TRUSTEES OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN MUSEUM.

The Right Hon. JoHn Xavier Merriman, P.C., M.L.A.

Sir Toomas Murr, Kt., C.M.G., LL.D., F.R.S., F.R.S.E.

The Hon. JoHN Witit1am JacGceEr, M.L.A., F.R.Stat.S.

SCIENTIFIC STAFF OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN

MUSEUM.

Louis ALBERT PEéRINGUEY, D.Sc., F.Z.8., F.E.S., Director.

KepreL Harcourt Barnarp, M.A., F.L.S., Assistant Director and Assistant in

Charge of Fish and Marine Invertebrate Collections.

ArtHuR Lewis Hatt, B.A., Hon. Keeper of the Geological and Mineralogical

Collections.

Stpney Henry Havueuton, B.A., D.Sc., Hon. Keeper of the Palaeontological

Collections.

REGINALD FREDERICK Lawrence, B.A., Assistant in Charge of Arthropoda

(Insects excluded).

Srar GARABEDIAN, B.A., Assistant in Charge of Botanical Collections.

LIST OF CONTRIBUTORS.

K. H. Barnarp. PAGE

Diagnoses of New Species of Marine Fishes from South African Waters. 439

G. A. BoULENGER.

A Revision of the Lizards of the Genus Nucras Gray . : : LOS

Description of a New South African Lizard of the Genus Eremias a Pile

Descriptions of Three New Fresh-Water Fishes from Northern Rhodesia 437

lel, 1b, Cinini<

The Echinoderm Fauna of South Africa. : 3 : 5 2221

M. ConNoLLy.

Notes on South African Mollusca, I-III. : : : : : 99

Notes on South African Mollusca, IV ; d : : F . 179

J. D. F. Gitcurist and W. W. THompson.

Descriptions of Fishes from the Coast of Natal (Part IV). : 5 OF

R. KirKPatTRICK.

Note on the Occurrence of the Euplectellid Sponge, Regadrella ES

O. Schmidt, off the South African Coast ; : + (iB

W. MIcHAELSEN.

Report upon the Oligochaeta in the South African Museum atCapeTown 43

W. R. OGILVIE-GRANT.

On a New Lark from the Cape Province . ; : : 3 . 41

L. P&RINGUEY.

Inscriptions left by Early European Navigators on their Way to the East 1

L. J. SHACKLEFORD.

Two New Species of Marginella from South Africa. . . 5 «ON

Two New Species of Marginella from South Africa. : ‘ : 193

INDEX OF NEW GENERIC NAMES INTRODUCED

IN THIS VOLUME.

PAGE

Diastobranchus (Synaphobranchidae) BARNARD : 3 ; : . 441

Dictenophiura (Ophiolepididae) CLARK. : é ; : . OOL

Perissasterias (Asteriidae) CLARK. : : : : ‘ : . 307

Spatagobrissus (Spatangidae) CLARK ; : : : : : . 402

Tropholampas (Nucleolitidae) CLark F : : : : ‘ . 395

DATE OF ISSUE OF THE PARTS.

Part 1, July 24th, 1913.

Part 2, October 16th, 1913.

Part 3, May 7th, 1914.

Part 4, April 8th, 1915.

Part 5, October 6th, 1916.

Part 6, May 30th, 1917.

Part 7, May 1923.

Part 8, September 1923.

;: 5

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LIST OF PLATES.

PLATE

I. Regadrella phoenix O. Schmidt.

Trigonephrus globulus (Mull.).

Trigonephrus gypsinus (M. & P.).

Trigonephrus rosaceus (Mull.).

Il. . Trigonephrus porphyrostoma (M. & P.).

Trigonephrus namaquensis (M. & P.).

Trigonephrus lucanus (Mull.). 4

-‘Trigonephrus ambiguosus (Fer.).

Dorcasia coagulum (v. Mts.).

III. Dorcasia rogersi n. sp.

Doreasia cernua (v. Mts.).

Dorcasia alexandri (Gray).

IV. Anatomy of the Dorcasiinae.

VY. Anatomy of the Dorcasiinae.

j Nucras delalandii (D. & B.).

\ Nucras intertexta (A. Smith).

VIL. j Nucras intertexta var. holubi (Steind.).

\Nucras tessellata (A. Smith).

Monachocrinus coelus n. sp.

| Liparometra multicirra n. sp.

Comanthus wahlbergi (J. Mull.).

Chondraster elattosis n. sp.

exe! Tosia tuberculata (Gray).

| Pteraster capensis Gray.

X. Hymenaster gennaeus n. sp.

Xx Cryaster brachyactis n. sp.

| Hymenaster lamprus n. sp.

xq. / Pseudarchaster brachyactis n. sp.

\Calliaster acanthodes n. sp.

xu. J Cladaster macrobrachius n. sp.

\ Plutonaster proteus n. sp.

Ceramaster patagonicus var. euryplax n.

XIV. l Ceramaster trispinosus n. sp.

Ceramaster chondriscus n. sp.

xy, | Echinaster reticulatus n. sp.

| Poraniopsis capensis n. sp.

Mediaster capensis n. sp.

XVI. , Asterina gracilispina n. sp. -

Asterina dyscrita n. sp.

List of Plates.

PLATE

Asterina granifera (Gray).

XVII. | Asterina granifera var. sporacantha n.

Uanseronads habracantha n. sp.

f Lophaster quadrispinus n. sp.

\ Perissasterias polyacantha n.g. and sp.

Dictenophiura anoidea n.g. and sp.

XIX. eens nerthepsila n. sp.

Ophiomitrella corynephora n. sp.

{ Ophiochiton australis n. sp.

XVIII.

XX. 4 Ophiactis carnea Ljung.

Vastrothamans papillatus n. sp.

xx, /Coenopedina capensis n. sp.

\Coelopleurus interruptus Doderl.

XXII. Paracentrotus grandis n. sp.

XXII. Spatagobrissus mirabilis n.g. and sp.

Acanthodrilus

Achatina .

Actinopyga

Agriolimax

Alepocephalus

Alestes

Amphioplus

Amphipholis

Amphiura.

Anseropoda

Arion

Asterias

Asterina

Asteronyx

Astrocladus

Astropecten

Astrophiura

Astropyga

Astrothamnus

Austrofromia

Aspidodiadema

Bathybiaster

Batrachus

Benthodytes

Bimastus .

Bregmaceros

Brisaster .

Brisinga

Brissopsis

Bythocrinus

Calandrella

Calliaster .

Centrechinus

Centriscus

Ceramaster

Champsodon

INDEX OF GENERA.

264

372

258

Chilota

Chondraster

Cladaster .

Clypeaster

Cochlicella

Coecilioides

Coelopleurus

Coenopedina

Comanthus

Cominia

Congermuraena .

Coronaster

Coscinasterias

Srossaster .

Crotalometra

Cryaster

Cryptopelta

Cucumaria

Culcita

Cyphosus .

Dentex

Diastobranchus

Dictenophiura

Diplopteraster .

Dipsacaster

Dorcasia .

Dysomma.

Echeneis .

Echinaster

Echinocardium .

Echinocucumis .

Echinocyamus .

Echinodiscus

Echinolampas

Echinometra

Echinosoma

Echinostrephus .

Echinothrix

161,

441

361

300

246

179

443

290

405

418

393

394

397

390

375

387

373

Xil

Echinus

Eisenia

Eodrilus

Epinephelus

Eremias

Eucidaris .

Eulota

Gobius ;

Gorgonocephalus

Helix

Helodrilus

Henricia

Heptatretus

Hippasteria

Holothuria

Hoplichthys

Hymenaster

Tsidora

Kaliella

Laganum .

Lamprechinus

Latilus

Lepidotrigla

Leptychaster

Lethrinus

Leucochiloides .

Limax

Limnaea

Linckia,

Liparometra

Lophaster .

Lophius

Lovenia

Luidia

Luidiaster

Lutianus .

Marginella

Marinula

Index of Genera.

PAGE |

98,

384

217

370

185 |

318

187

289

439 |

270

421

300

190,

193

102

Marthasterias

Mediaster

| Melania

Microchaetus

Milax ;

Monachocrinus .

Myxus

Nannocharax

Nardoa

Neobythites

Nucras

Ophiacantha

Ophiactis . :

Ophiarachnella .

Ophichthys

Ophiernus

Ophiochiton

Ophiocnemis

Ophiocoma

Ophiocten

Ophioderma

Ophiomastix

Ophiomisidium .

Ophiomitrella

Ophiomusium

Ophiomyxa

Ophionereis

Ophioplocus

Ophiopsammium

Ophioscolex

; Ophiothamnus .

Ophiothela

Ophiothrix

Ophiura

Ophiuropsis

Oreaster

Orechinus

Ostracion .

Pachylometra

Paracentrotus

Parasterina

Parechinus

Pectinaster

Pelodrilus

| Pentacta .

Pentametrocrinus

Periophthalmus.

Perissasterias

Phormosoma

Phyllophorus

Planktothuria

Planorbis .

Platyglossus

Plutonaster

Polita

Poraniopsis

Porcellanaster

Pourtalesia

Prionocidaris

Pseudarchaster .

Pseudocucumis .

Psilaster

Psolus

Pteraster .

Pupisoma

Raia

Regadrella

Retaster

Rumina

Salenia

Salmacis .

Schizaster.

Selachophidium .

Spatagobrissus .

Spatangus :

Sphagebranchus

Stereocidaris

Stichaster

Stichopus

Index of Genera.

PAGE

417

420

189

242

182

289

239

399

370

253

417

248

418

298

186

Stomopneustes .

Subulina .

Syngnathus

Synodontis

Temnopleurus

Testacella

Tetrodon .

Thyone

Tiara

Tosia

Toxopneustes

Trigla

Trigonephrus

Tripneustes

Tropholampas

Tropiometra

Trypauchen

Tulbaghinia

Urechinus.

Vallonia

Vitrea

Zonitoides

398

186

182

183

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ANNALS

OF THE

SOUTH AFRICAN MUSEUM.

(Von. XIIT.)

1.—Inscriptions left by Harly European Navigators on their Way

to the Hast.—By L. Prrinaury, Director.

IN a country as recently occupied permanently as 1652, relics

of very ancient history cannot be plentiful.

Yet, earlier European pioneers landed on its shores as far back as

1485; others even annexed Table Valley to the Crown of their King,

before the Dutch founded their settlement; and these forerunners

of the present Colonists have left a few relics which are the more

precious because of their rarity.

These are exhibited in part of the Entrance Hall.

PoRTUGUESE COMMEMORATIVE PILLARS AND INSCRIPTIONS.

Earliest in date is the pillar termed by the Portuguese ‘ padrao,”

erected by Diogo Cao in 1485 at Cape Cross, the second being that

erected by Bartholomew Diaz at Angra Pequena in the year 1487.

Both these localities are now part of German South-West Africa.

Within a short period, dating from the end of the fifteenth and

the beginning of the sixteenth centuries, three geographical events of

unique magnitude took place. Christopher Columbus discovered

America on the 12th of October, 1492, some four years after Dias,

whom he met in Lisbon on the latter’s return, had doubled the

Cape. Also, five years later, 1497-1499, da Gama succeeded in

reaching India, and Magellan in the first voyage round the world

2 Annals of the South African Museum.

connected the western and eastern extremities of the Old World.

All these discoveries were the results of attempts to discover a

sea-road to India. Even at his death, Columbus was persuaded

that he had reached Asia.

Bent upon discovering this sea-way, the Portuguese navigators,

mostly hugging closely the coast of Africa, had persistently proceeded

southwards, thus gradually going beyond Liberia, the extreme limit

reached by -the Carthaginian Hanno in his celebrated voyage of

discovery or settlement along the north-west coast of Africa, about

five hundred years before the Christian era. His fleet is said to

have consisted of sixty large vessels, on which were embarked thirty

thousand persons of both sexes.

But nearly a century before the Portuguese entered upon their

grand career of discovery a chartered company of Dieppe and

Rouen merchants did, between 1364 and 1413, in the reign of

Charles the Fifth of France, send expeditions to the Gold Coast.

When John the Second, King of Portugal, ascended the throne

the efforts to reach this goal, India, were not relaxed. Diogo Cao

and Affonso d’Aveiro were commissioned to go farther south; Cao

reached the River Congo, or Zaire, and ultimately Cape Negro

(Cape Cross) in 21° 41' §. There he erected a padrao, which,

however, unlike those put up later on by Bartholomeu Diaz, seems

to have had no special name. The scanty records of the period left

it doubtful where this last pillar of Cao had been set; but in 1893

the captain of the German man-of-war Falke discovered this relic

on Cape Cross. It bore two inscriptions in a sufficiently good state

of preservation not to offer any difficulty in deciphering; and

according to L. Cordeiro the two inscriptions are as follows :—

«(A)mundi creatione fluxerunt anni 6684 et (a)Christi nativitate

148; ? 9(uum) (e)xcelenti(ss)imus (s)erenissi(mus)que Rex d. Johannes

secundus portugal (iae) per ia(co) bum canum ejus militem colu(m)

nam hic situari jus (s)it.”’

(Six thousand six hundred and eighty-four years had elapsed since

the world was created, and 148? since the birth of Christ, when the

most excellent and most serene King, D. Joao the Second of

Portugal, ordered this column to be set up by Jacobus Canus,

his knight.)

The second inscription, which follows the turn of the upper

cylindrical part of the column, is in Portuguese—

Inscriptions left by Early European Navigators. 3

“Hra da creacao do mundo de bjMbjclxxxb e de X (to) de

llllelxxxb o. eycelent(e) esclarecido Rei dom J s°. de portugal

mandou descobrir esta terra e poer este padram por d(°c.) a0 eav’.

de sua casa.”

The translation into English would be—

‘Tn the year of the creation of the world, 6684, by the excellent

and enlightened King Dom John the Second of Portugal, was

Fie. 1.

ordered the discovery of this land, and the erection of this

pillar by Diogo Cao, a knight of his house(hold).”

[For Diogo Cao had been made a knight in 1484 as a result

of his first voyage, which led to the discovery of the River 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 South 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 ‘‘ padrdes,’”’ 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 Pequena 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 by Early European Navigators. 5

Reaches the River Rio Infante; thence retraces his way to Algoa

Bay and erects a fourth pillar, Padrao San Gregorio, on Cape Padron,

to the east of the bay, February, 1488.

Discovery of the Cape of Good Hope (Cabo tormentoso),* and

npr vommeesvemmmertaasntn serene Servet

Mie. 2)

22 cm. x 58 cm.

erection there of a fifth pillar, Padrao San Felipe, August 16-17,

1488.

Exploration of St. Helena Bay, August 18, 1488.

Return 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 arrivalin Lisbon, December, 1488.

* Dias, 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 has 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 inthe 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.

PORTUGUESE 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 padrdes 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 Hast 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 Karly European Navigators.

‘“ At the demolition of the old Government House, there were found

two stones on which were engraved, on the one a cannon, and onthe

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.

Hie. 3.

fitcmyx< 2 em:

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 BRA 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.

8 Annals of the South African Museum.

Stone II1.—The Plettenberg Bay Stone.

The second Portuguese inscription, known as the Plettenberg Bay

Stone, was removed to Cape Town about the year 1860. 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.

TGA

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, 7.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 by Early 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 Sao 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, EnauisH, 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

Kuropean 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 ITT.

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 slab is a Dutch record dated 1634.

On examination it becomes apparent that the block on which the

French inseription 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

Qe,

57 cm. x 24 cm.

ICY EST ARRIVE DAVID DIGAED DE DIEPPE 8 10 DE FEVRER lL

(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 Pensée (400 tons) and Le Sacre (120 tons), on

Inscriptions left by Early European Navigators. 1

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 iz 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 Bardeliére. 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 Hast Indies

begun under command of tae Admiral G. Raymond, 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 fill 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 South African Museum.

with the inscription outwards. But as from 1602 the vessels of the

English and Dutch Hast 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 grayed 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 (Hast 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 Harfleur, in Normandy, on a voyage to

Bantam, vid 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 Susan (240 tons).

It is not known if Admiral Raymond, or Laneaster, left any inscribed

stones to denote their landing in Table Bay, but the ship Hector of

Laneaster’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 Dragon 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 Anthony H. 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 South African Museum.

These two vessels, the Dragon and the Hector, were often

navigating in company, and numerous indeed have been their

calls. They were in Table Bay from September 9, 1600, to

October 29th on their outward voyage.

Lancaster commanded the former, J. Middleton the latter. Both

vessels were again in Table Bay in July, 1604, and also on their

return voyage from December 27th to January 16th of the same year.

PANTO

OF HAH

Ur MIRE i

ANT.HI IPPOK eon

— a8 CE CEeeENE

O07

Fia, 6.

82 cm. x 80 cm.

ANTO HIPON MA(STER) OF THE HECTOR BOUND HOME JANUARY 1605,

ANTO HIPPON MA(STER) OF THE DRAGON 28 DECEMBER 1607, and

in smaller letters, Anthony H.

The Hector was in Table Bay in 1602, as shown by a letter of

Anthony Marlowe already quotod. We find again the Hector in

the Bay from December 18, 1607, to January 1, 1608; and the

Dragon, possibly on some date prior, homeward bound. Captain

John Saris, commanding the Clove, Hector, and Thomas, outward

bound, sailed from Table Bay on his outward voyage on August 9,

1611. The Gift, Hector, and Hope were in Table Bay in 1614,

Inscriptions left by Early European Navigators. 15

William Edwards, writing to the East India Company on June 28,

1614, says: ‘ Found, as the custom is, advice of divers of our ships

that had lately touched there (Table Bay) both outward and home-

ward (viz.) the Dragon arriving there the 20th February, 1613,

departing thence the 6th March next, homeward.”

The Dragon was one of the vessels of Keeling’s fleet of 1615, and

had on board the factor, Thomas Arthington, who in a letter to the

Company dated from Saldania, June 18, 1615, and sent by the home-

ward-bound vessel the Hope, mentions that ‘Ten of the condemned

men set willingly ashore at Saldania.”

From 1601 to 1612 the shareholders or subscribers to the

concern that became eventually the East India Company, founded

on December 31, 1600, bore individually the cost of the voyage

of each venture; and the profit or loss resulting therefrom was

theirs.

It is only in, or about, the year 1612 that these ventures were

conducted on the joint-stock system, and it is on record that the

Concord from London, the first ship of the Company sent on this

new system, was met in Table Bay by Captain John Saris, homeward

bound, on May 16, 1614.

For this reason the records of ‘‘calls” anterior to 1612 are

not very complete, and the dates are possibly somewhat inaccurate,

owing to the then partly acceptance of the Gregorian computa-

tion, 25th of March to 24th of March, instead of Ist January to

31st December.

It seems, however, established that the Red Dragon, Hectcr,

Ascension, and the Susan, under Sir Henry Middleton, anchored

July 17, 1604. ‘‘Cole, master of the Hector, was drowned. Sailed

August 20th.” This was the second voyage of the English Company.

The upper inscription of Stone 6 records the return voyage of the

Flector.

In 1605 the English Captain Sir Edward Michelburne came to

Saldania Bay (read Table Bay) with the Tigre and Tigre’s Whelp,

and stayed there from April 9th to May 3rd. The natives

brought him so much cattle that he took some to sea; for a piece of

an old iron hoop he bought a large bullock.

In 1607 William Keeling came to “ Salania,”’ and bought much

cattle. He found the natives very bold and daring. On a rock he

saw engraved the words: ‘“ Captain Middleton, in the Consent,

24th July, 1907.”

In the same year Captain D. Middleton, a brother of Sir Henry of

that name, called here also, and obtained much cattle.

16 Annals of the South African Museum.

Captain Robert Cavertree also came in the same year to Saldanha,

where he bartered many sheep and oxen for old iron.

Alexander Sharply was in Table Bay on July 4, 1608. He took

in about 400 (?) head of cattle. In 1608, July 13th, the Ascension

and Union anchored in Table Bay, and left on September 25th.

‘«« Viewing over the stones where the ships that are bound outward

and homeward do use to set their names, when we found Captain

Keeling, Captain Hawkins, Captain Middleton and divers others,

being passed towards the Indies, vizt., Capt. Middleton in July

1607, and Captain Keeling the month of December ditto anno.”’

In the year 1609 Captain Keeling on his home voyage took some

sheep, ‘“‘the fattest he had ever seen,’ from Robben Island,

and left lean ones, obtained on the mainland, in their place.

In 1610 Captain Nicholas Downton, with the Peppercorn and the

Darling, and Sir Henry Middleton in the Trades Increase, arrived

in Table Bay.

Sir Henry Middleton found a letter buried underground, according

to agreement made in England with his brother, but so soiled by

damp that he could ‘not read any part thereof.” Downton touched

again, outward bound, on June the 15th, 1614; but he was not so

successful this time in revictualling his ship ‘‘ Refreshing of flesh

we had in a manner none; we had some little fish by our continual

endeavours in the river. Set sail and put to sea, the 2nd of July.”

Keeling’s fleet of 1615 was also in Table Bay outward bound in

that year. From it were landed at Robben Island ten convicts from

the Old Bailey, to make a settlement. These are the men alluded

to by Thomas Arthington.

But no inscription left by the commanders of the ships above

mentioned has been as yet recovered, with the exception of one of

Sir Henry Middleton’s ships, the Hector, and of Saris’ vessel,

the Thomas.

Stone V.

In preparing the foundations for one of Mr. Garlick’s stores, at the

foot of Adderley Street, the workmen found a fragment of stone

bearing an inscription on each side. The original stone is in the

possession of the Cape Town Corporation.

The date of the arrival and departure coincide with that of the

outward-bound fleet commanded by John Saris, of which the Thomas

was one, together with the Hector and Clove, and it is therefore to

be assumed that the inscription is that of the Thomas.

It will be noted that in one corner of the stone there is what

Inscriptions left by Early Huropean Navigators. 17

Fig. 7. ‘

32 cm. x 21 cm.

On the obverse the words read as follows :—

THOMA Mr. M. Saee TH. BARN.

Mr. MAT. JULY YE auGusT 1. (?)D. c. #.

Iniel, {8

30) Gms ems

WILLIAM PAGE, OUTWARD BOUND, 1618.

18 Annals of the South African Museum.

appears a fairly successful attempt to reproduce the “square and

compasses ’’ in a position in which these implements are usually

associated with Freemasonry; certainly the first figures of their

kind revealed in South Africa.

On the reverse of the stone the impression is very plain.

This is the first record of call of this vessel.

)

Another will be found further on bearing the date 1628.

Stone VI.

The next inscription in point of date is that of the arrival and

departure of the fleet commanded by Charles Clevenger (the

C.L.E. of the legend), who flew his flag on the Palsgrave. The

latter, 1,083 tons, and Elizabeth, 978 tons, were new ships built by

the East India Company in the previous year.

Fia. 9.

68 cm. x 51 cm.

CHARLES CLE CHEIFE COMAD O(F) PALSGRAVE ELIZABETH AND

HOPE ARR(IVED) Y® XXIIII JUNE AND DEP FOR BANTA Y" XX JULY

1619. THOMAS BROCKEDOM CAPE MERCHANT OF Y= PALSGRAVE.

This inscription records for the first time the presence on board

the Commodore’s ship of a ‘ factor’’ styled there ‘‘ Cape Merchant.”

The status of these supercargoes had at last been established, by

Inscriptions left by Early European Navigators. 19

order doubtless of the East India Company. That the relations

between the commanding officers of the vessels and the factors who

had really charge of the commercial side of the ventures were not

always of the most amicable kind would seem to be proved by the

following extracts: the complaints to the Company emanating from

the factors (Hast India Records, 1613-15) :—

“Tt is good to distinguish or limit the officers and charges of

captain and cape merchant, for the captairs do arrogate all authority

to themselves from your merchants.”

Again. Robert Gipps, Cape Merchant, in the Peppercorn, 19th

June, 1615, in Saldania, to the Hast India Company.—Discord

between Captain Harris and Robert Gipps. The Captain reviled

the Merchant and threatened him. ‘The Captain arrogates much

over the Merchants. He brings £100 to sea for private purposes.”’

This falling out between Captain Harris and the Cape merchant

was, however, smoothed over, and the two men reconciled by the

Council of the fleet.

Thomas Brockedon, the Cape merchant on board the Palsgrave,

subsequently became the chief agent of the British Hast India

Company at Batavia.

Although the inscriptions give the date of departure of vessels,

this does not necessarily imply the absolute date when the ships

sailed. Thus, a factor named Mills, writing from Tiku, in Sumatra,

which was reached on August 23rd, says :—

“The 38rd of August before day we sett sayle from the Cape

where we were 16 dayes wynde bound.’ The vessel had evidently

been retained in the roadstead by adverse winds for fourteen days.

At the Cape they had met the Lesser James, homeward bound.

This No. 9 inscription, cut into solid rock, was found a few feet

below the surface, when Messrs. Wilson, Miller, & Gilmore, of

Adderley Street, were rebuilding their premises in Adderley Street,

opposite the Post Office.

Stone VII.

Four months after the departure of Clevenger outward bound,

and of the Lesser James, returning to England, another English

vessel recorded its arrival and departure from Table Bay.

This stone bears an inscription on each face. The oldest in date

is that of the Bull of 400 tons, which touched at Table Bay in 1619,

but not for the first time, because one reads in the “ English

Factories in India’’ that the ship was sent home in 1618.

On the reverse of this stone are graved letters which, judging

’

20 Annals of the South African Museum.

from their shape or style of cutting, are parts of four different

inscriptions. All four, however, are very obscure.

Of the first inscription on the upper side of the stone, the figures

161 alone are distinct, and these seem to be completed by the figure

8, which would thus give the year as 1618.

i E My

| De OPO BE: |

Fic. 10.

40 cm. x 38 cm.

RO" ADAMS COM?®: OF

THE. BUL ARIVED 29 OF

NOVEM & DEP®” THE 12 oF DECc® 1619

FOR BANTAM 1O*® COCKRAM. CAPE MARCH.

LETTERS UNDER.

Below this the second inscription, which is very distinct in parts,

reads as above.

Below this are two lines graved in a different style and undecipher-

able, and lastly, on the lower end of the block, and executed again

by another hand, a very rough graving—

WILL VOR LETTERS 1629.

The ship William had returned to England in December, 1628 ;

but she might have touched again here in 1629.

Inscriptions left by Early European Navigators. 21

CAE. 42 18!

,O\ PAI ee

i N ARP THE 23 Ol

"DFP FOR: SVRRAT T Hi

{YVNE *: as DANMIL

Ht CEIEE, BIKE NArG

Ere. 1

42 cm. 37 cm

IDANG INL ogous apeocde Vipy, auEe0n) Drisccosoovcan.

DEP FOR SURRAT THE............ MOBS OA Iiososgacnmeac

XII IIIT 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 VITTI.

The stone bears two inscriptions. (See next page.)

The slab is deposited in the vestibule of the General Post Office,

Cape Town. The specimen on exhibition in the Museum is a cast

of the same.

The London, a vessel of 800 tons, Captain Richard 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 Museum.

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 s7tu

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.

FF LONDON*cARINED FE el 0 e OEM

LERFo FROM SVRATe BOVNDEOR 2°

ENGLAND AND» DE PAR*EEoD1O DICTO

RICHA) BLYH © CAPTAN, 16 i Ma

LEARE VNDER LOOK!

FOR LET TERS

1GZ9

JauRey"C LOCK

SAS V BERIVGH

Mire. 127,

105 em. « 60 cm.

The upper inscription reads :—

THE LONDON . ARIVED THE. 10. OF M(ARCH) HERE . FROM SURAT.

BOUND . FOR . ENGLAND AND . DEPAR(TED) THE . 20 piTTro . 1622.

RICHARD BLYTH CAPTAIN. HERE UNDER LOOK FOR LETTERS.

Below this—

1629. JAN. REY™ CLOCK (OR CLOOK) GASP V BERING™=" H,

His

Stone LX.

The London a few years later met the Blessing and the William

at the Cape both inward bound, and a record of this call exists in an

Inscriptions left by Early European Navigators. 23

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 (Stone XVII.)

RICHARD AL NVT EF Com OF

LOND OMAR VED.MLY 4

ee?

Dies ANS}.

56 cm. x 33 cm.

RICHARD ARNOTT COM, OF

LONDON ARRIVED JULY 4.

AN 1631.

DEP. XXII. ? MIIH

24 Annals of the South African Museum.

Stone X. has three English inscriptions cut on a large slab

found built, topsy-turvy, in one of the outer walls of the Castle in

Cape 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

IOMN-ROBERTS

COMMAVNDER OF

Tas ae SSER: AMES

ARY8 - DECEM-pES§

261622 »LOVKWITHAHS

LINE FOR LETERES :

HE NR’MA Aye SER <ere

. 5 2 zy = =

oe Bid tase ae ce

Orns: eee

SC Ue tp eat ~~ E

LX Ge Na OS aoe 3

Pea :

< ) ) pO is

Fia. 14

100 cm. x 86 cm.

The first inscription reads :—

JOHN ROBERTS, COMMANDER OF THE LESSER JAMES ARRIVED THE

8TH OF DECEMBER, DEPARTED THE 267TH, 1622. LOooK WITH THIS

LINE FOR LETERES.

The second is as follows :—

JAMES BURGES MASTER OF THE ABIGAIL ARRIVED THE 17TH;

DEPARTED THE 26TH OF DECEMBER.

Castle, which was begun in 1666 and completed in 1679. Doubt-

less the stone bearing Hippon’s inscriptions of 1605 and 1607, also

built in the walls, was likewise found close by and utilised for the

same purpose.

Inscriptions left by Early European Navigators. 25

The Lesser James was a vessel of 450 tons, commanded by John

Roberts. She left Batavia, homeward bound, in the last day of

August, 1622. The ship reached England in the middle of

June, 1623.

The Abigail was a new ship which sailed from England for

Batavia in 1622. In his journal, the Master, James Burgess,

makes the following entry: “1622. 17th December. Arrived at

Saldania. Ther I mete the Littell James and to Hollandars

bounde home.”

The third inscription, set at right angles to the upper one, is

much weathered and was badly graved. It is as follows:

‘Bartholomew Goodall (almost indistinct on the stone), Captain

of the Hart, John Pashley, Master, arrived 10th of July, departed

20th ditto, 1627, for Surat.’’

The Hart was one of the six vessels forming Captain Hall’s fleet

bound for Surat; the others were Star, Scout, Refuge, Mary, and

Hopewell. They left Dover Roads on March 23, 1627. ‘ Anchored

at Coney (Dassen) Island, and got some refreshments, July 7th.

Sailed again, and at night got into Table Bay, where they found

General Coen with five Dutch ships bound for Batavia. Pitched a

tent ashore and landed the sick men.’’ The fleet sailed on the 20th.

Pashley, after the death of Goodall in October of the same year,

was transferred as Master to the Hopewell. He was again in one

of the three vessels of the return fleet, Star, Hachange, and Blessing,

that left for England on December 27, 1628, and “ anchored on the

bay of Salldayny ’’ on March 12th, sailing again on March 20th.

Judging from the inscriptions of the Lesser James and the Abigail,

it would seem that each vessel of the fleet left its own record. For,

the instructions of the East India Company to their Captains were

very explicit. ‘‘ When you arrive in the Bay of Saldania (for such

was still the name of Table Bay, although changed into its present

one by the Dutch Admiral Joris Spilbergen at the time of his visit

in 1601) you shall make search for letters, and in like manner

at your departure thence, leave behind you in writing fitt remem-

brances of all matters useful.”’

The “remembrances” did not, however, always reach those for

whom they were intended, or, when they did, without having been

occasionally pryed into by people for whom they were not intended,

Those taken cognisance of by Beaulieu are a case in point; but we

have other instances.

Thus: Thomas Kerridge, aboard the Jonas, at Swally, writes to

the East India Company, November 15, 1624. They endeavoured

26 Annals of the South African Museum.

to avoid touching at the Cape, but were forced by contrary winds to

do so. Anchored there on July 19th... . “ Wee perceaued by

inscriptions on stones that the Dolphin was departed thence home-

ward bound from Surat, in April last; but could not finde anie

letters through the inscription mentioned some to be left which

appeared plainely to be disinterred and taken thence by the Dutch

or Danes, ships of each having touched there since her departure.”’

In William Minors’s account of the homeward voyage of the Scout,

we find the following :—

‘‘Anchored in Table Bay (January 20, 1626), where we found

two Dutch ships.’’ Minors (who was then master’s mate) was sent

ashore to look for letters, but ‘‘ they were taken away before.”

Again: Letter from President Kerridge and others, at Surat, to

the Hast India Company, January 4, 1628.

‘Have opened the Company’s letter addressed to the President

and Gouncil at Batavia. . . . This they had already learnt from a

letter left by the London at the Cape, which was dug up by the

Dutch General Coen, and after perusal handed to Captain Hall

(December, 1627).”

Are we, then, to suppose that the letters or communications were

duly deposited without any precaution under the slate blocks, some

small, some large, but selected because of their smooth surface ?

Yet the words are significant.

‘Letters under;’’ ‘ Soeckt brieven’’; ‘‘Hieronder leggen

brieven’’; ‘‘ Heare under looke for letters.”

The Lesser James inscription does, however, throw light on

certain dispositions taken to prevent, as far as possible, not only

the natives, but people other than the initiated to obtain readily

cognisance of the documents, some of them of considerable interest

to the parties concerned.

A carefully executed cast of the slab has revealed at the end of

the words line, in the sentence “look with this line for letteres,”’ a

narrow groove reaching nearly to the side of the slab.

From which it becomes apparent, if not certain, that there obtained

among the Captains of the Hast India Company a certain secret

code as to the localities chosen for the ‘ Post Office” boxes. This

assumption will also explain the presence or occurrence of several

English inscriptions on the same rock, and often on either side

of the stone. Moreover, so far as the recovered inscriptions go, only

one stone is known which bears on one side an English, on the

other a Dutch legend; we know, however, of another with a French

on the obyerse, and a Dutch on the reverse.

Inscriptions left by Early European Navigators.

Stone XT.

This stone was for a long time in the possession of what is now

known as the Dutch Orphanage, at the top of Long Street, but which

was in the early part of 1800 the High School, or Academy ‘‘ Tot

nut van’t Algemeen.”

It is not certain whether it was found close to the spot or was

brought there to serve as an object-lesson.

It bears on either face several inscriptions. The oldest in date is

that of the Royal James.

The Fleet of 1624 consisted of the Royal James, Jonas, Eagle, Star,

Spy, and Scout; the first-named vessel being commanded by John

Weddel; Richard Swanley was Master; Henry Wheatley Purser ;

and Richard Langford a Purser’s Mate. Their names figure in the

inscription, and the additional one, Edward Smith, is that’ of the

Purser’s Mate of the Jonas.

Thomas Kerridge, going out to resume his post of President at

Surat, and who was on board the Jonas, gives the following account

of his stay at the Cape.

After imputing to the action of the Dutch or Danes the disap-

pearance of letters which, from the graved inscriptions left by the

Dolphin, he expected to find under the stones, he proceeds: “ In this

place wee found reasonable store of refreshing, as well flesh from

the countrie people as fish taken plentifully in the River, whereby,

together with the wholesomeness of the Ayre and hearbes et. ct. for

bathes, our sick men for the most part (their sickness being the

seurbeck) thanks be to god, recovered within 10 dayes in some

reasonable measure to help themselves. The 29 July the whole

fleete set sayle togeather from the Cape.” (1.0. Records.)

Monck’s account of the same journey (he was on board the Royal

James) bears out part of Kerridge’s narrative: “July 14. Saw the

Sugarloaf Mountain. July 15. Decided to put into Table Bay, owing

to want of water, much sickness on board, and a doubt of whether

they could reach Madagascar this monsoon. July 29. Set sail

again.”

Below the Royal James inseription is another, if not two :—

THOMAS MILLS MAR R § E

EY. A 12 1635 car JOHN W

COMM OF JONAS ARR FROM DEP 26

Thomas Mills, a Factor of the Company, was at Masulipatam in

March, 1624, and he died there towards the end of 1627. The

28 Annals of the South African Museum.

inscription recording his passage in Table Bay is therefore anterior

to any of those figuring on the stone.

The date 1635 may or may not be that of the record of the Jonas ;

the letters are very indistinct or obliterated, but the date of departure,

26th, does not tally with that of the fleet of 1624, which sailed on the

Fic. 15.

L25Tem, Seu2cm.

ROYAL JAMES HENRY WHEATLEY PURS.

RICH LANGFORD EDWARD SMITH JuLY 28 1624.

29th, as shown by the quotations from Kerridge and Monck; and if

the inscription is that of the Jonas, it is eleven years older.

Another inscription appears to be :—

PONSONT Gig LRKONMT Ge QP IBYeUNIIE 555, (OVE? <5 TSONIS| SOS 5 (OKO) 5° OUR IBINIE NERD)

Inscriptions left by Early Huropean Navigators. 29

This may perhaps refer to the ship Swan, a record of which dated

1632 is treated of further on. But if swan y stands for Swanley the

inscription must be anterior to 1626, at which date Richard Swanley,

Master of the Lon, was slain in an encounter with the Portuguese ;

but his ship valiantly freed herself. The Palsgrave and Dolphin

abandoned her and fled, while the ships at Swally “most basely lay

Fic. 16.

D7 em. -x& 72. cm.

THE WILL ARRIVED THE FIRST OF SEPTEMBER FROM SURAT

DEPART THE 18 pirtro 1628 CHRIS BROWNE COMM.

Under this on the right-hand side :—

ARTHUR HATCH PREACHER OF THE

still.” The Lion was again attacked, whereupon she was blown up

by her crew. The Portuguese saved the men, but presently hanged

them except one whom they sent to Kerridge, the President at Surat,

with letters.

Lastly, at the lower end of the face of the stone are a few letters

which seem to be JOHN STEV (R) O C E R T; and in the right-hand

corner is a monogram, which may prove to be that of Alexander

Sharpley, in which case it would date from 1608 ; but the w’’ remains

30 Annals of the South African Museum.

unexplained. If it is that of Richard Swanley, the same difficulty

reappears, as the upper letter is certainly not an ‘R.”

Before closing with the inscriptions of one face of the Orphanage

stone, it is not out of place to mention that while the Royal James

was in Table Bay in 1622, Mr. Patrick Copland, the preacher of the

ship, collected from the gentlemen and mariners a sum of £70 8s. 6d.

towards the building of a free school in Virginia.

On the other side of the large heavy slab figures a well-graved

inscription and one or two others which are very indistinct.

The word Will is the abbreviation for William. The ship reached

England in the following December. She was a 700 tons vessel,

and the approximate value of her cargo was £60,000. Arthur

Hatch, who was the preacher on board, went out first in 1619,

returning in 1623; then in the present voyage, 1626-8, and a third

time in the Charles in 1632.

In his account of the voyage, Andrew Warden, who was second

mate says: ‘September 1 (1628). Got into Table Bay. Caught some

seals on Penguin (Robben) Island and made a hogshead of lamp oil.

Took in more ballast and a supply of water.”

Stone XII.

The inscription recording the call of the Star is not graved but

written with paint, or tar, and is therefore very faint, although it

becomes very legible if wetted. The Star was a bad sailor, and on

one occasion, as she proved a great hindrance to the fleet, it was

resolved to “leave her behind to make her way to Surat as best she

can.”’ She was one of the fleet of 1625, under Weddell and Clevinger,

and was sent back to England to convey thither a Persian Am-

bassador. By her was sent the news of the fight with the Portuguese

off Gombroon, in which Becker, the Dutch Commander, was slain.

The Portuguese were ‘putt to the worst,’’ whereupon the English

sailed for Surat.

In William Minors’s account of the homeward voyage of the Scout,

which vessel anchored in Table Bay on January 20, 1626, and found

there two Dutch ships from Batavia bound for Holland, he states that

he, Minors, was sent ashore to look for letters, ‘‘ but they were taken

away befor; onely wee founde written uppon a stone of the Starv,

and the two Dutch shippes; the Maidvandorph and Weezopp, the

14th of October, and there departure thence the 25th of dicto.”’

John Rowe was Commander of the Star. His instructions on

leaving Swally were to make the best of his way to England, keep-

Inscriptions left by Early European Navigators. 31

ing company with the Dutch ships mentioned but misspelled by

Minors, the Maagd van Dort and Wesp, and assisting them as far as

possible. ‘‘ He is to be on his guard against pirates or enemies.”

MTG. Av:

41 cm. x 25 cm.

Who the Wilson was who recorded his name with that of the ship is

not known. But from the above account it is plain that this written

inscription is the record of the call of the vessel homeward bound ;

and it is a wonder that it has been preserved so long.

Stone XITI.

Except for the record of, possibly, the Jonas, 2.e. 1635, the Swan

inscription is the latest.

It is very distinct, but it gives no indication as to the vessel being

inward or outward bound.

The Swan closes the list of the hitherto discovered early records

of the English ships in Table Bay. A lucky accident may lead to

the discovery of some of the numerous missing ones. On Penguin

(now Robben) Island it was expected that some would haye been

found, but in spite of a search they have not. Yet, the Dutch

Admiral, Cornelis Maatlief, in 1608, found the names of many

Englishmen cut in stones who had been there; on the other hand

32 Annals of the South African Museum.

SD:A/STEN MUOFYy SHIP

SWAIN ARRIVED :23: FEBR 1632

DEPARTED) © MARCH: ©

ALLEX: BANISTER

OH ROWME: ROB: LITLER

MiGs:

27 cm. x 20 cm.

D: AUSTEN M™ OF Y* SHIP SWAN ARRIVED 23 FEBR(UARY) 1632

DEPARTED 6 MARCH: 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 Cornelis 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 O. 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 Hast India Company, the full title of which was

“De Vereenigde Nederlandtsche Geoctroyeérde 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.

Cornelis 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 Leeww and the Leewwvin, 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 11th 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 abay situated a few miles to the eastward of Table Bay, where he

34 Annals of the South African Musewm.

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

Robben 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 Ram, the Schaap, and the Leeuw,

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 Zirikzee, Hollandsche Tuin, 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 Robben Island several English names of 1604, and one of

December 28, 1607, engraved on the stones.

Matelief commanded the Orange, Middelburgh, Mauritius, Swarte

Leeuw, Wilte Leeww, Groote Son, Kleyne Son, Amsterdam, Nassaww,

Hrasmus, 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, Ter 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 Scout

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 Revett, 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 [7.c. Robben Island] the Flemish

General’s name [Cornelis Matelief] 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

ENRICK .. . 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.

De Orangieboom, Postpaard, Eendragt, Walcheren, Enkhuysen, Het

Wapen van Zeeland, Henhoord, and Fortuyn.

It is plain that the graved remnants of words cannot apply to

the names of the ships; and the second inscription graved across

the first seems to indicate that it is anterior to the date 1613.

Stone XV.

The second inscription is very fragmentary, that is to say it is

only one part of the original, but the words left are mostly very

legible.

Bree 9s

ou Chae S41 9cm.

15) PIETER, DIRCKSE) DE... HaHonk. CORNELIS FRAMS I. O.

MMET STOLCK EN ... VAN ROTTER.

We find in Valentyn: ‘‘ After the amendment of the Company’s

(Oost Ind. Comp.) Charter dated 13 March, 1623, it pleased the

States General to do as much injury as possible to the Spaniards

and Portuguese in the South Seas also, by sending out a fleet of

eleven ships under Admiral Jacob |)Heremite and his junior geen

Huigen Schapen Ham, which was called the Nassau Fleet. Of

Inscriptions left by Harly European Navigators. 37

that fleet which sailed from Rotterdam, was the ship Amsterdam

with Admiral Leendert Stolk as ‘Schipper.’’

These two names, Stolk and Rotterdam, figure in the inscription,

but not those of the principal officers of the Amsterdam, such as

tlhe commander of the soldiers, Engelbregt Schutte ; the Merchant,

Pietervan Rynegom; the Naturalist, Johannes van Wallbecht ;

Justus de Vogelaar, etc., and as none of these names approximate

those figuring in the inscription, one must conclude that the

inscription is not that of the Amsterdam, but of another vessel of

the ‘‘ Nassau’’ fleet.

Stone XVI.

The third inscription only incidentally refers to the call of the

ship Holland in 1624, it being an epitaph.

62 cm. x 37 cm.

HIER LEIT BEGRAVEN JAN GERRITSEN VAN AMSTERDAM OPPER

STUURMAN OF HET SCHIP HOLLAND STARF DEN 24 APRIL ANNO 1624.

(Here lies buried Jan Gerritsen of Amsterdam chief pilot of the

ship Holland, died the 24 April of the year 1624.)

