameter) and all have the disk fully covered with scales. As most of the arm-spines are broken, the correct identification of the specimens was not at first suspected. They agree well however with specimens of similar size from Japan. The species has been reported from both the southern Atlantic and the Indian 360 . Annals of the South African Museum. Ocean as well as the Pacific and has a very wide bathymetrical, as well as geographical, range. P.F. 17182. Cape Point, E. 3 / 4 N., 38 miles, 630 fms. Gn. m. 1 specimen; young. P.F. 17330* Cape Point, N. 86 E., 43 miles, 900-1000 fms. Grey m. 7 specimens; young. P.F. 17631. Cape Point, N. 81 E., 32 miles, 460 fms. Gn. in. 1 specimen; young. OPHIURA TRIMENI. Bell, 1905. Mar. Inv. South Africa, vol. 3, p. 257; pi. I, figs. 3, 4. Bell's description is obviously quite inadequate but his figures show the specific characters very well. The elongated oval, widely separated upper arm-plates is the best specific character, taken in connection with the large radial shields and long, slender arm- spines. The series in the present collection is a very fine one, consisting of 265 specimens, ranging from 2-75 mm. to 10 mm. in disk diameter, and taken at eleven different places. They have been compared with two of Bell's cotypes so there is no doubt of the identification. P.F. 2146. Lion's Head, S. 72 E., 47 miles, 190 fms. Gn. s., blk. sps. 9 specimens; adult. P.F. 2289. Lion's Head, N. 67 E., 25 miles, 131-136 fms. Blk. sps. 39 specimens; adult. P.F. 2302 A. Lion's Head, N. 67 E., 25 miles, 131-136 fms. Blk. sps. 4 specimens; adult. P.F. 2386. Lion's Head, N. 76 E., 28 miles, 140 fms. Blk. sps. 3 specimens; adult. P.F. 2530. Lion's Head, N. 63 E., 34 miles, 154 fms. Blk. sps. 6 specimens; adult. P.F. 6015. Cape Point, S. 83 E., 35 miles, 360 fms. Blk. sps. 5 specimens ; adult and young. P.F. 14559. Cape Point, N. 50' E., 18 miles, 180 fms. Gn. s., blk. sps. 2 specimens; adult. P.F. 14566. Cape Point, N. 50 E., 18 miles, 180 fms. Gn. s., blk. sps. 2 specimens; adult. P.F. 15038. Lion's Head, S.E. V 4 E., 50 miles, 230 fms. Gn. s. 175 specimens; adult and young. P.F. 16905. Cape Point, N.E. by E. '/* E., 40 miles, 800-900 fms. Gn. m. 1 specimen; adult. The Echinoderm Fauna of South Africa. 361 P.F. 18933. Southeast from Cape Agulhas, 3640'S. X 2126'E., C 200 fms. Gn. s. 19 specimens; adult and young. Bathymetrical range, 131-900 fms. DICTENOPHIURA * ANOiDEA **, gen. et sp. nov. Plate XIX. Figs. 1, 2. Disk 6-25 mm. in diameter; arms, 15 mrn. long; arms about two and a half times disk-diameter. Disk Hat, but thick and elevated above arm-bases, its thickness one-fourth to one third of its dia- meter; there is an indistinct line between the scaling of its top and that of the interbrachial sides; the latter are each covered by about eight scales while the former is occupied by the six primary plates, a radial plate between the proximal ends of each pair of radial shields a proximal and a distal plate in each interradius, rather numerous small triangular plates intercalated among the larger ones, and the live pairs of large radial shields, the distal halves of which are in full contact; these plates are all, thick, smooth, and often shining. Genital plates large and conspicuous, the curved rounded upper end abutting on the outer corner of each radial shield, its breadth about one-third that of the shield. Between the upper ends of the genital plates of any one radius are a pair of closely united, almost soldered, thick, high plates, which effectively separate the radial shields from the arrnplates, as well as the genital plates from each other. On the outer side of each of these thickened plates is a secondary arm-comb of very line papillae, lying just underneath and within the true armcomb. Papillae of latter, 15-20, spiniform and well-spaced, but short and blunt. Arms more than a millimeter broad at base, where they are a little flattened, but only half as wide at the twelfth segment where they are nearly cylindrical. Upper arm-plates not at all swollen, the distal ones quite Hat; first plate very short and wide; second much larger, 3 or 4 times as wide as long, extending across the full width of the arm; third, narrower and longer; each succeeding plate becomes narrower, especially proximally so that the sixth and subsequent plates are quite triangular ; basal plates in contact but beyond the sixth or seventh plate, they are well separated. * 4 it; = double + xrfi? (root, xctv-) comb -f- ophmra, in reference to the double arm-comb between the elevated ends of the genital plates. The type of the genus is Ophiura carnea Liitken. The only other species are Ophioglypha stellata Studer and the new South African one about to be described. ** "A privative -\- oiJVo? swollen, in reference to the upper arm plates, which are flat and not swollen as in D. carnea. 362 Annals of the South African Museum. Interbrachial areas below covered by the very large, elongated oral shields and about ten small plates like those on the sides of the areas; each oral shield is about 1 '5-1 '75 mm. long by 1 mm. wide; the distal margin is well rounded, the lateral margins are more or less indented by the genital slits and the inner angle is quite acute. Adoral plates narrow, meeting within, distinctly longer than inner margins of oral shield. Oral plates distinct, proximally elevated or swollen. Oral papillae, 3 on a side and one at apex of jaw, the distalmost very wide but low. Second oral tentacle pores opening entirely outside mouth slit, guarded by about 5 scales on one side and 4 on the other. First under arm-plate very large, tetragonal but much wider without than within, in contact with distal end of adoral plate on each side; second plate widely separat- ed from it, small, triangular; succeeding plates small and widely separated, much wider than long, somewhat pentagonal with a proximal angle and a convex distal margin. Side arm-plates very large, broadly in contact below, and, beyond the basal seven or eight segments, above; each carries 3 well-spaced, blunt cylindrical arm-spines; these are subequal or the uppermost is longest and at base of arm are nearly equal to a segment but distally they barely equal half a segment. Basal tentacle-pores large but rapidly decreas- ing in size; the first has 3 (or 2) scales on one side and 2 on the other; the second and third have one on each side, but after that there is only a single tentacle-scale to each pore. - Colour, nearly or quite white ; colour in life unknown. P.F. 545. Algoa Bay, 33 54' S. x 25 53' E., 31 fms. Fne. s. 12 specimens; young. P.F. 599. Algoa Bay, 33 49' S. X 25 56' E., depth and bottom? 4 specimens; young. P.F. 3076. False Bay, Cape Colony, 22 fms. S., sh. 7 spec- imens; adult. P.F. 7099. Cape Infanta, N.E. by N. '/, N., 13 miles, 43 fms. Gal. s., few blk. sps. 7 specimens; adult and young. P.F. 13194. Cove Rock, N.W. by N., 6 miles, 43 fms. Brk. sh., r. 1 specimen; young. P.F. 13240. Cove Rock, N. 3 / 4 E., 5 miles, 43 fms. St., brk. sh. 20 specimens; adult. P.F. 13576. Stalwart Point, N.N.W., 9 miles, 53 fms. S., sh. 10 specimens; adult and young. P.F. 13732. Great Fish Point, N. by W., 7 miles, 49 fms. S., sh. 40 specimens ; adult and young. The Echinoderin Fauna of South Africa. 363 P.F. 16231. False Bay, Cape Colony, 22 fins. Brk. sh. 2 spec- imens ; adult. Bathymetrical range, 22-43 fms. Holotype, South African Museum no. A 6438. P.F. 16231. This pretty little brittle-star is nearer to carnea of Northern Euro- pean seas than it is to stellata of the East Indian region. All three species agree, as Koehler many years ago pointed out in respect to carnea and stellata (1898, Bull. Sci., vol. 31, p. 62), in the possession of the pair of peculiar swollen plates between the upper ends of the genital plates, and this is so characteristic and so obvious a feature, that it seems to be worthy of generic recognition, especially asso- ciated as it is, with a flat, elevated disk and short, stout flattened arms with small upper and under arm-plates. The differences be- tween carnea and anoidea are not very important but are perfectly obvious. In the first place, the upper arm-plates of carnea are distinctly swollen, while those of anoidea are flat; the disk-plates of the European species are much more numerous (comparing specimens of the same size) than in the South African form ; in the latter the arm-spines of the basal arm-segments are about twice as long as those of carnea; and finally the under arm-plates of anoidea are smaller and less conspicuous than those of the northern species. In a certain sense these differences show that anoidea is intermediate between carnea and stellata in structure, as it is geographically. OPHIOCTEN AMITINUM. Lyman, 1878. Bull. M. C. Z., vol. 5, p. 100; pi. V, figs. 129, 130. The specimens in the PIETER FAURE collection resemble closely those taken by the CHALLENGER, with which I have compared them, except that there is little or no indication of papillae on the distal margins of the basal upper arm-plates. These papillae however are not so well marked in all the CHALLENGER specimens as Lyman's figure suggests and I do not think their absence in the specimens before me is due to anything more than individual diversity. The disk-diameter of these specimens ranges from 3 to 7 mm. Several of the specimens from off the Glendower Beacon were parasitized by a nematode worm several centimeters in length, lying coiled within the disk. These worms have been sent to Professor H. B. WARD of the University of Illinois for- study. P.F. 13721. Great Fish Point, N. by W. 3 / 4 W., 17 miles, 100 fms. S., sh., st. 11 specimens; adult and young. 364 Annals of the South African Museum. P.F. 13859. Glendower Beacon, N. '/-, \V., 21 miles. 