"V. Notes ox the Radiata ix the Museum op Yale College, WITH Descriptions of new Genera and Species. By A. E. Yerrill. Read, Jan. 16th, 1867. No. 1. Descriptions of new Starfishes from New Zealand. The following interesting species of New Zealand starfishes were sent from Peru by Mr. F. H. Bradley, to whom they were given for our Museum by Henry Edwards, Esq. They afford a partial illustration of the little known Eehinoderm fauna of the Southern Ocean. They contrast strongly with those of the Northern Plemisphere. CcBlasterias, geu. nov. Large starfishes, with four rows of ambulacral suckers, and large, swollen rays (eleven in the typical species), which are free to near the base, and are united beneath by a group of interradial plates. Inter-ambulacral plates united directly to the first row of ventral plates, and these to a second row of larger plates without the intervention of open spaces like those seen in Asterias. Dorsal surface with large, strong, imbricated, irregularly arranged ossicles or plates, bearing short, very numerous spines. This genus is more closely allied to Asterias (Asteracanthion) than to Meliaster, and approaches still nearer to Stichaster, but appears very distinct from either. The excessive development of the abac-tinal system over the ambulacral is its most remarkable characteristic. In this respect it contrasts strongly with the next genus. The form and general aspect is that of a Solaster. Coelasterias australis Vemii, sp. nov. Rays eleven, in the only specimen seen, large, inflated, rounded, tapering rapidly to the end. Disk of moderate size, swollen ; radius of disk to length of rays, measuring from the center, as 2 : 6. The tri-angular interradial space beneath is occupied by a cluster of irregular stout plates, mostly without spines. Ambulacral grooves relatively narrow and shallow, the pores small and crowded, in four well-marked rows. The interambulacral plates usually bear alternately one and two spines, which are long and rather slender toward the mouth, but short, thick and obtuse toward the end of the ray, and much crowded in indistinct rows. The next row of plates is united directly to Trans. Connecticut Acad., Vol. I. 32 Februahy, 1867.
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