This inscription was found on the removal of an old house at the

corner of Strand Street, opposite the present ‘Grand Hotel,” and

38 Annals of the South African Museum.

at a very short distance from and almost in a line with what is

believed, with very good reason, to have been the landing-place

from the Dutch occupation onwards. One of the steps cut into

the slate rock is now preserved in the Museum.

At that time there ran from the bottom of Strand Street a series

of sand-dunes of considerable height which reached to the Green

Point Vlei, now drained, and afforded shelter against the violent

south-east winds prevailing in summer. It is under the shelter

of these sand-mounds that van Riebeek first anchored, and moved

thence further into Table Bay, at the time of his taking possession

of what was to become the Cape of Good Hope. And thus the

burial-party that interred the remains of Jan Gerritsen, the navi-

gating officer of the ship Holland, had not far to go to lay him

to his rest.

Stone XVII.

The third Dutch inscription is graved with care, and is therefore

easily legible. It is written on the reverse of the stone bearing the

record of Richard Arnott, Commander of the London, bearing the

date 1631.

{ VAND CONAND Dv Lee EN Vice

“COMD"PCROOCK. MET DE SCHEPEN

NASSAU. FRE HENDRIK NIMMEGEN

WB8SELENDE GALiAS.ALHIER DEN

“Avail 1632 VAN BATTAVIA

GEARIVEERT (V TROCKEN DEN

LS. Diniwes

Pre. 21.

58 cm. x 32 cm.

Inscriptions left by Early European Navigators. 39

It reads as follows :—

HIERONDER LEGGEN BRIEVEN VAN DER COMMAND(EUR) D. V. LEE,

EN VICE COMD P. C. ROOCK, MET DE SCHEPEN NASSAU, FRED.

HENDRIK, NIMEGEN, WESSEL EN DE GALIAS ALHIER DEN 9. APRIL

1632 VAN BATTAVIA. GEARIVEERT #TROCKEN DEN 15 DITTO.

Dirk van der Lee, Secretary of the High Government, left

Batavia, as we are told by Valentyn, in 1632 with the ships Nassau,

Nimegen, Wezel, Frederik Hendrik, the Galioot 8. Gravenhage, from

Surat, and Ver Veer.

The Ter Veer is not mentioned in the inscription and had there-

fore not arrived at the rendezvous when van der Lee left after six

days’ sojourn in Table Bay.

Stone (HEE

The next and last Dutch inscription is, like that of van der Lee,

graved on block of stone bearing another record, but this time it Is

‘1634

“BAUDAWAS SEIIAERSE| L

EGMOUIT? SYVe DEVeXL-APRa.

\/ERTROCKE® SOECKT BRIEF

Fie. 22.

22cm. x 52 cm.

1634 BANDA . WASSENAER . EN D(E) EGMONT . SYN. DEN. XI . APRIL

VERTROCKE . SOECKT . BRIEF.

the French undated one (Stone III.), the missing part of which had

already been broken, before the Dutch graving was added to the

reverse, as proven by its completeness.

40 Annals of the South African Museum.

DANISH INSCRIPTION.

Stone XVITTI.

At about the same time as the Dutch, the Danes also founded an

East India Company, and the French did likewise.

Of what port of call the Danes made use is not very well known ;

but that they touched at the Cape is proved by Kerridge and

Beaulieu’s accounts.

There has, however, been found an inscription which may be

considered as Danish. It is unfortunately very fragmentary.

Fig. D3)

23 ICM x ones

Iteneadss——

PAUL . STEUR SOMMER.

P. S. UEIS. DIG.

wn. 1614. DEN Nov.

The date is, however, very plain, and thus the Danes were not

far behind the English and the Dutch in their enterprises of

Merchant Adventurers trading by sea with the Hast.

From the above account it will be seen that the rediscovered

inscriptions left by early European navigators date from 1485

to 1632.

Twenty years after (1652) Cape Town is founded by the first

Dutch Governor, Johan van Riebeek, and the records of passing

ships are no longer recorded by inscriptions graved on stones.

A new order of things has begun. It may seem a prosaic one

for those who read in these brief letters the tales untold of hard-

ship and misery; of courage and devotion; of heroism and also

of motives sordid.

(41 )

2.—On a New Lark from the Cape Province—By W. RB.

OGILVIE-GRANT.

THRoueH the kindness of Dr. L. Péringuey, the Director of the

South African Museum, I have recently received for examination

examples of a species of lark procured by Mr. H. L.~Hare, near

Philipstown, in July, 1912. The birds prove to be closely allied to

the rare and little-known Calandrella sclateri, from Great Namaqua-

land, described and figured by Shelley [cf. Birds of Africa, iii.,

p. 136, pl. 22, fig. 3 (1902)]. The bill in all five birds from Philips-

town is dark blackish horn colour, while in Andersson’s specimens,

including the type of C. sclaterz, the culmen is of a pale brownish

horn colour.

I propose to distinguish this form under the following name :—

Famiry ALAUDIDAE

Gen. CALANDRELLA, Kaup.

CALANDRELLA SCLATERI CAPENSIS, sub-sp. n.

Adult male and female. Closely allied to C. sclateri, Shelley, but

distinguished by the shorter bill with the culmen dark blackish horn

colour instead of light brownish horn colour. The markings on the

lores and down the cheeks are black and much more pronounced

than in C. sclateri, which is evidently a rather paler western form.

C. scluteri. C. s. capensis.

Culmen (from nostril Wise: Culmen (from nostril Wane:

to tip). to tip).

3 (Type) 12 mm. 85 mm. fg mam: 85 mm.

3 103 ,, Sas

¢ 102 | Git fa

OO oes Uh 5

Hab. Near Philipstown, Cape Province.

} E

fi «

‘

: ‘

: !

i 2

i ;

Pi ik

(43 )

3.—Report upon the Oligochaeta in the South African Museum at

Cape Town.—By W. Micuarnsen (Hamburg).

My stay at Cape Town in the year 1911 being too short for studying

the rich collection of Oligochaeta in the South African Museum, Mr.

Péringuey, Director of that Museum, offered to send the collection

to me in Hamburg for a more exact examination. The present

paper is a rather short report upon this collection. A more detailed

treatise with figures will be published elsewhere, combining the

Oligochaets of the South African Museum with those collected by

myself in the year 1911, and with those of the Natal Museum at

Pietermaritzburg.

The main value of the present collection is to be seen in the

circumstance that it contains the types of Beddard’s Acanthodrilus

species published in his paper: ‘‘On a Collection of Harthworms

from South Africa belonging to the Genus Acanthodrilus’’ (in

P. Zool. Soc., London, 1897). This paper of Beddard still belongs

to that period in which only a few species with acanthodriline

sexual organs were known, and in which all these acanthodriline

species were put into the large genus Acanthodrilus in the ancient

and primordial sense. Beddard accordingly did not lay any stress

upon the marks of a generic division created in much later time.

Consequently it is questionable to which of the genera strictiora of

younger date some of these ancient species belong. Furthermore,

at the time of Beddard’s publication there were known only a few

acanthodriline species which might be separated easily by a small

number of characters. Therefore we look in the diagnoses of

Beddard in vain for certain categories of characters which at the

present time we regard as necessary parts of a good diagnosis.

The examination of this collection thus enables me to give a more

modern statement of most of these Acanthodrilus species.

It may be noted that there is no doubt of any kind that the

specimens examined by myself in every case are the same which

44 Annals of the South African Museum.

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 photodilus 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.

Famiry HAPLOTAXIDAE.

PELODRILUS AFRICANUS, Mich.

1905. Pelodrilus africanus, Michaelsen in Deutsche Siidpolar-

Exp., 1901-1903, ix., Zool., i, p. 19.

Loc. Newlands slope of Table Mountain, near Cape Town ;

Dr. F. Purcell, leg. viii., 1886.

Report wpon the Oligochaeta. 45

Famiry MEGASCOLECIDAE.

Sup-Famitry ACANTHODRILINAE.

KopriLus ARUNDINIS (Beddard).

1897. Acanthodrilus arundinis + A. arenarius + A. falcatus, Beddard

in P. Zool. Soc., London, 1897, pp. 339, 340, 341.

1900. Noteodrilus arundinis + N. arenarius +N. falcatus, Michaelsen

in Tierreich, x., pp. 132, 133.

1907. ? Hodrilus (2 Microscolex arundinis + Hodrilus arenarius + ?

Hodrilus (2 Microscolex) falcatus, Michaelsen in Fauna

Stidwest-Australiens, i., pp. 141, 143.

Loc. Cape Flats, Ronde Vley, near Zeekoe Vley (types of Acan-

thodrilus arundinis), EH. from Wynberg (types of A. arenarius),

and 1 mile EK. from Retreat Station (types of A. falcatus).

Cape Flats, near Zeekoe Vley; Dr. F. Purcell, leg. 16, xii., 1898.

Cape Flats, 2 mile SH. to S. from Retreat Station; Dr. F.

Purcell, leg. 16, xii., 1898.

Cape Flats, 1 mile SE. from Retreat Station; Dr. F’. Purcell,

leg. 16, xii., 1898.

External Characters. Length 35-60 mm., thickness 1-3 mm.,

number of segments 12-103.

Colour yellowish grey; without pigmentation.

Head epilobous.

Setae separated, in general aa: ab: be: cd = 5:3:5:6; dd =ca.

2 «; ab diminishing toward the male pores.

Clitellum ring-shaped, at the 4 13 or 13-16 segments.

Prostate pores in 0.

Seminal furrow laterally convex.

Spermathecal pores at 7/8 and 8/9 in 6.

Copulatory tubercles varying in number and in arrangement,

mostly unpaired, at the 8-11 and 16-23 segments or a part

of them, often together with paired ones which most frequently

are found at the male area, but sometimes also at the 10 segment.

Internal Anatomy. Septa 6/7-11/12 very little thickened.

Alimentary tract: A small but distinct and glittering gizzard

in the 5 segment; no calciferous glands.

Excretory organs: Meganephridia without terminal bladder.

Male organs: Two pairs of free testes and spermiducal funnels.

Three pairs of sperm-sacs in the 9, 11, and 12 segments at the septa

9/10, 10/11, and 11/12. (In the 10 segment free masses of develop-

46 Annals of the South African Museum.

ing sperm, but no sperm-sacs.*) Prostates tubelike, occupying

some (3 or 4?) segments, with rather long and nearly straight duct,

and a thicker, serpentine glandular part. Penial setae ca. 1 mm.

long and in the middle ca. 25 jy thick, slowly getting thinner

towards the distal end which is about 13 « thick; distal quarter

curved to about a quarter of a circle; distal end abruptly much

more slender than the adjacent part, quite smooth, with very

fine tip bent in the form of a hook; the interruption at the proximal

end of the slender distal part of the seta is caused by a short

and. broad chisel-like or seale-like protuberance or tooth semi-

encircling the seta (noted in none of the three species of Beddard,

but occurring in all type specimens examined by myself, as well as

in all other examined specimens assigned to Hodrilus arundinis) ; at

the part proximal to this protuberance the seta is ornamented

by a small number of smaller protuberances, about 8, standing

at the proximal end of small scar-like recesses.

Spermathecae : Ampulla pear- or sac-shaped; duct egg-shaped,

sharply separated from the ampulla, about half as long and a quarter

as thick as the ampulla; from the middle of the duct arise generally

2, rarely 3, or even 4 diverticula, which are nearly as long as the

ampulla, and consist of a cylindrical seminal-tube and a thin,

and short stalk.

EopRILuUsS PERINGUEYI, 0. Sp.

Loc. Moddergat, near Lynedoch in the Stellenbosch district;

Li. Péringuey, leg.

Huternal Characters. Length 60-70 mm., maximal thickness

34-34 mm., number of segments 126-134.

Colour dirty grey.

Head epilobous (ca. 3).

Setae at the ends of the body enlarged, in general ventrally widely

paired, dorsally very widely paired; in the middle of the body

aa:ab:be:cd: = 7:4:8:6, at the ends of the body about

aa: ab: be:cd=6:4:6:6. Towards the male pores ab slowly

diminishing ; dd = 4-2 y.

Prostate pores at the 17 and 19 segments in d.

Seminal furrows slightly bent, laterally convex.

Spermathecal pores at 7/8 and 8/9 in b.

Copulatory papillae transversely oval, one pair at the hinder

* In all his species in the paper in question Beddard noted these free sperm-

masses erroneously as sperm-sacs. I mention this fact here, but it also refers to

other species as well as this one.

Report wpon the Oligochaeta. AT)

part of the 9 segment laterally of and close by the lines of the

setae 0D.

Internal Anatomy. Septa 6/7-13/14 thickened, 9/10-11/12 rather

strong.

Alimentary tract: A large gizzard in the 5 segment. No

calciferous glands.

Male organs: Two puirs of spermiducal funnels free in the 10 and 11

segments. ‘Two pairs of grape-like sperm-sacs in the 11 and 12 seg-

ments at the septa 10/11 and 11/12. Prostate confined each to

one segment; glandular part thick and narrowly serpentine; duct

short and thin. Penial setae in two different forms: (1) slender

form very long (ca. 1‘75 mm.) and extraordinarily thin (ca. 7 ,),

thread-like, only a little bent, quite smooth, if not ornamented by a

small number of short and clumsy, slightly bent teeth ; distal tip

simply pointed ; (2) clumsier form ca. 0°9 mm. long, and proximally

9 p thick, distally thinner; slightly bent; distal part with

exception of the slender and simply pointed tip ornamented by

widely and irregularly scattered rather large and clumsy teeth,

which are placed at the proximal end of longitudinal scar-like

recesses, and form the distal end of longitudinal convex pro-

tuberances ; these longitudinal recesses and protuberances being

placed alternately at two sides of the seta, the latter appears to

be sepentine at the distal half.

Spermathecae: Ampulla slender, sac-shaped, opening through

a very short conical duct; into the latter open two rather large

club-shaped diverticula with short and narrow stalk, and not quite

as long as the ampulla; seminal chamber of the diverticula not

quite simple, but with slightly folded walls.

HoDRILUS PURCELLI, N. sp.

Loc. Newlands slope of Table Mountain near Cape Town;

Dr. F. Purcell, leg.

External Characters. Length 28 mm., thickness 0:9-1°3 mm.,

number of segments ca. 90.

Colour yellowish grey.

Setae ventrally widely paired, dorsally very widely paired; ab

somewhat diminished towards the male pores; aa = be = cd = ea.

4-2 ab; dd = 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 Annals of the South African Museum.

Seminal furrows bent rather strongly, laterally convex.

Spermathecal pores at 7/8 and 8/9 in 0b.

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. 0°9 mm. long and

proximally ca. 8 w thick, distally 34 , thick, slightly and simply

bent; distal end flattened and somewhat broadened (to about 5 p),

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 p.

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.

EoprRILUS DRYGALSKI, Mich., var. nov. CASTELLI.

Loc. Kasteels Poort Gorge, Table Mountain, near Cape Town ;

Dr. F. Pureel, leg. Northern slope of Table Mountain, near Cape

Town; Dr. W. Michaelsen, leg.

External Characters. Length 48-58 mm., maximal thickness

3-34 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

6 or the 9 segment, or an additional unpaired similar one at one side

of the 21 segment.

Report wpon the Oligochaeta. 49

Internal Anatomy. 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, but 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. Acanthodrilus capensis, Beddard in Proc. Phys. Soc., Edin-

burgh, vili., p. 370.

1886. Acanthodrilus capensis, Beddard in P. Zool. Soc., London,

1885, p. 170.

1895. Anthodrilus capensis, 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. Péringuey, 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: bc: cd =6:4:8:9; at the hinder end aa:ab: bc: cd=

6:4:6:6; ab towards the male pores diminishing; dd = ca. 3 p.

Nephridial pores generally in c.

Clitellum at $ 13-18 segments (= 54).

Prostate pores in 6 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 2-24 mm. long

and proximally ca. 30 y thick, distally slowly diminishing, being

20 » 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 bergulretanus, Michaelsen in Denksch. Jena, viii.,

p. 37, Taf. v., figs. 5-9.

Loc. Table Mountain near Cape Town.

CHILOTA VANHOFFENI, Mich.

1905. Chilota Vanhéffent, Michaelsen in Deutsche Siidpolar-Exp.,

1901-1903, ix., Zool. 1., p. 42, Taf., figs. 8a, 9.

Loc. Table Mountain near Cape Town; Dr. F. Purcell, leg.

CHILOTA MONTAGUANUS, 0. sp.

Loc. Montagu Pass, 3 miles N. from George; Dr. F. Purcell,

leg.

Haxternal Characters. Length 63-72 mm., thickness 24 mm.,

number of segments, 126 and 116.

Head tanylobous.

Setae ventrally widely paired, dorsally separated, in general

aa: ab: be:cd = 3:2:3:3. Towards the male pores ab diminishing.

dd = ca, 2 p.

Nephridial pores in the lines of setae c.

Report wpon the Oligochaeta. 51

Clitellum at the 13-16 segments (= 4), ring-shaped, but at 16

interrupted by the male area.

Male area at the 16-20 segments.

Prostate pores upon moderately large papillae medially from },

but apparently only pressed medially in consequence of the

contraction of the male area, originally probably in b.

Seminal furrows nearly straight, at the 18 segment dislocated

laterally.

Spermathecal pores in b.

Internal Anatomy. Alimentary tract: A large gizzard in front of

the male organs.

Male organs: Two pairs of sperm-sacs in the 9 and 11 segments.

Prostate tube-like, coiled, occupying only a few segments. Penial

setae about 1-1 mm. long and proximally ca. 60 « thick, diminishing

towards the distal end, strongly bent with a curve corresponding to a

quarter of an ellipse. Distal end flattened not broadened, about 35 pu

broad, ending in a sharp roundish edge. With exception of the

extreme distal end the distal two-third parts of the penial seta are

ornamented at the convex side of the bending by densely crowded

transverse rows of fine and slender spinelets (often inconspicuous).

Spermathecae: Ampulla nearly globular ; duct about half as thick

and twice as long. Into the distal end of the duct opens a rather

shortly and narrowly stalked diverticulum with a thick kidney-

shaped or flattened heart-shaped seminal chamber. The stalk of the

diverticulum arises from the sinus of the seminal chamber. The

latter is provided with a large number of small seminal chambers

which are only imperfectly separated from the main central

chamber.

CHILOTA EXCAVATUS (Bedd.).

1897. Acanthodrilus excavatus, Beddard in P. Zool. Soc., London,

1897, p. 342.

1900. Chilota excavata + ? Ch. sclateri, Michaelsen, Tierreich, x.,

p. 156, p. 148.

Loc, Knysna forest (types of Acanthodrilus excavatus and A.

sclatert), Knysna, main forest; Dr. E. Warren, leg. Jan., 1911.

Hexternal Characters. Length 35-50 mm., thickness 1:2-1:5 mm.,

number of segments 78-95.

Head epilobous.

Setae ventrally widely paired, dorsally separated, in general

aa:ab:be:cd: dd =8:5:8:10:20. Width of ventral pairs ab

diminishing slowly towards the 18 segment. dd = ca. ;% p.

—

———

52 Annals of the South African Musewm.

Nephridial pores in the lines of setae c.

jlitellum at the 13-16 segments (= 4), in general ring-shaped.

Male area a rounded pentagon, in front intruding somewhat into

the 16 segment.

Prostate pores upon nearly hemispherical papillae in the lines of

setae b.

Seminal furrows nearly straight, passing the 18 segment laterally

from the setae ab which are normally developed.

Spermathecal pores in the lines of setae 0.

Internal Anatomy. Alimentary tract: A very small but distinct

gizzard in the 5 or 6 segment. No calciferous glands.

Male organs: ‘Two pairs of sperm-sacs in the 9 and 11 segments.

Prostates with very thick and irregularly wound glandular part,

occupying not much more than the 17 and 19 segments respectively.

Penial setae very long and slender, switch-like, about 1:°5 mm. long

and in the middle 13 p thick, proximally thickened to about 18 p,

distally diminishing to a thickness of about 5 pu, proximally bent only

a little, distally bent strongly in the form of a wide spiral. Distal

end a little broadened, two-edged, flattened or even a little hollowed

at the concave side, with indistinct granulation at the concavity.

The distal tip of the penial seta is simple.

Spermathecae: Main pouch pear-shaped with short and narrow,

indistinctly separated duct. Into the latter opens a diverticulum

which is larger than the main pouch. ‘The diverticulum has the

shape of a thick tube bent to form a knee, with a rounded

protuberance at the prominent angle of the knee.

CuHILoTA LucIFUGA (Bedd.).

1897. Acanthodrilus lucifuga, Beddard in P. Zool. Soc., London,

1897, p. 348, fig. 2.

1900. Chilota lucifuga, Michaelsen in Tierreich, x., p. 146.

Loc. Knysna forest (type of Acanthodrilus lucifuga), Knysna

main forest; Dr. E. Warren, leg. Jan., 1911.

External Characters. Length 65 mm., thickness 13-2 mm., number

of segments about 103.

Head tanylobous.

Setae ventrally widely paired, dorsally separated, in general

aa:ab:be:cd =7:5:8:8. dd=ca.+ py. Width of ventral pairs

diminishing towards the male pores slowly but finally more rapidly.

Nephridial pores in the lines of setae c.

Clitellum ring-shaped, at the 13-17 segments (= 5).

Report wpon the Oligochaeta. 53

Prostate pores between the lines of setae a and b, nearer to the

latter.

Seminal furrows laterally convex, passing the 18 segment laterally

from the setae ab, which here are normally developed.

Spermathecal pores in b.

Copulatory organs: Unpaired copulatory cushions ventral and

median in the 11-21 segments, and in addition more or less indistinct

paired ones in all or some of the segments: 7, 8, 9 and 16.

Internal Anatomy. Alimentary tract: A large gizzard in front of

the male organs. No distinct calciferous glands.

Male organs: Two pairs of sperm-sacs in the 9 and 11 segments.

Prostates very long, reaching backwards about as far as to the

30 segment, straight or forming some slight windings, in the whole

length attached to the long sacs of the penial setae, with relatively

long and slender duct. Penial setae very long and slender, string-

like, about 6 mm. long and only 14-15 wp thick, slightly bent.

Distal end often bent somewhat more strongly (but not in a spiral

or like a corkscrew), slightly broadened and flattened, somewhat

hollowed at one side, nearly spoon-shaped (with some transverse

rows of very fine spinelets ?).

Spermathecae: Ampulla globular or pear-shaped, with a short

and narrow duct. Into the duct opens a large tubular diverticulum,

which is much longer than the ampulla and swollen at the proximal

end to form a simple seminal chamber. This seminal chamber

is pear-shaped or globular.

CuHILoTA PHOTODILUS (Bedd.).

1897. Acanthodrilus photodilus, Beddard in P. Zool. Soc., London,

1897, p. 343.

1900. Chilota photodila, Michaelsen in Tierreich, x., p. 148.

Loc. Knysna forest (types of Acanthodrilus photodilus). Knysna,

main forest; Dr. E. Warren, leg. Jan., 1911.

External Characters. Length 60-145 mm., thickness about

3°5-3°6 mm., number of segments 102-158.

Head tanylobous.

Setae ventrally widely paired, dorsally very widely paired as far

as separated. In general aa: ab: be:cd = 3:2:3-4:3. Width

of ventral pairs a little diminished towards the 18 segment.

dd = ca. 2 p.

Nephridial pores in the lines of setae c.

Clitellum ring-shaped, at the 13-16 segments (= 4).

54 Annals of the South African Musewm.

Prostate pores in b.

Seminal furrow laterally convex, passing the 18 segment just

lateral from the setae ab, which here are normally developed.

Spermathecal pores in 0.

Copulatory organs: Apparently constantly an unpaired copulatory

cushion placed intersegmentally at 21/22, rarely a second at 20/21,

in addition some smaller paired copulatory cushions or papillae

at the hinder part of the 9 segment or at the hinder part of the

8 and the fore part of the 9 segment.

Internal Anatomy. Septa 8/9-10/11 thickened.

Alimentary tract: A distinct gizzard in the 5 segment. No

distinct calciferous glands.

Male organs: Two pairs of sperm-sacs in the 9 and 11 segments.

Prostates long, tubular; glandular part coiled at least in the distal

part, sometimes stretched in the proximal part, and here attached to

the sacs of the penial setae. Duct short and thin. Penial setae

very long and slender, about 5-8 mm. long and proximally ca. 35 pu

thick, distally diminished in thickness, somewhat before the distal

end 10 w thick. Distal end widely bent like a corkscrew, flattened,

without ornamentation.

Spermathecae: Ampulla pear-shaped; duct thin and slender,

longer than the ampulla. At the proximal end of the duct is an

unstalked diverticulum, which is attached to the duct along the

greater part of its length and free only at the smaller extreme end.

The outer border of the diverticulum has two or three slight

notches.

Formae. The specimens collected by Dr. E. Warren differ in

length and in the arrangement of the setae somewhat from the type

specimens; they may be separated as a distinct form.

f. typicus: Length 60-80 mm., thickness 34 mm.; aa: ab: bc:

ed = 35 23858.

nf. castaneus: Length about 145 mm., thickness 6 mm.;

aa: ab:be: ed = 3:2:4:3.

CHILOTA PRIESTI, n. sp. f. TYPICUS.

Loc. Avontuur, Uniondale division ; Mr. Priest, leg.

External Characters. Length 200 mm., thickness 7-9 mm.,

number of segments ca. 162.

Head tanylobous. Segments of the fore body, with exception of

the first 4, divided each into two segment-like ringlets.

Setae rather small, widely paired. In general aa: ab: bc: cd:

Report upon the Oligochaeta. 55

dd = 3:2:4:2:6. Width of ventral pairs diminished towards the

18 segment. dd=ca.ip.

Nephridial pores in the lines of setae ce.

Prostate pores in 0.

Spermathecal pores in 0.

Internal Anatomy. Septa 6/7-12/13 strongly thickened, 13/14

slightly thickened, 14/15 hardly thickened.

Alimentary tract: A large gizzard in the 6 segment. No distinct

calciferous glands.

Male organs: Prostates very long, thin tubular, wound, with

rather long and thin duct. Penial setae ca. 2-1-2-4 mm. long and

proximally 60-66 p thick, straight, distally flattened and distinctly

broadened to a breadth of about 0-1 mm., and somewhat enrolled

from the edges to form a chisel; distal tip a little narrowed, ending

in a sharp concave edge. The distal two-third parts, with ex-

ception of the distal tip, are ornamented; they bear densely crowded

transverse rows or ringlets of fine and slender spinelets.

Spermathecae: Ampulla pear-shaped, rising from the upper part

of the hinder side of a thick cylindrical duct, the free proximal

extremity of whichis rounded and represents the single diverticulum.

The ampulla contains a number of small seminal chambers embedded

in the thick wall.

CuHILOTA PRIESTI, Mich., f. MINOR, nf.

Loc. Knysna forest; Dr. F. Purcell, leg.

Haternal Characters. Length 100-140 mm., thickness 4 mm.,

number of segments 112-126.

Clitellum at the 13-16 segments (= 4), ring-shaped.

Seminal furrow laterally convex, passing the 18 segment laterally

from the setae ab, which are normally developed.

Copulatory organs: Paired copulatory cushions at the 10, 11, 12

and 21 segments, an unpaired one at the 18 segment.

Internal Anatomy apparently like that of the typical form.

CHILOTA ALGOENSIS, Mich.

1899. Chilota algoensis, Michaelsen in Mt. Mus., Hamburg, xvi.

p. 104, fig. 22.

Loc. Table Mountain near Cape Town.

CHILOTA PURCELLI (Bedd.).

1897. Acanthodrilus purcelli, Beddard in P. Zool. Soc., London,

SOG Dasa lptotl.

56 Annals of the South African Musewm.

1900. Chilota purcelli, Michaelsen in Tierreich, x., p. 147.

1905. Chilota montanus, Michaelsen in Deutsche Siidpolar-Exp.

1901-1903, ix., Zool., i., p. 40, Taf. i., fig. 6a, 7.

Loc. Newlands slope of Table Mountain near Cape Town (types of

Acanthodrilus Purcelli).

Table Mountain near Cape Town; Dr. F. Purcell, leg.

St. James, False Bay.

Simonstown, at the waterfall.

ftemarks. Besides the statement of the identity of Chilota

Purcella (Bedd.) and Ch. montanus, Mich., resulting out of the

comparison of the types, we need no further description of the

species, as we have already an exact one under the title of

Ch. montanus.

CHILOTA AFRICANUS (Bedd.).

1897. Acanthodrilus africanus, Beddard in P. Zool. Soc., London,

1897, p. 344, fig. 3.

1900. Chilota africanus, Michaelsen in Tierreich, x., p. 147.

Loc. Knysna in George (types of Acanthodrilus africanus).

Knysna, main forest; Dr. KE. Warren, leg. Jan., 1911.

Haternal Characters. Length 42-52 mm., thickness, 24-34 mm.,

number of segments 78-94.

Head tanylobous.

Setae ventrally widely paired, dorsally separated. In general

aa: ab: be: cd = 5:3:6:6. Towards the 18 segment ab diminishes.

dd = ca. + p.

Nephridial pores in ¢.

Clitellum ring-shaped, at the 13-17 segments (= 5), only very

slightly developed at the 13 and at the 17 segment.

Prostate pores in b.

Seminal furrows nearly straight, slightly convex laterally.

Spermathecal pores in 6.

Copulatory organs: A single unpaired copulatory cushion ventrally

at the 21 segment.

Internal Anatomy. Alimentary tract: Gizzard rather large.

Male organs: Two pairs of sperm-sacs in the 9 and 11 segments.

Prostates restricted each to a single segment; glandular part coiled,

duct short and very thin, strongly bent. Penial setae about 1°75 mm.

long and proximally ca. 35 p thick, diminishing in breadth only a

little towards the distal end, being 20 y thick a little before the distal

tip. Middle part of the seta somewhat flattened, two-edged, with a

more convex upper side and a flatter under side, Extreme distal end

Report upon the Oligochaeta. 57

for a length of about 0-2 mm. flattened and broadened (40 , broad),

distally ending in an edge which is rounded at the side and deeply

incised in the middle. The whole seta is bent like a fishing-hook.

The more conyex upper side of the middle part is ornamented by

transverse groups or rows of fine and slender spineléts. Besides

this ornamentation the penial seta shows in its distal quarter witb

exception of the flattened extreme distal end an annulation, depend-

ing upon the internal structure.

Spermathecae : Ampulla egg-shaped, duct about one-third as thick

and half as long. Into the proximal part of the duct opens an

unstalked, nearly globular or thickly kidney-shaped diverticulum

which contains some rather large seminal chambers. These seminal

chambers may be seen externally, causing more or less distinct

flat protuberances at the surface of the diverticulum.

CHILOTA FAUCIUM, 0. sp.

Loc, Table Mountain near Cape Town, Kasteels Poort Gorge ;

Dr. F. Purcell, leg.

External Characters. Length ca. 30 mm., thickness ca. 13 mm.,

number of segments 77-84.

Head tanylobous.

Setae at the ends of the body a little enlarged, in general ventrally

very widely paired, dorsally separated or nearly so. At the middle

part of the body aa: ab: be: cd = 24:13:18:17. Towards the

hinder end the width of the pairs enlarges still more; towards

the 18 segment the width of the ventral pairs diminishes slowly but

finally rather considerably. dd = ca. 2 p.

Nephridial pores in the lines of the setae c.

Clitellum ring-shaped, at the 13-4 17 segments (= 44).

Prostate pores upon small papillae between the lines of the setae

a and b, perhaps somewhat nearer to the latter.

Spermathecal pores in 0.

Internal Anatomy. Septa 5/6 tender, 6/7—-14/15 thickened, but

even the thicker middle ones not considerably.

Alimentary tract: A small glittering gizzard in the 5 segment.

No distinct calciferous glands.

Male organs : Two pairs of sperm-sacs in the 9 and 11 segments.

Prostates restricted each to one segment or to two neighbouring

ones; glandular part serpentine; duct short, strongly bent. Penial

setae ca. 1-2 mm. long and proximally 30 p» thick, at the distal end

about 18 yp thick, simply but strongly bent; distal part flattened and

58 Annals of the South African Museum.

broadened, ca. 40 » broad, ending in a rounded and a little thickened

edge, somewhat hollowed at one side. Distal part at the flat side

occupied by irregularly scattered small triangular spinelets which

are placed each at the proximal end of a small scar.

Spermathecae: Ampulla pear-shaped, duct about as long as the

ampulla, thin, tubular. Into the distal end of the duct there opens

at the fore-side a diverticulum, which has the shape of a forked tube ;

the diverticulum is strongly bent and closely applied to the duct of

the ampulla.

CHILOTA KNYSNANUS, 0. sp.

1897. ? Acanthodrilus sclateri, part ?, Beddard in P. Zool. Soc.,

London, 1897, p. 342.

1897. ? Chilota sclateri, part ?, Michaelsen in Tierreich, x., p. 148.

Loc. Knysna forest (types of Acanthodrilus sclateri ?).

External Characters. Length 52 mm., thickness 1-1} mm.,

number of segments 89.

Head epilobous (ca. +).

Setae of the dorsal pairs at the hinder end and at the middle

segments of the anteclitellar part of the body much enlarged, con-

siderably larger than the ventral setae of the same segments. Setae

ventrally more or less widely paired, dorsally separated. At the

middle part of the body aa: ab: be: cd = 3:2:3:3; at the hinder

end aa:ab:be:cd = 3:2:5:5, at the 8 segment aa: ab: bc: cd =

aj gE IDG te

Nephridial pores in the lines of the setae c.

Prostate pores in b.

Seminal furrows somewhat bent, laterally convex, passing the

18 segment laterally from the setae ab.

Spermathecal pores in 6.

Internal Anatomy. Alimentary tract: A very small gizzard in

front of the male organs. No calciferous glands.

Male organs: Prostates small, irregularly coiled. Penial setae

ca. 0'75 mm. long, and proximally ca. 25 yw thick, at the distal end

10 , thick, strongly bent in the distal half, whip-like or like a cork-

screw ; distal end a little flattened, but not much ; no ornamentation.

Spermathecae: Ampulla thickly pear-shaped ; duct short, thinner

distally than proximally. Into the proximal part of the duct open

two thick and unstalked diverticula which have the appearance of

sac-like protuberances of the duct. The diverticula are provided

with a large number of very small seminal chambers which are not

perfectly separated from the central lumen of the diverticulum,

Report upon the Olrgochaeta. 59

CHILOTA PARVUS, Nn. Sp.

Loc. Newlands slope of Table Mountain near Cape Town; Dr. F..

Purcell, leg. Aug., 1886.

External Characters. Length 26-30 mm., thickness ca. 2 mm.,

number of segments 80-90.

Head indistinctly tanylobous.

Setae at the hinder end of the body somewhat enlarged, in general

widely paired or separated. At the fore-end of the body

aa: ab: be: cd: dd =5:3:5:5:10, dd =+ pw; at the hinder end

aa: ab: be: cd: dd = 4:3:4:4:6.

Clitellum at the 13-17 segments (= 5), ring-shaped.

Prostate pores between the lines of the setae a and b.

Spermathecal pores in b.

Internal Anatomy. Septum 4/5 complete; all septa tender, but

6/7-14/15 somewhat thicker than the others.

Alimentary tract: A small ghttering gizzard in the 5 segment.

No ealciferous glands.

Male organs: Two pairs of sperm-sacs in the 9 and 11 segments.

Prostates restricted to a single segment ; glandular part serpentine,

duct short and narrow. Penial setae about 0-6 mm. long, and

proximally 18 , thick, distally 15 p thick, somewhat bent at the

ends. Distal end flattened and broadened like a spatula, about 28 pu

broad. Distal part with exception of this spatula occupied by

numerous toothed transverse ridges which are placed at the crossing-

points of two systems of spiral lines.

Spermathecae: Ampulla irregularly pear-shaped; duct thin,

tubular, somewhat shorter than the ampulla. Into the distal end

of the duct open at its fore-side by means of a common mouth two

nearly globular unstalked diverticula which are separated from each

other only imperfectly. The diverticula are provided with numerous

very small seminal chambers which are only imperfectly separated

from the central lumen of the diverticula.

[ACANTHODRILUS] SCLATERI, Bedd., spec. inquir. aut. spuria.

1897. Acanthodrilus sclateri, Beddard in P. Zool. Soe., London,

1897, p. 342.

1900. Chilota sclateri, Michaelsen in Tierreich, x., p. 148.

Loc. (Knysna forest (types of Acanthodrilus sclaterz).

Remarks. The bottle labelled by Beddard as <Acanthodrilus

sclatert contained, besides 3 fragments, 12 intact specimens out

60 Annals of the South African Museum.

of 19 specimens sent to Beddard. None of these 12 intact speci-

mens can be regarded as the type of A. sclateri (spermathecae with

two long tubular diverticula). These 12 specimens mostly belong to

the species Chilota excavatus (Bedd.), whilst one proved to repre-

sent the new species Chilota knysnanus (see above); another

specimen belongs to Chilota lucifuga (Bedd.), and the last one

either to the same species, or to Ch. photodilus (Bedd.). The 3

fragments probably are Ch. excavatus. The real type of Acantho-

drilus sclateri, if there existed a single type, perhaps has been

totally dissected by Beddard, unless it forms a part of those

specimens retained by him. I cannot help suspecting that 4.

sclateri is no real species at all, but that the diagnosis of it is

composed out of the characters of different species, probably among

them a Microscoler —or an Hodrilus—species; for in these genera

the occurrence of ‘‘two long tubular diverticula” at the sperma-

thecae is less rare than in the genus Chilota. Acanthodrilus

sclateri, therefore, must be regarded as a “ species inquirenda,”’ if

not as a “species spuria.”’

Famiry GLOSSOSCOLECIDAE.

MICROCHAETUS PERINGUEYI, 0. sp.

Loc. Nieuwoudtville in the Bokkeveld Mountains, Calvinia

Division.

External Characters. Length 330 mm., thickness 6-10 mm.,

number of segments ca. 445.

Head prolobous. 4-9 segments divided each into two segment-

like ringlets.

Setae very tender, laterally beginning behind the clitellum, ven-

trally beginning apparently at the 9 segment. Setae very strictly

paired. Behind the clitellum aa : be: dd = 4:6:8; at the hinder

end of the body aa: be: dd = 4:5:6. Ventral setae of the clitellar

region transformed to sexual setae, about 0°9-1:0 mm. long, and in

the width 50-55 p thick, bent like an “8,” without nodule, roundly

tri-carinated and simply pointed at the distal end, without orna-

mentation.

Nephridial pores considerably beneath the lines of the setae c, but

much nearer to these than to the lines of the setae 0.

Clitellum at the (12) 13-25 segments (= 13, if not=14), apparently

gaddle-shaped. At each side a broad copulatory cushion extending

Report upon the Oligochaeta. 61

over the 17-20 segments. The ventral pairs of setae of the 25-27

segments placed upon transversely oval glandular papillae ; some of

the ventral pairs of setae in the fore-part of the clitellar region on

similar but more indistinct papillae.

Spermathecal pores in groups of 2 to 6 at each side of the inter-

segmental furrows 12/13-16/17, in the lines of the nephridial pores,

and dorsally from them.

Internal Anatomy. Septa 4/5, 5/6, and 6/7 very strongly thickened,

7/38 and 8/9 moderately thickened, the following tender, and only

9/10 a little thicker than the very tender ones which follow it.

Alimentary tract: A large gizzard in the 7 segment. A large,

nearly globular swelling of the oesophagus apparently restricted to

the 10 segment represents the calciferous gland.

Male organs : Two pairs of spermiducal funnels in the 10 and 11

segments, each pair enclosed in an unpaired transverse seminal

vesicle ; each of the latter is laterally continued into a spermsac-like

appendix. ‘Two pairs of sperm-sacsin the 11 and 12 segments com-

municate with these appendices of the seminal vesicles.

Spermathecae pear-shaped, shortly and narrowly stalked.

Glands of sexual setae 16 pairs in the 12-17 segments. The

glands have the shape of a slightly bent thick sausage, opening

through a narrow and rather short duct.

MIcROCHAETUS BENHAMI, Rosa.

1891. Microchaeta benhami, Rosa in Ann. Hofmus. Wien, vi.,

[0 mis, ALEn Es o.ctiibss afer dlp

1900. Microchaetus benhami, Michaelsen in Tierreich, x., p. 451.

Loc. Moddergat, near Lynedoch, in the Stellenbosch district ; L.

Péringuey, Sept. 13, 1910.

Farm Bergyvliet, near Constantia, S. of Cape Town; Dr. F. Purcell,

Aug., 1909.

Remarks. The locality in which the type of this species has been

found was unknown. This is the first record of the native locality

of this species.

Famiry LUMBRICIDAE.

HELODRILUS (HISENIA) ROSEA, (Sav.).

1900. Hisenia rosea, Michaelsen in Tierreich, x., p. 478.

foc. George; Dr. F. Purcell.

62 Annals of the South African Museum.

Hetopritus (BiMAsStTus) CONSTRICTUS, (Rosa).

1900. Helodrilus (Bimastus) constrictus, Michaelsen in Tierreich, x.,

p. 003.

Loc. Table Mountain near Cape Town; Dr. F. Purcell.

The paper alluded to by Dr. Michaelsen on page 43 has been

published in the Zoologischer Jahrbiicher for June, 1913. The

descriptions of the new species have thus precedence over those

of the present issue.

All types of species herein described, save that of form caslaneus,

Mich. of Chilota photodilus (Bedd.), are, of course, in the §.A.

Museum Collection.

| Bie) Be

( 63 )

4.—.Note on the Occurrence of the Euplectellid Sponge Regadrella

phoenix O. Schmidt, off the South African Coast.—By R.

KIRKPATRICK.

(Plate I.)

[ Printed by permission of the Trustees of the British Museum. }

Dr. L. Pertncury, Director of the South African Museum, has

recently sent to the Natural History Museum, London, for identifi-

cation, two portions of specimens and a photograph of a more

complete example of the Huplectellid sponge Regadrella phoenix

O. Schmidt, dredged from a depth of 250-320 fathoms off Cape

Morgan, near East London, Cape Colony ; bottom broken shells.

The original examples of the sponge, which were described by

Oscar Schmidt in ‘‘ Die Spongien des Meerbusen von Mexico,” came

from Barbados (221 and 228 fms.), and Sta Cruz (248 fms.). He

called the genus “ Regadrella”’ after the Spanish name for a

watering-pot, and the species ‘‘ phoenix,” because he found young

sponges growing on and within the basal part of old dead ones.

In Regadrella the strands of spicules which form the lattice-like

skeleton of the tube run mainly in a longitudinal direction and some-

what irregularly. In Huplectella, on the other hand, the framework

is formed of regularly arranged longitudinal and transverse and

oblique strands.

In Regadrella, the spathulate ends of the secondary rays of the

beautiful little floricorne spicules, are prolonged into several sharp

claw-like spines.

A characteristic flesh-spicule of the present species is the

onychaster, a hexaster with fine claw-like spines at the ends of

the secondary rays.

The well-marked sieve-plate is surrounded by a fringe of bristles

formed by the distal rays of stout hexactins.

Specimens grow firmly fixed on rocks and stones, and do not form

a root-tuft such as Huplectella possesses.

64 Annals of the South African Musewm.

The base of the sponge is hard, and fixed on a firm foundation.

Consequently, usually only the upper and softer portions of speci-

-mens are obtained.

The finding of R. phoenix off the south-eastern coast of South

Africa is very interesting, for now there is a record of the occurrence

of the species in the Atlantic, Indian Ocean, and Pacific, viz., from

West Indies, Azores, Bay of Biscay, Atlantic Coast of Morocco

(from 220-768 fms.), from Coast of Chile (1,754 fms.), Galapagos

(393 fms.), and from off Cape Morgan (250-320 fms.).

According to F. E. Schulze there are only three well-marked

species of Regadrella, viz., R. phoenix O. Schmidt, K. okinoseana

Ijima, and R&. komeyamai Ijima, the last two being found in

Sagami Bay, Japan.

Plate

CPL” DES

Mus. Vol. XIII.

Ann. S. Afr.

2 een?

Be IRE ee MYMEL RSs ee

uss eo ce vs eae Oe RS

eee, Ae ee Os ae we?

H aS aera i a @! ia aU: MSN:

5 s Ce Z

* 7 ’

Wy aon <

West, Newman

BEL BF ETS", pe a

REGADRELLA PHOENIX O. ScHmIDT

FROM CAPE MorGANn, S. AFRICA.

(68 )

5.—Descriptions of Fishes from the Coast of Natal (Part IV.*).

—By J. D. F. Gincurist, M.A., D.Sc., Pu.D., and W.

WarpiAaw THompson, F.Z.S.

THe following is a further contribution to the description of a

collection of fishes from Natal.