100 fms. Sh., st. 37 specimens; adult and young. P.F. 13884. Nanquas Peak, N.W. '/ 4 N., 15 miles, 49 fms. Si, blk. sps. 1 specimen; adult. OPHIOCTEN PACIFICUM. Lutken and Mortensen, 1899. Mem. M. C. Z., vol. 23, p. 131 ; pi. Ill, figs. 5-7. These specimens agree well not only with the description and figures of Lutken and Mortensen, but with numerous specimens of jjacifkum from the eastern Pacific and from Japan. They are pec- uliar in the complete absence of spinelets on the basal upper arm- plates and in the great reduction of the arm-comb. But as none are really in good condition, too much stress must not be laid on such negative characters. The specimens measure 6-12 mm. across the disk, and the arms are all broken, usually quite near the disk. The species seems to be abyssal only, in this region, as elsewhere. P.F. 16905. Cape Point, N.E. by E. Vi E., 40 miles, 800-900 fms. Gn. in. 9 specimens; adult. P.F. 17330. Cape Point, N. 86 E., 43 miles. 900-1000 fms. Grey m. 7 specimens; adult, P.F. 17351. Cape Point, N. 86 E., 43 miles, 900-1000 fms. Grey in. 4 specimens; adult and young. OPHIOMUSIUM LYMANI. Wyville Thomson, 1873. Depths of the Sea, p. 172; figs. 32, 33. This is another deep water species, of very wide distribution. The specimens at hand range from 5 to 24 mm. in disk-diameter. The large specimens are very closely tuberculated, even on the radial shields, while the young specimens are much smoother. P.F. 16758. Cape Point, N.E. by E. V 4 E., 38 miles, 755 fms. Gn. m. 1 specimen; young. P.F. 16905. Cape Point, N.E. by E. V 4 E., 40 miles, 800-900 fms. Gn. m. 2 specimens; young. P.F. 16928 B. Cape Point, N.E. by E. Vi E., 40 miles, 800-900 fms. Gn. m. 3 specimens; adult and young. P.F. 17268. Cape Point, E. 3 / 4 N., 42 miles, 930 fms. Gn. m. 2 specimens; young. The Echinoderm Fauna of South Africa. :!<>,""> * OPHIOPLOCUS IMBRICATUS. Ophiolepis imbricata Miiller and Troschel, 1842. Syst. Ast., p. 93. Ophioplocus imbricatus Lyman, 1861. Proc. Boston Soc. Nat. Hist., vol. 8, p. 76, footnote. Herklots, 1869. Echinod. peintes d'apres Nature, pi. V, fig. 1. This tropical littoral brittle-star is recorded from Mozambique by Bell, but is not in the present collection. OPHIOLEUCIDAE. So far as we as yet know, this small family is represented in South African waters only by a single species, and that an abys- sal form. OPHIERNUS VALLINCOLA. Lyman, 1878. Bull. M. C. Z., vol. 5, p. 122; pi. VI, figs. 170-172. There is a fine series of this species in the present collection, ranging from 5'5 to 16 mm. across the disk, with arms 6-7 times as much. They show little diversity, among themselves, all having the small nearly circular radial shields and the naked disk skin characteristic of the species. P.F. 16730. Cape Point, N.E. by E. '/< E., 38 miles, 755 fins. Gn. m. 1 specimen; adult. P.F. 16781. Cape Point, N.E. by E., 36 miles, 650-700 fins. Gn. m. 4 specimens; adult and young. P.F. 17183. Cape Point, E. 3 / 4 N., 38 miles, 630 fms. Gn. m. 17 specimens; adult and young. P.F. 17303. Cape Point, E. 3 / 4 N., 41 miles, 890 fms. Gn. in. 1 specimen ; adult. P.F. 17-411. Cape Point, E. V 2 N -, 34 miles, 500-550 fms. Gn. m. 3 specimens; adult. P.F. 17433. Cape Point, N. 89^ E., 36 miles, 700 fms. Bottom? 4 specimens; adult and young. P.F. 17440. Cape Point, N. 89 E., 36 miles, 700 fms. Bottom? 2 specimens; adult. P.F. 17631. Cape Point, N. 81 E., 32 miles, 460 fms. Gn. in. 9 specimens ; adult. Bathymetrical range, 460-890 fms. 24 366 Annals of tlie South African Museum. SEA-URCHINS. ECHINOIDEA. Sea-urchins form a proportionately large part of the South Afri- can echinoderm fauna, for while the brittle-stars of the region are only about four per cent of the known species, the echini are nearly ten per cent of the known forms. This is in keeping with the results from the THETIS and ENDEAVOUR collections, about southern Australia, which show that Echini form a relatively large propor- tion of the echinoderms of that region. The fact as regards South Africa may be expressed in this way: that, whereas echini make up only about eleven per cent of the echinoderm fauna of the world, in South African waters, they make up more than twenty per cent of the echinoderm fauna as now known. And yet, cu- riously enough, south of Mozambique, not more than two or three sea-urchins are known to occur along shore, and only Pareckinus angulosH* is at all common on the Cape Colony coast. Doderlein, in his list mentioned previously (see p. 2212), gives 25 species of Echini as occuring in water under 278 fins., but one of these (Protocentrotns annuldtus) is synonymous with another (Pare- cliinus angulatus) and one (Temnoplearus reevesi) is not accepted for this report (see p. ). The collection from the South African Museum contains 240 specimens of 30 species, (3 apparently new to science) of which only 13 are in Doderlein's list. There are howe- ver 2 species hitherto known from Mozambique and 1 from Natal, and a deep water species from 46 miles off Cape Point, which were not included by Doderlein in his list and are not in the collection before me, so that 44 species are included in the present report. Of these 44 species, 23 are truly littoral, occurring in water less than 20 fms. deep, while only 4 are strictly abyssal, living nor- mally beyond the 600 fms. mark. Of the remaining species 16 are continental and one (Spatagobrissus) is either littoral or continental but its exact habitat is unknown. Of the 23 species known to be littoral, only 2 are endemic, a surprisingly small proportion. Of the remaining 21 species, 6 are characteristic of the western Indian Ocean, while 13 are widely distributed Indo-Pacific forms; one of the remaining two has been known hitherto only from Liberia, while the other is cosmopolitan. None of the littoral species is known from either South America or the southern coasts of Australia. It is noteworthy that 8 of the 23 littoral echini are not known from south of Mozambique and there The Echinoderm Fauna of South Africa. 367 are three or four others, which are possibly only stragglers south of that point. Of the 17 continental echini, we find that there are 11 which are endemic. This includes Spatagobrissus and one other species hitherto undescribed. Of the 6 species not endemic, only two are Indo-Pacific, one is distinctly southern, occurring oil the coasts of both southern South America and southeastern Australia, one is West Indian and tw^o are well-known North Atlantic forms. It ought to be added further that of the 11 endemic species, no fewer than 7 are nearly allied to north Atlantic or West Indian species. It is quite clear then that a very large proportion of the continental Echini of South Africa came from the west rather than from the east. Of the 4 abyssal echini, one is endemic, one is distinctly antarc- tic (in deep water), one is North Atlantic and one is cosmopolitan. We may conclude then that the South African echinoid fauna contains three distinct elements at least. First, an important Indian and Indo-Pacific element which makes up most of the littoral group. Many of these species do not occur south of Durban and a con- siderable number are only stragglers south of the vicinity of Mozam- bique. Only two are endemic and one of these is a persistent relict of a group, geologically very old. A second element in the South African fauna is from the North Atlantic and the W T est Indian region. This makes up nearly the whole of the continental fauna, and has one representative in the littoral and one in the abyssal group. Many of the continental forms have become sufficiently differentiated to be specifically distinguishable from their nearest allies but there is little doubt .of their original stock. The third element in the fauna is austral and is relatively insignificant, being- represented by only one abyssal and one continental species. The echini therefore add to the weight of evidence that the South Afri- can echinoderm fauna has received its littoral element from the east and its continental element from the w^est. The 44 species of sea-urchins here listed belong to no fewer than 21 families. The Palaeopneustid/n* before me, 380 Annals of the South African Museum. the bare interambulacral area, including the distal half of the genital plate is brown, with 9 or 10 transverse, irregular bars of violet (with little indication of blue), of which the lowest are bright- est and those near the genital plate are faintest; along each margin of the area is a rather broad vertical white stripe, not at all sharply defined but quite evident; the ambulacra are red, as in floridanus. The abactinal, and even some of the actinal, secondaries of inter- ruptus are bright scarlet, but in floridanus they are commonly dirty white, though a few may be more or less red. The primary spines of floridanus, when full grown and uninjured are pale greenish at base, particularly the collar; on the actinal side beyond the collar they are shining, pure white; abactinally the greenish passes more or less rapidly but not abruptly into brilliant scarlet-red ; if the spines are very long, the red becomes discon- tinuous distally so that the extreme terminal part of the spine abactinally is pale greenish with well-separated scarlet cross-bands or spots. In some specimens, there is little red and it is nearly all confined to the abactinal surface of the middle third of the spine. More commonly however the red extends even to the collar and sometimes the collar itself is more or less red. But in any case the red is a more or less vivid scarlet. In interruptus on the other hand, the collar of the full-grown spines is usually greenish proximally and underneath but distally, at least on the abactinal ridge, it becomes dull purplish-red and this colour occupies the upper surface of most of the spine; distally it becomes redder and less purple and at the tip of certain spines, especially those that are regenerating, we find red spots on a greenish-ground, very similar to those found in floridanus. The under surface of the pri- maries is always more or less shining white. The amount of red on the spines shows considerably diversity but in any case, it is (except for occasional distal spots as noted) a very purplish red quite unlike the fine scarlet of floridanus. As a result of the colour dillerences interruptus, viewed as a whole, looks quite unlike any specimen of floridanus I have ever seen, and is even more different from the other Recent species of the genus. Aside from the colour differences, interruptus differs from florida- nus in the greater stoutness of the primary spines and in the ophi- cephalous pedicellariae. While the thickness of the basal part of the largest primaries in the West Indian species is about 2 mm. or, say, about 2 percent of the whole length, in the African form it is 3'5 mm. or about 4-5 per cent of the length. The ophicephalous pedicellariae in both species have stalks about 4 mm. long and The Ecliinoderm Fauna of South Africa. 