Faminy PERCIDAE.

Gren. LUTIANUS, Bl.

LUTIANUS QUINQUELINEARIS, BI.

Ausl. Fisch. iv. p. 84, 1785.

Teeth, a pair of moderate-sized canines on premaxillaries; an

outer row of curved canine-like teeth on each jaw, those on the

upper jaw being the largest, villiform teeth in A-form on vomer, a

band on palatines. Depth of body 2} times in total length excluding

caudal, length of head 3 times. Snout equals diameter of eye, which

is 3,3, times in length of head, and 11 times interorbital width ;

maxillary reaches to vertical of anterior third of orbits, the distance

of the eye from its upper edge being a little more than 4 diameter of

orbit; vertical limb of preoperculum strongly emarginate, finely

serrated, the angle rounded and with stronger serrations, lower limb

strongly serrated ; a strong opercular knob, middle spine of operculum

strong; scapula serrated.

Dorsal xi 14; spines moderately strong, increasing in length to

4th, which is nearly 4 length of head, remainder decreasing to the

last, which about equals diameter of eye; longest soft rays equal 4

the length of base of fin. Pectorals nearly as long as head, reaching

to anal. Ventrals 3 length of head, reaching to vent. Anal iii 8;

2nd spine strongest and longest, about the same length as longest

* Parts I. and II. appeared in the Annals S. African Museum, vol. vi., and

Part III. in vol. xi,

66 Annals of the South African Museum.

dorsal spine; longest soft rays equal length of base of fin; lower

edge of fin rounded. Caudal emarginate. Scales in oblique rows

above the lateral line, in horizontal rows below it; superiorly they

extend forward to above anterior third of eye; suborbital ring scaled

and one or two scales on preorbital. Lat. 1. 56, lat. tr. 45).

Colour (of preserved specimen), pale brown, slightly darker above

than below, with a more or less circular dark patch on lateral line

below the last dorsal spines and the anterior rays; 3 narrow bluish

streaks or lines from eye to below dorsal fin, one from upper edge of

operculum to base of posterior soft rays of dorsal, one below it along

the body traversing margin of caudal peduncle, another from oper-

cular spine to base of caudal passing along middle of caudal peduncle.

One specimen, 96 mm. in length, from Mr. Romer Robinson, Natal.

Grey. EPINEPHELUS, Bl.

EPINEPHELUS PRAEOPERCULARIS, Bler.

Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond. 1887, p. 654, 1887.

Teeth in narrow bands, in 2 series on the sides of the mandible;

canines strong. Depth of body 2,%, times in total length excluding

caudal, length of head 2% times. Snout 1% times diameter of eye,

which is 52 times in length of head and equals interorbital width ;

lower jaw projecting; maxillary reaches scarcely to posterior margin

of eye, the width of its distal extremity + diameter of eye; vertical

limb of preoperculum serrated, emarginate above the angle which

is feebly produced and armed with strong spines; middle opercular

spine nearer to lower than to upper, lower much further back than

upper, opercular flap pointed; head nearly entirely covered with

cycloid scales, maxillary naked. Gillrakers (removed in specimen).

Dorsal xi 15, originating above base of pectorals ; 3rd spine longest,

nearly 2 length of head, last spine a little more than + length of head ;

longest soft rays a little less than longest spine. Pectorals a little

more than 4 length of head. Ventrals a little more than 2 length of

head and not quite reaching anus. Anal iii 8; 2nd spine slightly

longer and much stronger than 3rd, a little more than 3 longest

dorsal spine and much shorter than soft rays. Caudal truncate, 4

length of head. Seales 125, ciliated. Lat. 1. 68, lat. tr. 34.

Colour (of preserved specimen), light greyish brown, darker above

than below; sides with small dark spots sparsely scattered in irre-

gular rows; 2 dark lines from lower and posterior margin of eye

Descriptions of Fishes from the Coast of Natal. 67

passing downwards and backwards over preopercle to opercular

margin.

One specimen, 358 mm. in length, from Mr. Romer Robinson,

Natal.

EPINEPHELUS FLAVOCAERULEUS, Lacep.

Hist. nat. Poiss. iv. p. 367, 1802.

Var. melanometopon, Blkr.

Poll. & v. Dam. Faun. madag. iv. p. 17, 1874.

Teeth in narrow bands, in 2 series on the sides of the mandible,

the inner row larger, a strong outer row on maxilla, inner teeth on

symphysis of upper jaw long and sharp-pointed; canines small.

Depth of body 22 times in total length excluding caudal, length of

head 24 times. Snout 13 times diameter of eye, which is 6 times in

length of head and 12 times in interorbital width ; lower jaw project-

ing beyond upper, maxillary reaches to slightly beyond posterior

margin of eye; preoperculum serrated on vertical limb, more

coarsely so on its rounded angle which is feebly produced; middle

spine of operculum nearer lower than upper, lower further back than

upper, opercular flap pointed; gillrakers 18 on lower part of anterior

arch; head nearly entirely covered with small cycloid scales, scales

on posterior portion of maxilla.

Dorsal xi 16; spines moderately strong, 4th longest, 2 length of

head, remainder decreasing gradually to the last which is a little

lower than adjoining ray. Pectorals 3 length of head; ventrals a

little shorter, not reaching anus. Anal iii 8; 2nd spine stronger but

a little shorter than 3rd, which is a little more than + length of head

and % longest soft rays. Caudal emarginate, 2 length of head.

Seales 130, those on body ctenoid, scales on chest and abdomen very

small; 18 rows between lateral line and 6th dorsal spine. Liat. 1. 65,

Waite it 2.

Colour (of preserved specimen), dark brown; pectorals yellow ;

caudal yellow, with black tips to lobes; soft dorsal and anal yellow-

tipped on posterior rays; ventrals dark on upper side, light with a

dark tip on lower side.

One specimen, 282 mm. in length, from Mr. Romer Robinson,

Natal.

EPINEPHELUS MACULATUS, Bl.

Ausl. Fisch. iv. p. 96, pl. 242, fig. 3, 1790.

Teeth in narrow bands, in 2 series on sides of mandible, canines

strong. Depth of body 3: times in total length excluding caudal,

68 Annals of the South African Museum.

length of head 3 times. Snout 14 times diameter of eye, which is 6

times in length of head; interorbital width 6,3, times in length of

head; nostrils close together; lower jaw projecting; maxillary

reaches to a little beyond posterior border of eye, width of its distal

extremity + diameter of eye; vertical limb of preoperculum finely

serrated, obtusely angulate, a little produced at angle which is armed

with enlarged serrae; middle opercular spine nearer to lower than

to upper, lower further back than upper, opercular flap obtusely

pointed; head, including maxillary, nearly entirely covered with

small cycloid scales; gillrakers (removed in specimen).

Dorsal xi 17, originates above pectoral; 4th spine longest, nearly

+ length of head, 12 as long as last spine and 14 as long as longest

soft rays. Pectorals 3 length of head. Ventrals 1 length of head,

reaching to anus. Anal ili 8; 2nd spine slightly shorter but much

stronger than 3rd, which is 2 longest dorsal spine ; soft rays 2 length

of head. Caudal subtruncate, nearly 2 length of head. Scales 110,

ciliated. Lat. 1. 58 (circa), 34.

Colour (of preserved specimen), light brown; large 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. Romer Robinson,

Natal.

Gen. DENTEX, Cuv.

DENTEX RIVULATUS, Riipp.

Neue Wirbelt. Fisch. p. 116, pl. 29, f. 2, 1837.

Teeth, canines strong, a series of conical teeth on the sides. Depth

of body 22 times in total length excluding caudal, length of head 3,1;

times. Snout 14 times diameter of eye, which is 3 times in length

of head and * 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 4 length

of head, the remainder decreasing in length; middle soft rays about

14 times as long as longest spine. Pectorals a little more than +

Descriptions of Fishes from the Coast of Natal. 69

length of head, reaching to anal. Ventrals # 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. 4.

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.

Famiry SPARIDAE.

Gren. LETHRINUS, Cuv.

LETHRINUS CHRYSOSTOMUS, Ricn.

Voy. Erebus and Terror, Fishes, p. 118, pl. 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 22 times in total length excluding caudal,

length of head 24 times. Snout 22 times diameter of eye, which

is 43 times in length of head and 1} times in interorbital width ;

cleft of mouth lateral, maxiilary scarcely extends to vertical of

anterior nostril and is concealed by preorbital, the height of the

latter being twice the diameter of the eye; preoperculum 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 38rd or 4th,

which is 4 length of head ; longest soft rays nearly 2 length of head.

Pectorals as long as head, anterior rays longest and reaching beyond

origin of anal. Ventrals 3 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. =%.

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.

Gren. CYPHOSUS, Lacep.

CYPHOSUS CINERASCENS, Forsk.

Descr. Anim., No. 66, 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 4,4, times. Snout 1,8 times diameter of

eye, which is 3? times in length of head and 14 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 4 length of head and about same length as longest soft ray.

Pectorals 2 length of head and about same length as ventrals.

Anal ui 13; 3rd spine longest, a little more than 4 length of

longest dorsal spine and 4 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. 49; 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.

Famity, TRACHINIDAKE.

Gren. LATILUS, C. & V.

LatTinus pouiatus, 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 38

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 23 times in length of head; interorbital width 7 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 2 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 1} times as high as adjacent rays.

Pectorals faleate, reaching to anal, the 6th ray longest and as long

as head. Ventrals $ as long as head, not reaching to vent. Anal il

12; rays increasing in length to the penultimate, which is about 2

length of head. Caudal emarginate, a little more than 2 length of

head. Seales ciliated, extending over opercles and cheeks, and on

top of head as far as the centre of the orbits. Lat. 1. 102, lat. tr. 55).

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 fms.; Tugela

River mouth, N. 194 miles.

Famity BATRACHIDAE.

Gen. BATRACHUS, Klein.

BATRACHUS APIATUS, C. & VY.

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 54 times in total length excluding caudal, length of head

3,8, times. Longitudinal diameter of eye 4,8, 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 52 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.

12 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 4 length of head.

Pectorals 2 length of head, reaching to anal; no foramen in the axil.

Ventrals 2 length of head. Anal 14. Caudal truncate. A series of

pores along the body, 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

rays 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 fms.; Port

Natal, W. by N. 64 miles.

BATRACHUS DIEMENSIS, Lesueur.

Journ. Acad. Nat. Sc. Philad. iii. p. 402, 1823.

Teeth in 3 rows anteriorly on each jaw, a single series laterally ;

a band on yomer and palatines. Depth of body 4 times in total

length excluding caudal, length of head 22 times; head broad, its

width nearly equalling its length. Longitudinal diameter of eye

3 times in length of head, vertical diameter 32 times length of head

and 14 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; Ist 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, # 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, 40 mm, in length, procured by the Cape Govern-

ment trawler P. Faure (s.) off the Natal coast, in 50 fms. ;

Umblangakulu River, NW. by N. 74 miles.

Descriptions of Fishes from the Coast of Natal. 73

Faminry PH DICUIRAGE

Gren. LOPHIUS, L.

LOPHIUS UPSICEPHALUS, Smith.

Illustr. Zool. S. Afr. p. 9, pl. 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 21 times in total length

excluding caudal, length of head 1,4, times; width of head nearly

75 its length. Snout 1+ times as long as eye, which is 62 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 ii + 118; the first 3 spines distinct and situated on the

head ; the Ist consists of a simple filament, ;%, 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 Ist 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 2 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 1 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. 64 miles.

Faminy COTTIDAR:

Gren. HOPLICHTHYS, Ginth.

HopPpLicHTHYS LANGSDORFI, C. & V.

Hist. Nat. Poiss. iv. p. 264, pl. 81, 1829.

Teeth, a narrow band of minute villiform teeth on each jaw and

on vomer and palatines. Depth of body 3} to 32 times in total

length excluding caudal, length of head 3 to 34 times; width of

head between base of preopercular spines 34 to 4 times. Head

greatly flattened; snout wide, produced, and rounded anteriorly,

3 to 32 times in length of head; diameter of eye 4 to 4,5, 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 4+ length of head; 2nd dorsal higher than the Ist 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,

2 length of head. Ventrals a little more than 2 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 Natal. 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 dark bars.

Three specimens, 56mm., 109 mm., 143 mm, in length respectively,

procured by the Cape Government trawler P. Fawre (s.) off the

coast of Natal, in 63 fms.; Tugela River mouth N. 22 miles.

Gen. LEPIDOTRIGLA, Ginth.

LEPIDOTRIGLA FAUREI, N. sp.

Teeth in narrow villiform bands on jaws and vomer. Depth of

body 4 to 4,4, times in total length excluding caudal, length of head

34, to 31 times. Snout slightly elongate, feebly concave, 14 to 14

times diameter of eye, which is 34 to 38 times in length of head and

12 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, 57, length of head and equal to the distance between

point of snout and posterior margin of eye. Pectorals 11 + 3,

1 to 14 times length of head and reaching to vertical from 5th or 6th

anal ray. Ventrals * length of head. Anal 16, situated below soft

dorsal, of equal length but lower. Caudal deeply emarginate,

2 to + length of head. Scales of moderate size, with spines on their

free margin. Twenty-three spines along base of dorsal fin. Lat. |.

60-61, with radiating tubes but without armature. Lat. tr. a

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. Faure (s.) off Natal coast; 1 of 120 mm. in length, in 40 fms.,

Tugela River mouth N. by W.2W. 15% miles; 2 of 120 mm.

and 146 mm. in length respectively, Tugela River mouth N. 22 miles,

in 63 fms.

76 Annals of the South African Museum.

LEPIDOTRIGLA NATALENSIS, D. Sp.

Teeth in villiform bands on jaws and vomer. Depth of body

5;'; times in total length excluding caudal, length of head 31 times.

Snout elongate, upper profile straight, 14 times diameter of eye,

which is 32 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,

$ length of head and equal to the distance between point of snout

and posterior margin of eye. Pectorals 11 + 38, 1,4, times length of

head, reaching to vertical from 5th anal ray. Ventrals + length

of head. Anal 15, situated below soft dorsal, of equal length but

lower. Caudal emarginate, 5%, lengthof 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. =

Colour (of preserved specimen), uniform grey; pectorals dark

underneath.

One specimen, 130 mm. in length, procured by the Cape Govern-

ment trawler P. Fawre (s.) off the Natal coast, in 40 fms.; Tugela

River mouth N. by W.4W. 16 miles.

Gen. TRIGLA, L.

TRIGLA NATALENSIS, 0. sp.

Teeth in villiform bands on jaws and vomer. Depth of body

54 times in total length excluding caudal, length of head 34 times.

Snout elongate, slightly concave, 1% times diameter of eye, which is

34 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 4 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 * head, reaching to anal.

Anal 15, situated below soft dorsal and of same length, but not so

high. Caudal emarginate, + length of head. Scales very small,

cycloid. Twenty-five spines along base of dorsal fin. Lat. I. 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. Fawre (s.) off the Natal coast, in 48 fms.; Cape

Natal W. by N. 64 miles.

TRIGLA CAPENSIS, C. & V.

Hist. Nat. Poiss. iv. p. 53, 1829.

Teeth in villiform bands on jaws and vomer. Depth of body 5 to

52 times in total length excluding caudal, length of head 3,5, to 34

times. Snout elongate, upper profile straight, about twice diameter

of eye, which is 4 times in length of head and 12 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, $ to length of head and slightly more than the distance

between anterior nostril and angle of preoperculum. Pectorals

11+3, 1 to 1,3, length of head, reaching to the vertical from 6th or

7th ray of dorsal. Ventrals # to + length of head. Anal 16, similar

to soft dorsal. Caudal emarginate or slightly forked, 4, to # length

of head. Seales 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, rath Durban, Natal.

Three specimens, procured by the Cape Government trawler

P. Faure (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.4 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 Jength excluding caudal, length of head

3: times. Snout elongate, upper profile nearly straight, 1+ times

diameter of eye, which is 32 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 4 length of head and equals the distance between anterior

nostril and angle of preoperculum. Pectorals 11+3; 14 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, 2 length of head. Scales small,

cycloid. A series of 24 spines along each side of base of dorsal fins.

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. Romer Robinson,

Natal.

Famity SCOMBRIDA.

Gren. ECHENKEIS, 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 11%

times in total length excluding caudal, breadth of body between

pectorals 81 times; length of head, with disk nearly 3% times,

without disk 51 times ; width of head nearly } its length. Hyes

transversely oval, directed obliquely outwards and downwards,

distance apart superiorly 34 diameters from end of snout, inferiorly

3% 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 2 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 2 length of disk. Pectorals 2 length of disk, situated behind

head in line with 19th lamina of disk. Ventrals 3 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 2 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.

Faminy GOBIIDA.

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 34 to 32 times; height of head # its breadth, which is con-

tained 1,4, to 1} times in its length. Snout slightly convex, 11 to

1% times diameter of eye, which occupies the 2nd quarter of length

of head, is 1 to 1# times interorbital width and 8 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 4 to

4 length of head; soft rays longest posteriorly, 1} to 14 height of

longest spine. Pectorals + 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, + 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,

Romer Robinson, Natal.

Descriptions of Fishes from the Coast of Natal. 81

GOBIUS MALABARICUS, Day.

Proc. Zool. Lond. 1865, p.27; Fishes Malab. p. 111, pl. 7, fig. 2, 1865.

Teeth in avilliform band, the outer row enlarged and strong; no

canines. Depth of body nearly 5 times in total length excluding

caudal, length of head 34 times ; height of head about 5%, its width,

which is contained 1+ times in its length. Snout slightly longer than

‘the eye, which is 42 times in length of head and 14 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 4

length of head, and about same height as posterior rays of 2nd

dorsal, which is lower anteriorly, the rays gradually increasing in

length. Pectorals } length of head, scarcely reaching anal. Ventrals

3 length of head, not reaching vent. Anal i 10; similar to soft

dorsal but lower. Caudal rounded, 5,3, 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. Romer Robinson,

Natal.

Gren. PERIOPTHALMUS, BI. Schn.

PERIOPHTHALMUS KOELREUTERI (Pall.).

Spic. Zool. viii. p. 8, pl. 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 2 to ¢ 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-

82 Annals of the South African Musewm.

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 2 length of head; 2nd dorsal not as high as 1st. Pectorals

2 length of head, with a long, scaly, muscular base. Ventrals very

small, almost entirely separated from each other. Anal12. 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.

Romer Robinson, Natal.

Two specimens, 66 mm. 72 mm. in length respectively, from

Durban Bay.

Gen. TRYPAUCHEN, 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 84 times in total length excluding caudal, length

of head 61 to 6% times. Body elongated, compressed ; occipital

crest elevated ; width of head 2 to {4 its length, height slightly more

than its length behind the eyes. Snout 3% to 3% 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 1+ length of head, posterior rays filamentous. Pectorals

8, 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. Faure (s.) in 12-14 fms., off

South Head of Tugela River, Natal.

Famitry MUGILIDAH.

Gren. MYXUS, Giinth.

Myxvs BARNARDI, 0. 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 32 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 12 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 ? 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 4 length of head; base of 2nd dorsal 2 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 Ist

dorsal fin, 2 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 Ist dorsal, 3rd

spine 2 length of longest spine of dorsal. Depth of free portion of

tail 31 times in length of head. Lat. |. 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 Ist 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.

Faminry CHIASMODONTIDAE.

Grn. CHAMPSODON, Ginth,

CHAMPSODON CAPENSIS, Regan.

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 52 to 6 times in total length excluding

caudal, length of head 3+ to 4 times; depth of head about 3 its

length. Snout 34 to 4 times in length of head, distance from tip of

snout to end of maxillary about 3 length of head ; eye 44 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 jj diameter of eye, feebly con-

cave, with 2 rows of pores down the centre; cleft of mouth

exceedingly wide, about 2 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 2 to $ length of head ; soft dorsal higher

than spinous, rays slightly filamentous. Pectorals small, 2 length

of head. Ventrals + length of head, reaching to vent, 3rd and 4th

branched rays longest and considerably higher than the Ist. 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 the 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 River mouth N. by W.

18 miles, the smallest in 54 fms., Cape Natal W. by N. 64 miles.

Famity CENTRISCIDAE.

Gren. CENTRISCUS, L.

CENTRISCUS HUMEROSUS, Rich.

Voy. Erebus and Terror, Fishes, p. 56, pl. 34, figs. 5 and 6, 1846.

(Trumpet-fish, Bellows-fish.)

Height of the body contained 14 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. Hye 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 2 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 4

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 $ 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.

Faminry LABRIDAE.

Gren. PLATYGLOSSUS, Klein.

PLATYGLOSSUS ROBINSONI, 0. sp.

Teeth, a posterior canine, 4 strong canines at symphysis of each

jaw, slightly curved and directed a little outwards. Depth of body

32 times in total length excluding caudal, length of head 4 times.

Snout 2§ times in length of head and 1,4 times diameter of eye,

which is nearly 5 times in length of head and about 14 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 3 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

8 length of head. Pectorals nearly 2 length of head. Ventrals

a little more than + length of head. Anal iii 12, similar to soft

dorsal ; 3rd spine longest, ® length of longest spine of dorsal.

Caudal with the outer lobes slightly produced, the posterior margin

of fin enclosed between them being rounded in the middle.

Lat. 1. 27, lat. tr. 2; 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 Ist

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. Romer Robinson,

Natal.

Famiry GADIDAHE,

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 34 times in

length of head; upper jaw slightly the longer, extending to behind

vertical of centre of eye.

Dorsal i, 16+ 2 +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 distinet 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 5%, length of head.

Ventrals arise under the throat; 6 rays, the outer 3 being compressed

and elongated, 34 times in length of head and reaching to about

21st ray of anal. Anal 22+ 2 +20; similar to 2nd dorsal. The

vent is situated at the end of the anterior third of the total length.

Scales cycloid, small. Lat. 1. 64, lat. tr. §.

Colour (of preserved specimen), silvery, back brownish, sides

faint greenish yellow ; minutely dotted with brown.

One specimen, 59 mm. in length, procured by the Cape Govern-

ment trawler P. Faure (s.) 11 miles off Cape Natal; depth 185 fms.

Famity OPHIDITDAH.

Gren. SELACHOPHIDIUM, Gilchr.

SELACHOPHIDIUM GUENTHERI, Gilchr.

Mar. Inv. S. Afric. ii. 1903, p. 209, pl. 17.

Teeth in a villiform band on each jaw, and on vomer and

palatines. Depth of body 62? times in total length excluding

caudal, length of head 52 times. Longitudinal diameter of eye

22 times in length of head; vertical diameter of eye 4,7, times

in length of head, scarcely shorter than length of snout and slightly

longer than interorbital width ; head conical, slightly depressed in

front of the eyes; snout wedge-shaped, blunt and projecting beyond

mouth; maxillary reaches to vertical of posterior third of eye,

dilated posteriorly; glandular tissue on preoperculum, with one

large pore; a sharp spine on operculum; mouth large, inferior,

horizontal; gillrakers 15 on lower part of anterior arch, those next

the angle long, the last 7 mere knobs. Inside of mouth and gill-

chambers black.

Dorsal 115; commence a little behind pectorals, about equal

in height throughout, rays about 4 length of head. Pectorals

Descriptions of Fishes from the Coast of Natal. 89

zo length of head. Ventrals situated behind posterior edge of

preoperculum, consisting of a single ray about 4 the length of the

head. Anal 88; commences immediately behind vent, which is

situated well in front of the middle of the body. The dorsal and

anal fins are confluent; there are thin scales on anterior part of

dorsal, reaching to about 4 its height. Lateral line slightly curved,

runs parallel with upper margin of body, well marked anteriorly but

only to be traced with difficulty to the caudal; about 12 series

of scales between lateral line and base of middle of dorsal fin.

Colour (of preserved specimen), uniform light reddish brown ;

caudal and posterior extremity of dorsal and anal fins black-

edged.

One specimen, 216 mm. in length, procured by the Cape Govern-

ment trawler P. Faure (s.) in 440 fms. off the Natal coast; Cape

Natal, N. by E. 24 miles.

Gren. NEOBYTHITES, Goode & Bean.

NEOBYTHITES MACROPS, Giinth.

Challenger Reports, xxii. p. 102, pl. 20, fig. A, 1887.

Teeth in villiform bands; vomerine teeth in a chevron-shaped

band, palatine teeth in a long band which tapers posteriorly and in

the middle is slightly wider than the maxillary band. Depth of body

5? times in total length, length of head 5 times. Eye rather large,

its longitudinal diameter 44 times in length of head and equal

to length of snout, its vertical diameter 53 times in length of head

and slightly less than the interorbital width ; interocular space flat

and scaly; head oblong, as deep as broad, the obtusely rounded

snout overlapping the lower jaw; maxillary reaches to vertical

of posterior margin of eye; preoperculum armed with 2 short

spines, one at the angle and the other a little above it, both pointing

backwards; operculum with a strong finely pointed spine ; mouth

large, inferior, horizontal; upper part of head covered with small

scales nearly to extremity of snout, small scales on skin between

rami of mandibles. Gillrakers, 15 on lower part of anterior arch,

those at the angle very long and the remainder decreasing in length

until the last 6 exist as mere knobs.

Dorsal 100 (circa), commences behind root of pectorals; rays

about equal in length throughout, 4+ length of head. Pectorals

75 length of head. Ventrals bifid, the inner filament being the

90 Annals of the South African Museum.

higher and 4 length of head; inserted nearly opposite to angle

of preoperculum, somewhat distant from each other and not reach-

ing as far back as the pectorals do. Anal 85; commences imme-

diately behind vent, which is situated well in front of the middle

of the body. Dorsal and anal fins confluent with caudal. Thin

scales on anterior part of dorsal fin, reaching to about 4 its height.

Lateral line slightly curved, runs parallel to upper margin of body,

very indistinctly marked posteriorly ; about 8 or 9 scales in trans-

verse series between it and base of Ist ray of dorsal fin.

Colour (of preserved specimen), light yellowish brown, speckled ;

anal, caudal and posterior extremity of dorsal fin black-edged.

One specimen, 184 mm. in length, procured by the Cape Govern-

ment trawler P. Faure (s.) off Natal coast, in 440 fms.; Cape Natal,

N. by H. 24 miles.

Famiry SYNGNATHIDAE.

Gren. SYNGNATHUS, Art.

SYNGNATHUS ZANZIBARENSIS, Giinth.

Fishes Zanzibar, p. 140, pl. 20, fig. 5. 1887.

Depth of body slightly greater than its breadth. Length of head

nearly 11 times in total length; distance from snout to vent about

4 the distance between the vent and caudal; snout 52 times as

long as eye, which is 10 times in length of head and slightly less

than interorbital width; interocular space concave; operculum

swollen, finely radiated ; occiput and nape with a median ridge.

Dorsal with 26 rays, which are slightly less than depth of body ;

base of fin elevated and stands on 6 rings; length of base equals

length of snout from centre of eye. Pectorals ;4, length of head.

Anal minute and situated immediately behind vent, which is placed

below the middle of the dorsal fin. Caudal minute. Osseous rings

22, 63. Trunk rather deeper than broad, with a slight swelling in

the middle; osseous shields without spines ; tail tetrahedral, taper-

ing but not terminating in a point, width of upper surface slightly

less than that of lower and the former feebly and the latter

distinctly concave.

Colour (of preserved specimen), brown, with a few darker spots on

sides and snout.

Descriptions of Fishes from the Coast of Natal. 91

One specimen, 270 mm. in length, procured by the Cape Govern-

ment trawler P. Faure (s.) 24 miles off Umhlanga River, on the

Natal coast ; depth 22 fms.

Famitry SCLERODERMI.

Gen. OSTRACION, L.

OSTRACION CORNUTUS, L.

Syst. Nat., 10th ed., p. 331, 1758.

Carapace 4-ridged, forming a broad bridge across the back of the

tail; a long conical spine above each orbit, directed forwards; each

ventral ridge terminates posteriorly in a similar spine pointing

backwards ; each dorsal ridge with a slight prominence, which is not

developed into a spine, in the middle of its length; median line

of the back slightly raised in the middle but not forming a spine;

interorbital space very concave ; profile of snout high and concave ;

10 teeth on each jaw, conical and rather weak; eye 4 length of

snout and 22 times in distance from snout to gill-opening. Nine

scutes from gill-opening to tail, 5-6 transversely, 7 across ventral

surface. Depth of body # its greatest width.

Dorsal 9; situated wholly in advance of anal; highest anteriorly,

nearly 5 times in total length excluding caudal. Pectorals # length

of head. Anal 9; similar to dorsal but slightly lower. Caudal

truncated, 2 length of body. Surface of scutes granulated and

striated, but without prickles or spines.

Colour (of preserved specimen), light brown on back, yellowish on

sides and belly.

One specimen, 73 mm. in length, from Natal; Dr. Gilchrist.

OsTRACION DIAPHANUS, Bl. Schn.

Syst. Ichth., p. 501, 1801.

Carapace 4-ridged, the bridge across back of tail formed by 4 trans-

verse series of scutes ; a pair of short conical spines above the orbit,

feebly divergent and pointing forwards ; a short curved spine in the

middle of the back, with a shorter spine on each dorsal ridge opposite

to it; ventral ridge terminating posteriorly in a short strong spine

92 Annals of the South African Museum.

and with 2 smaller spines on the side, one below the. dorsal fin and

the other below the spine on the dorsal ridge ; interorbital space very

concave ; profile of snout high and slightly concave; 10 teeth on

upper jaw, 8 on lower; eye nearly 4 length of snout and 3 times in

distance between point of snout and gill-opening. Ten scutes between

gill-opening and tail, 6 transversely, 10 across ventral surface.

Depth of body slightly less than its greatest width.

Dorsal 9; situated wholly in advance of anal, highest anteriorly,

53 times in length of body. Pectorals 3%, length of head. Anal 9;

similar to dorsal but slightly lower. Caudal truncate, slightly longer

than head and 8, length of body. Surface of scutes granulated but

without prickles or spines.

Colour (of preserved specimen), dark bluish above, reddish yellow

on belly.

One specimen, 84 mm. in length, from Natal; Dr. Gilchrist.

OsTRACION CONCATENATUS, BI.

Ausl. Fisch, pl. 131, 1785.

Carapace 3-ridged, forming a broad continuous bridge across the

back of the tail. Dorsal ridge with 2 compressed spines placed

close together; each ventral ridge with 4 compressed spines, 2 of

which are near each other and in the vertical of the dorsal spines,

the others being one at each extremity of the ventral ridge ; supra-

orbital edge with 2 sharp spines pointing backwards and outwards,

(All these spines become less prominent with age, and only traces of

them can be discovered in adult examples (8-10 inches), Giinther.)

Interorbital space feebly concave; profile of snout high and concave ;

eye 2 length of snout and 21 times in distance between point of snout

and gill-opening; 8 scutes from gill-opening to tail, 8 transversely,

10 across ventral surface. Depth of body about equals its width.

Dorsal 9, situated in advance of anal; highest anteriorly, 44 times

in total length excluding caudal. Pectorals more than 4 length

of head. Anal 10, similar to dorsal and situated immediately

behind anus. Caudal truncated, + length of body. Surface of scutes

striated, but without prickles or spines.

Colour (of preserved specimen), uniform whitish.

One specimen (immature), 17 mm. in length, procured by the

Cape Government trawler P. Faure (s.) in 20 fms., off Natal

coast; False Bluff, N.E., 42 miles.

Descriptions of Fishes from the Coast of Natal. 93

Famiry GYMNODONTHS.

Gen. TETRODON, L.

TETRODON IMMACULATUS, Bl. Schn.

Syst. Ichth., p. 507, 1801.

Teeth equal on both jaws. Length of head nearly equals its

distance from dorsal fin and is 22 times in the total length exclud-

ing caudal. Hyes comparatively small, situated high up and about

midway between gill-opening and end of snout, and 3% times in

length of snout, which is slightly more than 4 length of head ; inter-

orbital space flat, its width slightly less than length of snout, the

osseous part about 3 times diameter of eye in width; 2 solid nasal

papillae on each side of an impervious nasal fossa.

Dorsal 11; situated in posterior third of distance from snout to

base of caudal fin, length of base of fin equals 4 its height, anterior

rays longest and 4 length of head. Pectorals 18; a little more than

4 length of head. Anal 11; situated midway between posterior

margin of dorsal fin and base of caudal, of similar shape to dorsal

fin but smaller. Caudal truncated, + length of body. Spines cover

the whole body except the snout and the caudal peduncle, strongest

and most numerous on the belly.

Colour (of preserved specimen), olive-brown on back, shading

to light brown on sides, belly white ; pectorals straw-colour, situated

in the middle of a large round black spot which also extends on

to their base and covers the gill-openings ; anus in a black ring.

One specimen, 310 mm. in length, from Mr. Romer Robinson,

Natal.

apiatus (Batrachus).....................

baxnandig(Miyxus) preeceaesbssceeosecerr

JE AHAOHAGTO scoscancapcnonosone5Reen0=c00

JETRO oocooconode0s999035c050500000060¢

IBY ROGRIKKE OOS ac soceconssqcb0ncosedoosendone

capensis (Champsodon) ...........+...

Gayoso (AUAIEE)) Goacnscoooosanncancemboc

Centriscidae ...... sadosanoncoon9ea0000bOKG

CODWTIBOUIS oc. .ccbnccnonocacRobobpnnnsD 6e5ceC

(GIOCHI OOSOCILD copdonocosonceocadecoodRcaoant

Ghiasmodontiddereracscenstescecasces-e

chrysostomus (Lethrinus) ............

cinerascens (Cyphosus) ...............

concatenatus (Ostracion) ............

cornutus (Ostracion) .............0....

(COUHTEIO scoppacdnnonaoabosaogenodancnodst 56.

GU OSUS Mamelveneceseleceece serie etecttt

JOYE DUGEES “5o36000R0 000000 spubHococoddsosenoobe

diaphanus (Ostracion)..................

diemensis (Batrachus) ...............

Goliatusy (Matias) seserescc-cs--e-eecer ss

IEICHEN EIS campeon emcee neces ertceacioe terse:

EpinepRewus ......c0cessrsvescoeseesersses

(94 )

INDEX.

| FE

PAGE PAGE

71 | faurei (Lepidotrigla) .................. 75

flavocoeruleus (Epinephelus) ......... 67

83 G

71 GAMIEGE J. nacsesecsoestne catece ore eree ee 87

87 (COWIE K Occoaasoso. cudcacocunsdenocunsbeasn67 80

GODWUSE cacao scanenccesmeseetaseett tanese 80

guentheri (Selacophidium)............ 88

(CTROOIO DI Bogcncoocbscencocnasceosesccdese 93

ae | H

85 |

Qi) | LOOP UtGHEN S Ween nwenee nese eer eeenaeeeteet 74

94 | humerosus (Centriscus) ............... 85

70— I

92 |

g1 | immaculatus (Tetrodon)............... 93

koelreuteri (Periophthalmus)......... 81

91 L

72 ;

70 TL, QOTUAQE, seaecsiensessoutesesceseossececnse 86

langsdorfi (Hoplichthys)........... seat wih

UG OTLB mrencesscssees secs osae ease eteee mes 70

JOGO RAGUL orconnonsnan eno RenceH2sda00080 75

IB OW OUD a ecosnoctnsastioeSadapobo458005 440 69

TEV IGOINLADS cndoco sedeassociooscnsobossosée.c8o0c 73

(aja) IE QTHOD aScpconsotnonsaseoodne 34405000000 65

Index. 95

M R

PAGE PAGE

macclellandi (Bregmaceros) ......... 87 | rivulatus (Dentex) ......+0++. 12s 68

maculatus (Epinephelus) ............ 67. robinsoni (Platyglossus) ......-.-+++++- 86

macrops (Neobythites) ............++. 89

malabaricus (Gobius) ........-...-..++ 81

IVIQLG TIAA OC trecsecsececeaceeecea sans: !9=s <<- 83 g

MY EUS... cnc cenceescencncenes-csccsceetes 83

SclevOdermt ..secesereerereeeeerereevence 91

Neo MORHEIGXD ccaoodsoncondunanadcodsdpoRDoC 79

N Selachophidiunr.......0+.coreeeerseerseeee 88

F : : PSNR Soo oncosccab0s5000c0nbhocasGegNOs 69

natalensis (Lepidotrigla)............... US|) % er

? : SYNGNALNAAGE weeencestescesreren-n--e = 90

natalensis (Trigla) .............:..s+++ 76 Syngnatheus 90

naucrates (Echeneis) .............++..- ean ee

Neobythites .......ceccereceereeeceesvoeee 89

TetrodOony oseoseseeeceoseeeeeeeseseec 93

obscurus (GobiUs)........+.eeeeeees 80 | Drachinidae se «.se.sceteedeteese = ees 70

Ophnidtidae........2...0ce2e0r-u-neerrsoorse 88.) Trighac.ccccccshecseee eee eee 16

(ORGRAEIGID 65. codocacconcoccdcocsand90000n0d 91 | Trypauchen ..... dustdyecdetensestseaecees 82

E U

pe eared gg | “total ote ae 73

Periophthalmus. .........-.--+--0eeeees 81

peroni (Trigha) ..........1.eeseee ener ees 78 Vv

Platyglossus .........002...00e0000- see8 see 86

praeopercularis (Epinephelus) ...... 66 | vagina (Trypauchen) .............. ... 82

quinquelinearis (Lutianus)............ 65 | zanzibarensis (Syngnathus) ......... 90

- - 1 sip agl 98 han ee Y

= as os ; ey ‘ = + g's

ie aN cay my = % vise = } 7 Lid were bh in err "Y) “Venn

% J

eb! | _

ih, 1a i aaa a

2p eh oe a ea OE be

ise, Ret iahpan EY astute pits [ate Whe ie

2 oh fee! es my ‘i a. 1 ee

“4 = ; , eh . s 4 mun 4 ced

SS Merce wf

iy Was a 7 as a ae is

ean? an

é ' Bald err " se ie

| fei.

ey SS bie ati :

4 |

Prapigie

vee

(97 )

6.—Two New Species of Marginella from South Africa.—By Lewis

J. SHACKLEFORD.

MARGINELLA KEROCHUTA, N. sp.

SHELL four to five whorls, fusiformly ovate, considerably recurved

at the base, pure white, very shining, no markings or sculpturing.

Spire obtusely conical, whorls somewhat tumid. Suture somewhat

slightly impressed. There is a callus which extends from the

shoulder up the whorls of the spire, giving the appearance of a slight

varix. Aperture long and narrow. The columella has four oblique

plaits, the two at the base being slightly grooved. The outer lip is

bent back at the shoulder and at the base, and is feebly denticulated

within. Margin rounded andj broader at the shoulder and base than

in the centre.

Long. 13 mm.; max. diam. 7 mm.

Hab.—Cape Point (8. Africa), NE. + N., 18 miles, 135 fathoms,

2 specimens, s.s. Pieter Faure.

A pretty volute-like shell of the contour of zeyheri, Kr., and

laevigata, Braz., but much larger than either. The specific name

is derived from the appearance of the shell, which looks as though

it had been moulded of white wax (xypoc and yew).

98 Annals of the South African Museum.

MARGINELLA BROCKTONI, 0. sp.

Shell five whorls, oblong ovate, pale maize colour, somewhat

diaphanous, highly polished with margin, base, and suture of a pale

fulyous brown. Spire exserted, obtusely conical. Suture but

moderately impressed. Whorls slightly convex. Columella with

three very oblique plaits. Aperture long and narrow, but broadening

at base. Outer lip curved back at the shoulder and the base, slightly

margined, smooth within. There is the indication of a callus at the

shoulder. Base somewhat recurved.

Long. 17 mm. ; max. diam. 8 mm.

Hab.—Cape Point (8. Africa), N. 50° E., 184 miles, 180 fathoms,

2 specimens, s.s. Pieter Faure.

This species, except for the plice, has some likeness to biplicata,

Kr., but is double the size of that species. It has also some resem-

blance to swccinea, Conrad. The specific name is chosen out of

respect for Mr. J. R. le Brockton Tomlin, whose researches on the

genus are well known.

The type specimens of both species are in the S.A. Museum

(Nos. A1954 and A1956 respectively).

(99 )

7.—Notes on South African Mollusca.—By M. Connouby.

I.—Some Soutu Arrican Tiarinae.

In explanation of the above title, I would point out that, as the

‘‘Museum Boltenianum,” 1798, is now accepted as valid in questions

of nomenclature, Bolten’s Genus Tiara * must take precedence of

Melama, Lamarck, 1799.+

Bolten placed in Thiara five species:

The first is Helix amarula, Linné.

The second, which he named cancellata, appears to be identical

with setosa, Swainson, { in which case Bolten’s name has priority.

The other three names are nude.

As amarula, Linné, was selected by Lamarck as the Type of

Melania, and is the only species included by him when founding his

Genus, it is obvious that Melania becomes a synonym for Tiara s.s.,

and is not even entitled to sub-generic rank.

The Subfamily Melaniinae therefore becomes Tiarinae, and, if the

group of shells formerly classed as Melaniidae be considered worthy

to rank as a distinct Family, Melanidae gives place to Tiaridae.

I say zf, because Bouvier § has shown that the nervous system.

and other portions of the anatomy in such species as coslata,

Q. & G., amarula, Lin., and tuberculata, Mill., present almost

exactly the same relations as in Cerithiwm vulgatum, Brug., and

Moore,|| in his article on the Family Melanidae, transfers this whole

group to the Cerithwdae, as constituting simply the freshwater

contingent of that Family. It seems doubtful, however, whether the

generality of conchologists will concur in uniting two groups, one

* Mus. Boltenianum, Hamburg, 1798, part ii. p. 109 (as Thiara).

+ Mém. Soc. Hist. Nat. Paris, 1799, p. 75.

t Quart. Journ. Sci. Lit. Arts, 1824, xvii. p. 13.

§ Ann. Sci. Nat. Paris, 1887, iii. pp. 125, 127, 153-156.

|| Proc. Mal. Soc., 1899, iii. p. 230.

100 Annals of the South African Musewm.

marine and the other freshwater, which have so long been kept

separate, and if the distinction is to be preserved, the name Tiaridae

must be introduced.

With regard to the spelling, Bolten took his name Thiara from the

French thiare, but the classical version, both in Greek and Latin, is

Tiara, and as this has been adopted by H. & A. Adams* and

Geoffrey Nevill,} among other authorities, the omission of the

letter ““h’’ is no innovation on my part.

Melania amarula (Lin.) was included in my ‘“ Revised Ref.

List of South African non-marine Mollusca” on the strength of

shells from Izezela and Umkomaas, which had been identified with

that species.

I had not seen the examples in question, but, through the kindness

of Mr. H.C. Burnup, have now been privileged to examine specimens

from the Amanzintoti River, which he assures me are conspecific

with those previously mentioned.

They are far smaller than typical amarula, and the spikes of the

tiara are much less pronounced. I hardly think it possible to class

them as amarula, Lin., and that species should therefore be

removed from the South African list.

It is now necessary to find a name for these Natal shells.

They are unquestionably identical with the Melana coacta

(Meusch.) {| of von Martens,§ recorded in 1897 from several parts

of Zanzibar and the East Coast of Africa, and already included in

the South African list, as it was found by Junod in Lorenzo Marques.

Even if Meuschen’s species could be fully recognized, however, his

name cannot stand, as the ‘‘ Mus. Geversianum,”’ in which he pub-

lished it, has been ruled inadmissible from a binomial standpoint.

Brot || and Mérch‘i have, on various occasions, associated

no actual proof of their identity, and thiarella, which was described

from ‘‘ Les grandes Indes,” seems to be quite distinct from the East

African species.

I think it may hence be concluded that (i) the name coacta, of

Meuschen, being published in an inadmissible work, is void, and

available for re-employment if desired; (ii) that it had not been

* Gen. rec. Moll., i. 1854, p. 294.

+ Hand List, ii. 1884, p. 278.

{ Museum Geversianum, 1787, p. 294 (as Strombus coactus).

§ Deutsch-Ost-Afr., 1897, p. 197. Pl. VI, f. 36.

|| Conch. Cab., 1877, p. 291.

qT J. de €., 1872) xx. p. slo!

** Hist. nat. An. s. Vert., viii. p. 432.

Notes on South African Mollusca. 101

re-employed in such a manner as to invalidate it from future use,

prior to 1897; (iii) that the African species of Tiara, now under

consideration, had not been described or named until the year just

mentioned; that von Martens established the name coacta by

adopting it for a definite species ; and that, as Meuschen is inad-

missible and his idea of coacta open to doubt, the present species

must be known by the name of Tiara coacta (von Martens).

Before quitting the subject it may be advisable to deal with Bolten’s

second species, Tiara cancellata.*

He gave this name to the large, broad-based, flat-spired variety,

listed by Gmelin+ as H. amarula, var. 2, and badly, though

recognizably, figured by Chemnitz,} which now passes as setosa,

Swainson.

In 1824 Swainson described § under this name an immature shell

from Mauritius, which forthwith became the subject of a heated

controversy between himself and Gray.|| This ended by Gray

proving, at least to his own satisfaction, that setosa was the species

figured by Chemnitz, a view subsequently adopted by Brot.‘

Judging from Swainson’s original figure and locality, it appears

doubtful whether his setosa does not represent the young state of

amarula, rather than the species which now passes under Swainson’s

name, but, even if Gray’s application of it is correct, Bolten’s Tiara

cancellata has priority by twenty-six years, so that it must obviously

be adopted for the species in question.

Postscript.—Since the foregoing Note was written, Suter has

adopted the family name Thiaridae in his work on New Zealand

Mollusea.** For reasons already given it seems desirable to

modify the spelling, but in any case the authorship of the name

must be attributed to him

* Mus. Boltenianum, Hamburg, 1798, part ii. p. 109.

+ Syst. Nat. Hd. 13, 1790, i. 6, p. 3656, No. 126.

t Conch. Cab., 1786, ix. p. 159. Pl. CXXXIV, f. 1220, 1221.

§ Quart. Journ. Sci. Lit. Arts, 1824, xvii. p. 13.

|| Zool. Journ., 1824-5, i. pp. 253, 399, 523.

{| Conch. Cab., 1877, p. 297.

** Man. N.Z. Moll., 1913, pp. xviii, 235.

102 Annals of the South African Musewm.

IJ.—THeE Genus Marinula, King,

with Diagnosis of an undescribed Species.

Little notice has been taken of this genus for over thirty years,

while much that was written by earlier authors is erroneous. I

therefore hope that the following notes, made during the elucidation

of the species hereinafter described, may be of use to future students

of Auriculidae.

The genus Marinula was founded by King in July, 1832 (not

1835, the date usually quoted), to receive a new species from the

Island of Chiloe, off the extreme south coast of Chili, which he

named Marinula pepita.

His diagnoses of the genus and genotype are :—

“MARINULA. Nov. Genus.

T. ovato-producta, sub-solida; apertura ovata, integra; columella

bidentata, et basin versus uniplicata; dentibus magnis sub-remotis.

conniventibus, superiore maximo ; operculum nullum,

MARINULA PEPITA.

M. t. ovato-producta, viridi-fusca ; anfractibus sub-tumidis ; spira.

brevi; ap. nigricante; dentibus plicique albidis; long. =7,; lat.

zs poll.

Hab. ad ins. Chiloe. Mus. Brit. nost. Brod. G. Sowerby.” *

Several writers have attributed to King the statement that the

animal differs from that of Pedipes in its foot not being transversely

divided, hut there is no mention of this in his published writings.

No difficulty should ever have arisen over King’s genus or species.

He mentions that there is a typical set in the British Museum, and

it is there to this day, agreeing well with his description and labelled

‘“Chiloe; Captain P. P. King, R.N.,” but, instead of pepita, the

name on the front of the tablet is mgra, Phil.

The explanation of this mistake is as follows :—

In the Cuming collection are three tablets; on one is the Type set

of Auricula recluziana, Petit, from Colombia, labelled in Pfeiffer’s

writing ‘“pepita, King’’; on each of the others is a set of,

apparently, a smaller form of the same species, but one is labelled

pepita, King (Hab. Chile), and the other, acuta, Orb. (no Hab. given).

These shells are neither pepita nor acuta ; in fact, they do not belong

* Zool. Journ., 1832, v. pp. 343, 344.

Notes on South African Mollusca. 103

to Marinula at all; but it was on two of these sets that writers of

the mid-Victorian period based their idea of King’s genus. In the

Cuming collection also are two sets of the true pepita, labelled re-

spectively, ‘“ M. marinella, King, Chili’? (an apparent misspelling

of the Generic name), and “ Marinula nigra, Phil. var., Chiloe.”’

Now, in 1844, Kiister described and figured as Auricula pepita a

shell from Chili, similar to those wrongly labelled pepita in the

Cuming collection; and also described Awricula nigra, Philippi

from Chiloe, afterwards substituting the name A. marinella, King,

which he thought had priority.

The figure is very bad, but the description is that of the true

pepita, which came from the same locality as the M. nigra and

marinella published by Kiister; and the substitution of the latter

name is obviously due to the above-mentioned misspelt label.

Although Gray more than once* mentioned Marinula, the first

authors to make prominent use of it were H. & A. Adams, who,

in 1854+ included in the genus ;—pepita, King (=¢triplicatus,

Anton); patula, Lowe; marinella (=nigra); callaoénsis, Petit

(nomen nudum); recluziana, Petit; cymbacformis, Récluz (also

nomen nudum); pwnctata, Bivona (=villosa, Fér. and firminit,

Payr.); aequalis, Lowe (cum var. gracilis, Lowe), and a new

species, xanthostoma, from Moreton Bay.

In 1855 | they practically repeated the foregoing list, but

founded a new subgenus Monica, to contain aequalis, Lowe (Type),

jirmini and gracilis.

These three species appear to have no connection with typical

Marinula, but I hardly see how they can be considered even

subgenerically distinct from Phytia, Gray (=Alexia, Leach, 1847,

nec Stephens, 1835). If they are, Monica stands ready to receive

them.

In 1855 Swainson created a genus Cremnobates§ for three

Tasmanian shells, which he described under the names of C. cornea,

parva and solida. Hedley & Suter || have shown that cornea and

solida are respectively synonyms of Ophicardelus australis, Q. & G.,

and the M. patula, Lowe, of Pfeiffer, and therefore propose parva as

Type of Swainson’s genus; but parva appears to be a true Marinula,

in which case Cremnobates can only be relegated to synonymy.

* Syn. Brit. Mus., 1841, p. 91 and P.Z.S., 1847, p. 179.

+ P.Z.S., 1854, p. 35.

+ Gen. rec. Moll., ii. p. 246.

§ Papers and Proc. Roy. Soc. Van Diemens Land, 1855, iii. part i. p. 42.

|| Proc. Mal. Soc., 1910, ix. p. 151.

104 Annals of the South African Museum.

Pfeiffer, both in 1856* and 1857+ placed in Marinula :—

pepita (=triplicatus and recluziana); acuta, d’Orb; migra, Phil.

(=marinella and callaoénsis); patula, Lowe (=xanthostoma, Ads.

and ? ovulus, Fér.); cymbaeformis ; firmini; aequalis ;~ gracilis ;

and abbreviata, Beck; while in 1876 | he included vulcanz, Morelet,

in the genus.

In 1864 Souverbie described a ‘ Marinula an Pedipes forestiert,

Montr.,” from the New Caledonian Archipelago; in 1877 Vélain

described M. maindroni and M. nigra, var. minor, from St. Paul’s

and Amsterdam Islands, and in 1878 Hutton described M. filholi,

from New Zealand.

In 1880 von Martens § placed in Marinula :—elongata, Parreyss ;

affinis, Fér., and conica, Pease. In 1889, Paetel || further included

pellucida, Cooper, and subula, Q. & G.; while finally, Pilsbry, in

1910, described Marinula rhoadsi from Mexico.

The following writers have also made special mention of the

genus under discussion :—

1867 Paiva, Mon. Moll. Mad. p. 151.

1878 Wollaston, Test. Atlant. p. 267.

1880 Fischer & Crosse, Miss. au Mex. ii. pp. 3-0, 16, 27.

1882 Crosse & Fischer, J. de C. xxx. p. 179. Pl. VIII, f. 6.

The first two of the above papers relate to Madeiran shells,

which have been wrongly attributed to Marinula ; the third is of no

special value as far as concerns that genus; but in the fourth the

authors, dealing with the gradual absorption of the columellar folds

during the growth of various genera of Awriculidae, state that in

typical Marinula the destruction of the internal partitions attains its

highest pitch, the interior of the shell being smooth, polished, and

glossy red-brown.

Now if the shell of Marinula is to be separated on external

characters from those of nearly allied genera, the points to be

observed are :—

(i) Shell fairly solid, unicoloured.

(ii) Spire shorter than aperture.

(iii) Whorls few, comparatively convex.

(iv) No trace of tooth or plait on outer lip, which is not thickened ;

and not more than three folds, or plaits, on the columella.

* Mon. Auric. p. 59. + Cat. Auric. p. 44.

{ Mon. Pneum. iv. p. 331. § Meeresfauna Mauritius, p. 207.

|| Catalog, ii. p. 381.

Notes on South African Mollusca. 105

Insistence must be laid on the inflated whorls and short spire, as

otherwise there is hardly any conchological feature by which certain

species of Phytia can be separated from Marimula, although the

genotypes are quite distinct.

If the foregoing tests are applied to each of the 31 species which

have been referred to King’s genus, the following 17 can be at

once eliminated; I give the earliest reference in each case, the

letters D, Ff, L, N, A, & RF signifying, respectively, Description,

Figure of shell, Locality, Note, Anatomy, and Radula.

Ovatella punctata, Bivona, 1832. Effem. Sci. Lett. Sic.,p. 58.

Pelee ate 6. DoE.

A synonym of Phytia firnunt.

Melampus aequalis, Lowe, 1832. Zool. Journ. yv. p. 288. Pl. XIII,

flo.) DEE:

A Madeiran species which should apparently be placed in Phywa.

Auricula firminii, Payraudeau, 1826. Cat. Moll. Corse, p. 105.

JEL We ai 8), ele Or ae

A Mediterranean species of Phytia.

Melampus gracilis, Lowe, 1832. Zool. Journ. v. p. 288. D.

Another Madeiran shell, of which vespertina, Morelet, and

loweana, Pfr., are considered synonyms, and itself, according to

Wollaston, very nearly related to Phytia myosotis (Drap.)

Cremnobates cornea, Swainson, 1855. Pap. and Proc. Roy. Soc.

WeDeebands atid, p..43. Pl. Vil ke la Deke

A synonym of Ophicardelus australis, Q. & G.

Auricula acuta, d’Orbigny, 1835. Mag. de Zool. p. 23. D.

Described from Guayaquil, and best placed in Phytia.

Pythia abtreviata, Beck, 1838. Index Moll. p. 105 (without

characters).

Marinula abbreviata, Beck, Pfr. 1856. Mon. Auric. p. 65. N.

Pfeiffer remarks: ‘“‘ Absque ull& indicatione, ex loco speciei inter

Pythiam aequalem et patulam assignato forsan huc referenda?” ;

but whatever may be its true genus, as the shell is said to come

from the Antilles it is quite unlikely to be a Marinula.

Auricula vuleani, Morelet, 1860. Notice sur l’Hist. Nat. des

Acores. p. 207. Pl. Vf. 8. Dae

Placed by Wollaston in the synonymy of Phytia aequalis, Lowe.

106 Annals of the South African Museum.

Pedipes forestiert (Montr.), Souverbie, 1864. J. de C. xii. pp. 41,

PAGS A eel OO eh IL ia.

An immature shell from the New Caledonian Archipelago, the

length of whose spire clearly separates it from Marinula.

Auricula elongata (Parreyss), Kiister, 1845. Conch. Cab. p. 53.

Ph VIE S44) £65, DE.

A Sandwich Island species placed by Kobelt, 1898, in Awricu-

lastra.

Pedipes affinis, Fér., 1821. Tabl. Syst. Moll. 3. p. 109 (or 113). D.

Correctly placed by its author in Pedipes.

Laimodonta conica, Pease, 1862. P.Z.S. p. 242. D.

Also correctly placed, but Laimodonta, Ads., being preoccupied,

has given place to Hnterodonta, Sykes, 1894.

Auricula pellucida, Cooper, 1841. Microscop. Journ. p. 16. D.

This microscopic species has been shown by Hedley* to be a

Leuconopsis. Specimens of xanthostoma having been erroneously

circulated as pellucida gave rise to the misclassification.

Auricula subula, Quoy & Gaimard, 1832. Voy. Astrolabe, ii. p. 171.

JED UE ese a0) Sas

Probably correctly placed by Kobelt, 1898, in Awricwlastra.

Marinula rhoadsi, Pilsbry, 1910. Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila., 1xii.

jy Javon ty VOL Jeh.

A Californian species, differing from Marinula in its less convex

whorls and consequently more regular spire, while there is usually

a banding of colour round the shell. It is perhaps best placed in

Phytia.

Conovulus triplicatus and Auricula recluziana will b2 dealt with

later on,

The names now remaining will be found to unite in a fairly

homogeneous group, comprising seven Antarctic species whose shells

all bear considerable resemblance to one another, and six, at least,

of which are typical representatives of King’s genus.

Taking them in geographical sequence from West to Hast, they

are :—

pepita, King (=nigra (Phil.) Kiist., marinella, *‘ King ” and callao-

énsis (Petit) Ads.).

* Proc. Linn. Soc. N.S.W. xxxviii. 1913. p. 332, Pl. XIX, f. 85.

Notes on South African Mollusca. 107

tristanensis, nov. (= nigra, Auctt., nec Kiist.).

velaini, nom. mut. (=nigra, var. minor, Vélain).

maindrom, Vélain.

parva, Swainson.

filholi, Hutton.

xanthostoma, H. & A. Adams (=solida, Swainson; ? cymbaeformis

Récluz, and ?? patula, Lowe).

I believe that I have examined every printed reference to these

shells, and append all of any considerable importance ; those which

I have omitted are of a more or less check-lst nature,

Genus MARINULA, King, 1832.

Zool. Journ. v. 19. p. 343.

(= Cremnobates, Swainson, 1855, pars.)

MARINULA PEPITA, King.

1832 ?? Melampus patulus, Lowe, Zool. Journ. v. 19. p. 289. D.

» Marinula pepita, King, Zool. Journ. v. 19. p. 344. D.

1841 Awricula nigra, Phil., Kiister,Conch. Cab. p. 23. Pl. III, f.4,5. DF.

marinella, King, Kiister, Conch. Cab. p. 24. Pl. III,

i, Ah aoe Oe ae

1842 hs pepita, King, Rve., Conch. Syst. ii. Pl. CUXXXVII,

fees Ee

1854 Marinula marinella, King, Ads., P.Z.S. p. 35.

Bs ay callaoénsis, Petit, Ads., P.Z.S. p. 35.

1856 ‘ nigra, Phil. (pars) (=marinella and callaoénsis), Pfr.,

Mon. Aunies pa Gl, 9D:

1857 “ i cn ,» Pir: Cat. Aurice sp. 45. 2):

1878 Auricula pepita, King (=nigra, Phil.), Sow., Conch. Icon.

BIE foe DLE.

Shell small, conic-ovate, imperforate, fairly solid, blackish-brown,

interior rather milky. Spire produced, moderately acute, a little

shorter than the aperture, apex very small, but sharp. Whorls 4,

slightly convex, rapidly increasing, very faintly striate parallel to the

lines of growth. Suture well marked but shallow. Aperture ovate,

outer margin sharp, simple, edentulate ; inner margin very slightly

paler than exterior of shell, furnished with 3 white dental processes ;

—(i) a prominent, slightly incurved, receding tooth about 3 mm.

from, and parallel to, the outer lip; (ii) a smaller, straight tooth

at right angles to its base, nearly half-way between the foregoing

)? ”

108 Annals of the South African Museum.

and the base of the columella; (iii) a hardly visible columellar plait

just below the second tooth.

Dimensions of middle shell in Type set:—Long. 10:4; lat. 6:0;

apert. 71x45; last whorl, 9°3 mm.

Other examples of the same set measure :—

Long. 10°3; lat. 6:2; apert. 70x42; last whorl, 9:4 mm.

as OS SOI oy) LOCOS ao ae eon 0980)

Animal unknown.

Hab. Sout America. Chiloe Island, San Carlos Bay (King).

Type in British Museum.

In Pfeiffer’s description of M. nigra he mentions that the right

margin is sometimes furnished with several very indistinct trans-

verse ridges; but I can see no trace of these in any of the shells

which I have examined, and think it possible that the statement was

based on imperfectly cleaned specimens.

It is so easy to confound Chile with Chiloe that it may be wiser

to omit any of the more northerly localities which have been quoted

for M. pepita. M. callaoénsis has never been described or figured,

and although H. & A. Adams mention the species as being in the

British Museum, I have been quite unable to find the shells in

question. Pfeiffer was entirely mistaken about the true pepita, but

his identification of callaoénsis with nigra may probably be accepted

as correct.

Whether Lowe’s M. patulus was really founded on this species,

in which case the name would have priority, is discussed under

M. xanthostoma, Ads.

MARINULA TRISTANENSIS, nov., 1915.

1856 Marinula nigra, Phil. (pars), Pfr., Mon. Auric. p. 61. ZL.

1857 Bs a5 nk - 3 iCateAunic p45,

1877 a 4 » Wélain, Arch. Zool. Exper. vi. p. 126. N.

1907 a “3 » Melv. & Stand., Edinb. Trans. R. Soc.

p. 1425 > a.

1910 si x » Hedley & Suter, Proc. Mal. Soc.ix.p.151. L.

Shell small, elongate-ovate, imperforate, solid, epidermis purple-

black, interior and columella paler. Spire moderately produced,

about two-thirds the length of the aperture; sides rather convex,

apex minutely pointed. Whorls 3%, not very convex, rapidly

increasing, with fine, irregular striation following the lines of

growth. Suture very shallow. Aperture acuminate-ovate, outer

Notes on South African Mollusca. 109

lip thin, simple, inner furnished with three white dental processes—

(i) a prominent, linguiform tooth parallel to, and about 1:7 mm.

from the outer lip; (ii) a short, rather conical tooth about half-way

between the upper one and the base; (iii) a minute columellar fold

rather nearer the second tooth than the base.

Long. 10-4; lat. 5:5; apert. 67x 4:7; last whorl 9:6 mm.

MaRINULA TRISTANENSIS, Sp. NOV.

Epidermis purple-black ; lines of growth eroded white.

Mr. G. C. Robson has very kindly examined the anatomy, on

which I am therefore enabled to present the subjoined report :—

On the Anatomy of Marinula tristanensis.—By G. C. Rosson, B.A.

(Published by permission of the Trustees of the British Museum.)

It was hoped that the ample material representative of this species,

received for examination from Dr. Péringuey, would have afforded

an excellent opportunity for giving a complete account of the anatomy

of this interesting form, the generic position of which is now treated

for the first time from the anatomical standpoint. It is to be

regretted, however, that the specimens obtained were in such a state

of contraction as to render dissection of anything more than the

gross anatomy an impossibility. It was possible to make out

a certain amount by sections stained with Haematoxylin and

Methylene Blue, but the time available for continuing this

method not being forthcoming the author is compelled to publish

only such descriptions as may serve to indicate approximately the

systematic position of the genus, together with a few other notes.

The radula (Fig. 1) differs in many well-marked characters from

those of the genera usually regarded as closely akin to Marinula.

There are in each row numerous teeth—about 230—the general

form and disposition of which readily place it among the Awriculidae.

The lateral teeth present a simple rounded main cusp with a slightly

hollowed interior edge. The basal plate is produced very far beyond

110 Annals of the South African Musewm.

the upper edge of each tooth and in a slanting direction. A transi-

tion to the marginal type of tooth is effected by the appearance on

or about the thirty-fifth tooth of a small interior cusp on the acutely

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i rar i Go $5 90:

Jeet, Th

Marinula tristanensis. Radula. (4 x 3; Homog. imm.)

pointed second cusp. The latter gradually divides into two and

eventually more cusps appear until at about the 90th tooth four or

five small, equal cusps are found arising from a somewhat amorphous

basal plate.

The radula thus described clearly is distinguishable from that of

Melampus and Phytia, although a family likeness is obviously

present in all three.

The jaw (Fig. 2) is a typically Auriculid structure consisting of

numerous loosely arranged fibres. It differs from that of Melampus,

however, in being of a regular gently arcuate form slightly upturned

at the extremities. At the latter the fibres are better developed and

more regularly arranged than in the median area of the jaw.

The genitalia (Fig. 3). The organs of reproduction do not

offer any singular departure from the usual Auriculid type although

they are substantially different in disposition and form from those of

Melampus, Phytia, and Pythia.

Fig. 2.

Marinula tristanensis. Jaw. (4 X 6 obj.)

The male genitalia do not differ very markedly from those of the

three genera alluded to above in the presence or absence of any

essential part. On the whole it is more like the slender delicate

Notes on South African Mollusca. iB

system found in Melampus. It differs, however, from all three in

having a number of muscle fibres inserted into the penis half-way

down from the external aperture.

The female reproductive system appears to be considerably

simpler than in any of the three other genera, and, if the author's

Hig, 3:

Marinula tristanensts. Genitalia. (2 x a3 Binoc. Zeiss.)

a. Penis. b. Penis muscle. c. Vas deferens; c’, continuation of same.

d. Accessory penis muscles. e¢. Vagina. f. Hermaphrodite duct. g. Gonad.

h. Spermatheca (?).

interpretation is accepted, somewhat specialized, as the vas deferens,

instead of splitting off the spermoviduct, has become completely

separated from it and issues from the base of an accessory organ *

* This organ may possibly be an accessory glandular structure. If it is ulti-

mately proved to be the spermatheca, then the absence of other accessory organs in

the female generative system compares strangely with the condition seen in

Melampus, Phytia, &c.

112 Annals of the South African Museum.

which appears to represent the spermatheca. If this interpretation

is ultimately found to be correct the spermatozoa must be carried

down the common duct to the vagina where they are separated

from the ova and ultimately find their way to the exterior after

traversing part of the spermathecal duct.

It remains to make one or two disconnected observations upon

isolated points of anatomy.

(a) Portions of the resorbed shell septa are found in a superficial

position in various parts of the body enclosed in epithelial pockets.

(>) The anterior edge of the mantle is supplied on the right-hand

side with hard semi-calcified pads which no doubt act as protection

against the rather formidable teeth of the shell aperture. The anus

opens in a groove in one of these pads.

intestine contained a variety of foraminiferan skeletons together with

sand granules and fragments of a red crystalline substance.

Hab. InaccessiBLE Istanp, Tristan D’AcuNHA (Keytel (Type)

and others). GoucH Is~anp (Scotia Expedition, fide Melvill &

Standen). SourH Arrica. Camps Bay (Dale; McBean); Dassen

Island (Lightfoot).

Type in South African Museum.

This species has long been known in collections under the name

of Marinula nigra (Phil.), but as the last is merely a synonym of

M. pepita, from Chiloe, a new name is necessary for the Tristan

form.

The shell very closely resembles that of pepita, but the early

whorls are rather less convex and the small columellar fold is, on

the average, slightly more pronounced than in King’s species, which,

from its widely different locality, should surely be distinct.

I have not seen the examples mentioned by Melvill & Standen,

but have no reason to doubt their identity with trzstanensis, while

their appearance on Gough Island furnishes a stepping-stone

between Tristan d’Acunha and South Africa.

Only three specimens of Marinula, probably referable to tristan-

ensis, have so far been collected in the last-mentioned sub-

continent. Two of these, picked up at Camps Bay, near Cape

Town, are somewhat beach-rolled, while the third, taken alive

below high-water mark on the rocky shore of Dassen Island, is so

Notes on South African Mollusca. 113

eroded as almost to have lost its shape; but taken together the

shells appear to be a little longer in the spire and less solid than

the generality of Tristan examples, and the interior is bright corneus

instead of purple-brown. However, the difference in colour may

be due to the effect of alcohol on the Tristan shells, while the

length of spire is not a constant feature among specimens from the

last-named locality, so that there are no good grounds for regarding

the South African form as distinct from M. tristanensis, unless a

larger series can be collected and proves to be specifically different.

MARINULA VELAINI, nom. nov., 1915.

1877 Marinula mgra, Phil., var. minor, Vélain, Arch. Zool. Exper.

Vine omele DV £25. Ue:

Shell small, ovate-acuminate, imperforate, not very solid,

dark corneous. Spire short, acute, sides very slightly convex.

Whorls 34, very rapidly increasing, very slightly convex, with no

sculpture except an occasional growth-line. Aperture large, acumi-

nate-ovate, outer lip thin, simple. Columella furnished with 3

dental processes—(i) a long, curved tooth near, and parallel to, the

outer lip; (1) a shorter, curved tooth, at right angles to the columella

and half-way between the upper tooth and base; (iii) a minute

projection just below the foregoing.

Dimensions of a specimen in the British Museum: Long. 6:8;

lat. 4:2; apert. 5:0 x 2:2; last whorl 6°3 mm.

Animal unknown.

Hab. Sv. Pavuu’s and AmsrerpAm Isnanps (Vélain ; McGillivray).

Type whi ?

The Type measured 7:5 x 4°5 mm., and the author states that the

maximum size observed was 9:0 x 5-0 mm.

Vélain also remarked: ‘This Marinula is identical with that

described from the Island of Tristan d’Acunha by Philippi under

the name of M. nigra, but it is of much smaller size and must be

considered as a var. minor of this species.”

But even if M. tristanensis has reached the Atlantic coast of Africa,

it is most unlikely to have found its way round the Cape and half-

way to Australia ; in addition to which, the disparity in size between

it and Vélain’s var. minor is constant and considerable.

On both geographical and conchological grounds, therefore, the

latter should be separated from the Tristan shell, and, if really

distinct from IZ. maindroni, it appears fully worthy of specific rank.

I venture to name it in honour of its original describer.

114 Annals of the South African Musewm.

MARINULA MAINDRONI, Vélain.

1877 Marinula maindrom, Vélain, Arch. Zool. Exper. vi. p. 126.

Lees iia oat ig! Dee

1901 fe 93 " Kob., Conch. Cab. p. 284. Pl.

ORO f. 24. DF.

I have been unable to discover the whereabouts of the Type or a

single example of this species. Vélain’s diagnosis runs :—“ Shell

thin, short and globular, semitransparent, coloured bright brown ;

surface smooth and shining. Spire small, very acuminate, almost

completely concealed by the last whorl, which is rounded and

greatly developed. Aperture large, swollen towards the base ;

columellar margin not thickened, marked with much sharper folds

than in the preceding species; outer margin thin and sharp, not

sinuous. The shell measures 4 x 3+ mm.”’

Animal unknown.

Hab. AmstTERDAM IsLANp. ‘“ Dans les vacuoles des laves, assez

rare.”

I cannot help suspecting that the description might possibly refer

to the young of the preceding species, but if such were the case

Vélain would hardly have separated them, and it is only just to

accept his verdict.

MaRINULA PARVA (Swainson).

1855 Cremnobates parva, Swains., Pap. & Proc. Roy. Soc. V.D. Land,

nie 4 Pl Vo DEE.

1901 Ophicardelus parvus, Swains., Tate & May, Proc. Linn. Soe.

N.S.W. xxvi. p. 420. L.

1910 Cremnobates parva, Swains., Hedley & Suter, Proc. Mal. Soc.

ix. pp-.1o1, 152. DUAR.

1913 - ‘3 a Suter, Man. N.Z. Moll. p. 594.

DAUR:

Shell small, imperforate, prolonged ovate-acuminate, rather thin,

brown, corneous. Spire moderately produced, about one-third the

length of the aperture ; apex acute. Whorls 4, rather convex, very

rapidly increasing, showing no sculpture except faintest irregular

growth-marks. Suture fairly deep. Aperture ovate, peristome

whitish, outer lip simple, acute, making almost a right angle, and

thus appearing perceptibly swollen, at its junction with the paries.

Columella white, thickened, with two dental processes ;—the upper

sharp and prominent, jutting out at right angles, equidistant between

the apex of the aperture and the second tooth, which is shorter and

Fae

Notes on South African Mollusca. 115

thicker, situate a little less than half-way from the base to the apex

of the aperture.

Dimensions of a typical specimen from Tasmania, in the British

Museum: Long. 9°2; lat. 5:3; apert. 6x3°6; last whorl 8:4 mm.

There is no epidermis, the shell appearing to be a little beach-

rolled.

Hab, Tasmanta. Oyster Cove, near Hobart Town (Milligan) ;

near Pirates Bay ; Tasman’s Arch (May).

Antipodes Islands (Bollons).

Type whi?

Hedley and Suter selected this species as the Type of Swainson’s

genus Cremmnobates, and published a few notes on its anatomy. This

does not appear to differ to any considerable extent from that of

M. tristanensis, as diagnosed by Robson in these pages, except that

in parva ‘‘a central tooth could not be distinguished,” while in

tristanensis a central tooth is shown, but an infinitesimally small

one. Without knowledge of the power of magnification employed,

it is hardly safe for me to suggest that this feature may possibly

exist and have been overlooked in the Tasmanian animal; but Mr.

Robson informs me that it took a 4, Homog. imm. objective to

enable him to trace it in tristanensvs.

The shell of parva is certainly that of a true Marinula, and, on

the whole, there seems hardly sufficient cause for regarding Cremno-

bates as other than synonymous with King’s genus, although, on the

other hand, Hedley and Suter’s description of the anatomy gives us

no definite clue for uniting the two genera.

MaRINULA FILHOLI, Hutton.

1878 Marinula filholi, Hutton, J. de C. xxvi. p. 42. D.

1880 5 a » Man. N.Z. Moll. p. 34. D.

1913 5; s » suter, Man. N.Z. Moll. p. 591. D.

Shell small, prolonged ovate-acuminate, imperforate, pale cor-

neous. Spire somewhat produced, nearly as long as aperture,

sides convex, apex mamillate. Whorls 34, convex, rapidly in-

creasing, finely microscopically striate parallel to the lines of

growth. Aperture ovate, outer margin thin, simple; inner bearing

three prominent white dental processes ;—a long, thin tooth about

equidistant between the outer lip and the next process, a smaller,

conical tooth, which is situate a little more than half-way down from

the apex of the aperture to the base; below the second, and parallel

to it, is a still smaller tooth or fold, half the size of the central one.

te RI

—

wel see

_ —————— i ee

116 Annals of the South African Museum.

Dimensions of a specimen from Chatham Island: Long. 7:4;

lat. 4:5; apert. 4:55x2°8; last whorl 63 mm.

unknown.

Hab. New Zeauanp. Massacre Bay (Filhol) ; Auckland (Cheese-

man); Banks Peninsula; Lyall Bay; Otago, alive on coast above

high water (Iredale) ; Chatham Island (in coll. Connolly).

MARINULA XANTHOSTOMA, H. & A. Adams.

1821 2? Pedipes ovulus, Fér., Tabl. Syst. iii. p. 109 (or 118). D.

1832 2? Melampus patulus, Lowe, Zool. Journ. v. 19. p. 289. D.

1854 Marinula xanthostoma, Ads., P.Z.S. p. 35. D.

a4 ~ cymbaeformis, Récl., Ads., P.Z.S. p. 35 (without

characters).

1855 Cremnobates solida, Swainson, Pap. & Proc. Roy. Soc. V.D.

Dand eried p44. IPL VI, fo.) DEE

1856 Marinula patula, Lowe (= ovulus? and «xanthostoma), Pfr.

Mon. Auric. p. 62. D.

g cymbaeformis, Récl., Pfr., Mon Auric. p. 63. aD:

re i Cat. Auric. p. 47. D.

‘a Pe patula, Lowe, Pfr., Cat. Auric. p. 46. D.

1867 5 xanthostoma, Ads., Angas, P.Z.S. p. 231. WN.

1901 os patula, Lowe (= pellucida, xanthostoma, and solida},

Tate & May, Proc. Linn. Soc.N.5.W.

Oa )acaleh | Ip

KS ed ye » (=cymbaeformis), Hedley, Proc. Linn.

Soc. N.S. W. xxvi. p. 704. Pl. XXXIV,

fig Woe NPIL

Before describing the shell, careful attention must be paid to the

synonymy.

Férussac’s diagnosis of Pedipes ovulus runs: ‘‘ More elongated

than afra, smooth and polished, and has not the internal rib on

the external border of the aperture. Hab. ?”

This might equally refer to a Phytia or Marinula, but it seems

doubtful whence Férussac could have obtained an example of the

latter genus. The Type of ovulus is not forthcoming, and in its

absence the name is obviously worthless.

I do not think that patula can stand.

It has been impossible to trace the Type or a single authentic

example of Lowe’s species, which was unfigured and insufficiently

described ; but the following facts throw grave doubt on its being an

Australian shell :—

Notes on South African Mollusca. iby

When describing Marinula pepita in 1832, King mentioned that

he had submitted his entire American collection to Sowerby, who

had already obtained several of the species from other members of

King’s expedition.

Now in the same year Lowe described Melampus patulus from a

shell received from Sowerby, and gave its measurements as 75 X 7'¢

une., which are identical with those given by King for pepita.

Errors of locality were frequent in those early days, and the

translation of America into Australia would be a mere nothing, due

to some one’s misreading four letters of the name.

There is no proof that Pfeiffer was acquainted with originals of

patula, and the fact of his connecting it with xanthostoma is easily

accounted for by the locality.

Lowe’s name of patula would take precedence of either pepita or

xanthostoma, but, while the circumstantial evidence is strongly in

favour of its application to the former rather than to the latter

species, it may be advisable to retain the names which admit of

no doubt, and to regard patula as a lost species pending the

rediscovery of the missing type.

M. xanthostoma was founded by the brothers Adams on a set of

well-preserved Queensland shells in the Cuming collection, while

C. solida was described a year later by Swainson, from beach-rolled

examples collected by Milligan on Flinders Island off the north

coast of Tasmania.

The Type set of zanthostoma and good Co-types of solida are in

the British Museum.

M. cymbaeformis was first mentioned in print by H. & A. Adams

as having been described by Récluz in the Mag. de Zool. I can find

no mention of any such name in Récluz’ writings, and the species

appears to have been first characterized by Pfeiffer from a shell in

his own collection, purporting to come from the Island of Ticao,

Philippines.

What this was I cannot say, but the Adams’ set is probably still

to be seen in the British Museum. It consists of 6 shells on one

tablet labelled both “‘ patula”’ and ‘ cymbeformis”’ and assigned to

Ticao (in Cuming’s writing) and also to Tanhay, I. of Negros, in

the Philippine Islands. These are simply beach-rolled examples of

typical Australian wanthostoma, and failing further proof to the

contrary, the Philippine locality may, I think, be accepted as

erroneous.

Pfeiffer also mentions a var. 3, gracilior, from Australia. This

appears to be represented on another British Museum tablet, which

118 Annals of the South African Museum.

contains 4 smaller shells collected by Strange at Moreton Bay.

They are a slender form of xanthostoma, and show that it is a

variable species.

The following description is from one of the Adams’ Type set.

Shell acuminate-ovate, imperforate, not very solid, apparently

somewhat beach-rolled, pale brown. Spire rather short, with nearly

straight sides; apex very sharp, slightly produced. Whorls 5,

rapidly increasing, the apical smooth and glossy, remainder marked

with occasional faint, almost invisible striation in the lines of

growth. Suture very shallow. Aperture a little longer than spire,

ovate, base rounded, apex acuminate, outer lip sharp, simple;

columella thickened, furnished with three white plaits; the upper-

most linguiform larger and further, in proportion, from the others ;

the second, straight and much shorter, about half-way between the

foregoing and the base of the columella; while the third, close

below the second, is merely a small projection.

Long. 9:8; lat. 6:0; apert. 6:1 x2°5; last whorl 8-6 mm.

There is an appearance of a faint interior rib, parallel to and just

inside the outer lp, but this is probably an accident, due to the

thinness of the edge of the lip owing to the shell not being quite

mature, rather than a characteristic feature.

Animal unknown.

Hab. East anp SoutH Coasts oF AUSTRALIA; TASMANIA.

Type in British Museum.

The typical form of xanthostoma is, in itself, on the extreme

borderland of Marinula, having flatter whorls and a more acuminate

spire than any of the preceding species; but in almost any large

series intermediates may be found, which link it insolubly to the

more normal form described by Swainson under the name of solida.

The latter differs markedly from the Adams’ Types in its more

elongate and convex spire and rather more pronounced upper tooth.

It may be regarded, on the whole, as representing the southern

form of xanthostoma, which appears to undergo a gradual transition

in shape between its extreme limits of geographical distribution ; but

as neither form is constant, even among specimens from the same

locality, and as solida is by no means an appropriate name for a

form which is in reality less solid than the Type, it appears in-

advisable to perpetuate it.

So far as I have been enabled to examine specimens from different

localities, the typical form, as well as Pfeiffer’s slender var. 3, hail

from Moreton Bay, Queensland: the extreme form of Swainson’s so-

called solcda is in the great majority in sets from Flinders Island

Sa a ee Se

Notes on South African Mollusca. 119

(Milligan) ; Portland, Victoria (Cox); North coast of Tasmania

(Brazier) and Cossacks, West Australia (Woodward) ; while

examples almost exactly intermediate between the type and the

variety have been found in New South Wales at Freemantle (Kemp)

and Coogee Bay (Brazier).

The species is further recorded from King Island (Tate & May),

and Shoalhaven and Port Jackson (Angas); but I cannot tell which

forms are to be referred to these localities.

There is also a typical set in the British Museum labelled ‘‘ New

Zealand” (Hancock, 1856), but, although the authority is said to be

reliable, it is very doubtful indeed whether living specimens have

ever reached the Dominion.

It is earnestly to be hoped that the whole question of the

distribution and varieties of M. xanthostoma will be taken up by

some of the great Australian conchologists, and the anatomy

examined with a view to the determination of its true generic

position.

Distribution of Marimula. It would hence appear that Marinula

is a truly Antarctic genus, originating in the Australasian region,

with a circumpolar range extending eastward through New Zealand

to Chiloe, and westward through St. Paul’s and Amsterdam Islands

and South Africa to Gough Island and Tristan d’Acunha. In the

sole case where it extends northward, e.g. M. xanthostoma, the shell

tends to lose its distinctive shape and to merge into Phytia ; while

in Africa and America it is confined to the extreme south of the

continent and retains its normal form.

Its habit seems to be entirely marine, and it is questionable

whether the genus would not be better included among marine,

rather than non-marine Mollusca.

It now only remains to deal with the mis-named Cumingian shells

which have been the cause of so much confusion. I have already

mentioned that these occupy three tablets in the British Museum ;

one contains three larger shells from Tumaco Island, Colombia, and

each of the others two smaller specimens, from ‘Chile”’ and an

unknown locality respectively, which appear to be inseparable from

the Tumaco examples.

We know that the Tumaco shells constitute the Type set of

Auricula recluziana, Petit; but Pfeiffer considered them to be

identical with Conovulus triplicatus, Anton, which was described

from the River Maule, Chile, in 1839. This appears to be correct,

age en ee et

———

eee

120 Annals of the South African Museum.

in which case Anton’s name has priority, and the synonymy is

as under :—

PHYTIA TRIPLICATA (Anton).

1839 Conovulus triplicatus, Anton, Verzeichniss, p. 48. D.

1842 Auricula recluziana, Petit, P.Z.S. p. 201. OD.

1844 - pepita, “ King,” Kiist., Conch. Cab. p. 35. Pl. V (1843),

fod DE:

1855 Marinula ,, a H. & A. Adams, Gen. rec. Moll. 11.

PI GexeRe et Da. Er.

1856 - * mn Pires MoneAurie sp: 09. =D.

1857 . ne ae » Cat..Auric. p. 44. D.

Hab. Cutur. River Maule (triplicata, Anton).

Cotomsia. ‘Tumaco Island (recluziana, Petit).

An altogether coarser form than P. acuta (d’Orb.) described from

Guayaquil in 1835, which much resembles this species.

The Types of recluziana and acuta are in the British Museum ;

that of tréplicata was in coll. Anton.

III.—A MonoaraprH oF THE Dorcasiinae.

Until recent years, comparatively few shells and only three

or four live specimens of the desert snails of South Africa have

been available for scientific examination. Inferences regarding

the species were therefore often based on somewhat insufficient

material, while, although the genera Dorcasia and Trigonephrus

were established and the anatomy of D. alexandri and T. globulus

published, considerable doubt existed as to which genus some of

the allied species belonged.

Since 1908, however, thanks to the researches of Dr. A. W. Rogers

and other able explorers, several comparatively large series of shells

have been gathered, including a most gratifying number of live

specimens.

The result is that, through the kindness of Drs. Péringuey and

Thiele, Miss Wilman, and Messrs. Gude, Natermann, and Ponsonby,

I have been privileged to examine the most extensive assemblage

of these shells that has ever been got together; in addition to which

Mr. Hugh Watson, of Cambridge, has dissected the spirit specimens,

and his reports, embodied in the following pages, are of the utmost

Notes on South African Mollusca. 121

value in confirming, or correcting, deductions drawn from concho-

logical features alone. Even now, however, more than one of the

species, of which animals have been obtained, is represented by

only a single spirit specimen, and others are not in the best con-

dition, so that the results of their examination are not quite as

satisfactory as would have been the case had a more complete

representation been available.

It will be seen that Watson states that Dorcasia and Trigonephrus

are nearly allied to each other, but differ considerably from other

genera whose anatomy is known. They are rightly placed by Pilsbry

in the Family Acavidae, and a new Sub-family, Dorcaswinae, may

conveniently be founded to contain them.

The Dorcasiinae are distributed in all shapes and sizes along the

south-western seaboard of Africa, from Algoa Bay to Damaraland,

and in some instances also to a considerable distance inland.

I must confess that when I first undertook this paper, it was with

the idea that many existing species could be shown to be hardly

varietally distinct, and that, owing to the presence of connecting

links, their names would be scarcely worth preserving. Extended

study, however, tends to prove that most of the named forms

exhibit quite sufficient and constant difference to entitle them to

specific rank; while, in other cases, shells from the same locality

constitute a local race of some species, consistently well defined,

and so widely divergent from the Type that a name is advisable

in order to prevent confusion.

From an anatomical standpoint, Watson places the genus T'rigo-

nephrus first and Dorcasia after it, and as his arrangement of the

species, based on their anatomy, is perhaps the most convenient for

comparison of the shells, I follow it in the ensuing pages.

The history of the Acavidae and all subsequent references to

anatomical details are in the exact words of Mr. Watson, who has

also furnished the figures of the animals, and my warmest thanks

are due to him for his kind co-operation.

I may here mention that I have made no attempt to make

my measurements, taken from the actual shells, agree with the

figures, all of which are the natural size. Hardly any two persons

will be found to measure a globular helicoid in exactly the same

fashion, and a very slight accidental difference in the angle from

which the shell is viewed or measured will account for a propor-

tionate difference in the dimensions recorded.

As full references to every species were given in my ‘“ Revised

Reference List of South African Non-marine Mollusca,” published

122 Annals of the South African Musewm.

two years ago in these ANNALS, they are omitted in the present

instance.

Faminry ACAVIDAH, Pilsbry, 1900.

Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila., p. 564.

It is generally believed that millions of years ago a great southern

continent stretched westward from South Africa as far as the Andes,

and eastward through Madagascar and Southern India to the

Australian region. The climate of this continent was very cold

towards the end of the Carboniferous period; but later it became

warmer, and the snails that dwelt there flourished exceedingly,

several new families being evolved. And one of these families

seems to have been the Acavidae.

Now it is not difficult to form some idea as to what the first members

of the Acavidae were like ; for it is reasonable to suppose that they

would possess any primitive characters that are still retained by some

of their descendants, as well as such other features as are found in all

the modern members of the family, or at least in all the more archaic

genera. We may suppose, therefore, that the eggs of these snails

would be larger than usual, and that the animals themselves would

be above the average size. The shell would have a pointed spire

and laterally compressed whorls; that is to say, both the shell and

its aperture would be higher than broad. This is the form of shell

found in the most primitive Euthyneura, such as the Actaeonidae,

the Chilimdae, and the Awriculidae, as well as in many of the more

ancient families of the Stylommatophora, and it is still retained

by several members of the Acavidae. There would be the usual two

pairs of tentacles, and the labial lobes would be well developed. The

foot would have neither a definite peripodial groove nor longitudinal

grooves on the sole. No caudal mucous pore would be developed.

The lung would be rather short, and the pulmonary veins would

branch over the whole of its roof, the first branch of the pericardial

vein being nearly as large as the principal pulmonary vein. The

excretory system would be unusually simple, the kidney being broad

and probably without even a primary ureter. The nervous system

would be of the type found in most of the more primitive snails and

slugs, there being eleven separate ganglia. The cerebral ganglia

would probably be rather near together, but the connectives uniting

them with the remaining ganglia would be long. The jaw would be

without ribs, but would probably have faint vertical striae and a

Notes on South African Mollusca. 123

slight median projection. The radula would have nearly straight

rows of “quadrate’’ teeth of the ordinary Helicid type, and the

alimentary canal would pursue the usual course, though the differ-

ence in size between the two divisions of the liver would be less

marked than is the case in most snails at the present day. The

reproductive organs would be of a primitive type. A well-developed

vesicula seminalis would be present, and there would be a swelling

near the junction of the free oviduct and the duct of the sperma-

theca—a swelling which may have grown out into an appen-

diculum ; but the spermathecal duct would have no diverticulum,

and there would be no other accessory outgrowths of any kind.