381 valves -40--50 mm., not including the loops, hut in florid anus, the stalks are at hase about - 1 JO nun. thick and the blades of the valves are in width '60 of the valve-length, while in interruptus, the stalks are '30 mm. or more in thickness at base and the width of the blades is only about '45 of the valve-length. The PIETER FAURE specimen of interruptus agrees well with the VALDIVIA specimen in all the proportions of the test; the primary spines seem however to have been relatively much shorter, for, though all are now broken, it is practically certain none of them were ever 100 mm. long. Koehler (1908, Trans. Roy. Soc. Edinburgh, vol. 4(3, p. 641) records a specimen of Coeloplwms from Ascension, which he says had ophi- cephalous pedicellariae like those of the VALDIVIA specimen. As the pedicellariae of floridanus had not then been figured, Koehler could not have told whether the Ascension specimen is really nearer to interruptus than to floridanus, and he very naturally noted the resem- blance to the form, of which the pedicellariae had been figured. It is very desirable to secure more material from near Ascension and see whether the Coelopleurus living there is the West Indian, the South African or an undescribed species. P.F. 18707. Algoa Bay, Cape Colony, 30 fms. [ specimen; fine adult. TEMNOPLEURIDAE. The occurence of this family along the southern shore of Africa is only that of a straggling interloper. It is not represented in the PIETER FAURE collections and there are but three specimens in the series sent me from the S. A. Museum. One of these represents a well-known species of Salmacis, which has hitherto been recorded from China and the Philippines in the east to the Red Sea and Mozambique on the west, while the other two belong to an equally well-known Temnopleurus with a similar range. Three other species of Temnopleurids are recorded from South Africa, all by Uoderlein (190(3) in his VALDIVIA Report; one is a second species of Temno- pleurus (reevesii) but the other two represent a deep-water section of the family. As regards the Temnopleurus, I am inclined to think there is some mistake, for there was only a single small specimen, and it was labelled as taken in 57 fms. about 70 miles southeast of Cape Agulhas. As Doderlein certainly knows the species of Temnopleurus, it seems unlikely that this can he a case of mista- ken identification. And yet, since reevesii is not otherwise known from east of Ceylon, I am loth to include it among South African 25 382 Annals of the South African Museum. echini. Until further evidence is forthcoming therefore I must con- sider the young echinoid taken by the VALDIVIA and recorded as reevesii, as a young toreumaticus, a species whose occurrence at Dela- goa Bay no longer admits of doubt. The four temnopleurids, whose occurrence, in the region covered by this report, is indisputable, may be distinguished from each other as follows: Key to tJie South African Species of Temnopleuridae. Size large, diameter 20 mm. or more; color not white; test more or less deeply sculptured. Spines more or less bright red .... Salmacis bicolor. Spines not at all red or reddish . . Temnopleurus toreumaticus. Size small, diameter usually much less than 20 mm.; color more or less white; test only superficially sculptured. Peristome with few plates proximal to buccal circle . Orechinus monolini. Peristome with membrane proximal to buccal circle, well-plated Lamprechinus nitidus. SALMACIS BICOLOR. L. Agassiz, 1841. Pref. Val. Anat. Ech., p. VIII. A. Agassiz, 1873, Rev. Ech., pi. VHIff, figs. 11, 12. This is a well-known sea-urchin of the western Indian Ocean and has long been known from Mozambique. A very good specimen in the South African Museum collection is labelled: "Durban. Jan. 1913. Low tide. K. H. Barnard." This is a notable extension of the known range of the species, which is one of the most beauti- fully coloured of sea-urchins. The bright red secondary spines form a good back-ground for the primaries banded with purple and green. The Durban specimen is somewhat subdued in colour as the secon- daries are brown-red and 'the test a dull light green, while most of the primaries are broken. In the Revision (Pt. 1, p. 156), Salmacis sulcata (= S. sphaeioi- des L.) is listed from Mozambique but it is probable that there is a mistake somewhere for the species is not otherwise known from the western part of the Indian Ocean. TEMNOPLEURUS TOREUMATICUS. Cidaris toreumatica Leske, 1778. Add. ad Klein, p. 155. Temnopleurus toreumaticus L. Agassiz, 1841. Int. Mon. Scut., p. 7. The occurrence of this characteristically Asiastic species at Delagoa Bay seemed to me so highly improbable that I have never credited The Ecliinoderm Fauna of South Africa. 383 the published record from that place (See Junod, 1899. Bull. Soc. Vaudoise, vol. 35, p. 281, footnote to an appendix to a list of insects!). But there are two specimens before me from Delagoa Bay which were sent to the South African Museum for identification. There is no room for doubt that they are toreumaticus ; hence Junod's identi- fication and record are vindicated. The larger is 38 nun. in diameter and is notable for the long, slender primary spines, those at the ambitus being 24-26 mm. in length; they are distinctly banded on the distal half. The other specimen is only 26 mm. in diameter and the longest primary spines are only 10-12 mm. long; moreover very few of the spines show any indication of banding, and those only very faintly; one might well say the spines were unbanded. In this particular the specimen is very near reevesii but the abactinal system proves beyond question that it is toreumaticus. On the whole these two specimens are very similar to specimens of the same size from Japan. They are much less like those from the Persian Gulf. Whether this species is confined to Delagoa Bay remains to be seen. If such is the case, it may have been accidentally introduced in some way, possibly on a foul ship-bottom. * ORECHINUS MONOLINI. Trigonocidaris monolini A. Agassiz, 1879. Proc. Amer. Acad., vol. 14, p. 203. Orechinus monolini Doderlein, 1905. Zool. Anz., vol. 28, p. 622. 1906, VALDIVIA Ech., p. 196; pis. XXV, fig, 1; XXXV, fig. 6. The VALDIVIA took a single specimen of this East Indian species, with the following, southeast of Mossel Bay, in 276 fms. * LAMPRECHINUS NITIDUS. Doderlein, 1905. Zool. Anz., vol. 28, p. 622. 1906, VALDIVIA Ech., p. 190; pis. XXXIII, figs. 1, 2, XXXV, fig. 11. This little sea-urchin is known only from a single station, about a hundred miles southeast of Mossel Bay, Cape Colony in 276 fms. Two specimens were taken. I have little doubt it is identical with the preceeding species, the differences given by Doderlein seeming to be trivial and unreliable. ECHINIDAE. This large and widely distributed family is not extensively repre- sented in South Africa, for of the five species here listed two occur 38-4 Annah of the South African Museum. only in deep water and two of the others are tropical stragglers. The five species may be distinguished from each other as follows. Key to the South African Species of Echinidae. Ambulacral pores in regular arcs of 3 which may however be nearly horizontal. Height of test two-thirds of diameter or more, and may even greatly exceed it; peristome very small, only -15 -25 h. d.; color reddish, with slender red primaries ....... Echinus horridus. Height of test rarely three-fourths of diameter and usually little, if any, more than half; peristome moderate or large, "29 -50 of test diameter. Gill cuts shallow and not very sharply denned ; size moderate or small. Oculars all exsert; primary spines relatively few and conspicuously longer than the small, rather crowded secondaries ; coronal plates of specimens over 32 mm. h. d., only 15 17; color (of preserved spec- imens) whitish for both test and spines; deep water species Echinus gilchristi. Ocular I often insert; primary spines numerous, not much longer than the larger secondaries, which are not small and crowded ; coro- nal plates of specimens over 32 mm. h.d., 18 25; color very diver- sified but test at least never whitish; littoral species Parechinus angidosus. Gill cuts deep and sharply defined; size large Toxopneustes pileolus. Ambulacral pores in 3 vertical series, forming very broad poriferous areas Tripneustes gro,tilla. * ECHINUS HORRIDUS. A. Agassiz, 1879. Proc. Amer. Acad., vol. 14, p. 203. Doderlein, 1906, VALDIVIA Ech., p. 220; pi. XXVIII, figs. 1-lc. H.L.Clark, 1916, ENDEAVOUR Ech., p. 109; pis. XXXIX and XL. The VALDIVIA took what seems to be a half-grown specimen of this remarkable urchin in 276 fms. about one hundred miles south- east of Mossel Bay. The species is particularly notable for occurring on the continental slopes of South Africa, southern South America and southeastern Australia. The extra-ordinary vertical height which the adult may attain makes the species doubly remarkable. * ECHINUS GILCHRISTI. Bell, 1904. Mar. Inv. S. Afr., vol. 3, p. 170. Doderlein, 1906, VALDIVIA Ech., p. 213; pi. XXVI. It seems a little strange that the PIETER FAURE met with no further specimens of this species, as there is no specimen in the collection sent me. The full account and numerous figures given by Doderlein make the recognition of the species easy. It was listed The Ecliinoderm Fauna of South Africa. 385 by Bell from half a dozen stations of which five were in 85 fms. or less while one was at 660-700 fins. The VALDIVIA specimens came from three stations at 40-276 fms. The numerous and rather crowded secondary spines seem to be the main distinguishing feature of this /> liinus, when compared with the northern {. Tripneustes gratilla Loven, 1887. Ech. Linn., p. 77. This widely distributed Indo-Pacifie species has long been known from Zanzibar and Mozambique. In the present collection are two specimens, each somewhat more than half grown, and each with light coloured test and white spines. One was taken at Delagoa Bay, October 1912, by K. H. Barnard while the other bears the number P.F. 11862-C, showing it was taken in the harbour channel at Durban, 1-3-5 fms., on a bottom of sand and shells. STRONGYLOCENTROTIDAE. This is a northern family with few representatives south of the equator. One of these was discovered by the VALDIVIA on the con- tinental slope of South Africa and has been met with three times by the PIETER FATJRE but in very much deeper water than where the VALDIVIA specimens were taken. A second species, hitherto un- known to science, of notable size and appearance, has also been taken by- the PIETER FAURE. It belongs- to the same genus as the VALDIVIA'S species, the least specialized group of the family and the one nearest to Echinus. A third species, quite different from these two, has long since been recorded from South Africa, but its occur- rence there is doubtful. The three species are superficially quite unlike and are easily distinguished as follows. Key to the South African Species of Strongylocentrotidae. Ambitus well above equator; rock-boring species Echinostreplms molare. Ambitus at or below equator ; not rock-boring. Size small, up to 40 mm. horizontal diameter; height half diameter or less; peristome one-third to one-half diameter; no tridentate pedicellariae with long, straight, narrow jaws Faracentrotus agulhensis. Size large, up to 80 mm. h.d.; height from more than half to nearly two- thirds h.d.; peristome less than one-fourth h.d.; tridentate pedicellariae with straight narrow jaws, 12 mm. long, abundant Paracentrotus grandis. * ECHINOSTREPHUS MOLARE. Echinus molaris Blainville, 1825. Diet. Sci. Nat.: Oursin, p. 88. Echinostrephus molare A. Agassiz, 1872. Rev. Ech., pt. 1, p. 119. 1873, Rev. Ech., pt. 3, p. 457; pi. Vo, figs. 10-12. Mr. Agassiz lists this species from both Natal and the Cape of Good Hope, as well as from Mozambique. Its occurrence at 388 Annals of the South African Museum. bique is not unlikely but needs confirmation. The occurrence south of there seems unlikely. Mr. Agassi z's figures are of an Hawaiian Island specimen, which is now regarded as specifically distinct from the one found in the East Indies and Indian Ocean. PARACENTROTUS AGULHENSIS. Doderlein, 1905. Zool. Anz., vol. 28, p. 623. 1906, VALDIVIA Ech., p. 207; pis. XXVII, figs. 1-4; XXXV, fig. 17; XLVII, fig. 1. The PIETER FAURE specimens are all small but agree very well with a cotype in the M. C. Z. collection. They measure 6-22 mm. in horizontal diameter and only 2-75-9 mm. in height. They are uniformly whitish or light yellowish in colour. In the smallest specimen the ambulacra! plates, actinally and at midzone contain only three elements, while abactinally they are perfectly simple; the specimen is thus an Echinus, a most interesting growth-stage! The PIETER FAURE specimens are all from the abyssal region, while the VALDIVIA specimens were taken in much shallower water. P.F. 17215. Cape Point, Cape Colony, N. 77 E., distant?, 660- 700 fms. Gn. m. 3 specimens; adult and young. P.F. 17269. Cape Point, E. 3 / 4 N., 42 miles, 930 fms. Gn. in. 4 specimens; young. P.F. 17351. Cape Point, N. 83 E., 43 miles, 900-1000 fms. Grey m. 2 specimens; young. PARACENTROTUS GRANDIS, sp. nov. Plate XXII. Test 78 mm. in diameter and 48 mm, high; height therefore about -62 h. d. Coronal plates 18 or 19 in each column, all (or rarely, all but the uppermost) with primary tubercles and spines; interambulacral areas in midzone about 31 mm. wide; primary tubercles large, with shallow but sharply defined areolae, the dia- meter of which about equals height of plate. Ambulacral plates 21 or 22, the uppermost very rarely without a primary tubercle; ambulacra about 18 mm. wide in midzone, the interporiferous area about 10 mm.; poriferous areas not very narrow, the arcs of 4 large pore-pairs distinctly curved and not very near the outer margin of the plate; primary tubercles of ambulacra relatively large and con- spicuous without crenulation or perforation, of course; their areolae ill-defined, shallow and small, the diameter about -60--80 of height of plate. Abactinal system 16'5 mm. across; oculars rather small, '/7/c I'A'liinodenii I'^unut of Xottlli Africa. 389 pentagonal with distal side usually somewhat concave; ocular pore rather large, close to distal margin of plate; at center of each plate is a well-marked secondary tubercle and spine, proximal to which are several much smaller tubercles bearing miliary spines or pedicellariae ; all oculars much exsert; genitals large, wider than high, broadly in contact, pentagonal with proximal side concave; madreporite large somewhat swollen and very fully occupied by the pores; each genital plate bears 3-.") conspicuous secondary tubercles and spines on the proximal side, with a number of miliary tubercles about them; genital pores large-, close to distal angle of plate; both ocular and genital plates, aside from the pores and the sparse tubercles have a smooth and shining surface; anal system mm. across, not very thickly covered with minute plates; there is no conspicuous suranal but a plate, somewhat larger than the others, adjoins genital 3, near its juncture with 2, and may be interpreted as such ; there are no spinelets or pedicellariae on the periproct. Peristome only 17 mm. across and hence only '22 h. d.; it is cover- ed by a rather thick membrane in which are a considerable num- ber of scattered small plates, some of which bear pedicellariae; buccal plates not very large scarcely in contact with each other, crowded with ophicephalous podicellariae; gill cuts broad and shal- low, hardly recognizable. Primary spines all broken at tip. but it is evident that they were more than 20, but less than 30 mm. long; they are nearly 2 mm. in diameter at base ; the surface is very delicately striated with 30 or more parallel longitudinal furrows. Secondary spines 5-6 mm. long, about half a millimeter thick at base, relatively few and well scattered; on an interambulacral plate in the midzone there are 10-1-4, well-spaced; on adjoining ainbulacral plate, there are not more than 3 or 4. Miliary spines about 4 mm. long, about '20 mm. thick at base, tapering steadily towards tip but suddenly expanded there into a thick flat-topped head, some - 20 mm. in diameter. Pedicellariae abundant everywhere, on long stalks. The globi- ferous resemble closely those of P. agulhensis but are considerably larger, as the valves are often nearly a millimeter long. The ojilii- cepltalous too are like those of agulhensis but are somewhat larger. The tridentate are very numerous and very varied; some are like those of agulhensis with broad slightly curved valves, about - 50 mm. long, meeting only at tip; but most have straight, narrow valves 60-2-20 mm. long, somewhat expanded near tip and more or less in contact there. Colour of test white with a distinctly roseate tinge; all spines 390 Annals of the South African Museum. and pedicellariae, white ; muscles at base of spines and glands on globiferous pedicellariae, brown of lighter or darker shades, in more or less abrupt contrast; tubefeet pale brown. P.F. 19020. About 160 miles south of Cape Infanta, Cape Colony, 3649'S. X 2114'E., 560 fms. Gn. s. 2 specimens; adult. Holotype, South African Museum no. A 6452. The second specimen is similar to the holotype in nearly every particular, although it is somewhat smaller, measuring about 62 mm. in horizontal diameter; the peristome is less than 15 mm. across. It is however somewhat flatter as the vertical diameter is less than 34 mm., instead of 39 as it should be to show the same proportions as the holotype. This notable sea-urchin looks like an Echinus and it was a sur- prise to find the pairs of pores uniformly in arcs of four. The pores are large and conspicuous and well-removed from the margin of the plate. It is not inconceivable that these two specimens are the full grown adults of agulliensis, with which species they have much in common. But it is hard to see how a species which after it is 30 mm. in diameter is less than 15 mm. high and has a peristome whose diameter is one-third that of the test or more, can become transformed into such a high species, with so small a peristome, as grandis. The general appearance of the two species is quite unlike but it is possible that abundant material will show that the differences are due to age and individual diversity and are not specific. ECHINOMETRIDAE. Only one species of this tropical family has straggled southward along the South African coast. It is the following very variable and widely distributed Indo-Pacific species. ECHINOMETRA MATHAEI. Echinus mathaei Blainville, 1825. Diet. Sci. Nat. : Oursin, p. 94. Echinometra mathaei Blainville, 1830. Dist. Sci. Nat. : Zoophytes, p. 206. It is a rather remarkable fact that this very common and wide- spread sea-urchin has never been adequately figured. Under the name E. lucunter, Mr. Agassiz has given a single figure of a nearly bare test (1873, Rev. Ech., pi. IV&, fig. 4) but the long axis of this spe- cimen is less than 10 % longer than the short axis, whereas in many specimens the difference between the two axes is much greater than this and it is not often much less. The species is listed in the The Ecldnoderm Fauna of South Africa. 