Though the penis and vagina would open together, a common

vestibule would not have been developed. A considerable portion of

the vas deferens, instead of lying freely in the body-cavity, would be

still partially embedded in the invaginated portion of the skin which

forms the wall of the penis. The retractor of the right upper

tentacle would pass between the penis and the vagina.

Such we may suppose to have been the main characters of the

earliest members of the Acavidae. It will be seen that they were

more primitive than many modern snails, but probably at the

beginning of the Mesozoic era they were both larger and more

highly organized than most of the other families then living. And

the family increased and multiplied, and spread far and wide through

that ancient southern continent. Moreover, both their multiplication

and their spreading led to the further evolution of these snails.

As the individuals increased in number under the favourable

conditions, they would become more crowded, and the competition

between them would become more severe. This would lead to the

evolution of higher types: unfavourable varieties would be elimi-

nated; progressive mutations would alone survive. Thus the eggs

grew larger and larger, or, in an extreme case, the animal became

viviparous, the embryo reaching a relatively enormous size. The

adult also became larger and broader, the whorls very much wider,

and the apex more and more obtuse, until the form of the shell

became globular, and finally depressed. The lip also became more

expanded. A closed primary ureter was developed, and eventually

the beginning of a secondary ureter.* ‘The fine striae on the jaw

either developed into ribs, or, more frequently, disappeared altogether.

Similarly, the comparatively useless small secondary cusps on the

teeth of the radula were generally eliminated, the main cusps

becoming larger and broader at their expense. The reproductive

* See Randles, Proc. Mal. Soc., 1900, iv. Pl. IX, fig. 1.

124 Annals of the South African Musewm.

organs also became simplified by the disappearance of any appen-

diculum or swelling at the junction of the free oviduct and the

duct of the spermatheca; and, at the same time, the vas deferens

gradually emerged from the wall of the penis and came to lie freely

in the body-eavity.

Now evolution of this kind would proceed most rapidly in the

central area where the family first arose, which was probably nearer

Ceylon than South Africa; for, unless the local conditions were

unfavourable, the individuals would be most densely crowded

towards the centre, and there the competition would consequently

be most severe. Towards the periphery of distribution, on the

other hand, the individuals would be more sparsely scattered, and

the primitive forms would therefore survive, as Taylor has main-

tained in dealing with other groups.

There is, however, another kind of evolution, which proceeds more

rapidly towards the limits of the distribution of a group than in the

centre; for as the animals spread in different directions they

encounter new conditions to which they have to adapt themselves.

This may lead to a profound modification of some of the organs ; and

if there are great differences in the environment, the various peri-

pheral genera may differ more from the ancestral form than do

those which still inhabit the central area. But the conditions seem

to have been fairly uniform throughout that ancient southern

continent; and although the peripheral members of the Acavidae

developed differences as they spread in various directions, they

remained more primitive than those in the centre of evolution.

Until about the middle of the Mesozoic era the distribution of the

family was probably continuous. And then there came the sea.

First in one region and then in another, partly by denudation but

chiefly by subsidence, that ancient continent gradually disappeared

beneath the encroaching waves. The region extending from the

south of India to Madagascar was cut off from Australia on the one

hand and from South Africa on the other, and, later, Africa was

separated from Brazil. Thus the old home of the Acavidae was

divided into four large islands. Henceforth each of the divisions

of the family would develop independently, their separation accen-

tuating their differences, until the Acavidae were divided into

four subfamilies, each inhabiting a different area.

The subfamily inhabiting the most westerly region, which included

Brazil and the adjacent parts of South America, would be on the

whole the most primitive, as it was furthest from the centre of

evolution. So far as is known, none of the Heliciform members

Eee ee

Notes on South African Mollusca. 125

of the family ever reached South America. Only the Bulimiform

genera, Strophocheilus (including Borus) and Gonyostomus, are

found in that region, and Plate has emphasized the very primitive

character of these snails.* The researches of Semper,} von Ihering},

Plate,s and Pilsbry || have shown that, besides retaining an elongate

shell, these South American genera have a very simple kidney with

no ureter, a radula in which the ectocones are usually still present

on the marginal teeth, and a free oviduct which is swollen or pro-

vided with an appendiculum at its junction with the duct of the

spermatheca.

But although these snails retain many primitive characters, they

have undergone a considerable development under the favourable

climatic conditions of Brazil. In some species the jaw has developed

stout ribs. Many of the forms attain a great size, and have very big

eggs, A large number of species have arisen, and they have spread

over the greater part of South America, though they are still most

abundant to the east of the Andes. To this subfamily Pilsbry has

given the name of Strophocheilinae.

The subfamily which inhabits Australia and some of the neigh-

bouring islands contains far fewer species; but so diverse are these

that they are assigned to at least twice as many genera as the South

American forms. Probably the group was once much commoner in

the Australian region than it is at the present day.

The south of Australia is nearly as far from the centre of

evolution as is Brazil, and, with the exception of Anoglypta launces-

tonensis, all the species from this region are more or less Bulimiform.

Further north, however, we find the greatly depressed genus

Pedinogyra in Queensland and New South Wales; while in the

most northerly species of Hedleyella, instead of the spire having

been flattened, the entire shell has become reduced, so that it can

no longer contain the animal. The teeth of the radula have almost

entirely lost their secondary cusps in this group,‘ and a primary

* Sitz.-Ber. Ges. naturf. Freunde, Berlin, 1896, p. 149.

+ Reis. im Archip. Philippin., 1874, iii. p. 150. Pl. XIV, f. 10, Pl. XVI, f. 25,

PI SexVillestoel Pl By (S94) sto:

t Zeitsch. f. Wissensch. Zoologie, 1884, xli. p. 270. Pl. XVII, f. 6, and Bull.

Scientifique, 1891, ii. p. 213. Pl. V, f. 11.

§ Op. cit.

|| Man. Conch., 1895, x. p. 1, and 1902, xiv. pp. iv—viii. PJ. XLIX, f. 8,

IPM, IGM, vy UG, a, BIL, 1, PA P7 Teale OMMIES ai, Bis), Ie, IGIAY, ti, Sf, JBL INO, se, Ng)

65-68.

‘| The ectocones, however, can still be distinguished in the marginal teeth of some

specimens of Anoglypta launcestonensis.

126 Annals of the South African Museum.

ureter seems to have been developed, though further information is

needed about the pallial organs of these snails. On the other hand,

the fine striae on the jaw are retained in Pedinogyra and Anoglypta,

and the vas deferens is still partially embedded in the wall of the

penis in the latter genus. Moreover, the lip of the shell is unusually

simple in this subfamily, the appendiculum is well developed, and

the egg, though large, does not attain the enormous size found in

some of the more highly specialized members of Acwvidae. The

penial retractor arises from the columellar muscle, or from far back

on the floor of the lung, instead of near the front.

Hedley, to whom we owe so much of our knowledge of these

snails, was the first to demonstrate that the Australian genera

Hedleyella,* Caryodes, Anoglypta, and Pedinogyra, were related to

one another, notwithstanding their striking external differences. |

Semper had already remarked on the resemblance of Hedleyella to

Acavus and Helicophanta from Ceylon and Madagascar,{ but after

comparing the anatomy of Hedleyella and Caryodes with that of

Acavus, Helicophanta, and Ampelita, Pilsbry states that the relation-

ship between the Australian and Indo-Madecassine genera is by no

means intimate §. The Australian region has long been cut off from

the other three areas in which the Acavidae are found, and contains

a separate branch of the family, less primitive in some respects than

the Strophocheilinae, but not so highly organized as Acavus and its

allies. This subfamily may be named the Caryodinae.

The region extending from the south of Madagascar to the south-

western part of the peninsula of India remained a single large

island, or a closely connected chain of islands, long after it was

separated from the Australian region on the east and South Africa

on the west; and it was probably not until Tertiary times that a

series of faults, accompanied by subsidence, sent the greater part of

that land beneath the Indian Ocean. The genera Acavus found in

Ceylon, Stylodonta in the Seychelles, and Helicophanta and

Ampelita in Madagascar, must therefore be regarded as_ the

surviving remnants of a group which formerly also inhabited the

intervening areas.

This group is that which lies nearest to the original centre of

evolution of the family, and accordingly it includes the most highly

* Hedleyella, Iredale, 1914 (Proc. Mal. Soc., xi. p. 174) = Panda, Albers, 1860,

nec van Heyden, 1826.

+ Rec. Australian Mus., 1892, ii. p. 29.

t Reis. im Archip. Philippin., 1873, iii. p. 104.

§ Man. Conch., 1895, ix. p. 164. ©

Notes on South African Mollusca. 127

organized members of the Acavidae. As in the Caryodinae, the

most primitive forms are found in the south of the region, that is to

say among the Madagascan species. Some of these have Bulimiform

shells, while in the genus Ampelita the egg is only moderately large ;

but in all the genera of this subfamily, excepting Ampelita, the

embryo attains a relatively enormous size before it is hatched or

born (for Stylodonta is viviparous), and most of the Madagascan

species, and all those from Ceylon and the Seychelles, have Helici-

form or depressed shells. It is true that in some of the species of

Acavus the spire is rather high, but this is almost certainly a case of

reversion due to their having acquired arboreal habits. There is

always a tendency among snails that live on trees or cliffs to become

elongated, and the broad aperture of the shell in Acavus suggests

that it was originally depressed. Moreover, in the two species of

Acavus that are not arboreal, the spire is nearly flat. The shell is often

highly coloured, and the lip, unlike that in the Caryodinae, is usually

broadly expanded. Excepting in Stylodonta, all the teeth of the

radula are without secondary cusps, and the jaw is without striae.

An ureter is present. The reproductive system differs from that of

the Caryodinae in being without an appendiculum; but in the

Malagassy genus <Ampelita Pilsbry has found that the vas

deferens is still closely bound to the penis, as in Anoglypta.

This subfamily may be named the Acavinae, although Pilsbry

originally included under this title the Australian genera also.* For

our knowledge of the anatomy of this group we are indebted to the

researches of Semper,| Viguier,} Sarasin,§ Pilsbry,|| Wiegmann,%

Randles,** and others; but we still know very little about most of

the forms living in Madagascar.

As the land on which this subfamily arose extended as far as

Southern India, one might perhaps have expected to find some

members of the group in the peninsula. Possibly they may have

once existed there ; but, if so, they were probably unable to survive

the competition of the more highly organized snails, belonging to

the Helicidae, Zonitidae, and other families, which abound on the

* Man. Conch., 1895, ix. p. xxxii.

+ Reis. im Archip. Philippin., 1873, iii. pp. 98-100. Pl. XII, f. 7-10, Pl. XVI,

f.5; and Nachrichtsbl. d. D. Mal. Ges , 1880, p. 60.

+ Arch. Zool. Expér., 1880, viii. pp. 529-536. Pl. XL.

§ Ergeb. Naturwissensch. Forsch. auf Ceylon, 1888, i. pp. 35-69. Pls. VI-VIII.

|| Man. Conch., 1894, ix. pp. 149-156. Pl. XLVIII, f. 9, 12-14, Pl. XLIX,

f. 19-23, 25, Pl. LI a, f. 1-6.

{ Mitteil. Zoolog. Samml., Berlin, 1898, i. pp. 77-81. Pl. III, f. 3.

** Proc. Mal. Soc., 1900, iv. pp. 103-113. Pl. IX.

128 Annals of the South African Museum.

continent of Asia. Indeed it is somewhat remarkable that the

family has survived even in Ceylon, for several of the more highly

developed forms have invaded that island. Probably the Acavinae

owe their survival to the protection and nourishment which they

give to their young until the latter have reached a large size. A

parallel may be drawn between the Acavinae and the Elasmobranch

fishes. The Elasmobranchs form a very ancient group, which is far

more primitive in most of its characters than the great majority of

modern fish; yet they have survived to the present day and have

attained an unusually large size. This is probably due to the care

which they bestow upon their young: some have very big eggs

like Acavus, others are viviparous like Stylodonta, but, in both

cases, the young grow to a very large size before they make their

appearance in the world.

We have now seen what happened to three of the four subfamilies

into which the Acavidae became divided, when their original home

broke up into four large islands. Only the African division remains

to be dealt with.

The descendants of this branch of the family are now living in the

west of the Cape Province and in the neighbouring part of German

South-West Africa. As might have been expected, these snails are

much more primitive than the Acavinae, being further from the

centre of evolution. The eggs are not so large ; the kidney is without

an ureter; the jaw is striated, and secondary cusps are always

present at least on the outer teeth of the radula. The reproductive

system is without an appendiculum, but the free oviduct is usually

much swollen, and the vas deferens is often closely bound to the

penis.

Nor is it surprising to find that this subfamily has greater affini-

ties with the Strophocheilinae than with the Acavinae, for recent

researches have shown that the connection between Africa and

Brazil probably remained long after the formation of the Mozambique

Channel, although it is possible that Madagascar was reunited with

Africa for a short period during Tertiary times, after the trans-

atlantic connection had broken down. The resemblance between

Pilsbry’s figure of the pallial organs of Gonyostomus multicolor, from

Southern Brazil, and the corresponding organs of Trigonephrus is

undeniable ; * and the irregular longitudinal folds which he shows

inside the swollen free oviduct of the same South American species

occur also in the South African forms. Moreover, the radula of this

* Cf. Man. Conch., 1902, xiv. Pl. XLIX, f. 8, with Pl. III, f. 1-4 in the present

work.

Notes on South African Mollusca. 129

species is very like that of Dorcasia, while in Strophocheilus rosaceus

from Chili it is almost exactly intermediate between the types found

in Dorcasia and Trigonephrus, and the jaw in the latter species is

striate, as in the South African subfamily. Plate states that in

Strophocheilus ovatus and S. proximus the duct from the posterior

division of the liver opens into the muscular part of the stomach,

while that from the anterior division opens into the thin-walled part

in front of the muscular portion.“ This is also the case in the South

African snails, but in Acavus Randles states that both hepatic ducts

open into the thicker-walled portion of the stomach.+ Even the

shell of Borus shows some resemblance to that of Trigonephrus in its

colouring and the character of the lip; and in the form of the shell

the most elongate species of T’rigonephrus are not very unlike some

of the South American species, such as Strophocheilus (Borus)

lutescens.

As a whole, however, the South African subfamily is probably not

quite so primitive as the Strophocheilinae ; though here again we

find that the southern genus T’rigonephrus retains more primitive

characters than Dorcasia, which is found further north. This is

shown by the central tooth of the radula (which in Trigonephrus

is of a more primitive type than in almost any other member of the

Acavidae), by the shape of the kidney, and perhaps most strikingly

by the shell; for in Dorcasia the shell is depressed, with a widely

expanded lip, and has quite lost that resemblance to the Bulimiform

members of the family which can still be traced in many of the

species of T'rigonephrus. There is, however, a small section of the

latter genus in which the shell has also become depressed, and in

which the reproductive organs have in some respects become more

highly specialized than in the other southern species. Perhaps this

may be due to a small secondary centre of evolution having arisen

in the southern part of the area, where the conditions are more

favourable than in the arid regions further north, and where the

proximity of the coast may have led to some crowding of individuals.

And possibly the evolution of Anoglypta in Tasmania might be

attributed to a similar cause.

The climate of the Cape is much more like that of Europe than

that of Brazil, and the South African Acavidae differ from the

Strophocheilinae in that they have a strong resemblance in their

external features to the true Helices of Hurope. Indeed Trigo-

nephrus globulus was once regarded as a variety of Helix pomatia,t

* Sitz-Ber. Ges. naturf. Freunde, Berlin, 1896, p. 149.

+ Proc. Mal. Soc., 1900, iv. p. 105.

{ Chemnitz, Conch. Cab., 1786, ix. 2. Pl. CXXVIII, f. 1138c.

130 Annals of the South African Museum.

and until recently nearly all conchologists placed the species of both

Trigonephrus and Dorcasia in the genus Helix. Not until 1905 was

it discovered that these South African snails belonged to the Aca-

vidae, and this is one of the many important discoveries which

we owe to the wide researches of Dr. Pilsbry.* The resemblance

between the South African and HKuropean forms is purely super-

ficial: in their internal anatomy both Trigonephrus and Dorcasia

are far more primitive than any of the dart-bearing Helices.

This South African subfamily of the Acavidae may be named

the Dorcaswnae.

But why are these snails only found in the extreme south-west

corner of Africa? Since they occur in Madagascar and the Sey-

chelles on the one hand, and in Brazil on the other, we might have

expected that the Acavidae would have a much wider distribution

in Africa, and there can be little doubt that they once did inhabit

nearly half the continent. It is therefore necessary to explain why

their African distribution is now so limited. The reason is probably

this.

Long after the advent of the Acavidae, perhaps not until the

Cretaceous period, there arose in the tropics of Africa a new group

of snails, the Achatininae. The earliest members of this group were

small and slender, being scarcely distinguishable from the living

Stenogyrinae, but soon they grew amazingly, and adorned their

shells with flaming streaks of colour. Larger and larger and very

much broader became these snails until they resembled the Aca-

vidae, especially the Bulimiform members of the family. The

Acavidae were probably the only other large herbivorous snails

in Africa, and with this family the Achatiminae would inevitably

come into competition. Now the Achatininae were a newer and

more highly organized group than the Acavidae, and some of them

became larger than any other snails on the face of the earth; it is

therefore not surprising that the Acavidae gave way before them.

The Achatininae multiplied and spread in all directions, and

wherever they became abundant the Acavidae disappeared. They

were too late to get all the way across to South America before the

land-connection was broken by the sea; but they spread as far as

St. Helena, and no members of the Acavidae are known to occur in

that island. In the east the Mozambique Channel prevented them

from invading Madagascar and the Seychelles, and the very few

species of Achatina which are now found in those islands have

probably made their way there comparatively recently. But there

* Proc. Mal. Soc., 1905, vi. p. 287.

Notes on South African Mollusca. 131

was no barrier to prevent these large and vigorous snails from

spreading southward; and southward they spread, exterminating

the Acavidae as they went. When, however, they reached the

south-west corner of Africa they found themselves on the horns

of a dilemma: while the winter in this region was too cold to be

agreeable to these snails of tropical origin, the summer was much

too dry. Consequently their distribution received a check, and even

to the present day very few members of the Achatininae have been

able to penetrate into the area which lies west of the twenty-second

degree of east longitude and south of the Tropic of Capricorn. In

this region, therefore, the Acavidae have been able to survive; for

the Acavidae is such an old family that it has had time to become

acclimatized to all sorts of conditions, from the arid wastes of

Namaland to the forests of Brazil.

Perhaps, in time, the Achatininae will evolve forms which are

able to flourish in this region also, and then the Acavidae will be

found no more on the African continent. But it seems more likely

that the Helices which man has introduced into South Africa from

Europe will constitute the most formidable competitors of Trigo-

nephrus and Dorcasia. Civilization has upset the normal course of

the evolution and distribution of animals; and, if the world lasts

long enough, we might almost look forward to a time when all the

larger snails and slugs in the temperate regions of the Southern

Hemisphere will be of European origin.

EV VV ZA

LEY AAA

SBEYLVIAA A

CASA

LAAT

A Vie, Te | a TAZ

AL VIAAY

LA EEE a L VIZ VY IZA

DIAGRAM SHOWING THE POSSIBLE SPREADING OF THE Acavidae.

(i) Approximate area supposed to have been submerged in early mesozoic times.

7 ;

- Ditto ditto late mesozoic times.

= Ditto ditto early tertiary times.

If this history of the Acavidae is correct, the general course of the

evolution of the family might be summarized as follows. The Aca-

132 Annals of the South African Museum.

vidae arose at the beginning of the Mesozoic era somewhere near

the middle of Gondwanaland; and the members of the family spread

east and west and south, and underwent upward evolution in the

centre. Then that ancient southern continent gradually broke up

into four large islands (one of which became subdivided later), and

the Acavidae became divided into four subfamilies, one in each

region. Lastly, some of these subfamilies began to be exterminated

by newer and more highly organized groups of snails.

But this story of the evolution and distribution of the Acavidae

may not be true. Hedley has suggested that the family arose on

the Antarctic continent.* Now it must be admitted that the climate

near the South Pole was once much more suitable for the evolution

of snails than it is at present, and it is very probable that the

Antarctic continent was at one time united to both Australia and

South America. Possibly it may have been united to South Africa

also, but it is not necessary to invoke the aid of this highly prob-

lematical land-connection before we can accept Hedley’s theory.

Since the Dorcasiinae are so nearly allied to the Strophocheilinae,

we might suppose that their ancestors had spread from the Antarctic

to Africa by way of South America, having made use of the old

connection between Africa and Brazil. Similarly the <Acavinae

might have reached their present home from the Australian

region. But Hedley’s hypothesis does not seem to explain the

relative stages of development which have been attained by the

different members of the family in so satisfactory a manner as

the theory given above; and it certainly involves far greater as-

sumptions; for we have no evidence at all that the Acavidae

ever inhabited any part of the region which Hedley assumes was

their original home. Moreover, Hedley’s theory has been rejected

by Pilsbry,j than whom there is no greater authority on the

geographical distribution of snails. In writing about the Aca-

vidae, Pilsbry goes so far as to state that “the radiation of this

scattered group from the Palaeozoic Gondwana continent of

Neumayr seems a reasonable, in fact the only tenable, hypothesis.” {

Far more information, however, is needed about the comparative

anatomy of snails before we can attach any great value to theories

concerning the origin and evolution of the various families. Pos-

sibly further researches may show a more intimate relationship

between some of the subfamilies of the Acavidae than at present

* Proc. Linn. Soc., N.S.W., 1899, xxiv. p. 396.

+ Rep. Princeton Univ. Exped. Patagonia, 1896-99, iii. (1911), p. 631.

+ Rep. Princeton Univ. Exped. Patagonia, 1896-99, iii, (1911), p. 614.

Notes on South African Mollusca. 133

seems probable. Or perhaps connecting links may be found between

one or two of these groups and snails now placed in other families.

The line drawn between the Acavidae and the Helicidae is still

somewhat vague; and perhaps the gap which separates the Acavidae

from the Corillinae, Camaeninae, and Polygyrinae may be no greater

than that which separates these subfamilies from the more highly

organized Helicinae. If this is the case it is possible that just as

the dart-bearing Helices have probably arisen from the more primi-

tive Helicidae, so these may haye in turn been evolved from the

Acavidae. On the other hand, those genera of the Helicidae in

which the reproductive system is most like that of the Acavidae

bave generally been found to possess very different pallial organs ;

and there is some ground for believing that the Helicidae may have

arisen further north than the Acavidae, and that the resemblance

between some members of the two families may be entirely due

to convergent evolution. Perhaps a comparative study of the

structure of the pedal gland in the two families might throw

some light on this question.

The affinities between the Bulimulidae and the Acavidae are a

little less doubtful, for the more primitive members of these two

families show a decided resemblance to each other. Pilsbry has

demonstrated that it is almost impossible to distinguish the Bulimi-

form Acavidae from the Bulimulidae by their shells *; and in their

internal anatomy some genera of the latter family show an undoubted

similarity to the Acavidae. Thus, according to Pilsbry’s description

and figures,t the genus Macrodontes is remarkably like the Acavidae

in its pallial organs, its jaw, its radula, its retractor muscles, and

in the general features of its reproductive system; and yet Macro-

dontes is placed in the Bulimulidae near Odontostomus, a genus

which it closely resembles in its conchological characters. The

theory that the Acavidae have arisen from the same stock as the

Bulimulidae is also supported by a comparison of the distribution

of the two families; for we find that the Bulimulidae are widely

distributed in those regions of the world to which the primitive

Bulimiform Acavidae have also become restricted, but that they

occur nowhere else.t While, therefore, the two families have

evolved along widely divergent lines, it seems not unlikely that

the Palaeozoic group of snails from which the Bulimulidaz have

descended gave rise to the Acavidae also.

* Man. Conch., 1902, Index to vols x.—xiv. p. vii.

+ Man. Conch., 1901, xiv. p. 29. Pl. V, f. 37, 38, Pl. XV, f. 28, 29.

t See Rep. Princeton Uniy. Exped. Patagonia, 1896-99, ii. (1911), p. 630,

f. 37.

134 Annals of the South African Museum.

And now, having taken as it were a bird’s-eye view of the

Acavidae as ® whole, let us examine more closely those members

of the family that live in South Africa.

Sus-Famity DORCASIINAH, nov., 1915.

Shell rather large, perforate, elongate-globose to depressed-

orbicular; fairly solid; usually almost unicoloured, with little

ornamentation, transversely striate or costate, frequently showing

malleation, but little or no spiral sculpture. Aperture large and

toothless (except in Tulbaghinia), margin invariably thickened or

reflexed.

External features of Animal.—F oot broad and rather short, more

or less rounded at the hind end. Sole rather obscurely tripartite in

Dorcasia, but undivided in Tirigonephrus ; covered by a ciliated

columnar epithelium, and apparently without unicellular glands.

Rest of skin divided into polygonal rugae. There are no well-

marked peripodial, dorsal, or median posterior grooves, but a lateral

groove runs down on each side from the mantle-edge to the head.

The right lateral groove ends in the genital opening, which is almost

as far forward as the upper tentacles, but liesnearer the foot. Beneath

the lower tentacles there is a pair of broad and conspicuous labial

lobes. No caudal mucous pore is present.

Mantle-edge thick, usually with right and left body-lobes. The

left lobe is often divided into two widely separated portions, one

near the respiratory opening, the other on the left side of the animal ;

but in most cases the two portions are united by a fold (see text-

fig. 2, A, and Pl. IV., figs. 3-6). There are no shell-lobes.

Respiratory system.—Mantle-cavity or lung rather short. Pul-

monary veins branching over the whole of its roof ; usually rather

more numerous between the respiratory opening and the peri-

cardium and kidney than elsewhere, but never forming a very dense

network. The first branch of the pericardial vein is almost as large

as the main pulmonary vein, and runs forward nearly parallel to it,

a large afferent vein lying between them. Beyond the first branch,

the pericardial vein gives off one or two smaller branches, which

alternate with afferent veins coming from the mantle-edge. Small

efferent and afferent veins also cross the space between the rectum

and the kidney and the main pulmonary vein (see text-fig. 2, A,

and Pl Ve, aes, 16):

Heart and pericardium very oblique, the auricle lying nearer to the

Notes on South African Mollusca. 135

rectum than does the ventricle. A single aorta arises from the hind

end of the ventricle and then divides into two vessels, one passing

backwards to the liver and adjacent organs, the other bending round

the anterior loop of the intestine and running forwards to supply the

cephalic region with oxygenated blood.

Excretory system.—Kidney somewhat triangular, very broad in

the middle, but tapering in front and behind; its walls much folded

internally. Anterior end scarcely projecting beyond the front of the

pericardium, but abruptly curved round towards the rectum, thus

forming a kind of hook. There is no ureter, but the kidney seems to

open on the posterior side of this hook. From this point a band of

modified epithelium extends along the edge of the mantle-cavity

as far as the respiratory opening, running back along the side of

the kidney, and then curving round the hind end of the cavity

and passing forward next to the rectum. It thus occupies the

position usually held by the ureter in the more highly organized

Sigmurethra. In Dorcasia a slight ledge or fold runs along the

side of the kidney and rectum, overhanging this band; and in

Trigonephrus, though this fold is not found on the side of the

kidney, it is sometimes present on the rectum, being especially

developed in 7’. lucanus (Pl. IV., fig. 4).

Pedal gland opening below the mouth, and extending backwards

for two-thirds of the length of the foot ; usually embedded in the

pedal muscles, but emerging into the body-cavity for the greater

part of its length in some species of Dorcasia. Towards the hind

end, the gland is approximately circular in transverse section, with

a central duct. An irregular longitudinal fold projects from the

roof of the duct into the lumen (text-fig. 1, A, C). The wall of the

gland is composed of a very thick layer of radially disposed gland-

cells, within which is a thin layer of circular muscles immediately

surrounding the epithelium of the duct. This epithelium is

peculiar, consisting of small, very narrow cells, which project into

the duct like cilia. The fold, however, has a more ordinary columnar

epithelium, composed of broader cells with granular contents. The

centre of the fold is pigmented in Trigonephrus porphyrostoma.

Further forward the gland becomes flatter and much wider, the

internal fold being broadened out to form the roof of the widened

duct (see text-fig. 1, B, D). The gland cells do not converge to

open ina median groove in the floor of the duct with a longitudinal

ridge on each side of it, and the structure of the gland differs widely

from that of the European forms described by André. *

* Revue Suisse de Zool., 1894, ii. pp. 291-348. Pls. XII, XIII.

ee eee ee ee

s.r. nnnnneeeeeeaeas

———

— ee a eee ee eee See arr

——————

156 Annals of the South African Musewn.

Central nervous system—Nerve-ring surrounding the buccal

mass, the cerebral ganglia often lying in front of the opening of the

oesophagus, and the rather long cerebro-buccal connectives being

therefore frequently directed backwards. Cerebral ganglia rather

close together, the cerebral commissure being short. In Tvrigo-

nephrus the cerebral ganglia and the nerves arising from them are

more or less surrounded by darkly pigmented connective tissue.

Text-Ficure 1.

Transverse Sections through the Pedal Gland in the Dorcasiinae (somewhat

diagrammatic).

A. Trigonephrus porphyrostoma (M. & P.); section near hind end of gland, x 9.

B. 4 x z 3 front end of gland, x 9.

C. Dorcasia rogersi, n. sp. ; section near hind end of gland, x 15.

D. n ) $5 °F front end of gland, x 15.

The buccal retractor is innervated by a pair of nerves arising near

the junction of the cerebral ganglia and the lateral connectives.

Buccal ganglia widely separate, joined by a rather long commissure

behind the opening of the oesophagus. Cerebro-pedal and cerebro-

pleural connectives rather long. Pedal, pleural, parietal, and

abdominal ganglia forming a compact ventral group, but none of

them actually united, the abdominal ganglion tending to fuse

Notes on South African Mollusca. 137

neither with the right parietal ganglion, as in the Zonitidae, nor

with the left, as in the Helicidae. Left parietal ganglion much

smaller than the other two visceral ganglia.

Digestive system—Jaw of the usual crescentic form, with a

slight median projection on the lower edge (except in Trigonephrus

globulus) ; always without ribs, but covered with fine vertical striae

(see Pl. IV., figs. 17-24). In Trigonephrus even fainter, though

broader, oblique striae can also often be distinguished near the lower

edge, diverging from the central projection.

Radula varying in size from 3:9 1:3 mm. in Dorcasia rogersi to

72x44 mm. in Trigonephrus rosaceus, and possessing from 8,300

to more than 15,000 teeth (the number of teeth in each transverse

row being a little less than the number of rows). Transverse rows

straight or trending very slightly forward on each side. Bases of

teeth quadrate, usually with a short flange projecting in front.

Marginal teeth generally bicuspid; lateral and central teeth tri-

cuspid in Trigonephrus, unicuspid in Dorcasia ; but the transition

from marginal to lateral teeth is very gradual. Central teeth not

very much smaller than the laterals. (See text-fig. 2, B, and

PIN EVe, figs. 9=16).*

Buccal mass muscular and rather large, the odontophoral

muscles reaching back on each side as far as the end of the radula-

sac in adult specimens of Trigonephrus porphyrostoma and T,

namaquensis, so that in these species the end of the sac no longer

projects as a papilla (compare Pl. IV., figs. 7, 8). Oesophagus

and salivary ducts short (see Pl. IV., figs. 25, 26). Salivary glands

generally meeting both above and below the alimentary canal, but

only loosely united with each other. Crop narrow in the majority of

specimens, but sometimes much distended, as in the example

figured by Pilsbry.t In Dorcasia coagulum and D. rogerst the con-

nective tissue surrounding the crop and salivary glands is darkly

pigmented. Stomach sac-shaped, consisting of an anterior thin-

walled portion in continuation with the crop, and a posterior portion

with thicker muscular walls, from which the intestine passes

* The radula in this sub-family seems especially liable to malformation. In a

specimen of T'rigonephrus globulus belonging to Professor Gwatkin, as well as in

one of the examples of Dorcasia alexandri var. rotundata dissected by the writer,

the teeth in ten or fifteen adjacent transverse rows were all greatly shortened, and

some of the outer marginals were suppressed altogether. In another specimen of

T. globuius five of the teeth in each transverse row were abnormally large, being

formed, in at least some cases, by the union of two adjacent teeth; and there were

thus five separate longitudinal rows of abnormal teeth in the radula.

+ Proce. Mal. Soc., 1905, vi. Pl. XIII, fig. S.

—E

Ne eee

138 Annals of the South African Musewm.

forward ventrally. The intestine then bends upward and backward,

and follows an S-shaped curve to the left of and above the crop and

stomach, finally passing forward again into the rectum, which

continues to the respiratory opening.

Liver consisting of two separate divisions of nearly equal size, the

stomach lying between them. The anterior division is somewhat

flattened, and is divided into three main lobes by the intestinal loops

among which it lies. The ducts of these lobes unite to discharge by

a single opening into the thin-walled portion of the stomach. The

posterior division occupies (with the hermaphrodite gland) the

upper whorls of the shell, and discharges by a duct opening into

the posterior muscular portion of the stomach.

Free retractor muscles.—Right and left tentacular retractors

separate from each other and from the “ tail muscle”’ nearly to their

origin on the columella. Hach divides rather far forward into the

retractors of the upper and lower tentacles, having first given off

branches on its inner side to the anterior part of the foot. Right

upper tentacular retractor passing between the penis and the vagina.

Retractors of lower tentacles (and lips) thicker than usual. Buccal

retractor generally united at its origin with the left tentacular

retractor, but only for a very short distance excepting in Dorcasia

alexandri var. rotundata; not bifureating in front, but having a

semicircular insertion around the under side of the buccal mass.

Buccal protractors consisting of numerous small strands. Penial

retractor arising dorsally from the front end of the floor of the lung.

Reproductive system (text-fig. 2, C, and Pl. V., figs. 1-8).—

Hermaphrodite gland composed of numerous very narrow follicles

embedded in the inner side of the posterior division of the liver.

Hermaphrodite duct densely convoluted, but usually very slender,

though somewhat swollen in Trigonephrus gypsinus and T’. lucanus.

Vesicula seminalis long and conspicuous. Albumen gland often very

large. Common duct not convoluted or twisted. Free oviduct

rather short, much swollen in Trigonephrus, and having irregular

longitudinal folds projecting into its cavity, Receptaculum seminis,

or spermatheca, oval, lying against the left side of the common duct.

Receptacular duct usually moderately long, always without a diverti-

culum. Vagina long, excepting in Trigonephrus globulus, T.

gypsinus, and T. namaquensis, in which it is rather short and

slightly swollen. Genital atrium, or vestibule, extremely short,

being scarcely developed at all.

Penis long and muscular, with internal longitudinal folds. In

Trigonephrus these folds are corrugated (Pl. 1V., figs. 27-29); in

Notes on South African Mollusca. 139

Dorcasia both the folds and the intervening furrows are covered

with diagonal rows of very minute papillae (Pl. IV., fig. 30). Penis-

papilla absent or quite vestigial. Penial retractor attached to the

posterior end of the penis, which is usually curved. A short epi-

phallus, lined by longitudinal rows of small papillae, is developed in

Trigonephrus (excepting in 7. lucanus), but it is not clearly marked

off from the narrower vas deferens. The posterior part of the vas

deferens next to the penis is slightly convoluted in Trigonephrus,

and more strongly so in Dorcasia alexandri var. rotundata. In

Dorcasia the vas deferens is usually only loosely united to the side

of the penis, being nearly detached in D. alexandri, and in Trigo-

nephrus lucanus it is quite free; but in the more globular species

of Trigonephrus the vas deferens and epiphallus are very closely

attached to the wall of the penis, the vas deferens being practically

embedded in it towards the genital atrium in some forms, such

as J’. namaquensis. Followed backwards, the vas deferens bends

under the female duct and curves up the right side of the swollen

free oviduct in most of the species of Trigonephrus ; and in these

forms the receptacular duct arises on the left side. But in Dorcasia

and in T'rigonephrus lwcanus, the vas deferens keeps to the left of

the female duct, and the receptacular duct arises on the right side,

and crosses over the junction of the free oviduct and the common

duct.

Much connective tissue unites the vagina, free oviduct, and

common duct to the adjacent body-wall; and at the junction of the

two latter ducts this tissue is so abundant that it seems to form a

partial septum across the body-cavity.

Spermatozoa (Pl. V., figs. 9-11).—Head varying in length from

005 to 006 mm. ; tapering in front, and curving alternately to the

right and left; broader behind, especially in Trigonephrus. Tal

extremely long; proximal portion, or middle-piece, surrounded by

very delicate spiral filaments or flanges, of which tnere usually

appear to be three. An irregular, oval, flexible spermatophore is

formed.

Eggs.—According to Binney, Gibbons stated that the eggs of

Trigonephrus globulus were of a very large size.* It is probable,

however, that in this sub-family they do not attain such large

dimensions as in some genera of the Acavidae ; for although the

embryonic shell is not clearly differentiated from the succeeding

whorls, it evidently does not reach the enormous size found in some

members of the family.

* Ann, N.Y. Acad. Sci., 1880, i. p. 361.

140 Annals of the South African Museum.

Such are the chief characters found in those species of Tvrzgo-

nephrus and Dorcasia, of which it has been possible to examine the

anatomy. Whether these features are possessed by Tulbaghinia

also, it is at present impossible to say, for no specimens of this

genus have been available for dissection.

Distribution.—Souru-West Arrica, chiefly near the coast and in

the neighbourhood of rivers, from Algoa Bay and Montagu in the Cape

Province to the Northern borders of Damaraland.

Genus TRIGONEPHRUS, Pilsbry, 1905.

Proc. Mal. Soe., vi. p. 286.

Shell rather large, elongate- to compressed-globose, perforate,

fairly solid, almost unicoloured. Whorls 4-5, rapidly increasing, all

but the earliest covered with close faint transverse striae following

the lines of growth, usually combined with a considerable amount of

malleation, and, in some species, inconstant tracts of close, micro-

scopic, spiral sculpture. Aperture large; peristome interrupted,

margins externally thickened, sometimes to a considerable extent

backward from the lip, and narrowly reflexed.

Animal differing from Dorcasia in the following respects. Foot-

sole entire, without any longitudinal grooves. Kidney broader at

the anterior end than in Dorcasia, with no fold along its right side.

Pedal gland more or less embedded in the muscles of the foot.

Cerebral ganglia pigmented. Jaw rather broad, and more than

2mm. long. Radula about twice as long as it is broad; teeth

larger than in Dorcasia ; central and lateral teeth tricuspid; in the

marginals the endocone gradually unites with the mesocone, and in

the outer teeth the ectocone often disappears, though most of the

marginals are bicuspid; bases of central teeth usually a little shorter

than the mesocones.

Reproductive system: free oviduct greatly swollen; receptacular

duct less than twice the length of the free oviduct; excepting in

T’. lucanus, the receptacular duct does not cross the common duct,

and the vas deferens curves round the right side of the free oviduct,

is closely bound to the penis, and terminates in a short epiphallus ;

penis containing rows of prominent rugae, or short papillae, which

fuse with one another to form corrugated longitudinal ridges.

Distribution — Sourn-Wexst Arrica, for the most part in sandy

Notes on South African Mollusca. a

scrub near the coast, from Algoa Bay and Montagu, in the Cape

Province, to the Southern districts of Damaraland.

Genotype. JZ’. globulus (Miller).

In their general anatomy the species of this genus that have been

dissected agree very closely with one another. Only in the repro-

ductive organs of 7. lucanus do we find any marked divergence from

the common type. The radula is very constant throughout the

genus, the specific differences being slight ; and the tricuspid condi-

tion of the central and lateral teeth forms, perhaps, the most striking

character of Trigonephrus. So far as is known, this feature is found

in no other genus of the Acavidae ; and Pilsbry has pointed out that

the presence of side-cusps in Trigonephrus indicates that it is a

. relatively primitive member of the family.*

There can be little doubt that in its tricuspid central teeth

Trigonephrus retains a feature which was possessed by the ancestors

of the group, but has been lost by nearly all the other members of

the Acavidae. It is not so certain, however, that these ancestral

forms possessed tricuspid lateral teeth. Pilsbry has justly stated

that as a rule “all modifications in the teeth proceed from the

median line of the radula outwards towards the edges, the outer

marginal teeth being the last to be modified”’; and that ‘a study

of the marginal teeth, therefore, gives a clue in many cases to the

ancestral condition of a much modified radula.”’ + Now if we

examine the marginal teeth of Trigonephrus, we find that while the

ectocone is, from its first appearance on the outer teeth, a separate

cusp, the endocone arises by the bifurcation of the mesocone, with

which it is united in the marginal teeth (see especially Pl. LV., fig. 11).

It therefore seems not unreasonable to suppose that the endocones

on the lateral teeth of Trigonephrus may have thus arisen from the

mesocones in evolution, and that the ancestral Acavidae may have

had bicuspid lateral teeth. According to the principles explained

when discussing the distribution of the Acavidae, the most primitive

members of the family should be found, not in South Africa, but in

the more remote regions of South America, which are furthest from

the centre of evolution. It is therefore specially significant that in the

radula of Strophocheilus rosaceus, King, from Chili (judging from

a specimen, found at Coquimbo, in Professor Gwatkin’s magnificent

collection), while the central teeth are tricuspid, as in Trigonephrus,

both the lateral and the marginal teeth are bicuspid, without

* Proc. Mal. Soc., 1905, vi. p. 288.

+ Man, of Conch., 1895, ix. p. xiii.

142 Annals of the South African Museum.

endocones. It seems possible, therefore, that in this form the

ancestral type of radula has been retained, while in the other

members of the family the lateral teeth have become modified to

match the central teeth, beginning with those nearest the middle.

In most forms the centrai teeth have lost their secondary cusps, and

the ectocones on the lateral teeth have accordingly disappeared ;

but in Trigonephrus 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. Butin Helix aperta, Born, and H. subaperta,

Ancey, the laterals are tricuspid, as in Trigonephrus, the inner

portions of the mesocones haying 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 Papwina vitrea.*

Some of the shells of Zrigonephrus have long been a source of

trouble to students.

Miller’s originals of 7. globulus, rosaceus, and lucanus 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 lucanws, as generally known, are quite correctly

identified, and that the rosacews, 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. Pl. 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 7’. 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 be roughly

divided into two forms of aperture, one drooping, the other out-

standing. In 7%. 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 body 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 globulus 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 Trigonephrus 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.

TRIGONEPHRUS GLOBULUS (Miiller).

(EL TOL, at ls Ss” TEARS ipa aie c ea WAS Tell AY vis Ibs 8)

1774 Helix globulus, Mull., 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

defined, suberenulate. Aperture quadrate-ovate ; peristome thick-

144 Annals of the 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. 32:0;

diam. 80°3; apert. 19°0 x 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 Pl. 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

(Pl. IV., fig. 17). Radula 64x31 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 Pl. IV.,

fig.9); formula (45 + 1+4 48) x 115. Radula-sae projecting beyond

the buccal mass (Pl. IV., fig. 7).

Reproductive 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

(PL AY., fig. 21):

Hab. Carr Province. Generally distributed along the coast

from Algoa Bay (fide Layard) to St. Helena Bay; Robben and

Dassen Islands.

Type in Copenhagen Museum.

A large sinistral specimen, collected by Craven on Robben Island,

is in the British Museum.

The late E. L. Layard, through whose hands passed most of the

* In order to ayoid 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 Moilusca. 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. globulus on Green Point Common is remarkable, as the species

is now unknown there, having been completely ousted by the

introduced H. pisana, Mill.

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, Mill.—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. F., 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

31x29 mm. On Robben Island, a sandpatch in the mouth of Table

Bay, there is a fine large variety, similar in colour, 384 x40 mm.

In Nord Hoek, not far from Kalk Bay, I took a small variety, fully

formed shells varying from 254x194} to 15x15 mm., shells purely

white. In the George District there is a small variety, 19x 19 mm.,

with a pale purple, or puce-coloured mouth. Another variety, prob-

ably from Algoa Bay, rather larger, 274 x 254 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 Musewm.

Miiller. The transition is through a shell resembling the Robben

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, 44384 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.