391 "Revision" as occurring at Mozambique, Natal and Cape of Good Hope. In the collection before me, there is a specimen from Mo- zambique and one from Delagoa Bay. The former was taken in November, 1912 by Mr. K. H. Barnard and is chiefly of interest be- cause its ambitus is so nearly a circle; the long axis is 45 mm. and the short one is only about 5 mm. shorter. The Delagoa Bay spe- cimen, also taken by Mr. Barnard (October, 1912), is nearly the same length (44 mm.) but its breadth is much less (35 mm.). The PIETER FAURE has not taken an Echinometra and I doubt whether the species occurs regularly south of Delagoa Bay. The records in the "Revision" are based on Museum material of con- siderable age and the locality labels are not to be trusted implicitly. CLYPEASTERIDAE. The only published record of the occurrence of this family in South Africa is my own statement (1914, Mem. M. C. Z., vol. 46, p. 29) that there are specimens of Clypeaster audouini in the M. C. Z. col- lection from Natal. Since that time, I have found a small Clypeaster, also from Natal, in our collection, labelled Layanum decagonale, which while clearly a Clypeaster is certainly not audouini. In the PIETER FAURE collection are two tantalizing specimens of Clypeaster, which can hardly be determined with certainty. One is a very young in- dividual, which I am satisfied is identical with the small specimen from Natal in the M. C. Z. ; I believe these young Clypeasters may best be referred to the wide-spread Indo-Pacific species, C. humilis, although they are really too young for certain identification. The other PIETER FAURE specimen is a fragment of the lateral margin of a large Clypeaster, which the coarse tuberculation shows is cer- tainly neither audouini nor It urn ills. The fragment (P.F. 12557) is nearly 80 mm. long and shows that the whole animal was about 140 mm. long. It is a somewhat waterworn fragment of a dead test and was taken 11 miles off' Cape Natal in 180-200 fms. This locality and depth, as well as the condition of the specimen, show that it had undoubtedly come from farther north. The tuberculation of the fragment is quite similar to that shown by large specimens of reticulatus, but the individual from which it came was nearly twice as large as any known specimen of reUculatus, fully adult specimens of which are in the M. C. Z. "collection from Mauritius. It seems probable that the PIETER FAURE fragment comes from a species as yet unknown to science. 392 Annals of the So-nth African Museum. Key to the South African Species of Clypeasteridae. Test about as wide as long, pentagonal with more or less concave sides; petals narrow with only slightly convex poriferous areas . . Clypeaster audouini. Test longer than wide, ambitus more or less elliptical ; petals rather wide, with more or less obovate interporiferous area and strongly convex sides Clypeaster humilis. * CLYPEASTER AUDOUINI. Fonrtau, 1904. Bull. Inst. Egypt, ser. 4, no. 4, p. 418; pi. I, figs. 1-3. There are in the M. C. Z. collection three very good specimens of this well-marked species, which \\cre presented by Dr. Robert T. Jackson, who purchased them in London. They were labelled as having come from Durban, Natal. Fourtau's specimens were from the Red Sea, so the species would seem to be characteristic of the whole Eastern coast of Africa. CLYPEASTER HUMILIS. Echinanthus humilis Leske, 1778. Add. ad Klein, pp. XIX, 121. Clypeaster humilis A. Agassiz, 1872. Rev. Ech., pt. 1, p, 100. H. L. Clark, 1914. Mem. M. C. Z., vol. 46, p. 36; pis. 137; 138, fig. 4. Although this species has long been known from Mauritius it has not been recorderd hitherto from the African coast. A small clype- astroid in the M.-C. Z. collection, supposed to be from Durban, Natal, seems however to represent this species, altlio it may not be denied that it is possible it is a young audouini. The test is 36 mm. long and 34 mm. wide, so that a very slight change in the rate of growth of either axis might make a perfectly pentagonal test. The petals however are relatively wide with strongly convex poriferous areas. In spite of the petals, I should call this specimen a young audouini, were it not for the PIETER FAURE specimen. This is a much younger individual, 18 mm. long and 16 mm. wide, with relatively wide petals having strongly convex sides. It seems to me unlikely that the young of audouini would be less pentagonal than the adult, or that its petals \vnuld be so wide. As humilis probably occurs on the African coast, it seems to me better to list these two young clype- astroids under that, name, especially as they agree with a young Jut in His from Ceylon, in practically every particular. P.F. 12084. O'Neil Peak, N.W. Vi W., 9 miles, 90 fms. Brk. sh. 1 specimen ; very young. TJie Ecliinoderm Fauna of $:)ntli Afrfm. LAGANIDAE. This family has not hitherto been found on the South African coasts but thei'e is an unmistakable laganid, probably of the following species in the PIETER FAUUE collection. LAGANUM DECAGONALE. Scutella decagonalis Blainville, 1827. Diet. Sci. Nat.; Scutelle, p. 22!). Laganum decagonale Bell, 1884. ALERT Ech., p. 122. This species is still imperfectly known and indubitable specimens are rare. Usually specimens labelled decagonale turn out to be something else and it is so with the specimen in the M. C. Z. col- lection supposed to be from Durban, Natal. This proves on close examination to be a young Cly piaster. However there is a dead Layant/iii test, in poor condition, in the PIETER FAURE collection which seems to be this species; owing to its poor condition, it is however impossible to assert whether it is a Luganum or a Pero- nella. It is 30 mm. long, by some 28 mm. wide and only about 4 mm. high; the abactinal system and a large part of the oral surface are missing but enough of the petals remain to warrant referring it to this species. P.F. 11740. Off Tugela River, Natal, N.W. by N. 3 / 4 N., 15 miles, 36-42 fms. M. 1 specimen; adult, poor. FIBULARIIDAE. This family also was unknown from South Africa until now. But the PIETER FAURE has taken two specimens of an K<-/iinoct/unutx. which I refer to the following species. ECHINOCYAMUS ELEGANS. Mazetti, 1895. Mem. Reg. Accad. Sci. Modena, ser. 2, vol. 10, p. 216. Of the two specimens taken by the PIETER FAURE, one is a dead test but the other seems to have been living when taken and is densely covered with spines. The dead test is 8'5 mm. long, 6 mm. wide and 2'5 mm. high ; the petals are well-developed with nearly straight and approximately parallel sides; there are 6 or 7 pore- pairs in each area; the genital [tores are much larger than the ocular and are equal to or perhaps exceed the primary tubercles; the mouth is large, somewhat pentogonal, a trifle longer than wide, 394 Annals of the South African Museum.. and not much sunken; the periproct is not more than one-third as large as the mouth, is longer than wide, and lies half way between the posterior margin of mouth and the end of the test. The other specimen is 9'5 mm. long, 7 mm. wide and about 3'5 mm. high. The crowded, very pale brown spinelets conceal the petals entirely but when they are rubbed off, it is possible to count 8 pore-pairs on one side of one of the paired petals, but they are so small and deeply sunken, it is hard to see them; the mouth is large, nearly circular, apparently about three times as large as the periproct; the latter is longer than wide. In general these specimens answer well to Mazzetti's description, but in one or t\vo particulars they differ; in his type, which was smaller than either of these, he counted nine pore-pairs, while eight is the maximum number for these larger specimens; again in these specimens the lower surface of the test is scarcely concave below while according to Mazzetti his specimen was markedly so. In spite of these differences however I think it better to refer the South African specimens to the Red Sea species elcgans, than to establish a new species in a genus already overburdened with insuffi- ciently known forms. P.F. 10722. Cape Natal, W. by N., 6^2 miles, 54 fms. Fne. s. 1 specimen; adult; bare. P.F. 13228. Cove Rock, N.W. 3 / 4 N., 13 miles, 80-130 fms. Crl. and r. 1 specimen; adult. SCUTELLIDAE. This family is represented in South Africa by only the following- species, both of which are well-known Indian Ocean forms. Key to tlie So/tfh African Species of Scutellidae. Each posterior ambulacrum with a long, narrow lunule distal to petal Echinodiscus bisperforatus. Each posterior ambulacrum with a deep, narrow slit, extending in from margin Echinodiscus auritus. ECHINODISCUS BISPERFORATUS. Leske, 1778. Add. ad Klein, p. 132. Agassiz, 1841. Mon. Scut., pi. XII (as Lobopliora bifora). There are specimens of this fine scuttellid in the M. C. Z. collec- tion from Mozambique, Durban and Mossel Bay. It is well-known TJie Echinoderm Fauna of SoutJi Africa. I'K mi Madagascar, Zanzibar and Mauritius, and occurs also in the Red Sea and eastward to the Dutch East Indies. * ECHINODISCUS AURITUS. Leske, 1778. Add. ad Klein, p. 138. A. Agassiz, JSTi!. Uev. Ech., pt. ::!, pi. XIIIc, figs, 1, 2. This species is recorded from Mozambique by Sluiter and since its distribution is like that of bixperforatus, it