“T 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,

‘“‘T suspect the coarse, solid shell of the variety called rosacea must

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, Miill., 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 ;

diam. 33; apert. 23-4 17-5 mm.; and the smallest living one: alt.

max. 25°7; diam. 25; apert. Lol? 2mm.

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

9214214 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 globulus, 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°3 x 14:1 mm.

us DOs. os) AOR ipsa, (LOOX 1373)

e OO 269, horde oe

2625: feeto bes ols: trie

Notes on South African Mollusca. 147

This is the most northerly race of the true globuluws which I have

yet seen, for on reaching Namaland the drooping globulus aperture

is transferred to the thin, white-lipped 7’. namaquensis, and the solid

shells, which might otherwise be considered almost inseparable

from globulus, have the projecting aperture of 7. rosaceus.

The peristome is sometimes thickened a little squarely, but

this feature is not usually nearly so marked as in rosaceus or

porphyrostoma.

The anatomy of this species was described and figured by Pilsbry

in 1905*. Six years earlier Moss and Webb published a description

and figure of the reproductive organs of a specimen from Robben

Island +; while so long ago as 1880 Binney described the jaw and

radula and figured some of the teeth |. Pilsbry and Moss and Webb

state that the Jaw is smooth, which does not agree with the observa-

tions of the present writer: Binney merely says that it is without

anterior ribs. Moss and Webb’s figure does not show the swollen

anterior end of the receptacular duct, but this is shown in Pilsbry’s

figures,

It will be seen by comparing fig. 9 with figs. 10 and 11 on Pl. IV.

that, in the specimens examined, the teeth of the radula of this

species are actually a little larger than those of J. rosaceus and

T’. porphyrostoma, notwithstanding that its shell, jaw, and repro-

ductive organs are so much smaller. It is therefore not surprising

to find that the number of teeth in each transverse row in T.

globulus is usually less than in the other forms. Binney gives the

number as about 81, Pilsbry as about 90, while in the specimen

described above it is about 94.

Apart from the radula, perhaps the most distinctive anatomical

characters of the present species are the jaw, the long epiphallus,

and the internal structure of the penis. Further information is

desirable about the external features of the animal.

TRIGONEPHRUS GYPSINUS (Melv. & Pons.).

(Text-fig. 2 and Pl. II, f. 3.)

1891 Helix (Dorcasia) gypsina, M. & P., A.M.N.H. viii. p. 238. D.

Shell elongate-globose, umbilicate, fairly solid, translucent,

type bleached pale buff, peristome and callus apparently faded

brown. Spire rather produced, apex rounded. Whorls 4, very

* Proc. Mal. Soc., vi. p. 286. Pl. XIII, f. 6-9, pl. XIV, f. 13, 15.

t+ Proc. Mal. Soce., iii. p. 264.

{Anns NeYo Acad. Sei., 1. p. 361. Pl, XVit Ke

148 Annals of the South African Musewm.

convex, rapidly increasing, sculpture very worn, apparently origin-

ally consisting of fine transverse striation, with faint malleation on

the later whorls. Suture deep, simple. Aperture rather small,

quadrately rounded; peristome thickened and slightly reflexed,

the ends joined by a distinct callus, the outer lip making with

the body whorl an angle of 105°; columella erect, margin strongly

reflexed, partly concealing the narrow perforation.

Dimensions of Type: Alt. max. 245; diam. 20°2; apert.

13x10°9 mm.; ends of peristome 8°8 mm. apart.

Animal of two full-grown specimens from Wilde Paards Hoek.—

Colour (in alcohol): head and foot tinged with grey, the hind erd of

the foot being the darkest, mantle-edge grey to the left of the respira-

tory opening, but reddish and considerably swollen on the right side ;

roof of mantle-cavity unpigmented ; upper whorls light yellow above

the suture. Left body-lobe divided into two portions, which are

connected by a fold or ridge; left division about as broad as the

right, but lower. Pulmonary veins: a second large branch of the

pericardial vein arises close to the origin of the first branch

(text-fig. 2, A).

Cerebral ganglia covered with grey connective tissue. Jaw

2°9 mm. long, rather thin, light brown ; resembling in form those of

the three following species (cf. Pl. IV., figs. 18-20). Radula of the

same specimen (the shell of which measured 24 x 24 mm.) 63 x 83} mm. ;

transverse rows of teeth almost straight; centrals very similar to the

laterals (text-fig. 2, B); formula, (534+1+453)x133. Radula-sac

projecting beyond the buccal mass.

Reproductive system (text-fig. 2, C): hermaphrodite duct long,

swollen, and much convoluted ; vesicula seminalis unusually long,

rather broad distally but tapering proximally ; receptaculum seminis

oval and unusually large; receptacular duct somewhat swollen at its

anterior end ; vagina short, thicker behind than in front; epiphallus

very short; penis curved at the hind end; rugae on the longitudinal

folds inside the penis much broader than long, as in the three

following species (cf. Pl. IV., fig. 28).

Hab. Lirrne NAMALAND.

Type in British Museum.

This species having been founded on a bleached, subfossil shell,

the original description is somewhat misleading. Some doubt,

moreover, attaches to the correctness of the original locality, the

fact that it was given as Springbok having led to a quite distinct

form, 7’. namaquensis, var. procerus, being confounded with gypsinus.

A small series, collected by Dr. Rogers at Wilde Paards Hoek,

Notes on South African Mollusca. 149

Little Namaland, has just come to hand, which appears to be quite

conspecific with the subfossil: Type, and as it includes two spirit-

specimens, in excellent preservation, it has enabled me to present

particulars of the animal.

In these shells the spire is comparatively less produced, their

Trxt-FIGURE 2.

Anatomy of Trigonephrus gypsinus (M. & P.).

A. Pallial organs.

B. Teeth from the radula, x 200.

C. Reproductive organs, x 3.

form being globose, rather than elongate-globose, but they agree

with the Type in its two main characteristics, the very convex whorls

and peculiarly small, rounded aperture. The colour is uniform

pinkish drab, except the peristome and thin callus, which are pale

rosy brown. The sculpture, on all but the 14 apical whorls,

consists of extremely faint, close, transverse striation, and shows

considerable malleation, especially on the upper portion of the last

14 whorls.

150 Annals of the South African Musewm.

The dimensions vary from :—

Alt. max. 24:4; diam. 24°5; apert. 13-6 x 10-1 mm.

to 99-3 20-25

I have also seen a very bleached example, apparently referable to

this species, from Kaitop.

Probably 7. gypsinus is a relatively primitive member of the

genus. In its internal anatomy it possesses very few distinctive

characters which are not shared by one or other of the remaining

species, but in no other form do we find all these features combined.

Perhaps it is most nearly related to T. rosaceus, but it differs frora

that species in its short vagina, swollen hermaphrodite duct, and a

few other characters. From 7. globulus it may be easily distinguished

by its jaw, epiphallus, and penis; while the coloration of the animal

at once separates it from 7. namaquensis, which it somewhat re-

Ibo S< 9: 2enana:

sembles in the lobes on its mantle-edge and in its internal

anatomy. The number of transverse rows of teeth in the radula of

this species is larger than in any other known member of the genus,

and in this respect 7’. gypsinus resembles Dorcasia.

The animals were received too late for illustrations of their

anatomy to be included in Plates IV. and V., but the accompanying

text-figure shows some of their more important characters.

TRIGONEPHRUS ROSACEUS (Miiller).

(Pi Mt 45: PIV, tO Se Rie Ve ee28)

1774 Helix rosacea, Mill., Verm. 1. p. 76. D.

Shell large, globose, umbilicate, fairly solid, translucent, shading

from pinkish buff on the earher, to bluish violet on the last whorl ;

interior nacreous blue, aperture and paries purple-brown. Spire but

little produced; apex rounded. Whorls 5, very convex, rapidly

increasing, all but the apical covered with close, straight, regular,

transverse striae, and showing occasional traces of close, faint, spiral

sculpture; upper surface strongly malleate. Suture deep, subcrenu-

late. Aperture lunate ; peristome thickened and reflexed, ends joined

by a very slight callus; outer hp making with the body-whorl an

angle of 105°. Columella obliquely concave, margin half concealing

the deep umbilicus.

Dimensions of a fairly typical specimen from between the Holgat

and Orange Rivers: Alt. max. 39°2; diam. 42:0; apert. 245 x 20:5

mm.; ends of peristome 16°5 mm. apart.

Animal of the same specimen.—

Colour (in alcohol) light grey, darkest towards the hind end of

Notes on South African Mollusca. 151

the foot; mantle-edge a darker shade of grey; roof of mantle-

cavity unpigmented. Body-lobes very small, the two divisions of

the left lobe being represented by a small low ridge near the

respiratory opening, and a little triangular flap on the left side of

the animal. Pulmonary veins similar to those of the next species,

the first branch of the pericardial vein arising nearer to the main

pulmonary vein than in 7’. globulus (ef. Pl. IV., fig. 2).

Cerebral ganglia covered with pale grey connective tissue. Jaw

3°65 mm. long, thick, dark brown (PI. IV., fig. 18). Radula

72x 4; mm.; transverse rows of teeth nearly straight; centrals

with rather broad bases and narrow median cusps (PI. IV., fig. 10) ;

formula, (62 + 1+ 66) x 124. Radula-sac projecting beyond the

buccal mass.

Reproductive system (PI. V., fig. 2): hermaphrodite duct slender,

closely convoluted ; vesicula seminalis club-shaped, rather thick, as in

T. globulus ; receptaculum seminis somewhat elongate ; receptacular

duct only very slightly swollen at the anterior end; vagina long and

rather narrow; vas deferens slightly convoluted for only a very

short distance next to the epiphallus, instead of for nearly half the

length of the penis, as in the other species; epiphallus very short ;

penis very abruptly curved near the hind end; rugae on the

longitudinal folds inside the penis much broader than long, as in

T. gypsinus and the two following species (cf. Pl. IV., fig. 28).

Hab. Lirrne Namauanp. Between the Holgat and Orange

Rivers ; Koingnaas (Rogers). Port Nolloth; Anenous (Day).

Type in Copenhagen Museum.

The shell figured is the only one known to have been taken in live

condition. Though a good average example of the species, it does

not quite equal Miiller’s Type in size or exactly resemble it in all

detail. Dr. Jensen writes that the Type, an wnicwm, is an old,

somewhat worn specimen, upon which the sculpture only appears

locally, and the spire is a little obliquely deformed; it has a rather

broader mouth and more pronounced wrinkled transverse sculpture

than the figured shell, but there is no doubt that the latter is to be

referred to H. rosacea, Mill.

This species appears to be very variable in size, while the

comparative height of spire and strength of sculpture are by no

means constant; in some examples the malleation is so pronounced

as almost to efface the striation, while in others there is little

malleation and the striation is far more clear. In all specimens

which I have seen, however, the shell is globose in shape, as

compared with the more elongate TZ’. porphyrostoma, and the

152 Annals of the South African Musewm

sculpture is much finer, never approaching the coarse, rib-like

striation of the last-named species.

The aperture, as before mentioned, projects more out to the side

than that of globulus, and affords a ready means of distinction. The

margins, moreover, are sometimes thickened backwards for as much

as 34 mm., and then squarely grooved, rather than reflexed; but

this feature is quite inconstant, even among specimens from the

same locality.

The large form of TZ. rosaceus seems to be pretty generally

distributed in the neighbourhood of the Lower Orange River,

though I have no definite localities for it except Port Nolloth. A

smaller form, which from its sculpture and aperture probably

represents a local race of the same species, is depicted on PI. II.,

fig. 5. It has only come to hand so far in bleached condition, from

Anenous and Koingnaas.

Judging from the single specimen dissected, the reproductive

organs of 7’. rosaceus differ from those of both the preceding forms

in the long vagina, and in the very small extent to which the vas

deferens is convoluted. From T’. globulus this species also appears

to differ in its jaw, receptacular duct, epiphallus, and penis; and

from T. gypsinus in its mantle-edge, hermaphrodite duct, and vesicula

seminalis.

TRIGONEPHRUS PORPHYROSTOMA (Melv. & Pons.).

(PERIL f 6. PLAY, f. 2, 11,19, 20,28. GRE Vistas. ext fie lL oaiae)

1891 Helix (Dorcasia) porphyrostoma, M.& P., A.M.N.H. viii. p. 238. D.

Shell large, slightly elongate-globose, deeply rimate, solid, just

translucent, shading in colour from pale pink on the earlier, to

bluish grey on the later whorls; peristome and interior purple-

brown. Spire somewhat produced, very nearly as long as the

aperture ; apex rounded. Whorls 53, convex, rapidly increasing, all

but the first two faintly and irregularly malleate above, and covered

with straight transverse striz, which become coarse and more

distant with the growth of the shell, and assume a rib-like

appearance towards the aperture. Suture deep, subcrenulate.

Aperture quadrate; peristome reflexed and much thickened, ends

joined by a distinct callus; outer lip making with the body-whorl an

angle of nearly 120°. Columella erect, margin broadly reflexed,

almost concealing the narrow perforation.

Dimensions of a typical specimen from between the Holgat and

Notes on South African Mollusca. 153

Orange Rivers: Alt. max. 41:5; diam. 39°7; apert. 23:5 x 20-4 mm.;

ends of peristome 18-3 mm. apart.

Animal of full-grown specimens from the same locality, the shells

of which measured about 45 mm. in altitude.—

Colour (in alcohol) grey, the hind end of the foot, the sole and the

mantle-edge being the darkest ; roof of mantle cavity unpigmented.

Left body-lobe irregularly swollen, its two divisions united by a fold.

Pulmonary veins similar to those of the last species, the first

branch of the pericardial vein arising nearer to the main pulmonary

vein than in 7’. globulus (Pl. IV., fig. 2).

Cerebral ganglia covered with grey connective tissue. Jaw

3°7 mm, long, thick, dark brown (PI. IV., fig. 19). Radula

74x44 mm., transverse rows of teeth almost straight; centrals

narrow, with rather inconspicuous side-cusps; outer marginals

unusually broad; mesocones prominently bifid on a larger number

of teeth than in the other species (Pl. IV., fig. 11); formula of one

specimen (61+1+62) x 124, of another (63+1+62) x 128. Radula-

sac not projecting beyond the hind end of the buccal mass.

Reproductive system (Pl. V., fig. 3): hermaphrodite duct slender,

closely convoluted; vesicula seminalis rather small, swollen at the

end but very narrow proximally; receptaculum seminis oval;

receptacular duct not swollen; vagina long and rather narrow;

epiphallus very short; penis abruptly curved at the hind end;

rugae on the longitudinal folds inside the penis much broader than

long (Pl. IV., fig. 28).

Hab. Lrrrte Namauanp. Port Nolloth; T’Kaigas; between the

Holgat and Orange Rivers; Koingnaas.

GREAT NAMALAND. Ghous; Angra Pequena.

Type in British Museum.

The shell is separable fiom that of JZ. rosaceus by its more

elongate spire and coarser, rib-like striation on the last whorl. The

peristome almost invariably shows the square external thickening,

which is an irregular feature in the preceding species.

Both in the general appearance of the animal, however, and in

most of the details of its internal anatomy, 7’. porphyrostoma closely

resembles 7’. rosaceus, and it is evident that these two forms are very

nearly allied; yet the radula of porphyrostoma differs considerably

from that of rosaceus, especially in the form of the central teeth, and

slight differences seem to be present in some of the soft parts, such

as the vesicula seminalis. Moreover, as the specimens examined of

both species were found in the same locality, these differences may

be regarded as having a greater systematic importance than if the

154 Annals of the South African Museum.

specimens had been coliected in different districts. The anatomical

evidence seems, therefore, to support the view that JT. porphyrostoma

and 7’. rosaceus are distinct, though closely related, species.

TRIGONEPHRUS NAMAQUENSIS (Mely. & Pons.).

(EVA isete, SPIN, 3. OG, oeaOes el Nein

1891 Heliz (Dorcasia) namaquensis, M. & P., A.M.N.H. viii.

Dazodt, D:

Shell slightly elongate-globose, narrowly perforate, thin, smooth,

semitransparent, uniform yellow-brown, interior nacreous, peristome

white and glossy. Spire moderately produced, about three-fifths the

length of the aperture ; apex very blunt. Whorls 44, rounded, rapidly

increasing, all but the apical covered with very faint, close, regular,

straight, transverse striae, and rather faint, irregular malleation,

with occasional traces of close, microscopic, spiral sculpture. Suture

simple, well defined. Aperture ovate ; peristome narrowly reflexed,

outer lip making with body-whorl an angle of about 130°; callus

faint. Columella erect, slightly concave, margin rather broadly

reflexed, almost concealing the narrow perforation.

Dimensions of a specimen from ‘“ South Africa’’: Alt. max. 26°3;

diam. 24°9; apert. 16-1 13°4 mm.; ends of peristome 11:7 mm.

apart.

Animal of the above and another specimen from the same locality,

one incomplete and the other immature.—

Colour (in alcohol): foot and mantle-edge pale yellowish buff ;

head tinged with grey on the top ; roof of mantle-cavity conspicuously

mottled with black, the mottling extending back over the pericardium,

but being most concentrated just behind the mantle-edge and near

the rectum ; numerous irregular black patches occur on the outer

surface of the roof of the cavity, while minute black specks are

sparsely scattered over its inner surface. Left body-lobe divided

into two portions connected by a very slight fold or ridge; left.

division much smaller than the right. Pulmonary veins: two chief

efferent vessels bifurcating not very far from their origin (Pl. IV.,

fig. 3).

Cerebral ganglia covered with dark grey connective tissue. Jaw of

the full-grown specimen 2°75 mm. long, thin, yellow-brown (PI. LV.,

fig. 20). Radula6 x 3 mm., transverse rows of teeth nearly straight ;

centrals with rather narrow median cusps (PI. IV., fig. 12); formula

(53 + 1 +4 55) x 114. Radula-sae not projecting beyond the hind

end of the buccal mass in the full-grown specimen,

Notes on South African Mollusca. 155

Reproductive system (Pl. V., fig. 4): hermaphrodite duct and

vesicula seminalis absent from the mature specimen, having been left

in the shell with the posterior division of the liver when the animal

was extracted; receptaculum seminis rather large, tapering pos-

teriorly ; receptacular duct scarcely thickened towards the anterior

end; vagina short, swollen posteriorly ; epiphallus very short ; penis

somewhat curved at the hind end, swollen near the genital opening,

the vas deferens being more deeply embedded than usual in the wall

of the swollen part; rugae on the longitudinal folds inside the penis

much broader than long, as in the last three species (ef. Pl. IV.,

fig. 28).

Hab. Lartne Namananp. Quaggafontein; Ookiep; Wilde

Paards Hoek; hills west of Groen Kloof (Rogers) ; Muishond ;

Meskiep; Kamaggas (Schultze).

Type in British Museum.

This uncommon but rather widely distributed species is easily

recognizable by its thin brown shell and white peristome.

The colouring of the animal also distinguishes it from all the pre-

ceding species. Possibly the concentration of the dark pigment into

black patches and spots on the roof of the mantle-cavity is connected

with the thinness of the shell, which would allow more light to

penetrate to the lung than in the case of forms with thicker shells. In

its internal anatomy 7. namaquensis closely resembles 7’. gypsinus ;

but it differs from that species, as well as from the other members

of the genus, in the enlarged base of the penis.

TRIGONEPHRUS NAMAQUENSIS (Melv. & Pons.), var. PROCERUS, nov.,

1915.

(Plate IT, f 8,'9:)

1912 Trigonephrus gypsinus, M. & P. (pars), Conn., Ann. S.A.

Mus. xi. p. 155.

Shell comparatively small, ovate, perforate, thin, nearly trans-

parent, uniform pale corneous except the umbilical region and

peristome, which are white; interior nacreous. Spire produced,

about two-thirds the length of the aperture ; apex obtusely rounded.

Whorls 44, inflated, rapidly increasing, covered, after the first two,

with extremely faint, regular, close, transverse striae, and faint,

irregular pitting or malleation, hardly visible without a lens, which

imparts to the surface a slight appearance of spiral sculpture.

Suture deep, simple. Aperture quadrate-ovate ; peristome slightly

reflexed ; outer lip making with the body-whorl an obtuse angle of

156 Annals of the South African Museum.

120°, and giving to the aperture the drooping appearance of

T. globulus; callus none. Columella erect, with conspicuous

wrinkles of growth on the broad upper margin, which is strongly

reflexed, almost concealing the deep, narrow perforation.

Alt. max. 22°85 diam, 19-0; apert. 12°77 x 9:0 mm; ends’ of

peristome 6°5 mm. apart.

Animal unknown.

Hab, Lirrne Namauanp. Ookiep (Lightfoot; Day; Rogers).

Buffels River (Rogers).

Type in coll. Ponsonby.

The shell selected as Type is the only good specimen I have

seen. Its finding-place is uncertain, but bleached shells, exactly

agreeing with it in form and substance, have been brought on more

than one occasion from the neighbourhood of Ookiep, whence the

Type also was probably derived.

Another white-mouthed race, very similar in form to the above,

but of thicker substance, is found further south at Clanwilliam and

apparently also at Kangnas and Areb, which may bear, for the

present, the same varietal name, although I think that when live

specimens are discovered they may be found to constitute a

distinct species. Intermediates between these unusually elongated

races and the typical form of namaquensis also occur and estab-

lish a connection between them, which would hardly be apparent

if the extremes alone were considered. A peculiarly small example

from Clanwilliam is shown on Plate IL., fig. 9.

TRIGONEPHRUS LUCANUS (Miiller).

(Pl. Tf, £00" RIA ta Al Oe ee Verio ek)

1774 Helix lucana, Mill., Verm. ii. p. 75. JD.

Shell rather large, subglobose, deeply umbilicate, rather thin,

translucent, chestnut-brown, paler underneath, with a narrow infra-

sutural white line; peristome white; interior pale brown. Spire

moderately elevated, apex blunt. Whorls 5, rounded, rapidly in-

creasing, all except the first 14 covered with very close, faint, regular

transverse striae, extending more faintly into the umbilicus, and

faint malleation, more pronounced towards the aperture. Suture

rather shallow and crenulate. Aperture truncate-ovate ; peristome

slightly thickened and reflexed, ends joined by a faint callus.

Umbilicus narrow but deep, extending to the apex.

Dimensions of a typical specimen from Cape Point, which agrees

Notes on South African Mollusca. 1L5)7/

with Miiller’s originals: Diam. maj. 29-2, min. 23:2; alt. max.

20°0; apert. 16°7x13°5 mm.; ends of peristome 7 mm. apart.

Animal of specimens from Montagu, the shells of which measured

about 24 mm. in diameter, and a single, larger, but immature

specimen from Kommetje, which had a white shell.—

Colour (in alcohol): foot and mantle-edge pale; top of head and

neck tinged with grey; roof of mantle-cavity streaked and spotted

with dark grey, the vigment extending back over the pericardium,

but being most abundant along the three principal blood-vessels and

near the rectum ; the mottling is coarser in the Kommetje specimen

than in those from Montagu. Left body-lobe consisting of two

divisions connected by a fold or ridge, the left division being broad

but very low, scarcely projecting further than the connecting fold.

Pulmonary veins showing a simple generalized arrangement. The

fold, which runs along the side of the rectum and projects into the

mantle-cavity next to the band of modified epithelium, is well

developed in this species and somewhat sinuous (PI. IV., fig. 4).

Cerebral ganglia covered with pale grey connective tissue. Jaw

(of the Kommetje specimen) 2°55 mm. long, rather thin, reddish

brown along the lower edge; ends squarer and edges more nearly

parallel than in the preceding species. In a Montagu specimen the

jaw is similar, but smaller. Radula (of a Montagu specimen)

5 x 24 mm.; transverse rows of teeth nearly straight; centrals

similar to the laterals, but a little smaller (Pl. IV., fig. 13); formula

(43 + 1+ 43) x 114. In the Kommetje specimen the radula measures

6} x 24 mm., the teeth are larger, and the formula is (35 + 1 + 36)

x 113 Radula-sac projecting beyond the buccal mass.

Reproductive system (Pl. V., fig. 5): hermaphrodite duct swollen

aod much convoluted; vesicula seminalis rather long, curved, some-

what swollen distally but tapering proximally ; receptaculum seminis

oval, rather large; receptacular duct crossing the anterior end of

the common duct, shorter than usual, and rather thick; vagina

long; vas deferens keeping to the left of the female duct, not

attached to the side of the penis; epiphallus absent; penis very

long, curved and contorted, the bends occupying different positions

in different specimens ; rugae on the longitudinal folds inside the

penis larger but relatively flatter than in the other species, each

crossed by a narrow white ridge (Pl. IV., fig. 29).

Hab. South-western districts of the CAPE Province. Montagu;

Bredasdorp; Avontuur; Hermanus; Rabiesberg, Worcester Div. ;

Cape Peninsula, from Kalk Bay and Hout Bay to Cape Point.

Type in Copenhagen Museum.

158 Annals of the South African Musewm.

E. R. Sykes has chronicled the existence of a sinistral specimen.

Layard’s note on this species runs :—

“ Helix lucana, Miill.—Another variable and rather widely dis-

tributed species, but as yet I have not procured it beyond the

limits of the Colony, and in it, chiefly along the Southern seaboard.

‘The brown variety, with white band along the suture, is

found pretty abundantly about Kalk Bay, in the sand under bushes.

A smaller variety, with a brownish purple mouth, is found in the

George District; a small variety (diam. 17, alt. 13 mm.) with a

white mouth, is not uncommon at Bredasdorp, while a large

white form (diam. 32; alt. 254 mm.) exists at Mossel Bay.”

The first of the above forms is, of course, the typical lwcanus,

and the last must be referable to bleached specimens of ambiguosus.

The other two are more open to doubt, as I have been unable to

trace an authentic example from either of the localities mentioned,

but it is reasonable to infer that the form from the George District

may be 7’. ambigquosus, var. compactus, described hereafter; and

that from Bredasdorp, the doubtful species No. 3 on p. 176.

T. lucanus has possibly undergone a slight diminution in size

during recent times, for in a subfossil set, collected by J. 5. Gibbons

at Kalk Bay, are solid, coarsely malleated examples attaining such

dimensions as :—

Diam. maj. 38°6, min. 31-0; alt. max. 29°5; apert. 21:1 x 14-9 mm.

and 5 SAT ese 2OF Oia 22:05). _oropelouimar,,

but, in other respects, not varietally separable from Type. The

smaller of these shells is remarkable, in that its thick, white callus

helps to make a practically continuous peristome, it being almost

impossible to mark where the latter ends and the callus begins.

I have collected at Kommetje a white-shelled mutation of

lucanus, agreeing with the normal form in other respects; the

shells found inland at Montagu are slightly smaller and thinner

than the coastal race, but cannot be considered even varietally

distinct.

While in its radula and in most of its other organs 7. lucanus

agrees closely with those species which have already been described,

in its depressed shell and in some features of its reproductive

system it departs considerably from the preceding forms, and

bears a slight superficial resemblance to the genus Dorcasia, The

complete detachment of the vas deferens from the side of the

penis has doubtless been brought about by the extraordinary

Notes on South African Mollusca. 159

increase in length of the latter organ. Perhaps 7’. lucanus might

be regarded as one of the least primitive members of the genus.

TRIGONEPHRUS AMBIGUOSUS (F'érussac).

(Pie esa

1821 Helix (Helicella) ambiguosa, Fér., Tabl. Syst. Moll. pt. 3.

1848 Helix lucana, Mill., var. B, peristomate aurantiaco, Pfir., Mon.

Fels Viv.1yps 332.

1850 Helix lucana, Mill. (ambiguosa, Fér.), Desh., Hist. Nat. Moll.

pl XS B;i3-5. Ff.

1910 Dorcasia ponsonbyi, Fulton, A.M.N.H. vi. p. 212. D.

Shell rather large, depressed-globose, umbilicate, of moderate

thickness, translucent, bright corneous above, much paler, shading

to grey, beneath; peristome and eallus bright orange-brown.

Spire but little raised, apex sub-mamillate, bluntly rounded.

Whorls 43, rounded, rapidly increasing, the first 14 smooth, re-

mainder covered with close, faint, curved striae, becoming rather

fainter beneath, with little malleation, but with tracts of micro-

scopic granular sculpture, which is most apparent on the upper

portion of the last whorl. Suture simple, shallow. Aperture

truncate-ovate ; peristome narrowly reflexed and a little thickened,

ends joined by a thin callus. Umbilicus deep, but narrow and a

little strangulate.

Dimensions of a cotype of ponsonby: from Mossel Bay, in my

collection: Diam. maj. 28:3, min. 23:1; alt. max. 15°8; apert.

157 x 11:7 mm.; ends of peristome 7°7 mm. apart.

Animal unknown.

Hab. Carr oF Goop Horr. Le pays des Hottentots (Férussac) ;

Mossel Bay (Gibbons); Vleesch Bay (Power).

Type of ambiquosa, ubi? that of ponsonbyz in British Museum.

Férussac first published the name ambiguosa among a number

of other uncharacterized species, but gave ar acceptable locality.

Deshayes’ conception of the species as lucanus is erroneous, but

as he expressly states, in the explanation of his plate, that the

shell thereon figured as lucanus is ambiguosa, Fér., the latter name

is clearly established. The figure in question is a very good one of

Dorcasia ponsonbyi, Fulton, and this name must, therefore, be

relegated to synonomy.

The comparative breadth of the last whorl varies greatly in

this species. In most examples it expands considerably towards

160 Annals of the South African Musewm.

the aperture, but in some much more so than in others, and this

expansion influences the shape of the umbilicus, which becomes

more crooked and strangulated in proportion to the amount of

expansion. This point, together with the more flattened shell

and coloured peristome, serves to distinguish ambigquosus at a

glance from Juwcanus, in which none of these characters appear.

Fulton mentions the microscopic granular sculpture on the last

whorl as being of specific value in his description of ponsonbyi.

In the examples which I have seen, this feature, though usually

present, does not appear to be quite constant, but, on the other

hand, I have never seen a fairly recent specimen in which the

peristome did not show traces of colour, and have no reason to

doubt that this character affords one of the surest methods of

identification.

I have examined two good series of ambiquosus, from Mossel

Bay and Vleesch Bay. The latter shells are more solid, and

show more variation than the former. The dimensions of a few

specimens, taken at random, are :—

Diam. maj. 33:0; min. 26°30; alt. max. 19-0

‘s SA Oee Ss ap Lau ae 19°5

2O:8Ge) Spek ele es 15:8

It is to be hoped that animals of this species may be procured and

dissected, in order to find out whether the reproductive system shares

those peculiarities which occur in 7’. lucanus.

TRIGONEPHRUS AMBIGUOSUS (Fér.) var. COMPACTUS, nov., 1915.

(Pi hia)

Shell subglobose, umbilicate, rather thin, semitransparent, chest-

nut-brown above, shading to greyish white beneath; peristome

and callus yellow-brown. Spire moderately elevated, apex blunt.

Whorls 5, moderately convex, rather gradually increasing, the apical

smooth, remainder covered with close, faint, regular, transverse

striae, with occasional faint malleation, especially on the upper

surface of the last whorl, and a suggestion of microscopic granular

sculpture, which is less apparent than in typical ambequosus. Suture

simple, rather shallow. Aperture rounded-ovate; peristome

narrowly reflexed, ends joined by a thin callus. Columella weak

and concave, margin scarcely overhanging the deep, narrow

umbilicus.

Notes on South African Mollusca. 161

Diam. maj. 24:1; min. 20-8; alt. max. 19°2; apert. 13°5 x

10°8 mm.; ends of peristome 7:7

Animal unknown.

Hab. ‘“Souts AFrica.”

Type in my collection.

I have seen three specimens, all nearly alike; the locality is

doubtful, but it seems reasonable to suppose that they represent

the form mentioned by Layard on p. 158 as inhabiting the George

District.

If this is truly a variety of ambiquosus, it is indeed a remarkably

aberrant one; but there is nothing in its coloration and sculpture,

as well as in the general formation of its base and aperture, which

is not consonant with its belonging to a close-coiled, high-spired

race of the Mossel Bay form, and therefore, so long as the animal

is unknown and the locality doubtful, I prefer to give it varietal rank,

which it certainly deserves, rather than specific, to which it may not

be entitled.

mm, apart.

Genus DORCASIA, Gray, 1838.

(Alexander’s Expedition, ii. p. 268.)

Shell rather large, depressed or depressed-globose, perforate,

usually rather thin and corneous with little or no ornamentation.

Whorls 5-6, rather gradually increasing; sculpture consisting of

fairly close, transverse, sometimes costate striae, which are more

marked and regular than in Trigonephrus, where they pertain rather

to the nature of growth-lines. Aperture rather small; peristome

interrupted or continuous, seldom thickened, but more or less

broadly reflexed. Umbilicus sometimes deep and perspective, but

more frequently shallow and eccentric.

Animal differing from Vrigonephrus in the following respects.

Footsole rather indistinctly tripartite, having two shallow grooves,

which diverge from a point about 14 mm. in front of the hind end,

and can be traced forward nearly to the anterior end of the sole.

Kidney narrower at the anterior end than in Trigonephrus ; having

a slight fold or ledge running along its right side, and overhanging

the band of modified epithelium which takes the place of the ureter.

Pedal gland tending to emerge into the body-cavity. Cerebral

ganglia usually unpigmented. Jaw rather narrow, and less than

2 mm. long. Radula nearly three times as long as it is broad;

teeth smaller than in Trigonephrus; central and lateral teeth

unicuspid ; marginals usually bicuspid, rarely tricuspid owing to

162 Annals of the South African Museum.

the doubling of the ectocone; bases of central teeth usually longer

than their cusps. Reproductive system: free oviduct not much

swollen; receptacular duct more than twice the length of the free

oviduct, crossing the front end of the common duct; vas deferens

keeping to the left of the free oviduct, usually loosely bound to the

penis, not terminating in an epiphallus; penis longitudinally folded

inside, and lined by diagonal rows of very minute papillae.

Distribution Usually in the vicinity of rivers in the sandy

deserts of Great and Little Namaland, extending eastward into

Bechuanaland and northward through Damaraland.

Genotype Dorcasia alexandri, Gray.

Dorcasia is undoubtedly very closely allied to Trigonephrus. The

two genera, however, can be distinguished externally, both by the

sculpture and lip of the shell, and by the footsole of the animal;

while internally they differ in their digestive, reproductive, and

excretory systems, the difference in the radula being the most

striking (see Pl. IV., figs. 9-16).

On the whole Dorcasia seems to be arather more highly specialized

genus than Trigonephrus, and it is probably not quite so old. It has

therefore been thought advisable to describe Trigonephrus first and

Dorcasia afterwards.

DorcASIA COAGULUM (von Martens).

(Pl LO ids IPI, Heo; 1429) 726 2308 Ee sien)

1889 Helix coagulum, von Mts., Sitz.-Ber. Ges. Nat. Fr. Berlin

ps 1604, 2:

1897 s von Mts., Archiv f. Naturg. Ix. 1. p. 37.

Py Vala the sl Sea are

Shell rather large, subglobose, narrowly umbilicate, thin, trans-

lucent, pale corneous above and at sides, with irregular blotches and

streaks of opaque cream; apex brown; base and peristome white ;

interior colourless, exhibiting the markings of the exterior. Spire

somewhat produced, apex roundly obtuse. Whorls 54, rounded,

rather gradually increasing, all but the 14 apical covered with close,

faint, regular, transverse striae, becoming much fainter beneath.

Suture simple, of moderate depth. Aperture truncate-ovate ;

peristome slightly reflexed, ends joined by an extremely faint

callus. Umbilicus very deep and narrow, somewhat strangulate.

Dimensions of a specimen from Fielding’s Chabeesies, nearly

agreeing in shape with those of the Type set: Diam. maj. 22°8,

Notes on South African Mollusca. 163

min. 18:5; alt. max. 17:2; apert. 13-2 x 11 mm.; ends of peristome

5°6 mm. apart.

Animal of specimens from Fielding’s Chabeesies and Stinkfontein.—

Colour (in alcohol): whitish, tinged with grey towards the hind end

of the foot and on the head; mantle-edge pale, but roof of mantle-

cavity greyish near the edge, and along the rectum and one or two

of the chief veins. Left body-lobe consisting of two portions con-

nected by a fold, both divisions being prominent, though the left

one is narrow (see Pl. IV., fig. 5, which also shows the arrangement

of the pulmonary veins and the form of the kidney, in which features

the present species does not differ much from the other members of

the genus). Pedal gland partially embedded in the muscles of the

foot.

Jaw 1:6 to 17 mm. long, rather narrow, thin, yellow-brown (PI. IV.,

fig. 22). Radula of a Fielding’s Chabeesies specimen, the shell

of which measured 24 mm. in diameter, 4°6 x 1:°8 mm.; transverse

rows of teeth trending slightly forwards on each side of the middle

line, where they form a very obtuse angle ; cusps of inner marginals

longer than in the other species (see Pl. LV., fig. 14, which shows the

shapes and sizes of individual teeth) ; ectocones can be distinguished

on about 70 per cent. of the teeth, though they are sometimes

very small ; formula (45 + 1 + 45) x 137. A specimen from Stink-

fontein had a very similar radula measuring 46 x 1:9 mm., the

teeth being almost identical in appearance with those figured, and

the formula being (48 + 1 + 48) x 135. Crop and salivary glands

surrounded with darkly pigmented connective tissue (PL. IV., fig. 26).

Reproductive system (PI. IV., fig. 30; Pl. V., fig. 6): hermaphro-

dite duct very slender and closely convoluted; vesicula seminalis

rather small; free oviduct somewhat swollen; receptaculum seminis

small, with a slender duct; vagina rather long; vas deferens rather

closely bound to the penis for the greater part of its length; penis

long, curved posteriorly.

Hab. Great Namananp. Between Aos and the Orange River.

Littte NaMauaANnp. Stinkfontein; Fielding’s Chabeesies.

The Type set is in the Berlin Museum.

It consists of two shells, one so bleached that its ornamentation

is unrecognizable; the other smaller and apparently some time

deceased, but showing clearly the beautiful mottling, which is

such a prominent characteristic of the species. With the Types

is another bleached example, agreeing with them in form, from

the Lower Orange River.

164 Annals of the South African Museum.

The height of spire varies greatly. Von Martens gave the

measurements of his larger shell as: Diam. maj. 24, min. 19; alt.

20 mm.; and his smaller one, as measured by myself, is: Diam.

maj. 20, min. 15-4; alt. max. 14 mm. Most of the examples

brought by Rogers from Little Namaland are comparatively lower

in the spire, measuring 25°3 x 20°5 x 15:5; 22°8 x 19 x 156;

23:6. 18:5) 1552225 «18-2 a3 Sand 21-5 x 17-3 < 136mm:

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, Mill., than of the neighbouring

forms of its own genus.

DoRCASIA ROGERSI, sp. nov., 1915.

QPS e235 SB Vie lod SIN end. 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 T’ Kaigas :—

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. coagulwm (cf. Pl. 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 (PI. IV., fig. 23).

Radula 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 (Pl. 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.

Reproductive system (PI. V., fig. 7): hermaphrodite duct long,

very slender, and closely convoluted; vesicula seminalis rather

small; free oviduct scarcely swollen; receptaculum seminis 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. Lirrne Namauanp. T’Kaigas (Rogers).

Type in South African Museum.

Eight examples, the smallest measuring: Diam. 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 ,. SO ee 26:8 5 $d 1S: OF 5 es, Reels aerate

The last of these is illustrated on Pl. IIL, 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 alexandri nor the open umbilicus and comparatively

small aperture of cernwa, while coaguluwm 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. coagulwm, 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. cernwa, 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.

DoRCASIA CERNUA (von Martens).

CB a4)

1889 Helix cernua, von Mts., Sitz.-Ber. Ges. Nat. Fr. Berlin,

pp. Gi) =p}

Shell large, flat, deeply umbilicate, 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 54, 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 14 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. 30°5, min. 24:5; alt. max. 12°5;

apert. 14:3 x 10°7mm.; ends of peristome 5:5 mm. apart.

Animal unknown.

Hab. Great Namauanp. Angamthal; Kuibis; Rooiberg (sub-

fossil).

Type in Berlin Museum.

With this is another subfossil shell from Rooiberg, 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. alew-

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.

DorcasiA ALEXANDRI, Gray.

(PL SEEY Hide)

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 14 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. 15:0; apert. 13:7 x 11°7 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 D. alexandrz

from the other members of the genus.

Pedal gland lying free in the body-cavity. Jaw* ‘entirely

smooth,” with little or no median projection. Radulat+ with teeth

resembling those of the var. rotundata, but broader in front, and

the centrals and laterals with longer basal plates. Reproductive

system {: 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 14 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 Namananp. Neighbourhood of the Great Fish

River. Lirrne Namauanp. 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 rotwndata.

* Man. of Conch., 1895, ix. Pl. LX, f. 3.

ip Woke, TAL IOP ain (oh,

t Ibid., frontispiece, f. 3, and Ber. Senckenb. Naturf. Ges. Frankfurt, 1894,

p. 94, text-figs.

Notes on South African Mollusca, 169

DoRCASIA ALEXANDRI, Gray, var. Minor, O. Boettger.

(PL Tits 63)

1886 Helix (Dorcasia) alexandri, Gray, var. minor, Bttg., Ber.

Senckenb. Naturf. Ges. Frankfurt, p. 22. Pl. I, 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, 8.A.M. No. A 2818, from Geitsi Gubib,

measures: Diam. maj. 22°6, min. 18°8; alt. max. 13°5; apert.

EOE < 9:9. mam,

Bottger founded the variety on five specimens from Ghous, north

of Smalvisch Kop, Gordonia, and gives the measurements as:

Diam. 21-24; alt. 10-114; apert. 10-104 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.

DorCASsIA ALEXANDRI, Gray, var. ROTUNDATA, Mousson.

Quigitietane, lly, f. 6, 16,245) eV eS le)

1887 Helix alexandri, Gray, var. rotundata, Mouss., J. de C. xxxv.

13) AGEs Le, IIL k a OPO as

1914 Dorcasia alexandri, Gray, var. svegmanni, Honigmann, Nach-

richtsbl. d. D. Mal. Ges. lxiv. p. 29. DF.

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 44,

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 Rehoboth: Diam, maj. 21-1,

min. 16°8; alt. max. 12:3; apert. 108 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 (Pl. IV., fig. 24). Radula of a

specimen, the shell of which measured about 214 mm. in diameter,

5X18 mm.; transverse rows of teeth almost straight; teeth less

diverse in shape than in D. coagulum and D. rogersi; outer

marginals with squarer bases (Pl. 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 1:3 mm. Crop and salivary glands

apparently unpigmented. Buccal retractor united with the left

tentacular retractor for a longer distance than in the other species.

Reproductive system (Pl. 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. coagulwm 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. Damarauanp. Rehoboth District.

Type of rotundata in Zurich Museum; siegmanni in coll.

Natermann,

The published figures of rotwndata 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 sieymanni. However, at

the instance of Herr Carl Natermann, cotypes of the last-named

form have been compared by Dr. O. Stoll, of Zurich, with the

type set of rotwndata, and pronounced inseparable. Both were

Notes on South African Mollusca. alyaa

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. 20:0; alt. max. 13:5; apert. 12:°2x11 mm.

FP ZO ee 20:0! Fe 13°25) Gl aiore Sia

3 Oi) eee alt <O!; . 13:05. jpn BLOTS:

P PASE ope relay i e 13:03. 3, fe a9 Oe;

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. coaqulum 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 T'rigonephrus 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.

DorRcASIA ALEXANDRI, Gray, var. TRIVIA, O. Boettger.

1910 D. alexanderi, Gray, var. trivia, Bttg., Abh. Senckenb. Naturf.

Ges. Frankfurt, xxxii. p. 439. Pl. XXVIII, f. 3. D.F.

I have not seen this variety, 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 4 to

1 mm. apart, whereas the fine striae of alexandri are far closer

together, 3 to the mm. on the last whorl.

iQ, Annals of the South African Museum.

Animal unknown.

Hab, DAMARALAND. 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.

(BL nie Ss)

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°8 x 11-5 mm.

Animal unknown.

Hab. Damarananp. Omaruru River (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.

r3 23°0, , 185; ,, 10:5,

9 22:6, ”? 18-2 ; ”” 10:7 ”?

r 22/055 st, tS ie 10s;

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 perspectiva

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

warranted by the occasion.

Genus TULBAGHINIA, Melv. & Pons., 1898.

AMEN ES 1. ps 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 columella.

Animal unknown.

Distribution—The South-western district of the Cape Province,

chiefly in the more wooded areas between Tulbagh and Bredasdorp.

Genotype, Zulbaghina isomerioides (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 Dorcasitinae, 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 ISOMERIOIDES (Mely. & Pons.).

1898 Dorcasia (Tulbaghinia) isomerioides, M. & P., A.M.N.H. i.

p28. PL VIE lO a ee

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 54, 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. maj. 30-0, min. 24-6; alt. max. 15°8;

apert. 16-2 12-4 mm.; ends of peristome 4:1 mm. apart.

Animal unknown.

Hab, Carr Province. 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 Annats, 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 7’. isomerioides, something of a

similar nature is of irregular, though infrequent occurrence in other

Dorcastinae. 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 (Pl. 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. Pl. II, f.1-3. DF.

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. Columella

extremely weak. Umbilicus deep and open.

Dimensions of a shell from Oudebosch, in my collection: Diam.

maj. 29:9, min. 24:0; alt. max. 14°7; apert. 14°6x13°0 mm.; ends

of peristome 8:2 mm. apart.

Animal unknown.

Hab. Caps Provincr. 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 (0) 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. TRIGoNEPHRUS, spec. (S.A.M. No. A 2817).

Shell somewhat resembling in contour a small, blunt-apexed

T. porphyrostoma, 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

globulus ; peristome much thickened, columellar margin completely

overgrowing the wmbilcus, so that the shell appears to be imperforate.

Alt. max. 37°8; diam. 33°5; apert. 19:°6x17:°5 mm.; ends of

peristome 12°75 mm. apart.

Animal unknown.

Hab. Great NaMauanp. Granite Berg, 27° 30’ §.; 15° 30’ E.

(Rogers).

Possibly an aberrant form of porphyrostoma.

2. TRIGONEPHRUS, 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 44, rapidly increasing, all but the apical covered

with close, faint transverse, and microscopic spiral striae. Aperture

quadrate-ovate, shaped like that of 7’. globulus ; peristome moderately

thickened and reflexed, half concealing the narrow umbilicus.

Alt. max. 25°8; diam. 21-1; apert. 13-5 x 10-1 mm; ends of

peristome 9°6 mm. apart.

Animal unknown.

Hab. Carr or Goop Horr. 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 7’. namaquensis, var.

procerus, 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 7’. ambiquosus, var.

compactus, but considerably smaller, with a white peristome. Its

Notes on South African Mollusca. ILL

dimensions are: Diam. maj. 21, min. 17:3; alt. max. 15:8; apert.

mia 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 dwcanus from Bredasdorp (p. 158). Under such cir-

cumstances, it seems inadvisable to name them.

4. DorcasIA ALEXANDRI, 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°71, min. 22°8; alt. max. 14:2; apert. 15 x 11 mm.

Animal unknown.

Hab. Damaratannd. EHrongo Mountains (Rogers).

A connecting link between the var. perspectiva, 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 perspectiva, rather than

a widely umbilicate one of the true alexandrv.

5. Henix BuLBus, Menke.

1848 Helix bulbus, Mke., Pfr., Zeitschr. f. Malak. v. p. 116. D.

SDs. 5; * “ », Conch Cab., p. 268. Pl. CX XII (1852),

i, Go, Da

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 44, 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 214; 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, Et.

1.—Trigonephrus globulus (Mill.); from a specimen in my collection.

2.—T.

3.—T.

4,.—T,

5.—T.

6.—T.

7.—T.

8.—T

9.—T.

10.—T

11.—T

12.—T’.

globulus, forma minor; from a specimen in my collection.

gypsinus (Melv. & Pons.); from the Type in British Museum.

rosaceus (Miill.) ; from a specimen in the South African Museum.

rosaceus, forma minor; from a specimen in my collection.

porphyrostoma (Melv. & Pons.) ; from a specimen in the South African

Museum.

namaquensis (Melv. & Pons.) ; from a specimen in the South African

Museum.

. namaquensis, var. procerus, nov.; from the Type in coll. Ponsonby.

. namaquensis, var. procerus ?; from a specimen in the South African

Museum.

. lucanus (Miill.) ; from a specimen in my collection.

. ambiguosus (Fér); from a specimen in my collection.

ambigwosus, var. compactus, noy.; from the Type in my collection.

Ann.S.Afr.Mus.Vol. XIII.

SPHRCInS OF TRIGONE PHR

D>.

West, Newman del.et lith

PATE ADE.

Fig. 1.—Dorcasia coagulum (vy. Mts.); from a specimen in the South African

Museum.

2.—D. rogersi, nov.; from the Type in the South African Museum.

3.—D. rogersi, forma maxima; from a specimen in the South African

Museum.

4.—D. cernua (vy. 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. perspectiva, nov. ; from the Type in Kimberley Museum.

XII.

Acne S Ate Mais Vol.

4 ri

ee ee a Se

> 4

<i gla di

West,Newman del.ek lith

SSaAGins OF DORGASIA.

f 2) ys be

ANATOMY OF THE DORGASIINAE.

Figs. 1-6.—Pallial organs 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 (Miill.).

2.—T. porphyrostoma (M. & P.).

3.—T. namaquensis (M. & P.).

4.—T. lucanus (Miill.).

5.-—Dorcasia coagulum (vy. Mts.).

», 6.—D. alexandri, var. rotundata, Mouss.

Figs. 7 & 8.-—Dorsal views of buccal mass, showing the end of the radula-sac

and the opening of the oesophagus. (Natural size.)

Fig. 7.—Trigonephrus globulus (Miill.).

», 8.—T. namaquensis (M. & P.).

Figs. 9-16.—Representative teeth from the radula (seen from aboye).

Fig. 9.—Trigonephrus globulus (Miill.) x 150.

», 10.—T. rosaceus (Miill.) x 150.

», 11.—T. porphyrostoma (M. & P.) x 150.

5, 12.—T. namaquensis (M. & P.) x 150.

», 13.—T. lucanus (Miill.) x 175.

5, 14.—Dorcasia coagulum (vy. Mts.) x 250.

15.—D. rogersi, nov. x 250.

5, 16.—D. alexandri, var. rotundata, Mouss. « 280.

Figs. 17-24.—Anterior views of jaw.

Fig. 17.—Trigonephrus globulus (Mill.) x 7:5.

18.—T. rosaceus (Miill.) x 7:5.

19.—T. porphyrostoma (M. & P.) x 7:5.

20.—T. namaquensis (M. & P.) x 7:5.

21.—T. lucanus (Miill.) white var. x 7:5.

22.—Dorcasia coagulum (v. Mts.) x 10.

23.—D. rogersi, nov. x 10.

24,.—D. alexandri, var. rotundata, Mouss. x 10.

Figs. 25 & 26.—Digestive system, seen from above, after the intestine and

rectum, with the anterior division of the liver, have been turned oyer to the left.

Fig. 25.—Trigonephrus porphyrostoma (M. & P.) x 1.

,, 26.—Dorcasia coagulum (vy. Mts.) x 2.

Figs. 27-30.—Part of the wall of the penis, seen from within.

Fig. 27.—Trigonephras globulus (Miill.) x 6.

5, 28.—T. porphyrostoma (M. & P.) x 5.

» 29.—T. lucanus (Miill.) x 6.

., 30.—Dorcasia coagulum (v. Mts.) x 6.

’”’

Place: Ty:

mn .S.Afr. Mus.Vol. XIII.

Gee

Bt a eR Oy eG CR eee

PACE Ne

ANATOMY OF THE DORGCASIINAE.

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.—Trigonephrus globulus (Mill.) x 3.

2.—T. rosaceus (Miill.) x 1:5.

3.—T. porphyrostoma (M. & P.) x 1:5.

4.—T. namaquensis (M. & P.) x 3.

5.—T. lucanus (Miill.) x 2°25.

6.—Dorcasia coagulum (vy. 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.—Trigonephrus globulus (Miill.) x 1,200.

», 10.—T’. lucanus (Miill.) x 1,200.

,, 11.—Dorcasia alexandri, var. rotundata, Mouss. x 1,200.

Ann. S$. Afr. Mus.Vol. XIII. Plate V.

CYP

‘

West,Newman ccllotype.

(179)

8.—Notes on South African Non-marine Mollusca.—By M. Connouty.

( 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 Erongo 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 Ponsonby-

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, peristome 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; peristome 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.

Diam. maj. 27°9, min. 22°5; alt. 14:1; apert. 16-2 x 15:0 mm.

Hab. Damaratann. Mt. Usakos (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 var.

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: Diam. maj. 345; min. 28:0; alt.

164; apert. 21:1 x 15°6 mm.; and the smallest: Diam. maj. 21-7;

min. 17:3; alt. 10:0: apert. 11:8 x 9°77 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 exampie 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

infinitesimally 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 « 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 Maltahéhe, which undoubtedly

belong to the new variety. They differ slightly therefrom, however,

in that their sculpture is less pronounced than in the Type; their

aperture also is more remote from the umbilicus, so that a consider-

able expanse of the base of the last whorls is exposed between the

umbilicus and the reflexed edge of the peristome.

The shells measure respectively :

Diam. maj. 33°2, min. 26:0; alt. 17:0; apert. 17-9 x 14-7 mm.

PS Peeolsom ea oO: .. L6%:: 6:0 e123 -Osmuim:

V.— On the introduced Land-Molluscan Fauna of South Africa.

I have more than once been taken to task for inserting the

introduced species in my Revised Reference List in 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 Limneidzx 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 Férussac (= 7’. awrigaster Layard in MS.).

Taylor * holds that awrigaster Layard is synonymous with maugei,

and as his views have recently been confirmed by H. Watson+ there

is no ground for the retention of the former name, a desirable result,

since no description or figure of awrigaster 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.

VITREA 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 R. M. Lightfoot, who first noticed the species in 1890; it has

doubtless been imported in soil.

Pouita 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 Grahamstown 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.

Porta CELLARIA (Miller).

Considering that it was noticed by Benson at Rondebosch, 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.

7 Ann. Natal Mus. 1915, ili, 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.

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 14mm. in diameter.

The animal has been examined and identified by the Rev. E. W.

Bowell.

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, Kingwilliamstown 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. cupido 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. barrakporensis (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,

* Rev. 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. truncatula, 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.

Limax Fiavus Linné.

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 Grahamstown (Farquhar).

Limax maximus [inné.

Discovered by Lightfoot on Table Mountain, above Newlands, in

1900, and collected by G. French in the same locality in 1913.

Mitax eaaates (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 Limax capensis in 1848.

M. gagates is also recorded from Ashton and Storms Vlei, Cape

Province (Purcell), and from Pietermaritzburg.

AGRIOLIMAX AGRESTIS (Linn¢).

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 Mollusca. 185

Watson considers that specimens collected at Caledon and East

London by Mrs. Longstaff in 1914, and at Albert Falls, Natal, by

Akerman in J910, will probably prove to belong to this species.

Lightfoot has also taken it in gardens at Stellenbosch, Ceres and East,

London.

AGRIOLIMAX L&vIs (Miller).

Recorded by Sturany 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 (Miller).

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 Collinge 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 European Molluscs is

easily explainable.

Kubota srminaris (Férussac).

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,

EH. similaris 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 (Miller).

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. cellaria, which found the little

helicoids a particularly appetising luxury. Dr. Péringuey courteously

informs me that the sleepers have disappeared, but that C. acuta is

now to be found on Richardia (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 Rain 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-

a : =

Notes on South African Non-marine Mollusca. 187

spersed with patches of cultivation, in common with the introduced

P. orcula, K. sigurensis, 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, Simonstown, excentrica has not spread beyond

gardens in Cape Town and Wynberg.

Its other localities are Somerset East, Grahamstown, Kinewilliams-

town and Port Elizabeth in the Cape Province, and Pietermaritzburg

in Natal.

Hewix Aspersa Miiller.

The late Lord de Villiers informed me that he remembered this

species being first brought to Cape Town by Mons. 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-molluses collected in that neighbourhood by the members

ot the ‘‘ Challenger” Expedition in 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 Robben 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 Wilman

informs me that it made its first appearance in gardens in 1915.

HELIX FAUX-NIGRA Chemnitz.

Pallary* has shown that Miiller’s original description of Helix

lactea cannot possibly be appled 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.

Hewix pisana Miller.

This species was first noticed by W. G. Fairbridge in 1881 on what

was then Gallows Hill, but now forms part of Cape Town Docks.

* Nachrichtsbl. d. D. mal. Ges. 1914, 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,

Trachycystis 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. pisana 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 Gamtoos Valley.

It was first noticed at Durban on sand-hills near the hghthouse in

August, 1905, by Dr. Longstaff, and at East London in November,

1915, by R. 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 CALAHARICUS (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; Taungs; Hay District ;

Ghous; 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 (Férussac).

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.

CamcILIoIpEs acicuLa (Miller).

Widely diffused, though infrequent, throughout the continent,

apparently quite inseparable from the European form. TI 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 are Bloemfontein, Prieska, Cradock and

Kimberley, to which may now be added Grahamstown (Kincaid and

Farquhar) and Macequece District, Portuguese East Africa.

T have little doubt that C. advena Ancev, from Disappointment Vlei,

Ovampoland, and C. ovampoénsis M. & P., described from Ovampoland

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 ovampoénsis is now in hardly sufficiently

good condition to admit of accurate comparison.

SuBULINA ocTona (Bruguiére).

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 (Linné).

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.

Limna%A TRUNCATULA (Miller).

The species named by Kiister L. wmlaasianus 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.

PLANORBIS 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, Newlands,

near Kimberley, it may well be endemic to a great part of South-

equatorial Africa.

Istpora contorta (Michaud).

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-

town, which I have attributed to it, might not have developed into J.

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.

abbreviata (Pythia)

ACAVIDE . :

Achatina (Achatinidee)

acicula (Cecilioides)

acuta (Auricula) .

advena (Ceecilioides)

zqualis (Melampus)

affinis (Pedipes) .

agrestis (Agriolimax) .

Agriolimax (Limacide)

alexandri (Dorcasia)

alliaria (Polita) .

amarula (Tiara) . .

ambiguosus (T'rigonephr us)

arboreus (Zonitoides) .

Arion (Arionidz)

~aspersa (Helix)

aurora (Achatina)

australis (Ophicardelus)

barrakporensis (Kalella)

bulbus (Helix)

Cecilioides (Achatinide)

calaharicus (Leucochiloides)

callaoénsis (Auricula) .

cancellata (Tiara)

cellaria (Polita) .

cernua (Dorcasia)

coacta (Tiara)

coagulum (Doreasia) .

Cochlicella (Helicide)

compactus (Trig. eee

war.) .

conica (Laimodonta) .

contorta (Isidora)

cornea (Cremnobates) .

costata (Melania) :

Cremnobates (Auriculide) .

erystallina (Vitrea)

cymbxformis (Auricula)

CSIs)

INDEX.

105 | decollata (Rumina)

122 | Dorcasia (Acavide)

188 | DORCASIINA .

. 188 | draparnaudi (Pohta) .

105, 120

106 | elongata (Auricula)

184 | Enterodonta (Auriculide) .

184 | Eulota (Helicide)

167 | excentrica (Vallonia) .

Je}

We}

183 | fallax (Leucochiloides)

185 | faux-nigra (Helix)

187 | filholi (Marinula)

188 | firminii (Auricula)

105 | flavus (Limax)

forestieri (Pedipes)

fulica (Achatina)

fuscus (Arion)

—

or?

We)

| gagates (Milax) . :

| gibbonsi (Planorbis) .

188 | globulus (Trigonephrus)

188 | gracilis (Melampus)

106, 107 | gypsinus (Trigonephrus )

99, 101

er)

lor)

100 | Helix (Helicide) .

162 | hottentota (Trachyeystis)

—

ea)

or)

106 | intermedius (Arion)

190 | Isidora (Limneide)

105 | isomerioides (Tulbaghinia)

103, 107 sj

5) sys

107, 116 | japonicum (Pupisoma)

PAGE

189

121, 161

120, 134

183

106

185

186

188

187

115

105

184

106

188

185

184.

189

143

105

147

187

185

190

174:

186

192 Annals of the South African Museum.

K R

PAGE PAGE

Kaliella (Zonitide) . , . 183 | rariplicata (Trachycystis) . . 188

recluziana (Auricula) . . 106, 120

rhoadsi (Marinula) —. é . 106

L rogersi (Dorcasia) : ; . 164

lactea (Helix) : ; p _ 187 | rosaceus (Trigonephrus). a) G46)

levis (Agriolimax) . _ 185 | rotundata (D. alexandri, var.) . 169

Leucochiloides (Pupillide) . _ 1ss | Rumina (Achatinide) . - 189

Limax (Limacide) : . 184

Limnea (Limneidz) . : Wests) S

loweana (Phytia) : , AO oe i

lucanus (Trigonephrus) — . _ 156 | Schaerfie (Tulbaghinia) —. . 174

senegalensis (Renee ise.) . 188

setosa (Tiara). 5 8

M siegmanni (D. alexandri, var.) . 169

maindroni (Marinula ; . 114 SSUES (Eezine a) eee wi

Marinula Sea) . 102, 107 eee ee) avs F e wee

maugei (Testacella) . ‘ amigo: 20 bi 4 ( s Cue aes) 4 PORES

maximus (Limax) : : MOSTO4iq|\ chee eae (Auricula) Reps : J 106

Melania (‘Tiaride) 99 Subulina (Achatinide) : . 189

MELANIIDZ . : - 89)

MELANIINA . : , ey AL

Milax (Limacide) : 5 . 184 x ae ~

minor (D. alexandri, var.) . = 269 Testacella (Testacellidee) : -, 182

minor (M. nigra, var.) . ! elales Thiara (Tiaridie) . : ; ; 99

. ea . | thiarella (Melania) . : . 100

Monica (Auriculide) . : . 108 THIARIDE 101

montana (D. alexandri, var.) . 179 Tiara (Gaara) " “99

TIARIDE . : ; 5

N TIARINA . >

; ; Trachycystis (Endodontide) 187, 188

namaquensis (Trigonephrus) . 154 | Tyjo onephrus (Acavide) . 121, 140

triplicata (Phytia) . : 106, 120

O tristanensis (Marinula) .. . 108

trivia (D. alexandri, var.) . elie

octona (Subulina) : : . 189 | tropica (Isidora) : : _ Io

orcula (Pupisoma) . 186, 187 | truncatula (Limnea) . = L889

ovampoénsis (Ceecilioides) . . 189 | tuberculata (Tiara) . ; > 89

ovulus (Pedipes) . 5 : . 116 | Tulbaghinia (Acavide) . 5 172)

umlaasianus (Limneeus) — . . 189

: V

parva (Marinula) : , . 114

patulus (Melampus) . . 107,116 | Vallonia (Helicide) . : a lS6

pellucida (Auricula) . ‘ . 106 | variegatus (Limax) . : . 184

pepita (Marinula) . 102,107 | velaini (Marinula) . : Slits

perspectiva (D. alexandri, var.). 172 | vespertina (Phytia) . : = 105

Phytia (Auriculide) . . 103,120 | Vitrea (Zonitide) : ; 5 ae

pisana (Helix) . : . 187 | vulcani (Auricula) . . 105

Planorbis (Limnide) : » ge

Polita (Zonitide) : : . 182 x

ponsonbyi (Doreasia) . 159

porphyrostoma (Trigonephrus) . 152 | xanthostoma (Marinula) . 5 Ke

procerus (‘T. namaquensis, var.). 155

pulchella (Vallonia) . : 5 dbs{s) Z,

punctata (Ovatella) . 5 . 105

Pupisoma (Helicide) . : . 186 | Zonitoides (Zonitide) . : 5S

(198 )

9.— Two New Species of Marginella from South Africa. —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. J. 8. Gladstone, photo.

Fie. 1.—Marginella tomlini. x 2. Fie. 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 Annals of the South African Musewm.

is white and smooth within and considerably curved. The plicae and

margin are also white.

Long. 18mm. ; lat. 9mm.

Hab. Cape St. Blaize (S. Africa) N. by E. 3 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, photo. JS. Gladstone, photo,

Fie. 3.—Marginella taylori. x 4. Fig. 4.—Marginella taylori. x 4.

Columnella 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 5mm.

Labrum moderately curved, thickened, finely irate within, minutely

denticulated along its entire length and inflected backwards in the

lower part.

Long. 5mm. ; diam. max. 2 mm.

Hab. 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, Eng.), 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 G. A.

Boutencer, LL.D., D.Sc., F.R.S. (Published by permission of

the Trustees of the British Museum. )

(With Plates VI-VIL.)

INTRODUCTION.

When, some twenty-five years ago, the late Dr. R. Klebs submitted

to me the oldest known Lacertid (Oligocene) with the lepidosis

preserved through imbedding in amber, a careful comparison with

recent lizards led me to refer it to the genus Nuweras, 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

* Of. R. Klebs, Schrift. Phys.-oek. Ges. Kénigsberg, li., 1910, p. 227. As this

lizard has not received a name I propose to designate it as Nucras succineus.

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

Pleurodiran Chelonians, 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. Within 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, Gerrhonotidae, 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. agilis 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 accordance 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. Otherwise we find (1) constant presence of teeth on

the palate; (2) a non-depressed or feebly depressed skull of moderate

ossification (no supraorbital fontanelle, no dermal ossifications in the

temporal region), although less primitive than that of L. agilis, owing

to the narrower internarial space (comparable to ZL. vivipara in

N. delalandii, to L. muralis 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.

+ Unless it be true that the tail of N. boulengeri is only 14 to 11 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 Lizards of the Genus Nucras, Gray. 197

denticulation in front of the ear-opening; (8) cylindrical or feebly

compressed digits with smooth lamellae inferiorly ; (10) the ideal

type of primitive markings in some forms, no vivid colours on the

head and body.

The main 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 on the sides break up into spots and,

further, rearrange themselves into cross-bars, as happens also in

N. intertexta, var. holubi. '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 Nueras

differs from 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 Himer’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. Péringuey, 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. 8. 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., ili, p. 52 (1887).

Lacerta, part., Dum. & Bibr., Erp. Gén., 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 inferiorly. 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 43 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 382 transverse series ;

transversely enlarged plates under the fore-arm 1. N. emini.

Head 43 to 5% 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 87 transverse series; trans-

versely enlarged plates underthe fore-arm absent

or small ; : : : ‘

Head 43 to 5 times in length to vent; foot shorter

than head; 45 to 538 scales across middle of

body ; ventrals in 27 to 34 transverse series

2. N. delalandii.

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 35 to 43 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. intertezxta.

Head 4 to 42 times in length to vent, considerably

broader than deep ; foot considerably longer than

head; parietal foramon 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., xii, 1900, p. 593.

Nucras emini, Bouleng., Ann. and Mag. N. H. (7) xix, 1907,

p. 488; Nieden, Mitt. Zool. Mus., Berl., viii, 1913, p. 76.

Nucras ukerewensis, Bolkay, Archivam Zool. (Budapest), 1, 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, 12 to 12 times as long as broad, its length

(to posterior border of ear-opening) 4 to 44 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 ; praefrontals forming a median suture, or frontal narrowly in

contact with the frontonasal; frontal about 1% times as long as

broad, as long as its distance from the end of the snout; fronto-

parietals much shorter than the frontal; parietals 14 times as long

as broad ; interparietal 2 to 21 times long as broad ; occipital very

small. Four supraoculars, first and fourth small, first im 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 and pterygoid teeth present.

Gular 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.

Seales 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 before 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. wkerewensis. 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. : 5 . 68 46

53 - fore limb. ; oi Oe uli:

Length of head. : : ; ; Se Lon gel

Width of head , , : : LONE.

Depth of head ‘ : 3 A : : I 6

Fore imb A . : : ; i 20 als

Hind limb ; ? F . ~ \ 26) 224

Hooti) : ‘ ; : : A sean aloe melee

Tail ; : : : : ; . . 184 —

* 32 in the type of NV. ukerewensis, according to Bolkay.

A Revision of the Lizards of the Genus Nucras, Gray. 201

Particulars of Specimens Examined.

I 25. SAC: 6. Ue

6, Loika . 63 42 297 TO 2 aA lO eu7

Her. 3, type. . 46 42 23) SoSH iets

1. Length from end of snout to vent (in millimetres). 2. Number of scales

across middle of body. 38. Transverse series of ventral plates. 4. Plates in

collar. 5. Gular scales in a straight line between symphysis of chin-shields

and median collar-plate. 6. Femoral pores (right and left if differing).

7. Lamellar scales under fourth toe.

The type is from the southern shore of Lake Victoria, from the

collection of Emin Pasha. A second specimen, from Loika, British

East Africa, from the collection of Mr. W. P. Lowe, is preserved in

the British Museum. A third, from Shirati, east shore of Lake

Victoria, has been described and figured by Bolkay as N. uwkerewensis.

The lizard from Katoma, German East Africa, shortly noticed by

Tornier under the name of N. delalandii, is referred to this species

by Nieden. It is stated to have 40 scales across the body, 30 trans-

verse series of ventral plates, 14 femoral pores, and the foot a little

longer than the head. Specimens from Ukamba and Taita, also

referred to this species by Nieden, have 42 to 51 scales across the

body, 26 to 31 transverse series of ventrals, and 12 to 14 femoral

pores on each side. Sternfeld’s “ N. tessellata” is from the Kili-

manjaro district.

2. NucRAS DELALANDII.

Lacerta lalandii, M.-Edw., Ann. Se. Nat., xvi, 1829, pp. 70, 84, pl. v,

fig. 6.

Hremias (Nucras) lalandii, Gray, Ann. N. H., i, 1838, p. 280.

Lacerta delalandii, vars. a, c, Dum. & Bibr. Erp. Gén., v, p. 241,

pl. xlvii (1839).

Nucras lalandii, Gray, Cat. Liz., p. 33 (1845).

Bettaia delalandii, Bedriaga, Abh. Senck. Ges., xiv, 1886, p. 435,

pl. —, figs. 1, 5, 35.

Nucras delalandii, Bouleng., Cat. Liz., ii, p. 53 (1887); Werner,

Jahrb. Nat. Ver. Magdeb., 1896-98, p. 141; Bouleng., Ann, 8S. Afr.

Mus., v, 1910, p. 475.

Nucras delalandii, var. bedriagai, Werner, l.c.

Head small, not or but slightly broader than deep, 12 to 13 times as

long as broad, its length 44 to 51 times in length to vent in males, 5

to 5} times in females ; snout very obtuse. Pileus 1} to 2} times as

long as broad. Body much elongate, cylindrical. Limbs short, just

202 Annals of the South African Museum.

meeting (males) or more or less widely separated when adpressed in

the adult, overlapping in the young; foot $ to once length of head ;

digits short, not or but scarcely compressed. Tail thick, swollen for

some distance behind the base in males, 15 to 27 times as long as head

and body.

Nasals in contact behind the rostral; frontonasal broader than long,

as broad as or broader than the internarial space ; praefrontals forming

a median suture which may be very short; frontal as long as its

distance from the rostral or the end of the snout, 12 to 1% times as

long as broad, usually narrower, behind, than the supraoculars ;

frontoparietals much shorter than the frontal, usually shorter than

their distance from the posterior extremity of the pileus; parietals 14

to 1} times as long as broad, outer border sometimes feebly emarginate

for the accommodation of the upper temporal; interparietal narrow, 2

to 4 times as long as broad, sometimes divided into two ; occipital very

small, sometimes pushed back behind the pileus, or separated from

the interparietal by the parietals forming a short median suture. —

Four supraoculars, first and fourth small, first usually * in contact

with the frontal; 5 to 7 superciliaries, rarely 4, in contact with the

supraoculars, or one or two granular scales intervening between them

Two superposed postnasals, rarely onet ; anterior loreal 4 to } length

of second ; 4 upper labials { anterior to the subocular, which is usually

a little narrower beneath than above; an elongate upper temporal, some-

times very broad, sometimes narrow, often divided into two or three,

nearly always in contact with the fourth supraocular§ ; temple covered

with small hexagonal or granular scales, which are not or but little

larger than the dorsals ; a round or oval tympanic shield, rarely absent.

5 or 6 vertically enlarged scales in the middle of the lower eyelid.

Parietal foramen usually absent. Pterygoid teeth present.

Gular scales small, juxtaposed, increasing in size and imbricate

towards the collar, 23 to 30 in a straight longitudinal series; no

cular fold. Collar feebly serrated, composed of 7 to 14 scales

(usually 8 to 10).

Scales on body round or oval, juxtaposed, smooth, 34 to 41 across

the middle of the body, 2 or 3 on the side corresponding to a ventral

plate. Ventral plates in 8 longitudinal series, those of the second

* In 17 specimens out of 24.

+ On both sides in a male from Van Reenen, on the right side in a male from

Damaraland.

+ Five on both sides in a male from Peri Bush, on the right side in a female

from Lessouto.

§ Exceptions in a male from Peri Bush and in another from Barberton.

A Revision of the Lizards of the Genus Nucras, Gray. 208

series from the median line the broadest, the outer small, and 32 to37

transverse series. Praeanal region covered with irregular small plates

or with a large plate, which may be longer than broad or broader than

long, bordered by one or two semicircles of smaller plates ; sometimes

with two subequal broad plates, one in front of the other.

No transversely enlarged plates on the lower surface of the fore

limb, or a series of a few feebly enlarged plates. Scales on upper

surface of tibia smaller than dorsals. 10 to 15 femoral pores on each

side. 16 to 20 lamellar scales under the fourth toe.

Caudal scales forming whorls of nearly equal length, upper moder-

ately broad, the median pair broader, strongly keeled, obtusely pointed

behind, with distinct sensory pits.

Young pale brown above, with 8 or 10 longitudinal series of white

black-edged ocellar spots, with traces of a white vertebral streak on the

nape and anterior part of the back (Pl. VI, fig. 1); sides of head and

sometimes of neck with black and white vertical bars ; hind limbs and

tail orange or reddish.

The ocelli usually persist in the adult (Pl. VI, fig. 2) which is greyish

or reddish brown above, and the black rings may expand into large

spots with a tendency to run together into cross-bars (Pl. VI, fig. 3),

in which case the white eyes may become much reduced or disappear,

leaving nothing but more or less regular black cross-bars (Pl. VI, figs.

4,5); head with black spots above, with black spots or vertical bars

on the sides, the latter sometimes extending to the throat ; these black

bars may be accompanied by five very conspicuous white bars between

them, the first behind the eye, the fourth behind the tympanum ; tail

with black spots, or with ocelli as on the body. Lower parts white,

uniform or with more or less numerous round black spots.

Measurements (in millimetres) :

of 2

its 3onnan 4. 5. 6.

From end of snout to vent. . 96 94 8a ss9> ss

- Ps » forelimb. 30 27 24 385 26 24

Length of head . : : . 19 Wor Re 20r 16-16

Width of head . : : » 12. 2A AO

Depth of head . ; A eS Oe rk

Fore limb . 4 : ; , (252 2a Ee? 7A 23 28

Hind limb . : : 4 . 85 sor toh) 39 929) 29

Foot . : , é ; . SEAS eee nS. PS

Pail | : : ; . 215 195 155 225 145 155

1. Port Elizabeth. 2. Damaraland. 3, 5. Krugersdorp. 4. S.

Africa, 6. Pirie Bush, near King Williamstown.

204. Annals of the South African Museum.

The specimens in the South African Museum are from the following

localities: Knysna, Kentani, Uitenhage, Port Elizabeth, Burghersdorp,

Hast London, Encobo, and West Pondoland, in Cape Colony, Umvoti

in Natal, Morija in Basutoland, and Johannesburg in the Transvaal.

The following particulars are taken from specimens in the British

Museum :

Particulars of Specimens Examined.

ly 28 iS: A. ib: 6. le

6 S. Africa (A. Smith). eeOe236 36, (9. 29. Soars,

” 99 65 : - 86° 38 34° 12 29 ? ?

” 9 - : » 00h e3e) B20 “925 13: 1

2 x a : - 1205740" 37 9) 30) 1814 19

3 1 aie : : d So 5387 "34 90380) IASI as

? rare : : ; 2 28 39> 35 1A 27s ToS

S Port Elizabeth (Teslie) . eo Por 1365 3 oll Ae ele

x se (Moorhouse). 75 41 34 10 27 12-13 19

2 a (Drege) . = 86. 36 35) “9° 795= E12 as

9 ss 7 aes el AD Son ie9 15 20

» Pirie Bush (Trevelyan) » . 88 35 385 9 24122100 ay

3 a (Stenning) . . 02" B6 S77 10s 2A aloes

2 East London : : . 106 35 “37 8 23 42 16

g E. Cape Colony . ; | |) gde 30 936, Se eeb ee 20

,, Van Reenen, Natal : . ' 88437 "Sa eel0) 223 19

Natale i : ; . 102 34 32° 87126 ae 18

? Sibudeni, resiteleral : » 74. FAO Fe Sbine oo) ao. eee

» Lessouto, Basutoland

(Lataste coll.) ; » 90535 386 10 25 WsSl4 7

g Krugersdorp, Transvaal eel ge) hap 7°29) aes alg

©) 5 a ; Gaeoo oD! eo. 9: oO meee

3 Barberton, 3 4 IS Ot. or. aes ie 20

» Damaraland . : , 94 37 34 10 28 14 49

Columns as in the riteoaiiina § 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 Mag. N. H. (7), v, 1900,

p. 56; Sternfeld in Schubotz, Wiss. Ergebn. Deutsch. Z.-Afr. Exped.,

iv, i, p. 222 (1912) ; Nieden, Mitt. Zool. Mus., Berl., vii, 1913, p. 76.

“ Body elongate; head not depressed, its length (to ear-opening) con-

tained 43 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, 13 to 12 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 longitudinai and 34 transverse series, 12 femoral

pores on each side. A fourth, from the Eldama River, British East

Africa, with 10-11 femoral pores, has been noticed by Nieden.

4. Nucras INTERTEXTA.

Forma typica.

Lacerta intertexta, A. Smith, Mag. N. H. (2), 11, 1838, p. 93.+

Lacerta delalandii, var. b, Dum. & Bibr. Erp. Gén., v, p. 243 (1839).

* Tail probably regenerated. In the specimen noticed by Nieden, it is

nearly twice as long as head and body.

+ The type specimen, described by A. Smith and by Duméril and Bibron,

was presented to the British Museum by the former author in 1865, under 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., Boulenger, Cat. Liz., iii, p. 52 (1887) ;

Hewitt, Ann. Transv. Mus., ii, 1910, p. 112.

Nucras tessellata, var. ocellata, Bouleng., Ann. S. Afr. Mus., v, 1910,

p. 475.

Nucras delalandii, part., Hewitt, t.c., p. 111.

Head small, slightly broader than deep, 12 to 1% times as long as

broad, its length 4 to 42 times in length to vent; snout obtuse.

Pileus 21 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 22 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 internarial space ;

praefrontals forming a short or very short suture; frontal as long as

its distance from the end of the snout, 12 to 14 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 13 times as long as broad, outer border some-

times emarginate 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.

Gular 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 praeanals, 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 Kuruman, 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 Duméril and Bibron, 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 (Pl. VI, fig. 8).

The interpretation given to the markings by the authors of the

‘ Erpétologie Générale’ 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.

Bechuanaland, the dorsal markings are the same, but the ocelli on the

sides of the body have fused to form vertical bars (Pl. VI, fig. 7).

A half-grown female, from Rustenburg, 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 (Pl. 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 N. delalandii, from

the young of which it is hardly to be distinguished, so far as the

coloration is concerned.

Measurements (in millimetres) :

I. 2. 3.

From end of snout to vent . : ») 804 163°. 55

Pe ‘ fore limb . bean 22iy Well,

Length of head . ; : camel fay eal 2,

Width of head . : : . ee, el: 9 8

Depth of head . : 2°75 7

Fore limb . : ; 2 : cue deen! 205046

Hind limb . ; ‘ ; : fi BA QS OG

Foot . : : 4 3 ade! Wim Gas § 9213}

Htanilayes : : ; ‘ NOG ae

l. 9, type, Latakoo. 2. 2, Pietersburg, Transvaal. 3. ¢, Rus-

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.

Var. holubi.

Lacerta tessellata, part., Peters, Reise Mossamb., iui, p. 44 (1882).

Eremias holubi, Steind., Sizb. Ak, Wien, lxxxvi, i, 1882, p. 83, pl. —.

ae Ger Se in,

A Revision of the Lizards of the Genus Nucras, Gray. 209

Lacerta cameranoi, Bedriaga, Abh. Senck. Ges., xiv, 1886, p. 378

pl. —, figs. 2, 9, 11, 31.

Nucras tessellata, part., Bouleng., Cat. Liz., iii, p. 52 (1887).

Nucras tessellata, 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.

Nueras holubi, Sternf. in Schubotz, Wiss. Ergebn. Deutsch. Z.-Afr.

Exped., iv, ii, p. 222 (1912).

Head 32 to 43 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 f ;

foot as long as or slightly longer or slightly shorter than the head.

Lepidosis as in the typical form, but suture between the praefrontals

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 frontal, 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 pilates in 27 to

34 transverse series. A large praeanal 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.

+ Female from Lake Nyassa.

{ Males from Vredefort Road and Rustenburg, females from Lydenburg and

Kimberley. The upper temporal is then entirely on the temple. Bedriaga

observes, @ propos of his L. cameranoi, that the wpper 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 Méhely 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. holubi, Stdr., l.c., 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 hght supraorbital border.—Limpopo

Valley, Transvaal (Steindachner) ; Rustenburg, Transvaal ; Vredefort

Road, Orange River Colony ; Kimberley, Burghersdorp, Cape Colony.

(Bl. Vid, fig:.2).

C. (#. holubi, Stdr., 1c., upper figure). Back reddish brown, with

3 dark-edged light streaks; a broad dark brown or black lateral

band 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 (Steindachner) ;

Zoutpansburg, Transvaal; Lydenburg, Transvaal; Vredefort Road,

Orange River Colony; Bulawayo; Port Elizabeth. (PL VIL, fig. 3).

D. As in the preceding, but temple and side of neck with black

and white vertical bars.—Umfolosi River, Natal; Pretoria; Bindura,

S. Rhodesia. (Pl. VII, fig. 4).

E. The black and white vertical bars are continued, more or less

distinct, on the flanks.—Umfolosi River. (Pl. VIL 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 +, the figure

accompanying the description showing them to be very similar to

those of N. delalandia.

Four in the male, five in the female; only two specimens examined.

+ They are shorter and thicker in the female than in the male.

A Revision of the Lizards of the Genus Nucras, Gray. 211

G. As in £, but without the light vertebral streak, and with black

dots on the back and on the sides of the belly —Umfolosi 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-edved lateral streak.—De Kaap Goldfields, Transvaal.

(PIS Vir fies 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

ean be derived without the least difficulty.

Measurements (in millimetres) :

From end of snout to vent 80 96 95

5 86 55 62 58 70

sy 5 comore limbs. 28°29 34 25) 330 1920223

Head . < . 5 : , 197 20) 245 i ZO Eanes 15

Width of head . ; : a TP BS is, SL Ie 8 10

Depth of head. ; ‘ 5 | A ah ss NO’ 1® 7 87) 4835

Fore limb . 5 : : eeZon 826) (299225 ee mol ae peel oO

Hind limb . ; F f oS Ol | 45° S33 SG Z6eeZO eo eSs

Foot . : : : 3 to) 20) 21 ai, See ISi See AeG

Aten ; ‘ : lO — 215; 1123) S80 Geel35

1. g, Nyassa. 2. 2, Nyassa. 3. 6, Umfolosi R. 4 9, Zoutpansberg.

5. 2, De Kaap Goldfields. 6. g, Vredefort Rd. 7. 9, Vredefort Rd. 8. 3,

Dongwenna. 9. 2, Dongwenna.

Particulars of Specimens Examined.

ere Ob 42 8, le & @)

Forma typica.

2 Latakoo (type) . ; : . 80 40 8 32 12 34 11 24 48

Her. Kokong, Bechuanaland . . 44 42 6 31 13 33 %18 24 438

g Rustenburg, Transvaal : . 55 44 6 29 18 3834 13-14 22 3

2 Pietersburg, - f : ; 63) 44) (8) 3451236 14. 25 4

ice 55 ; : : : - 40) 43) Sers0s OMS is—12) 23) 3

i" 7 ‘ : ; : - 88 42°58) 23 1e aie st 12 20 2

var. holubi.

g Port Elizabeth ‘ j 3 O00) Bis} =) RS 11 21 45

,, Burghersdorp, Cape Col. : - OO) AO NGHeZSeaiin2s 1 24 65

? Kimberley (8S. A. Mus.) F = OZ) 44 SRS alle 29) 1 2—13)9 922) 4,

& Vredefort Road, O.R. Col. . 2 05 | 460 9Sie29Ne 12828 12 24 4-5

i 53 % 53 é . 52-48 8 28 10 26 12-14 21 5

212 Annals of the South African Museum.

eae eS: As OSA: tf: 8. 9.

var. holubi.

2 Vredefort Road, O.R. Col. . . 62 48 8 380 12 26 1413 21 A

ss ae 5 5 F So0 mp2 18 30 100270) 12 ies

e * - * » . 85 8 29 88. a8" 20s

& Umfolosi R., Zululand . : 5 63) (BO) ich SH IPA eA ibe) 22) D2)

x ek, gh ORT) Me GIGS mae ang "87 (418 (San Ee eon meer

We, [3 Bs é , 46 5746 932° 14) 33 1G ebb 4

3 De Kaap Goldfields, Transvaal . 86 55 6 30 12 32 15-16 23 48

Ye. Pretoria, Ss - 44 48 6 30 10 28 14 26 3-4

6 Rustenburg, 35 . b8 45 8 29 14 31 13 21 5-6

@ Lydenburg, 25 5 OO BY Se sil Oy ese Weiss 25 ie

if ¥ i. 1764.49 8 31 “11 30 1721624

» Zoutpansberg es . 75 55 8 382 11 382 20-19 24 38

6 Bulawayo : 5 : , BbO 50) 8ie27 28) AsSb 22 0G

Nr rshey; , j g en 42 58.6529 ) 205888 hy Ob we oueey

? Bindura, 8. Rhodesia (S.A. Mus.) 49 46 6 28 10 25 15-17 25 4

6 L. Nyassa 5 5 é . ; 80 44 6 30 10 30 16-15 255 4

2 a UE) i eG) AG. G o31. (46eeSiI Miele ee

3 Dongwenna, Mossamedes_. es, 45) 8) 928) 1027 43 bees

9 i i‘ 370. 45 8 84° 12 30) 1a bees

1. Length from snout to vent. 2. Number of scales across middle of body.

3. Longitudinal series of ventral plates. 4. Transverse series of ventral plates.

5. Plates in collar. 6. Gular scales in a straight line between symphysis of

chin-shields and median collar-plate. 7. Femoral pores (right and left if differ-

ing). 8. Lamellar scales under fourth toe. 9. Scales between supraoculars and

superciliaries.

Habitat.—The range of N. intertexta extends from Portuguese Hast

Africa, Nyassaland, and Angola to the northern and eastern parts of

Cape Colony. The specimens in the South African Museum are from

Burghersdorp, Little Namaqualand, and Kimberley in Cape Colony,

Smithfield in the Orange River Colony, Barberton in the Transvaal,

Bindura and Bulawayo in Southern Rhodesia.

5. NUCRAS TESSELLATA.

Lacerta tessellata, A Smith, Mag. N. H. (2) ii, 1838, p. 92; Dum.

& Bibr. Erp. Gén., v, p. 244 (1839); Bedriaga, Abh. Senck. Ges.,

xiv, 1886, p. 374.

Lacerta livida, A. Smith, Le.

Lacerta elegans, A. Smith, l.c.

Lacerta taeniolata, A. Smith, t.c., p. 98; Dum. & Bibr., t.c., p. 247

Bedriagia, t.c., p. 381.

Zootoca taeniolata, Gray, Cat. Liz., p. 29 (1845).

Nucras tessellata, Gray, op. cit., p. 33; Werner, Jen. Denkschr., iv,

p- 829 (1910).

A Revision of the Lizards of the Genus Nueras, Gray. 213

Teira ornata, Gray, Proc. Zool. Soc., 1864, p. 58.

Lacerta tessellata, part., Peters, Reise Mossamb., iii, p. 44 (1882),

Lacerta tessellata, subsp. pseudotessellata, Bedriaga, t.c., p. 377, pl.

—, figs. 8, 21.

Nucras tessellata, part., Bouleng., Cat. Liz., iii, p. 52 (1887).

Nucras tessellata, vars. elegans, livida, taeniolata, Bouleng., Ann. 8S.

Afr. Mus., v, 1910, p. 474.

Head small, considerably broader than deep, 12 to 14 times as long

broad, its length 4 to 43 times in length to vent; snout obtuse.

Pileus 2 to 2¢ times as long as broad. Body feebly depressed. Hind

limb reaching the elbow, the axil, or the shoulder; foot considerably

longer than the head ; digits slender, feebly compressed. Tail flattened

and widened at the base in males, nearly 2 to 2? times as long as head

and body.