may be expected along the coast at least as far south as Natal. NUCLEOLITIDAE. This old yet small family is but poorly represented in South Africa as two of the three species here listed occur only in deep water and the third is included here only on the basis of an old record, the reliability of which is open to question. The three species may be distinguished by means of the following key. Key to the South African Species of Nucleolitidae. Ambulacral pores wanting, and ambulacra hard to distinguish, on abactinal surface Tropholampas loveni. Ambulacral pores very evident abactinally. Abactinal poriferous areas long, reaching nearly or quite to the almost circular ambitus ....... Echinolampas crassa. Abactinal poriferous areas not long, not nearly reaching the oval or elliptical ambitus ....... Echinolampas ovata. TROPHOLAMPAS* LOVENI. Catopygus loveni Studer, 1880. Monatsb. Berlin Akad. "Wiss., p. 878; pi. II, figs. 1-ld. Neolampas loveni H. L. Clark, 1917. Mem. M. C. Z., vol. 46, p. 110. One of the most interesting of the captures made by the PIETER FAURE is revealed by two small bottles of little echini from two stations in moderately deep water. These prove on critical exami- nation to be identical with the two dead tests taken by the GAZELLE in 117 fms. south of the Cape of Good Hope, which Studer reported as a Recent species of Catopyyus. Without seeing any specimens, I concluded that Studer's species would go better in * Tpoipo? = nurse -f- l-apTta.? = lantern, in reference to the care of the young and in conformity with the terminal syllables of allied genera. A >i mil* of fJie Month African Neolampas, but now that I have examined specimens, it seems to me this interesting form had best be placed in a genus of its own, although its relationship to Neol7 than 20 fins, deep, and any one of them may be found at or just below low tide mark. Of the other live species. "J are ahvssal and :3 belong in the continental group. Of the "11 littoral species. I 1 J are endemic so far as our present knowledge goes hut it is very proba- hle that some of these have a wider range than is at present suspected. Of the other 15 species, one is known from the Red Sea, one is tropicopolitan and the others are well-known ludo- Pacific species. There is not a single Atlantic or West Indian species nor one known from the southem coasts of either Australia * or South America. On the other hand, of the three continental species two are endemic while the third is a North Atlantic form, and of the two abyssal species, one is cosmopolitan and one is of the North Atlan- tic. It seems clear then that the very scanty deep water holothu- rian fauna of South Africa has come from the western side of the continent and apparently is closed allied to that of the North Atlantic, while the shallow water fauna is distinctly Indo-Pacilic. It is noteworthy that there are included in this report no fewer than !) holothiirians not certainly known from south of Mozambique and there are 2 others not known from south of Delagoa Bay. As there are 5 others not known from south of Natal, it is evident that only 11 species of Holothurians occur on the coasts of Cape Colony. In 188-4, Bell (ALERT Ech., p. 509) listed half a do/en holothurians from Mozambique, with the preliminary remark that they were "forms that are so thoroughly well known to students of this group of animals that it has not been thought necessary to burden the text with the ordinary bibliographical references". He even fails to give the authority for the names but these are easily guessed. In 1884, two years prior to TheeTs great work, the identification of Holothurians was a tedious undertaking and there were few species of which it could be said that they were "thoroughly well known". Of Bell's six, one (Actinopyga mauritiana) is well-characterized and is fairly well-known but Hohthuria impatiens is a very puzzling form. H. niii.riiint is absolutely unknown in every detail, H. amboinensis is little known but is probably synonymous with H. afro. //. pnlla is practically unknown and H. ln//dt<:fttr.c(t the alphabet, in reference to the diversity of form of the calca- reous particles, many of which are fanciful representations of letters. The Echinoderm Fauna of South Africa. 425 deep concavity. Polian vessels 1 or 2. Stone canal small, lying in the dorsal mesentery. Color, in life, red; in alcohol the specimens are cream-color or very light brown. Calcareous particles very numerous but all of one kind, though no two are exactly alike. The fundament is a slender rod of variable length, which is forked at one end, and usually at both ends. All the extraordinary diversities shown by the particles result from the more or less extensive development of the forks and the cur\r that they take in growing; often the forks at each end of the rod curve inward, fusing when they meet, thus forming a straight rod, flattened and perforated at each end; a totally different result comes from the forks curving rapidly outwards until the original rod is met in the mid- line or forks from opposite ends of the rods meet; a curious triper- forate plate arises when only one end of the rod has a fork and these forks are as large as the main rod; each of the three then forks and curves sharply outwards until adjoining forks meet and thus a very symmetrical ring with three radial bars is formed. By unequal growth of the forks, most asymmetrical and even bizarre figures arise and by the use of the imagination many, if not all, of the letters of the alphabet, either in script or print form, can be made out. P.F. 918. One mile east of Cove Rock, East London. Low tide. 1 specimen; adult. P.F. 10008. Sebastian Bluff. Low tide. Colour red. 1 specimen; adult; eviscerated. P.F. coll. Sebastian Bay. 15, VII, '00. Low tide. Colour red. 3 specimens ; young. Holotype, South African Museum No. A 6455. P.F. 918. I have been unable to satisfy myself whether- this interesting and well marked species is a Stichojjus or a Holothuria. There seem to be, in one specimen at least, two genital bundles and the ambulacral appendages are also Stichopus-\ike dorsally. On the other hand the small size, red color, slender calcareous ring and absence of numerous pedicels ventrally, all are features more like Jloluf/niria. The cal- careous particles are rather more like some species of Holuthuria than they are like those of any known Sticliopus. For- the present, therefore the species may be placed in Holothuria with the under- standing that more and better material may put it distinctly in Stichopus. STICHOPUS CHLORONOTUS. Brandt, 1835. Prod. Descr. Anirn., p. 250. This widespread Indo-Pacifrc species is easily recognized in life 426 Annals of the Soutli African Museum. by the characteristic form and colour, in which there is little diver- sity. It has long been known from Mozambique and there are two small specimens in the present collection collected at that place in Nov. 1912 by Mr. K. H. Barnard. It is a pity the colour (jiiite disappears in alcohol. * ACTINOPYGA MAURITIANA. Holotliuria mauritiana Quoy and Gaimard, 1833. ASTROLABE Zool., vol. IV, p. 138. Actinopyga mauritiana W. K. Fisher, 1907. Holot. Hawaiian Is., p. 648; pi. LXVII, figs. 1 Id This species is recorded from Mozambique by Bell but it is not represented in the present collection. ACTINOPYGA MILIARIS. Holotliuria miliaris Quoy and Gaimard, 1833. ASTROLABE Zool., vol. IV, p. 138. Actinopyga miliaris Bell, 1887. Sci. Trans. Roy. Dublin Soc. (2), vol. 3, p, 653. Although Bell pointed out many years ago (1887, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. (5), vol. 19, p. 392 and vol. 20, p. 148) that the genus Miil- leria as used for holothurians was preoccupied, few zoologists have troubled to correct the error. Fisher has done so however and used Actinopyga, as noted under the preceding species. It is by no means clear to me that mauritiana and miliaris are really different species. The former is supposed to have 25 tentacles or more but Fisher says his Hawaiian specimens had 2226. On the other hand, miliaris is supposed to have only 20 tentacles but of the two adults in the pre- sent collection, one has 22 and one has 23. The difference in tentacle- number therefore is of doubtful value. Whether the calcareous par- ticles show reliable differences, and whether there are any constant differences in color, habits or habitat, still remain to be demonstrated. Mozambique (Island). Lying free in rock-pools. Skin usually with adherent sand-grains. Nov. 1912. K. H. Barnard. Locality unknown. 1 specimen; very young. INDEX. Specific names are listed in this index only in connection with the accepted genus. Synonyms are in italics. Page references of first importance are in black-face type. A. PAGE abyssicola (Ophiactis) . 326, 327, 334 acanthodes (Calliaster). . . 252, 265 Actinopyga 426 acuminatus (Psilaster). . . 241, 248 affinis (Pteraster) .... 297, 300 africana (Holothuria) . . . 421, 422 africana (Luidia) 251 africana (Marthasterias) 304, 305, 306 africana (Pseudocumis) . . 409, 417 agulhensis (Paraccutrotus) . 387, 388 alcocki (Pourtalesia) 398 amboinensis (Holothuria). . . . 407 amitinum (Ophiocten) . . . 354, 363 Amphioplus 330 Amphipholis 329 Amphiura 326 AMPHIURIDAE 312, 325 angularis (Amphiura) . . . 326, 327 angulosus (Parechinus) 225, 226, 366, 384, 385 annulatus (Protocentrotus) . 366, 385 anoidea (Dictenophiura) . . 354, 361 Anseropoda . .... 279, 287 antarctica (Lophaster) . . . . 296 ARBACIIDAE 368, 379 aristulata (Ophiothrix) 312, 325, 326 aspera (Luidia) 252 Aspidodiadema 371 ASPIDODIADEMATIDAE . . . 340, 371 aster (Cryptopelta) .... 349, 351 Asterias 306 ASTERIIDAE 238, 303 Asterina 281 ASTERINIDAE 238, 279 ASTEROIDEA 325 Asteronyx 314 Astrocladus 319 Astropecten 249 ASTROPECTINIDAE .... 238, 241 Astrophiura 353 Astropyga . . 373 Astrothamnus . 316 PAGE atlantica (Amphiura^ 326 atra (Holothuria) .... 407, 421 AUDOUINI (Clypeaster) . 301, 392 aurea (Thyone) 409, 415 auritus (Echinodiscus) . . . 394, 395 australiensis i. Mediasteri . . . 257 austrahs tColochirus) 407 australis (Ophiochiton) . . 343, 345 Austrofromia ... .... 276 B. baccatus (Calliaster) . .. 253, 264 baculosa (Prionocidaris) .... 370 batheri (asterina) 281 Bathybiaster 247 bellator (astrothamnus) . . 317 bellula (Parasterina) . 279, 280, 281 Benthodytes 420 BENTHOPECTINIDAE .... 238, 239 bicolor (Salmacis) 382 bifora (Lobophora) 394 bifrons (Plutonaster ' 244 bisperforatus (Echinodiscus) . . . 394 BoURGUETICRINIDAE 229 brachyactis (Cryaster) 293 brachyactis (Pseudarchaster) 253, 254 Brisaster 400 Brisinga 309 BRISINGIDAE 238, 309 Brissopsis 401 Brissus 402 bursarium (Phormosoma). . . . 374 burtonii (Asterina) .... 279, 283 Bythocrinus 229 C. caeruleus (Porcellanaster) . . . 239 calamaria (Coscinasterias) 236, 237, 304, 306 calamaris (Echinothrix) . . 372, 373 calcarata (Asterina) 236, 237, 280, 285 Calliaster . 264 Index. canaliculata (Goniocidaris) Candida (Amphiura) . capense (Echinocardium) 326, 304, capensis (Amphiura) capensis (Antedori) . capensis (Asterias) . . capensis ^stropecten) . capensis (Coenopedma) capensis (Cucumaria) . . capensis (Mediaster) . capensis (Ophiarachnella) capensis (Ophiothrix) . capensis (Ophiozona) . capensis (Poraniopsis) . capensis (Pteraster) . . capensis (Spatangus) . capensis (Stereocidaris) carinata (Pourtalesia) . carinata(Tropiometra)225, 228, 229,233 carnea (Ophiactis) .... 326, 332 carnea (Ophiura) . . . 224, 361, 363 Catopygus 221 cavellae (Astrophiura) . . . 353, CENTRECHINIDAE 368, Centrechinus . PAGE . . 369 326, 328 401, 405 327, 329 . . 323 306 249 375 412 256 351 340 357 289 298 404 371 31 'X 305, 235, 409, 253, 349, 335, 310, 29?; 401, 370, 395 354 372 372 421, 252 228 368 421 . . 368, . . 280, 227, 228' cepheus (Astenna) 283 Ceramaster. . . . chilensis(Gorgonocephalus)312, 316 chloronotus (Stichopus) . Chondraster chondriscus (Ceramaster) . chuni (Bythocrinus) . 227, ClDARIDAE cinerascens (Holothuria) . . Cladaster Clypeaster CLYPEASTERIDAE . . . coccinea (Asterina) . . Coelopleurus .... coelus (Monachocrinus) Coenopedina Comanthus COMASTERIDAE .... Cominia cordatum (Echinocardium) Coronaster coronata (Asterina) . . . corynephora (Ophiomitrella) corynetes (Calliaster) . . Coscinasterias . . . costata (Ophiura) . crassa (Echinolarupas) Craterobrisinga . cribrosus (Retaster) . cricophora (Brisinga) CRINOIDEA .... Crossaster .... Crotalometra . 310, 297, 258 318 425 274 258 229 369 422 268 392 391 256 374 229 375 231 231 231 405 306 283 322 266 306 357 397 309 298, 300 . . 309 . . 227 . . 295 . 234 401, 304, 279, 319, 354, 395, Cryaster 237, 292 CRYASTERIDAE 238, 292 PAGE Cryptopelta 350 cubrusis (Cornopedina; . . . 377 Cucumaria 408, 410 CUCUMARIIDAE 408 Culcita 273 Cycethra 277 D. decagonale (Laganum). dentatus (Ophioscolex). Dichrometra . Dicter.ophiura. . . . difficilis (Holothuria) . dilatata (Amphiura) . diplax (Linckia) . . . Diplopteraster Dipsacaster discolor (Cucumaria) . Distolasteriae . . . . dividua (Ophiothela) . doliolum (Pentacta). . dubia (Ophionereis). dyscrita (Asterina) . . E. . . 391, 393 . . 313, 314 .... 233 . . 224, 211 . . 421, 422 . . 325, 326 . . 276, 277 . . 297, 300 .... 246 . . 429, 410 . . . . 308 . . 336, 343 407, 409, 416 . . 343, 347 . . 280, 284 echinaceus (Astrothamnus) . Echinaster echinaster (Poraniopsis) . . ECHINASTERIDAE echinata (Pontasta) .... ECHINIDAE Echinocardium Echinocucumis Echinocyamus Echinodiscus ECHINOIDEA Echinolampas Echinometra ECHINOMETRIDAE .... Echinosoma Echinostrephus Echinothrix ECHINOTHURIDAE Echinus edulis (Holothuria) .... edwardsi (Schizaster) . . . ehrenbergii (Linchia) . . . ehrenbergii (Urodemas) . . elattosis (Chondraster). . . elegans (Echinocyamus) . . elongata (Cucumaria) . . . elongata (Lovenia) .... ELPIDIIDAE .... 406, emericus (Porcellanaster) . . endeca (Solaster* endecacnemos (Brisinga) . . erinaceus (Ophiocoma). . . Eucidaris . . 317 288, 290 . . 290 238, 288 . . 240 368, 383 405 418 393 394 366 397 . 390 368, 390 375 387 373 368, 374 384 . 421 399, 400 . . 277 . . 417 . . 274 . . 393 . . 414 401, 404 408, 420 . . 239 . . 294 . . 309 . . 348 370 Index. 429 PAGE euopla (Amphiura) 328 Eupatogus 402 euryale (Astrocl.idus) . . . 316, 319 euryplax (Ceramaster patagonicua var.) 253, 262 exigua (Asterina) . . 225, 28U, 285 F. fabricii (Psolus) 419 felipes (Stichaster) 304 FIBULARIIDAE 368, 393 filholi (Pectmaster) .... 239, 240 dagellata (Ophiura). . . . 354, 359 flavescens (Echinocardium) . . . 405 flexuosa (Ophiactis) 333 floridanus (Coelopleurus) .... 379 forcipatus (Pontnaster) .... 240 fragilis (Brisaster) .... 399, 400 fragilis (Ophiothrix) 225, 226, 310, 312, 335, 336 frauenfeldi (Cucumaria) . . 400, 413 frauenfeldi (Phyllophorus) . 409, 417 furcilliger (Lophaster) 296 G. GANERIIDAE .... gennaeus (Hymenaster) gibber (Retaster). . . gibbosus (Amphioplus) giganteus (Hymenaster) gilchristi (Echinus) . . glacialis (Marthasterias) glaucns (Hymenaster) . GONJASTERIDAE . . . GoRGONOCEPHALIDAE . Gorgonocephalus . gracilispma (Asterina). grammata (Holothuria) grandis (Chondraster) . grandis (Ophiochiton) . grandis (Paracentrotus) granifera (Asterina). . granulata (Randasia} . granulatus (Astropecten) gratilla (Tripneustes) . gunnii (Asterina) . . H. . ... 238 . . 297, 303 . ... 298 . . 326, 330 . . . . 302 . . . . 384 236, 304, 505 302 . 238. 252, 267 . . 312, 315 . 318 . . 280, 286 . . 421, 424 . ... 275 . ... 347 . . 387, 388 297, 281, 282 . ... 274 . . 242, 250 . . 384, 387 .235, 279, 285 habracantha (Anseropoda) . 280, 287 hastatus (Amphioplus) . . 326, 331 hawaiiensis (Coenopedina) . . . 377 HEMIASTERIDAE 369, 399 hemprichii (Astropecten) . . 242, 250 Henricia 289 Hippasteria 270 hirsutus (Luidiaster) . . . 239, 240 Holothuria . 421 HOLOTHURIIDAE . . HOLOTHUROIDEA . . horridus (.Echinus) . humilis (Clypeaster) hyadesi (Hippasteria) . PAGE 408, 420 405 484 391, 492 270 Hymenaster 300 I. imbricatus (Ophioplocus) . . 354, 365 impatiens (Holothuria) 407, 421, 428 imperfectus (Psolus). . . . 409, 418 improvisa (Cucumaria) . . 409, 414 incana (Amphiura) .... 326, 108 indica (Stereocidaris) .... 371 indicum (Phormosoma) .... 374 ingrata (Ophiomitrella) .... 324 insignis (Retaster) 298 insolens (Cucumaria) . . . 409, 411 integer (Amphioplus) . . . 326, 330 intermedius (Plutonaster). . 241, 242 interruptus (Coelopleurus) . . 379 irrorata (Ophiura) .... 354, 358 J. jageri (Cucumaria) .... 409, 413 K. kawamurai (Astrophiura) . . . 355 kerguelenensis (Leptychaster) 241, 242 kinbergi (Amphipholis) .... 331 koehleri (Hymenaster) 302 L. laetmophilus (Dipsacuster) . . . 246 laevigata (Linckia) 276 LAGANIDAE 368, 393 Laganum 393 lagoena (Holothuria) 407 Lamprechinus 383 Lamprometra 233 lamprus (Hymenaster). . . 297, 301 latebrosus (Hymenaster) . . 297, 300 lentus (Ophiochiton) 347 leonina var. africana (Cucumaria) 411 leonis (Ophiodermia) 226, 331, 350, 351 Leptychaster 242 leucospilota (Holothuria) 407, 421, 423 Linckia 276 linckii (Oreaster) .... 272, 273 Liparometra 232 Lobophora 3!>4 longipeda (Ophiothrix) . . 335, 340 Lophaster 294, 295 loveni (Asteronyx) .... 311, 314 loveni (Catopygus) .... 224, 395 loveni (Tropholampas) 395 Lovenia . . 404 28 Index. PAGE lubrica (Holothuria) 424 lucunter (Echinometra) .... 390 liideritziana (Asterina). . . 280, 286 Luidia 251 Luidiaster 240 LUIDIIDAE 238, 251 lymani (Ophiomusiuni) . . 354, 364 lymani (Ophiuropsisi . . . 314, 315 lyrifera (Brissopsis) 401 M. macrobrachius (Cladaster) . 253, 268 maculata (Luidia) .... 251, 252 magellanica (Hippasteria) . . . 270 magellanicus (Parechinus) . . . 386 magnicirra (Crotalometra) . 229, 234 mammillatuB (Oreaster) 225, 272, 273 MARIAMETRIDAE 232 marmorata (Ophiocnemis) 225, 310, 336, 341 Marthasterias 305 mathaei (Echinometra) .... 390 mauritiana (Actinopyga) 407, 421,426 maxima (Holothuria) 407 Mediaster 256 membranaceus (Hymenaster) 297, 301 Metalia 402 metularia (Eucidaris) . . . 369, 370 miliaris (Actinopyga) . . . 421, 426 minor (Amphipholis) . . 326, 329 mirabilis (Coenopedina) . . . 377 mirabilis (Spatagobrissus) . 401, 402 molare (Echinostrephus) .... 387 monacanthus (Astropecten) . . . 250 Monachocrinus 229 monolini tOrechinus) . . 382, 283 multicirra (Liparometra) 227, 228, 232 multifora (Linckia) . . . . 276, 277 multipe (Diplopterasterj 236, 297, 300 N. Nardoa 276 naresianus (Urechinus) .... 398 Neolampas 397 nerthepsila (Opliiacantha) . . . 319 nicobaricum (Aspidodiadema) . . 371 nitidus (Lamprechinus) . . 382, 383 nobilis (Hymenaster) . . . 302, 3<>'! novaeguineae (Culcita) 273 novernradiata ( Anseropodai . 280, 287 novernradiatus (Palmipes) . . . 294 NUCLEOLITIDAE ... . 369, 395 nudum (Ophiopsammium) . 336, 341 0. occtdentalis (Cominiai 22* Opliiacantha 319 OPHIACANTHIDAE .... 312, 319 Ophiactis . . . Ophiarachnella . Ophiarthrum . OPHIDIASTERIDAE Ophiernus . . . Ophiochiton . . OPHIOCHITONIDAE Ophiocnemis . Ophiocoma. . . OPHIOCOMIDAE Ophiocten . Ophioderma . . OPHIODERMATIDAE OPHIOLEPIDIDAE . OPHIOLEUCIDAE . Ophiomastix . . Ophiomisidium . Ophiomitrella . Ophiomusmm . . Ophiomyxa . . OPHIOJIYXIDAE . Ophionereis . . Ophioplocus . . Ophiopsammium . Ophiopsila . . . Ophioscolex . . Ophiothamnus Opldotliela . . . Ophiothrix. . . OPHIOTRICHIDAE . Ophiura. . . . OPHIUROIDEA . . Opliiuropsis . . Oreaster . . . OREASTERIDAE . Orechinus . ornata (Henricia) Othilia . . ovata (Echinolampas) P. 236, PAGE . . 311, 325 351 . ... 349 . . 238, 275 . . 365 . . . 345 . . 312, 343 . 341 . ... 347 . 312, 347 . . 363 . . . . 351 . . 312, 349 . . 313, 353 . . 313, 365 349 311, 356 322 364 . . 312, 313 312, 313 343 365 341 . ... 347 . . 313, 314 324 . . 342, 343 . . 335, 336 . . 312, 335 358 . . . . 310 : . . . 315 . . . . 273 . . . . 272 . . . . 383 237, 288, 289 . ... 292 . . 395, 398 Pachylometra 234 pacifica (Linckia) .... . 277 pacificum (Ophiocten) . . . 354, 364 Palaeopneustidae 367 pallidus (Parechinus angulosus var. i 386 Palmipes 287 papillatus (Astrothamnus) . . . 316 Paracentrotus 388 Parasterina 280 pardalis (Holothuria) . . . 421, 423 Parechinus 385 parva (Holothuria) .... 421, 424 parvicirra (Actinometra) .... 231 patagonicus (Ceramaster) 236, 253, 260, 262 Patina . . 280 pattersoni (Salenia) 378 paucispina (Ophiopsila) .... 347 Index. 431 Pectinaster PEDICELLASTERIDAE . . PEDINIDAE penicillaris (Asterina) . . penicillatus (Crossaster) . Pentacta PENTAMETROCRINIDAE . . Pentametrocrinus . . . Perissasterias (n.g.). permira (Astrophiura). . petersii (Echinosoma) . . phantapus (Prolus) . . . phoinissa (Salenia) . . . Phormosoma phrygiana (Hippasteria) . Phyllophorus pileolus (Toxopneustes) . placenta (Anseropoda). . placenta (Phormosoma) . plana (Opliiactis) Plinthaster Plutonaster poa (Ophiactis) .... poecilodisca (Ophiothrix) . polyacantha (Perissasterias) polyacanthus (Astropecten) polypora (Austroriomia) . pontoporaeus (Astropecten) 235 PORANIIDAE . . Poraniopsis Porcellanaster . . . . PORCELLANASTERIDAE . porrecta (Ophionereis). posthuma (Cucumaria). . Pourtalesia POURTALE3IIDAE .... Prionocidaris propinquum (Ophioderma) proteue (Plutonaster) . Pseudarchaster .... Pseudocucumis .... Psilaster Psolus Pteraster PTERASTERIDAE .... pulchella (Coenopedina) . pulchella (Holothuria). . pulchellum (Ophiomisidium) pulla (Holothuria) . . . ' pumilus (Phoxaster) punctata (Cucumaria) . . Q. quadrispinus (Lophaster). R. radiata (Astropyga) . . rarispina (Marthasterias). 368, 279, 40S,' 374, 253, 3S4, 32G, 343, 336, 304, 241, ,242, 238. 238, 344 369, 241,' 297, 238, 353, PAGE 240 304 375 281 285 416 235 235 307 354 375 419 378 374 270 417 386 288 374 333 267 242 334 341 307 249 276 249 274 289 239 239 , 347 413 398 398 370 352 242 253 417 248 448 298 297 377 422 563 407 247 411 . 295 372, 373 3nl, 305 reevesi (Temnopleurus) . . remotus (Ophiothamnus) . . Retaster reticulatus (Clypeaster) . . reticulatus (Echinaster) . robustus (Bathybiaster) . . roseocoerulans (Ophiothrix) . rostellata (neolarnpas) . . . rudis (Cladaster) rugosurn (Ophiopsammium) . S. PAGE 366, 381 311), 324 297, 298 . . 391 289, 290 241, 247 3Ki, 338 . . 397 . . 269 342 404, 273, 348, 369, 409. sacellus (Thyone) . . Salenia SALENIIDAE 368, Salmacis 381, sanguinolenta (Benthodytes). . sangumolenta (Henricia) . savignyi (Luidia) .... 251, savignyi (ophiactis) scabra (Holothuria). . . . 421, Schizaster schmideliana (Culcita) . . schoenleinii (Ophiocoma) . schultzei (Austrofromia) . sclateri (Pachylometra) scolopendrina (Ophiocoma) SCUTELLIDAE . eepositus (Echinaster) . . serrata (Thyone). . . . setosus (Centrechinus) .... sigsbri (Phormozoma) sladeni (Dipsacaster) . . . 241, SoLASTEBJDAE 238, Spatogobrissus (n.g. Spatangidae) 224, 366, spatagus (Metalia) .... 401, SPATANGIDAE 369, Spatangus sphaeroides ( Salmacis) spinosus (Calliaster) sporacantha (Asterina granifera var.) 279, spyridophora (Cucumaria) . squarnata (Arnphipholis) 310, 326, squamatus (Psolus) .... stellans (Lophaster) .... stellata (Dictenophiura) . . Stereocidaris Stichaster STICHASTERIDAE Stichopus Stornopneustes STOMOPNEUSTIDAE .... STRONGTLOCENTROTIDAE . . suensonii (Ophiothrix). . . sulcata (Salmacis) .... sykion (Cucumaria). . . . 409 409, 361 368, 368. 409. 415 378 378 382 420 289 252 325 424 400 274 349 276 234 348 394 292 415 372 374 256 294 402 402 400 403 382 266 282 410 330 419 296 , 363 371 304 304 425 378 378 378 340 382 412 432 Index. PAGE T. TEMNOPLEURIDAE .... 368, 381 Temnopleurus 381, 382 tenue (Phormozoma) 374 ternispinus (Opliiochiton). . . . 347 tessellatus (Pseudarchaster) . 253, 254 tessellatus (Pteraster) 299 THALASSOMETRIDAE 234 Thyone 406, 415 toreumaticus (Temnopleurus) . . 382 tonganum (Ophioderma) . . 310, 352 Tosia 266 Toxopneustes 386 TRJCHASTEKIDAE . .... 312, 314 triglochis (Ophiothrix) 327, 335, 336 trilineata (Ophiothrix). . . 336, 341 trimeni (Ophiura) . . 354, 360 Tripneustes 387 trispinosus (Ceram aster) . . 253, 260 Tropholampas (n. g. Nucleolitidae) 256 Tropiometra 233 TROPIOJIETRIDAE 233 tuberculata (Tosia) . . . 253, 26JB turcarum (Echinothrix) .... 373 typica (Echinocucumis) . . 409, 418 U. PAGE URECHINIDAE 369, 398 Urechinus . 398 V. vagabunda (Holothuria) . valenciae (Ophiocoma). . validus (Cladaster) . . . vallincola (Ophiernus). . varians (Pentametrocrinns) 227 variolans (Stomopneustes) variolata (Nardoa) .... veneris (Culcita*. . . 236, venosa (Ophiomastix) . . . rerrucosus (Gorgonocephalus) verruculatus (Lytechinus) . verticillata (Cidaris) . . . vivipara (Ophiomyxa). . . volsellatus (Coronaster) . . W. 311, 423 348, 439 . 269 365 235 378 . . 276 273, 274 348, 349 . . 319 . . 385 . . 369 . . 313 304, 306 wahlbergii (Comanthus) 228, 229, 231 wahlbergi (Ophioderma) . 350, 353 EXPLANATION OF PLATES. All figures are natural size except where otherwise stated: Plate VIII. Fig. 1. Fig. 2. Fig. 3. Fig. 4. Monachocrinus coelus n. sp. Plate IX. Figs. 1, 2. Tosia tuberculata (GBAY). Figs. 3, 4. Pteraster capensis GRAY. Plate X. Figs. 1, 2. Hymenaster gennaeus n. sp. Plate XL Figs. 1, 2. Cryaster brachyactis n. sp. Figs. 3, 4. Hymenaster lamprus n. sp. Plate XII. Figs. 1, 2. Pseudar -chaster brachyactis n. sp. Figs. 3, 4. Calliaster acanthodes n. sp. Plate XIII. Figs. 1, 2. Cladaster macrobrachius n. sp. Figs. 3, 4. Plutonaster proteus n. sp. Figs. 5, 6, 7. Plutonaster proteus n. sp. Holotype enlarged 8 times, the distal parts of the arms not shown. Liparometra multicirra n. sp. Holotype. Comanthus wahlbergii (J. MULL). Chondraster elattosis n. sp. Upper surface of holotype a little more than one half nat. size. Upper and lower surfaces. Upper and lower surfaces. Upper and lower surfaces of holotype. Upper surface and a side view of holotype. Upper and lower surfaces of holotype. Upper and lower surfaces of holotype. Upper and lower surfaces of holotype. Upper and lower surfaces of holotype. Upper and lower surfaces of holotype. Juveniles to show growth chan- of Plates. Plate XIV. Figs. 1, 2. Ceramaster patagonicus var. euryplax n. Figs. 3, 4. Ceramaster trispinosus n. sp. Figs. 5, 6. Ceramaster chondriscus n. sp. Plate XV. Figs. 1, 2. Echinaster reticulatus n. sp. Figs. 3, 4. Poraniopsis capensis n. sp. Plate XVI. Figs. 1, 2. Mediaster capensis n. sp. Figs. 3, 4. ^4siermo gracilispina n. sp. Figs. 5, 6. Asterina dyscrita n. sp. Plate XVII. Figs. 1, 2. ylsierma granifera (GRAY). Fig. 3. Asterina granifera var. sporacantha n. Figs. 4, 5. Anseropoda habracantha n. sp. Plate XVIII. Figs. 1, 2. Lophaster quadrispinus n. sp. Fig. 3. Perissasterias polyacantha n.g. and sp. Plate XIX. Figs. 1, 2. Dictenophiura anoidea n. g. and sp. Figs. 3, 4. Ophiacantha nerthepsila n. sp. Figs. 5, 6. Ophiomitrella corynephora n. sp. Plate XX. Figs. 1, 2. Ophiochiton australis n. sp. Figs. 3, 4. Ophiactis carnea LJUNG. Upper and lower surfaces of holotype. Upper and lower surfaces of holotype. Upper and lower surfaces of holotype. Upper and lower surfaces of holotype. Upper and lower surfaces of holotype. Upper and lower surfaces of holotype. Upper and lower surfaces of holotype, enlarged 3 times. Upper and lower surfaces of holotype, enlarged 3 times. Upper and lower surfaces. Upper surface of paratype. Upper and lower surfaces of holotype, enlarged 3 times. Upper and lower surfaces of holotype. Holotype, a little more than one half nat. size. Upper and lower surfaces of holotype, enlarged 4 and 3 times respectively. Upper and lower surfaces of holotype, enlarged 3 times. Upper and lower surfaces of paratype, enlarged 3 times. Upper and lower surfaces of holotype, enlarged 4 and 3 times respectively. Upper and lower surfaces, enlarged 3 times. Explanation of Plates. Figs. 5, 6. Astrotkamnus papillatus n. sp. Plate XXI. Figs. 1, 2. Coenopedina capensis n. sp. Fig. 3. Coelopleurus interrupttis Doderl. Plate XXII. Figs. 1, 2, 3. Paracentrotus grandis n. sp. Plate XXIII. 435 Upper and lower surfaces of holotype, the latter enlar- ged 3 times. Upper and lower surfaces of holotype, enlarged 3 times. Upper surface. Upper, lower and lateral surfaces of holotype. Figs. 1, 2, 3. Spatagobrissus mirabilis n.g. and sp. Upper and lower surfaces of holotype. 1 natural size. Ann. S. Afr. Mus. Vol. XIII. Plat.' VIII. SOUTH AFRICAN ECHINODERMS. Ail/mi/ t (- ,So cf- ll'ttt A'eiriHiin, Ltd. Ann. S. Afr. Mus. Vol. XIII. Plate IX. ^^ ! - 3s ,-,- - :.-v*#:#> - - SOUTH AFRICAN ECHINODEJ; MS. .V *>'" .1 nv>/ .V(-/ ( /,/, /,/rf. Ann. S. Afr. Mus. Vol. XIII. Plate X. SOUTH AFRICAN ECHINODERMS. Adhird if- Son df West Newman, Ltd. Ann. S. Afr. Mus. Vol. XIII. Plate XL SOUTH AFRICAN ECHINODERMS. .( Sn tC- IJ'eaf Xiu-iiian, Lfi/ Ann. S. Afr. Mus. Vol. XIII. Plate XII. SOUTH AFRICAN ECHINODERMS. Atllard # Son 'ow South Africa. By LEWIS J. SHACKLEFORD. ISSUED MAY 7th, 1914. Price 2s. 6d. PRINTED FOR THE TRUSTEES OF THE SOUTH AFKICAN MUSEUM BY WEST, NEWMAN & Co., LONDON. PARTS OF THE ANNALS PREVIOUSLY ISSUED: Vol. I. 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The Annals of the South African Museum will be issued at irrt'(l(n- inft'rcaltt, ^.v matter for publication is available. Copies may be obtained fi*om MESSRS; ABLAUT) & SON AND WEST NEWMAN, 23, BARTHOLOMEW CLOSE, LONDON. MESSRS. WILLIAM WESLEY & SON, 28, ESSEX STREET, STRAND, LONDON. Or, TIIR LIBRARIAN, SOUTH AFBICAN MI.-SEUM, CAPE TOWN. ANNALS OP THE SOUTH AFRICAN MUSEUM VOLUME XIII. PART VIj containing : 10. A Revision of thr. Li::ar$.l 'J>-S& ^2> >!>',> ~ > 5 >. > > - ->j. i> OO'SK > go % . ! >>> : . > -v- i ; : TOS3 ;Y : & ^ ' -> ! "-' ^>3>-. *3^O:it|>v;) ' -^9->& j- _J** Xf- 'M* ?>_;LJwe8 '>'-' %) :S3iaKiiGa*2BK - > 3 ^>3>rJBI> o > : >- ^ :) "^jgKS&^afrii* as>^ 735rM> > > N : > ^3^fes>aa.i^r-.>,i>,^ & - -v^'-^m _>;>:./.>J >; .;. ; v>vv.>. - . y ; ^B> 1S&4MO. >>4>> i ??*& y&'&SSte . ' ; .' y p ^ J)