Nasals forming a short suture behind the rostral; frontonasal

broader than long, broader than the internarial space; praefrontals

forming a short suture; frontal as long as or a little longer than its

distance from the end of the snout, 13 to 2 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 14 to 1? times as long as broad, outer border some-

times emarginate for the accommodation of the anterior upper

temporal; interparietal narrow, 2} to 4 times as long as_ broad ;

occipital very short, sometimes broader than the interparietal. 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 } to ¢ 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.

Gular scales small, juxtaposed, increasing in size and imbricate

* Types of L.taeniolata. Also in a young from Clanwilliam which, in its

markings, agrees with the typical L. tessellata.

+ Not in contact in five specimens: 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.

Seales 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 or8 longitudinal series, those of the second

series from the median line the broadest, and 25 to 34 transverse

series. Praeanal 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. JI here enumerate those with which I am acquainted, be-

ginning with the most primitive :

A. (L. taeniolata, Smith).—EHight 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). (Pl. 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. (Pl. VII, figs. 7, 8.)

C. (ZL. 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.—* Hastern parts of

Cape Colony,” Smith ; Clanwilliam, Calvinia, Worcester, Klipfontein,

in Cape Colony; Zambesi (Sir J. Kirk). (Pl. 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. (ZL. elegans, Smith).—Pale reddish brown above and on the

sides ; two white, black-edged streaks on the neck.—‘ Little Namaqua-

land 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) :

3 2

=> SSS

1., “2S eee

From end of snout to vent ~ 10. Go eae: 80 62

3 a » forelimb. 24 24 18 25 28 20

Head . , : : ‘ S ley al ale nf al}

Width of head . : ; ~ 9 S10 iO 12 8

Depth of head . : : oe ikl OE iOMmES 6

Fore limb . - : 3 . 20 22 16 22 22 18

Hind limbrwik ea 4. + 84.87%) S2sowtONe 29

Foot . 3 . . F ; 19> 2079 owezill 21 16

dig . — — 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. 1D).

}

A. i. 2, “Sh Age oneo: Te Sino:

2? Type of L. taeniolata . : . 62 48 6 32 11 28 15-14 26 67

You |. if we, . 40° 45. Ga 27 isOnS=16neo an 85

? Little Namaqualand. < > Sf 52 8) 2OR1ON 29 3) 228) 4

3 Type of L. livida . : 5 - 04 AGS 1G RZ5e Ge 29 13 27 43

f . - es), 47 «(SGP 1G 208 wees de =15) 2208 62

2 oS 5 5 . : , 80 47 8) 730) iss ial 28 5

$ Deelfontein, Cape Colony . « (2 48) 78ee Zeer st 13 26 43

Cc.

3 Type of L. tessellata : 7 (0) At NOR SIS Sees leo —3 e270) iG

» Little Namaqualand . i patie etsy (248) 8) BY) 15 27 4

a es + : 5 . (4 42 6 381 12 30 15 27 5-4

3g Guires, Little Namaqualand . 58 A445 Greeieeloee it 15 28 4

Yg. Clanwilliam, W. Cape Colony . 40 41 6 81 9 29 14-15 30 17-6

s i A . 40, 40 GMESIONOueS2 a4, 9G) (54

3 Klipfontein, E. Cape Colony . At 455 ORSON 88 15-16) 27 G=4

Yg. Zambesi, type of T. ornata - 32) ADRORRCOMP One 26) 05 1405 82604:

2? Type of L. elegans . j : 2 CO) 4ORISEoomacu ns § 16—14 ail 2

xD as d , ‘ «G2; “AGeeShese oS. 2 14-15-80) 4,

» Smithfield, O.R. 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. .

Prats VI.

Fig. 1. Nucras delalandii, yonng. East London, 2.

DEN © ips os 6. Van Reenen, Natal. &.

3 » . Krugersdorp, Transvaal.

lee ie Ss 6. Barberton, Transvaal.

Be 5; 53 2. Krugersdorp, Transvaal.

Game. intertexta, 2. Pietersburg, Transvaal. 4%.

HEM. tess 45 young. Kokong, Bechuanaland. 2.

Sie es y, type. Latakoo, near Kuruman.

Owes ms var. holubi. 92. De Kaap, Transvaal.

HO Sines a 35 uy 6. Lake Nyassa.

Priarn VII.

Fig. 1. Nucras intertexta, var. holubi. 9. Dongwenna, Mossamedes. §&.

2. » bai ep 6. Burghersdorp, Cape Colony. 2.

BB » oy er 35 6. Barberton, Transvaal. 2.

4 + ve a S 6. Umfolosi, Natal, 42.

5. ” ” 29 2” 3 7 2 2” Bs

Goes tesseliata, young, type of L. taeniolata. Cape Colony. 2.

ees a 3. Deelfontein, Cape Colony. 32.

shu) doy a 3, type of L. livida. Cape Colony. 12.

Cet 7 3, type. Cape Colony. #.

)

LOS Gis 44 young. §8. Africa. 2.

Nucras intertexta.

Nucras delalandii.

NIN ELD imp

N eV

18)

Nucras te

a?) yyy La | Np acs

at JD Oa 24 F ~~ ane

To aeete —o= sr * o 2 @F

~papeae :

9 Pao merely to ac RRAN YONI TEBE

Seat: fo <=

Nucras intertexta.

cp)

Adlard &West Newman mp

J.Green. delet lith,

}

(217)

11.— Description of a New South African Lizard of the genus Eremias.

—By G. A. Boutenerr, LL.D., D.Sc., F.R.S. (Published by

permission of the Trustees of the British Museum.)

EREMIAS ASPERA, Sp. 0.

Head and body rather strongly depressed. Head 1% times as long

as broad, its length 4 to 4¢ times in length to vent, its depth equal to

the distance between the centre of the eye and the tympanum; snout

obtusely pointed, with the nasals very feebly swollen, as long as the

postocular part of the head; a feeble concavity in the middle of the

upper surface of the snout, extending to the middle of the frontal

shield. Pileus nearly twice as long as broad. Neck a little narrower

than the head. Hind limb reaching the collar or a little beyond ;

foot 14 times as long as the head; toes rather slender, feebly com-

pressed. ‘Tail twice or a little less than twice as long as head and

body.

Upper head-shields flat, very rugose, with granular asperities.

Nasals in contact with each other behind the rostral, the suture

between them + to ; the length of the frontonasal, which is a little

broader than long; praefrontals as long as broad or longer than

broad, separated by an azygos shield ; frontal a little shorter than its

distance from the end of the snout, 13 to 1% times as long as broad,

separated from the supraoculars by a series of small scales ; parietals

as long as broad; interparietal larger than the frontoparietals, in

contact with or narrowly separated from a very small occipital. Two

supraoculars, together hardly 2 the length of the supraocular region,

the first shorter than the second, the space in front of them filled

by 4 or 5 transverse series of granules ; 6 or 7 superciliaries, separated

from the supraoculars by 2 or 3 series of granules. Three nasals,

lower in contact with the rostral and the first upper labial; anterior

loreal as long as deep or a little deeper than long, shorter than the

second ; 4 or 5 upper labials anterior to the subocular, which is keeled

below the eye and largely borders the mouth, its lower border much

narrower than the upper. Temporal scales granular, keeled; no

218 Annals of the South African Museum.

tympanic shield; no auricular denticulation. Lower eyelid with a

transparent disc formed of two large black-edged scales.

A pairs of chin-shields, the first 3 in contact in the middle.

31 or 32 gular scales in a straight line between the symphysis

of the chin-shields and the median collar-plate; no gular fold. Collar

straight, free, composed of 11 plates.

Seales granular and keeled on the nape, rhombic, feebly imbricate,

and strongly keeled on the body, graduating into the caudals, larger

and smooth towards the ventrals; 51 to 56 scales across the middle

of the body. Ventral plates in 12 or 14 rather irregular longitudinal

and 33 to 37 rather angular transverse series, the plates as long as

broad or a little broader than long. Praeanal region covered with

small irregular plates.

Scales on upper surface of fore hmb moderately large, keeled.

Scales on upper surface of tibia rhombic, feebly imbricate, keeled,

as large as the posterior dorsals; one series of very large and one of

small plates on the lower surface; 15 or 14 femoral pores on each side.

Subdigital lamellae bicarinate, spinulose, 21 under the fourth toe.

Upper caudal scales oblique, truncate behind, strongly and diagonally

keeled, basal subcaudals feebly keeled ; 24 or 26 scales in the fourth

or fifth whorl.

Pale greyish-brown above, with 2 dorsal and 2 lateral darker bands,

and 4 series of whitish, brown-edged ocellar spots on the back; a

white streak below the dark lateral band, from below the eye, through

the tympanum, to the groin; tail yellowish with a brown lateral

streak in the anterior half. Lower parts white.

Measurements :

From end of snout to vent : : . Ol millim.

- a fore limb ; rAd Olas

Head 5 : ; ‘ ; : we AD

Width of head . : ; 3 : : Oe

Depth of head . : ; ; : : GO ass

Fore limb. : : : : ; |, GLOWS aie

Hind limb ‘ , : : : ty Toots

Foot. ; ‘ : . : : atu Alene

Taal. : é : a VOR ak.

Habitat.—Bechuanaland. Described from two female specimens

from Mochudi, received by the South African Museum from Mr,

J. Fenton, along with examples of Hremias lugubris and Ichnotropis

capensis from the same locality.

This species is closely related to the typical EH. lineo-ocellata, differing

in the very rugose upper head-shields, the absence of projecting scales

Description of a New South African Lizard. 219

in front of the ear, and the lower number of subdigital lamellae (21

instead of 24 to 28). The number of scales across the body is low

(51 or 56 as against 53 to 73), as compared with H. lineo-ocellata, in

which I have counted the scales in 64 specimens and find only 8 with

less than 57. <A further difference resides in the chin-shields, of

which the 3 anterior pairs are in contact in the middle, instead of 2,

as is the rule in H#. lineo-ocellata.

42.— The Echinoderm Fauna of South Africa. — By Huserr Lyman

CLark. (With Plates VIII—XXIIT.)

INTRODUC TAO

Knowledge of the Echinoderm fauna of South Africa has not kept

pace either with our zoological knowledge of the region or with our

knowledge of echinoderms in general. The literature dealing with

it is scanty and scattered and there are vast stretches of coast line

where no collector has yet been. During the years preceding the

voyage of the Challenger, a few echinoderms taken at the Cape of

Good Hope came into the hands of zoologists in Europe but prior to

4875, there were scarcely thirty species recorded from the region;

with the exception of one comatulid and three or four holothurians,

these were about equally divided among the sea-stars, brittle-stars

and sea-urchins. The visit of the Challenger marks the real begin-

ning of our knowledge of the echinoderm fauna of South Africa.

During her stay of seven weeks at Cape Town, her naturalists col-

lected 23 species of echinoderms of which about half were new to

science. At stations 144 and 142, just off the Cape, 18 additional

species were taken of which half were new. The reports on the

echinoderms taken by the Challenger are in every case monographic

and it is possible to determine from them the ‘species known from

the Cape region during the ‘eighties’ including the Gazelle collection.

We find there were all told some 80 species listed but not all of these

were reliable records, so that it is safe to say the number of echino-

derms actually known from South Africa at the close of the nimeteenth

century was not in excess of 75 species. There were about thirty

additional species recorded from Mozambique, but many of these

were improperly identified and for this, and similar reasons, it is

hard to say how many valid species really were known from that

Portugese settlement.

The early years of the present century saw a great advance in the

collecting and study of the echinoderms of the South African region.

The Valdivia made a short stay at Cape Town and several of the

Antarctic exploring vessels have stopped there. A German expediton

collected at Angra Pequena Bay in 1903-05 and also secured material

at the Cape. The holothurians of this collection were reported on

222 Annals of the South African Museum.

by Britten (4910, Schultze’s Zool. Anthrop. Erg. Forsch. Siidafrika,

vol. IV, pt. I, pp. 239-243) but the other echinoderms served for a

very important paper by Déderlein, in the same series of reports

(1910, pp. 245-258, pls. IV, V). He gives lists of the sea-stars, brittle-

stars and sea-urchins recorded from South Africa up to 1910 and

including his own new species of which there were three, More

detailed reference to these lists will be found beyond (pp. 237, 310

and 366). :

In 1897, the Cape Department of Agriculture began an investiga-

tion into the marine resources of the colony and accumulated a large

amount of very valuable material, a portion of which was finally

sent to the British Museum for identification. Bell’s reports on the

echinoderms appeared during 1904 and 1905 and were a great dis-

appointment to students of the group, they are so brief and summary.

Many species whose occurrence at the Cape warranted an interesting

discussion are listed with scarcely any comments and even the new

species are described very briefly and inadequately. A. H. Clark

(1911, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., vol. 40, p. 5) has already commented

on this unfortunate state of aflairs so far as the crinoids are concerned,

but the reports on the sea-stars, brittle-stars and sea-urchins are on

the same plane. No report on the holothurians was published.

Early in 1916, Dr. Peringuey sent to me the collection of Echino-

derms which had accumulated at the South African Museum, sub-

sequent to Bell’s reports. With this collection as a basis | have been

able to prepare the present report on the Echimoderms of South

Africa. | have included not only all the species examined by me

but all species recorded by previous writers, unless the validity of

the record was so dubious as to warrant its rejection. The collections

sent me have been largely made by the Cape Government vessel, the

Pieter Faure, and include a considerable number of deep-water species,

some hauls of the dredge or trawl having been made at depths of

900—1000 fms. These deep-water hauls are of very great interest.

Kxcepting the holothurians the material is in excellent condition.

Much of that taken along shore, particularly Mr. kK. H. Barnard’s

collections, has very interesting and valuable data on the labels,

with reference to habitat and colour in life.

The area included in this report extends from Mozambique on the

east coast around to Mossamedes on the west, and outward to the

thousand-fathom line. Of course, the collections hitherto made only

represent isolated and wWiuely separated spots in this vast area.

Something like four thousand miles of coastline is included but

excepting between Cape Town and Durban, there are not half a dozen

ella Tell i aad os

The Echinoderm Fauna of South Africa. 223

places on all this reach of shore where collections of echinoderms have

been made, As a matter of fact we know nothing of the western

coast of South Africa from Cape Town to Mossamedes, yes even to

the mouth of the Congo, excepting only Saldanha Bay and Angra

Pequena Bay. It was only at the earnest request of Dr. Peringuey

that I consented to include Mozambique, for so far as the echino-

derms are concerned that region is distinctly Indo-Pacific and has

a very different fauna from that of Natal and Cape Colony. I

think this will be clearly shown in the following discussion of the

South African fauna.

For the privilege of preparing this report and for the honour

done me in entrusting these valuable collections to my care, it gives

me pleasure to express my sincere thanks to Dr. Péringuey, who

has spared no pains to assist my work in every possible way.

Museum of Comparative Zodlogy,

Cambridge, Mass., U.S.A.

August 4, 1922.

224 Annals of the South African Museum.

THE ECHINODERM FAUNA OF SOUTH AFRICA.

The collections of the South African Museum entrusted to my

charge contained 1854 specimens of echinoderms, representing 157

species. Of these 52 seem to have been hitherto undescribed and

one of these represents a new genus (Spatagobrissus). It has also

seemed desirable to establish a new genus (T'ropholampas) for the

remarkable little sea-urchin called by Studer Catopygus loveni, and

another genus (Dictenophiura) is instituted for a small group of

brittle-stars of which Ophiura carnea Ltk. is the type.

In addition to the 157 species of the present collection, there are

valid records for 59 other species, so that the present report includes

216 species, or more than double the number known from this region

twenty years ago. The importance of the work done by the PIETER

Faure and the South African Museum during the past twenty years

could scarcely be better emphasized than by that simple statement

of fact. Of the 216 species treated herein, 148 are strictly littoral,

occurring in less than 20 fms. of water, while 23 are abyssal, occur-

ring only beyond the 600 fms., line. The remaining 75 species may

be called continental.

Of the 118 littoral species, 45 are endemic and 2 are, if not

actually cosmopolitan, of such wide distribution that they may be

ignored in considering the origin of the echinoderm fauna. Of the

remaining 71 species no fewer than 66, or 93°/), are species of the

Indo-Pacific region or at least of the western Indian Ocean. Only

three seem to have an Atlantic origin and only two are distinctly

austral.

Of the 75 continental species, on the other hand, 50 are endemic

and 4 are of too wide a distribution for consideration, while of the

21 remaining only 4, or 419"j), are of Indo-Pacific affinities, while

10 are austral and 7 are Atlantic Ocean forms. The abyssal fauna

is like the continental except that of the 23 species only 5 are

endemic. There are 6 of very wide distribution and of the remaining

12, only two, or 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 54° are not known from south of that district and

5 others are not known south of Delagoa Bay, and 42 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 mammillatus 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 or 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 zo6dgeographical region the

Portugese colony belongs.

If we subtract from the 216 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° 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 lhttoral 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.

eroup 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 echimoderm 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 (Parechinus

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 (Bythocrinus chun) was hitherto known

only from the western part of the Indian Ocean near the Somaliland

coast in something over 900 fms. 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 VaLprviA took an

as-yet-undescribed species of Pentametrocrinus in the same region

where Bythocrinus chuni was taken, but in slightly shallower water.

The Prerer Faure found the two genera at the same station.

Of the three continental comatulids, one (Liparometra multicirra)

appears to be an undescribed 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

Kast Indian genera.

The three littoral species are of particular interest in connection

with questions of geographical distribution. One ( Cominia occidentalis)

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 T'o-

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 Kast 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, | 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 | 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 : ‘ : 3 Bythocrinus chunt.

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 . 3 LInparometra multicirra.

suseenpeeeneneneenaeeeiteaeenaieeaamaeaminmaatl

The Echinoderm Fauna of South Africa. 229

Cirri not so numerous, 12—30.

Cirrus segments few, 12—20.

Mouth excentric; basal pinnules of arms with terminal comb

Comanthus wahlbergu.

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 . 3 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 sclatert.

Cirrus segments numerous, 50—63 : Crotalometra magnicirra.

Arms only five. . : : : . Pentametrocrinus varians.

BOURGUETICRINIDAE.

ByTHOCRINUS CHUNI.

Rhizocrinus chuni Déderlein, 1907, Stpoga Stalked Crinoids,

feet tics 6 5 pl. A figmo:

Rhizocrinus (Bythocrinus) chuni Déderlein, 1912. VaLpivia

Stalked Crinoids, p. 14, pl. 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 Déderlein’s descrip-

tion and figures of his specimens from off the Somaliland coast, that,

in spite of their imperfect condition, their identity seems sure.

Pierer Faure. 17350. Cape Point. N. 86° E., 43 miles. 900—1000

fms. Gray mud. 4 specimens.

MONACHOCRINUS COELUS, * sp. nov.

Plate VIII. Fig..4.

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

42 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

* xovdoc = 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 joims 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 1140 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 carmate but is

barely elevated on the distal two-thirds of the plate.

I Br,, 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. 4specimenonly. Holotype South African Museum, no. A 6434,

This is a most interesting little crimoid, clearly a Monachocrinus,

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; pl. 10.

This little comatulid is a most perplexing form, for while the

general appearance is quite like a comasterid, 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 Zihne 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 Pirrer FAURE specimens are a little larger than those

of the Gauss and there are some trivial differences. The cirri are

about XL, 416-18, 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 Pirrer Faure, it is imteresting 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. 46 specimens.

CoMANTHUS WAHLBERGII.

Plate VII. Hiosges

Alecto wahlbergii J. Miller, 1843. Arch. f. Naturg., Jahrg. 9, vol. 1, p.181.

Comanthus wahlbergit A. H. Clark, 1914. Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., vol. 40,

Dee a We

Actinometra parvicirra Bell, 1905. Mar. Inv. South Africa, vol. 4, p. 441.

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 Bay, 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,

LIPAROMETRA MULTICIRRA,* Sp. nov.

Plate Vis hig 2:

Disk about 23 mm. across, very 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

7-10 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

cirrl 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, and Py very similar but noticeably

larger, 12-13 mm. long, with 24-26 segments. P, and P, similar

to P, and approximately equal, or a little smaller and with 1-3

fewer segments. P, and Py, distinctly smaller, about equal to P,.

* Multicirrus = haying many cirri.

The Echinoderm Fauna of South Africa. 233

Succeeding pimnules 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. 3/, W., 42 miles.

90 fms. 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, and Ps, are of approximately

equal size, it seems to me clear that it cannot be placed in either

Dichrometra 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, 1816. Anim. s. Vert., vol. 2, p. 534.

Tropiometra carinata, A. H. Clark, 1907. Smithson. Misc. Coll., vol. 50,

p-. 349.

Antedon capensis, Bell, 4905. Mar. Inv. South Africa, vol. 4, p. 139; pl. 2.

The distribution of this species is of considerable interest. It ranges

from the Seychelles, Réunion, 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. W.1L, 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.W. %/, W., 3 miles. 25 fms.

Sand and stones. 4 young specimen. |

THALASSOMETRIDAE.

* CROTALOMETRA MAGNICIRRA.

Antedon magnicirra, Bell, 1905. Mar. Inv. South Africa, vol. 4, p.141; pl. 4.

Crotalometra 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., 45-20 miles off the coast of Cape

Colony, near Kast London.

PACHYLOMETRA SCLATERI.

Antedon sclateri, Bell, 1905. Mar. Inv. South Africa, vol. 4, p. 140; pl. 3.

Pachylometra sclateri, A. H. 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 I 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-XVI, 15-17) and the I Br series and

lower brachials are distinctly wall-sided and in close apposition. The

radials are conspicuous, the height beimg equal to half the breadth,

while in the adult specimen they are not only completely concealed

but even | Br, 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, P, is stiff, erect with 7 seg-

ments and P, is similar. P, is a little longer, with 9 segments;

Py, the same. Ps; (and P.) is a little longer, with 44 segments and

is more flagellate at the tip. Subsequent pinnules are shorter.

P.F. 12872. East London, Cape Colony, N. 15 miles. 340 fms.

Mud. 4 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. 340 fms.

Mud. 1 young specimen.

P.F. 43227. Cove Rock, near East London, N.W. 3), W., 43 miles,

80-130 fms. Coral rock. 413 young specimens.

PENTAMETROCRINIDAE.

PENTAMETROCRINUS VARIANS.

Eudiocrinus varians, P. H. Carpenter, 1882. Jour. Linn. Soc., Zool.,

vol. 16, p. 496. 1888, CHALLENGER Comatulae, pl. VIII, figs. 3-7.

Pentametrocrinus varians, A. H, Clark, 14908. Proc. Biol. Soc. Washington,

vol. 21, p. 435.

Although this specimen lacks cirri and has all the arms broken,

it is so similar to specimens of varians 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. ASTEROIDEA. *

The sea-stars form a very large and important part of the South

African Echinoderm fauna. They were listed in 1910 by Déderlein

(Schultze’s Zool. Anthrop. Ergeb. Forschungsr. Sudafrica, vol. 4,

pt. 1, p. 246) but he did not include species occurring only at depths

over 278 fms. (500 m.) nor did he extend the South African region

to include Mozambique. His list includes 30 species, but two are

synonymous (Astropecten capensis and pontoporueus) and one (1.e.

Sladen’s record of Asterina gunnic) 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 Déderlein’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 Diéderlein 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 1 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 profit 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, 143 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 has 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 glacialis, 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 Ceramaster 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 (Diplopteraster 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. 937

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 (56) 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-Pacific region and 410 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 Coseinas-

terias calamaria 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 Cryaster 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.

238 Annals of the South African Museum.

Cribriform organs * present in each interradius . . Porcellanasteridae.

No cribriform organs.

Marginal plates very spiny, more or less alternate; papulae restricted to

special areas at base of rays . ; : Benthopectinidae.

Marginal plates opposite; papulae nat restricted to special areas at base

of rays.

Abactinal surface covered with paxillae.

Superomarginal plates well developed j Astropectinidae.

Superomarginal plates aborted ‘ A . Lududae.

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 Gonrasteridae.

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 . . Poranudae.

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 f : : : : . Ganerudae.

Marginal plates quite inconspicuous.

Abactinal skeleton formed of closely imbricated plates, bearing

very small spinelets . : . Asterinidae. -

Abactinal skeleton not abaeias

Abactinal skeleton more or less reticulate

Echanasteridae.

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

Illustrated 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 supradorsal membrane é . Pterasteridae.

Pedicellariae abundant, especially forcipiform; ambulacral ossicles crowded ;

pedicels in four series 3 ; 5 : : Asterudae.

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 CA&RULEUS.

Wyville Thomson, 1877. Voy. Challenger: Atlantic, vol 1, p. 378;

Ke a 2

figs, D798:

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 ce@rulevs, 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

superomarginal 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 ceruleus.

P.F. 46905. Cape Point, N.E. by E.!/, E., 40 miles, 800-900 fms.

Green mud. 1 specimen; young.

P.F. 17351. Cape Point, N. 83° E., 43 miles. 900-1000 fms.

Gray mud. 3 specimens; young.

BENTHOPECTINIDAE.

This family of deep-water starfishes was not known from the

South African region hitherto, but the Prerer 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

adambulacrals . : : ; ; : Pectinaster filholi.

Papularium V-shaped; three fares spines on actinal surface of each adambul-

acral. ; : : : : : . Luidiaster hirsutus.

PECTINASTER FILHOLI.

Perrier, 1885. Ann. Sci. Nat. (6), vol. 19, no. 8, p. 74.

Sladen, 1889, CHALLENGER Ast., pl. 8, figs. 3, 4 (as forcipatus).

The South African specimens show slight, but obvious differences

from a cotype of filholi with which I have compared them, but agree

very closely with a cotype and other specimens, from the north-

western Atlantic, of Sladen’s Pontaster forcipatus. 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-

patus 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

PIETER FauRE are of varied size, the smallest havmg R=8 mm.

and r==2(R=4r), while the largest has R59 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 papularium. The number

and distribution of the pedicellariae shows great diversity in this

species; in the PreTER FAuRE specimens they are rather numerous

but are confined to the actinal surface.

P.F. 16902. Cape Point, N.E. by E. '/, E., 40 miles. 800-900 fms.

Gr. m. 3 specimens; young.

P.F, 16905. Same station. 4 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. 4 specimen; young.

iw)

—

>»

The Echinoderm Fauna of South Africa.

LUIDIASTER HIRSUTUS.

Studer, 1884. GazELLe Ast., p. 47; pl. 4, figs. 7a—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 ee on the actinal surface of the adambulacral plates and

there are 2 large inframarginal spines. It is remarkable that Ludwig

in his hehe 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.F. 18904, 36° 40'S x 24° 26’ E, 200 fms. Gr. s. 3 young specimens.

P.F, 18913. Same station. 2 adult specimens.

ASTROPECTINIDAE.

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:

Key to the South African Species of Astropectinidae.

No specialized spines or spinelets on either series of marginal plates

Leptychaster kerquelenensis.

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 racrantilonit spinelets on each, none on

superomarginals ; c . Dipsacaster sladeni.

Actinal interradial areas small; rieidiee ponte 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.

Annals of the South African Museum.

Papillae of marginal plates squamiform, and spinelets short and

very flat . 3 . Bathybraster robustus.

Papillae of marginal lates not a all squamiform ; spinelets of infero-

marginals slender and rather long : . Psilaster acwminatus.

Marginal plates, at least inferior, oblique or nearly horizonal; vertical

height of ray at base not remarkable.

Large sharp spines present on superomarginals

Astropecten polyacanthus.

Spines on superomarginals small or wanting.

Small spinelets on at least some superomarginals.

R = 2°5—3-5 r; radial paxillar areas much wider than com-

bined marginal plate series . Astropecten pontoporaeus.

R= 4—5r; radial paxilar areas narrower than combined

marginal series . : Astropecten hemprichi.

No superomarginal spinels : Astropecten granulatus.

* LEPTYCHASTER KERGUELENENSIS.

E.A. Smith, 1876. Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. (4), vol. 17, p. 410. Sladen,

4889. CHALLENGER Ast., pl. 31, figs. 41, 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 [ include it here solely on the strength

of Bell’s identification.

PLUTONASTER INTERMEDIUS,

Goniopecten intermedius Perrier, 1881. Bull. M. C. Z., vol. 9, p. 25. 1884,

BLAKE PASE. pla figs. de, 2:

Plitonaster intermedius Perrier, 1894. ane et TAL. Ast., p. 016.

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. 3/, N., 46 miles. 760 fms. Green

mud, 4 specimen; adult.

PLUTONASTER PROTEUS * sp. nov.

Plate XIII. Figs. 3-7.

R= 58 mm. © = 145 mms RSs Be 1m, ha

Disk moderately large, rather flat; rays narrow, flat, tapering, at

* Ifomreic = 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 superomarginal plates,

covered by numerous low, rounded pseudopaxillae, each “10-25 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 5 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, 4

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 the 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 the 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 imterradii. 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 adoral 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. 3/, E., 38 miles. 755 fms.

Gr. m. 14 specimen; adult.

P.F. 16902. Cape Point, N.E. by E. 3/, 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. 16934.

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.) hasR= 1‘5r

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 spimes 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=21r. 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 — 40 mm. is not essentially different in any

way. A specimen with R=12°5 mm. and r= 45mm. (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 superomarginals; 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°377r) 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= 419 mm. and, — 7) fy — 2:77:

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=35r

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

246 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 wholly lost, at least abactinally.

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 im what is apparently

the fully grown individual.

DIPSACASTER SLADENI.

Alcock, 1893. Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. (6), vol. 14, p.87; pl.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 exactly like that of laetmophilus

Fisher, and the only point in Fisher’s description to which the present

specimens do not answer is the covermg of the inferomarginal 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 15br. A somewhat larger specimen has

R—26 mm... 711 and 6,—43: thus Ri = 2367 andead or. ne

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 laetmopnilus. Of these

the most obvious, if not the most important, is in the spinelets of the infero-

marginals, which are distinctly syuamiform 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.

—_

a |

The Echinoderm Fauna of South Africa. 24

R=2:65r and 2‘56r. In the largest specimen, R = 78 mm., r= 26

and br = 28; thus R=3r and 2-78 br. It is thus obvious that the

larger the specimen of this species, the longer and proportionately

narrower are the rays. The number of superomarginal plates on

each side of a ray in these four specimens is 16, 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 imereases five times the

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 adambulacral 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 Gama‘ Peak, N. 74° E., 18 miles. 230 fms.

St. 1 specimen; adult.

P.F. 47604, Cape Point, E. by N., 30 miles. 345 fms. Green sand

and mud, 4 specimens; very young.

BATHYBIASTER ROBUSTUS.

Archaster robustus Verrill, 14884. Amer. Journ. Sci. (3), vol. 28, p. 383.

Bathybiaster robustus Verrill, 1894. Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., vol. 417, 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, pl. 40, figs. 3-6) as Phoraster pumilus,

supposedly representing a new genus, distinguished from Aathybiaster

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 smailest 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 superomarginal 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 KE. 3), E., 38 miles. 755 fms.

Green mud. 1 specimen; adult.

P.F. 16902. Cape Point N. E. x E. 3/, E., 40 miles. 800-900 fms.

Green mud. 2 specimens; young.

P.F. 17351. Cape Point N. 83° E., 43 miles. 900-1000 fms. Green

mud. 2 specimens; young.

PSILASTER ACUMINATUS.

Sladen, 1889. CHALLENGER Ast., p. 225; pl. 40, figs 4, 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 acwminatus, 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. 431-136

fms. Black specks. 1 specimen; adult ?

P.F. 14976. Lions Head, Cape Town, S.E. !/, E., 47 miles. 175 fms.

Green sand. 4 specimens; adult ?

ASTROPECTEN POLYACANTHUS.

Miller and Troschel, 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 imterradial

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 polyacanthus, 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. Pl. d@’Ech.

Egypte, pl. 4, fig. 4. ;

P.F, 12516. Off Umhlanga River, Natal, 2'/. miles. 22-26 fms.

Fine sand. 4 specimen; adult.

Delagoa Bay. K. H. Barnard.

ASTROPECTEN PONTOPORAUS.

Sladen, 1883. Jour. Linn. Soc. Zool., vol. 47, p. 259. 1889,

CHALLENGER, Ast., pl. 35, figs. 4, 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 pontoporeus. 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 thé degree of projection of the infero-

marginal 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 pontoporeus from 21 stations and capensis from one, but he

does not hint at the means by which he distinguished them.

P.F. 15835. Cape Poimt, N.W. 5 miles. 47 fuss. Sand and rocks.

4 specimens; adult ?

* ASTROPECTEN HEMPRICHII.

Miller and Troschel, 1842. Syst. Ast., p. 74. De Loriol, 1885,

Cat. Rais. Ech. Mauritius: Stellérides, pl. 24, figs. 7-8.

This species is reported by Peters (1852) from Inhambane, P.E.A.

| y ,

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. Ddéderlein, 1896.

Jena Denksch., vol. 8, lief. 3, pl. 18, figs. 30, 30a.

These South African specimens were at first identified with mona-

canthus 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 ¢

matter of age and examination of these specimens satisfies me that

he is correct. Careful study of his text and figures, and those of

Déderlein, with Sladen’s, convinces me that monacanthus is identical

with granulatus. The only point on which I am doubtful is the

coloration, some 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 figured by Déderlein from

Torres Strait and Déderlein’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 surface of the arms is a matter of age; they are longest

and dorsally most conspicuous in the smallest individuals before me

(R75 mm); they are relatively shortest and Jeast visible from

above in the largest specimens (R= ¥8 mm). These large specimens

are just the size of Koehler’s from the Aru Islands, and considerably

larger than those seen by Sladen and Doéderlein, 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 7 is practically the

same in the smallest and largest specimens, namely R=4r, but

the arms are broadest in the smallest specimens, are 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

Astropecten 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 imdividual 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.

36 fms, Sand and rocks. 2 specimens, very young.

P.F. 12516. Off Umhlanga River, Natal, 2!/, miles. 22-26 fms.

Fine sand. 9 specimens; adult? and young.

P.F. 18904. Cape Agulhas, Cape Colony, N. W. 175 miles (36° 407

S., 24° 26’ E.). 200 fms. Green sand. 4 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 : Inidia africana.

Rays 7 or more.

No enlarged central spinelet on any paxillae; iatter with quadrate tabulum

Inuidia maculata.

An enlarged central spinelet on many paxillae; latter with a stellate crown

TInudia savignyi.

252 Annals of the South African Museum.

LUIDIA AFRICANA.

Sladen, 1889. CHALLENGER Ast., p. 256; pl. 44, figs. 1 and 2.

[ have not seen this species but Sladen records it from Simon’s

Bay, Cape of Good Hope and Bell lists it from four stations in 85—90 fms. -

* LUIDIA MACULATA.

Miller and Troschel, 1842. Sys. Ast., p. 77. H. L. Clark, 1916.

EnpEavour Kch., pl. 5.

This species is recorded by Peters from Mozambique (4852,

Monatsb. Berlm 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. som. des pls. Echinod. de

Egypte pub. par Savigny, p. 208; Rayonnés, pl. 3.

Luidia savignyi Gray, 1840. Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. (1), vol. 6, p. 183.

This fine ZLaidia, origimally noted from the Red Sea, was known

only as far south as Mauritius and Zanzibar. In the PreETER 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. 410833. Natal: Umbhloti River, N. W. by W..%, W.,)23),

miles, 25 fms. 1 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 2r.

Each inferomarginal with 1—3 small, more or less appressed spinelets;

no true (alveolar) pedicellariae present.

R = 3—4r; superomarginals occupy less than 1/,7r;.paxillar area at

base of arm about 60 of arm-width . Pseuwdarchaster tessellatus.

R = 2—2'5r; superomarginals occupy '/;7; 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 27.

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 Ceramaster 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. euryplaz.

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 baccatus.

Pedicellariae present; adambulacral furrow series with 6—9 slender com-

pressed spines . 3 : ; ‘ Calliaster acanthodes.

Actinal intermediate plates with granules, tubercles and pedicellariae, but no

spines.

No marginal plates with spines or conspicuous tubercles Tosva 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. 142; pl. 47, 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

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. 73/, miles, 85 fms. F. gn.s,

4 specimens; adult.

PSEUDARCHASTER BRACHYACTIS *, Sp. nov.

Plate XI. Figs. 4. 2.

R00 mm.; 7=——domm,, R227.) Be — 139 mm... with) paxdlag

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-

marginal 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 4 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 tlie 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

* Pouxts = short -+- axtig = ray, in 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 inferomarginals abut directly

on the adambulacrals; actinal areas covered so closely with coarse

granules like those on the inferomarginals that it 1s 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 6, rarely 7, spines, subequal as to length (about

4 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 subambulacral 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 followimg 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. 44° 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 South 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=45 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 Kk 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 spimelets on any of the inferomar-

ginal plates.

MEDIASTER CAPENSIS *, sp. nov.

Plate XVI. Figs. 1, 2.

R= 53 mms 19 mm. R= 2872 Be 20emm. at emoddle

of ray, 8 mm.; at tip, 25 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 42—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. 18483. Cape Point, N. by E., 9 miles. 84-87 fms. Gr. m.

and s. 2 specimens; adult.

P.F. 18230. False Bay, 24 fms. 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, | 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, | 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 I think the differences in the paxilliform

ore)

Annals of the South African Museum.

plates of both surfaces justifies regarding them as different species.

Abactinally these plates in capensis are noticeably larger, especially

in the midradial line, and they carry more granules within the

marginal circle, than in australiensis, while actinally the reverse is

true, the actinolateral plates of capensis rarely having more than one

central granule while in awstraliensis 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. Wigs: 9550:

R = 52 mm.; r= 30 mm.; R. =1-7 r. Interbrachial ares 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.

Superomarginal plates 16-18 (17 in the holotype) on each side of

each ray. Those in the interradi are nearly or quite square and

there are only 6 or 7 on the basal balf of the ray, as against 10 or

41 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

* yorvdoioxoc = 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 actinolateral 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"), 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 15 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. !/, S., 25 miles, 190 fms.

Gr. s. and bl. sp. 3 specimens. Adult.

Holotype, South African Museum, no, A 6444.

| had determined to call these three specimens patagonicus but

Fisher thinks they are nearer to his recently described C. smithi

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=4A1 mm.; r=21 mm.; R=1:95r. 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 410 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 43 or 44 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

* trispimosus = having three spines, in reference to the armature of the adam- .

bulacral plates.

The Echinoderm Fauna of South Africa. 261

the inferomarginals; there are 8-10 on that margin, 8 or 9 in the

marginal series up each side and 48-20 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 15mm. 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 adjoming 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.

262 Annals of the South African Museum.

P.F. 2798. Vasco de Gama Peak, N. 71° E., 18 miles, 230 fms.

Stones. 1 specimen, adult.

Holotype, South African Museum, no. A 64145.

This species has a very characteristic appearance due to the form

of the marginals, the absence of pedicellariae and the crowded adam-

bulacral 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. 4, 2.

R = 32 mm.; r = 20 mm.; R=167r. 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. patagonicus; 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 five basals are distinguishable

by their smaller granules. Superomarginal plates 10 or 41 on each

side of each ray or 20-22 on each side 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-

marginals 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

* évets = wide + wias = plate, in reference to the very wide interradial

superomarginals.

The Echinoderm Fauna of South Africa. 263

the upper series exactly except that the bare area is smaller, while

in form they are perfect complements of the adjoining superomarginalss

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 inferomarginals but becoming coarser on the series

near the adambulacrals.

Adambulacral plates about 53 in each series, not much wider than

long (if any) and not specially crowded. Each plate carries a series of

4 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

4are present, the middle pair are a trifle longer than the others; if a

fifth spime 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 adjoiming 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

264 Annals of the South African Museum.

so little difference that he 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 granularis. It is

possible that in larger specimens, the bare area on the marginal

plates would disappear, at least interradially.

CALLIASTER BACCATUS,

Sladen, 1889. CHALLENGER Ast., p. 280; pl. 56, figs. 4-4.

The Prerer 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

baccatus 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°48’ S., 22°43’ E., 38 fms. 4 specimen; adult?

P.F.-1710. Cape St. Blaize, N. by E. */, E., 6), miles, 35) fms.

M., s. 1 specimen, adult ?

Mossel Bay. C. W. Black, 1913. 4 specimen, adult.

CALLIASTER ACANTHODES * sp. nov.

Plate XII. Figs. 3, 4.

R= 790m. 3 7 — 27 mes he — nearly or, Br —=30) mmewab

fifth superomarginal, br = 14 mm. and at 12th, bb’ = 9 mm. _ Disk

large, slightly tumid but with depressions near interradial margins.

Rays tapering at first abruptly but beyond fifth superomarginal, 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 42th superomarginal ;

* axav§odns = 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 }/, mm. in diameter;

not rarely the spine, on the smaller plates, is replaced by a large

non-denticulate spatulate-jawed pedicellaria; 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.

Superomarginal 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 off but if so they have left no scars. Infero-

marginal 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 im 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 148 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 14 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, 12834. 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

corynetes Fisher and spinosus 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 7 = 30 mm. The

present colour is deep red brown, the marginals being darker than

the abactinal plates.

TosIA TUBERCULATA.

Plate IX. Figs. 1, 2.

Astrogonium tuberculatum Gray, 1847. Proc. Zool. Soc. London, p. 79.

1866. Syn. Starfish, p. 10; pl. 4, fig. 2.

Tosia tuberculata Verrill, 1899. Trans. Conn. Acad., vol. 410, p. 164.

Although Bell (14905, 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 Zodlogy and have been examined by

Fisher, who has published some notes on them (1911, Bull. 76 U.S.

Nat. Mus., p. 166). In the Prerer Faure collection, I find a single

starfish (P.F. 18154. Cape Point, N.E. by E. 3/, E., 28 miles. 300 fms.

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 Fisher's notes (op. 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 Jarger. 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 Tosta 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 (op. 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 Tosta, and

the. general facies is quite as unlike that genus as it is that of

Piinthaster. 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.; Or half-

way to tip of ray, 22 mm.; br three-quarters of the way to tip, 8 mm. ;

268 Annals of the South African Museum.

thus R=1:77r; or 2°2br at half-way point; or 6br at three-quarters

point. In the PreTerR Faure specimen, R =54 mm.; r=26 mm.;

br at half-way point, 13 mm.; 6r at three-quarters point, 7 mm.;

thus R=2-1r; or 44 br at half way point; or 7°7 br at three-quarters

point. Probably a large series of specimens would 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 éaberculata; 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 it. ihgss 42:

R= 40 mm.; r=16 mm.; Ro==2:57- br 418 mm. but-at halt-

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 2mm. 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 Jess 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

* waxoos = long + Poazyiwy = arm, in reference to the relatively long rays.

The E'chinoderm Fauna of South Africa. 269

coarse granules or big tubercles were present. Terminal plate small

and swollen; there are indications that in life it may bear 1—3 tubercles.

Inferomarginals agreeing with superomarginals in number, form, size,

position and granulation, except that the large, shallow scars are as

a rule less well-marked and often seem to be wanting. Actinal plates

few, irregularly arranged (except for series adjoining adambulacrals),

of diverse sizes; the smaller ones are pretty well covered by the

very large marginal granules, but all the larger plates show a bare

central area on which is a big, wide-valved pedicellaria, and rarely

a single big granule also; the series adjoining adambulacrals extends

out only as far as the fourth inferomarginal.

Adambulacral armature conspicuously heavy; the plates themselves

are numerous, about 45 in each series, crowded, much wider than

long proximally, but squarish distally; each plate carries a series of

3 (rarely 2) furrow spines, about a millimeter long near middle of

arm (longer proximally, shorter distally) subequal, or middle one longest,

markedly compressed at right angles to furrow and more or less

conspicuously widened at tip; back of these is a second series of

which the adoral is very small, the middle one is much larger and

the aboral is a stout, somewhat capitate subambulacral spine, the

largest spine on the plate; on the outer margin of the plate is a

third series of three spines of which the middle one is much the

largest; the two small ones are hardly bigger than the marginal

granules of the adjoining actinal plates; proximally all the adambul-

acral spines are longer, heavier and more conspicuous, while distally

they decrease in number as well as in size. Oral plates not swollen,

their outlmes hard to determine; each has a marginal series of

strongly compressed spines, about 2 mm. long, with much widened

tips; there is also a series along the sutural margin consisting of 5

or 6 spines of which the first is small and pointed, the second is a

long heavy spine like those of the free margin, the third is like it

but a little smaller and the remainder are successively shorter and

smaller in every way. Color of dried specimen, light yellowish-brown.

P.F. 2798. Vasco de Gama Peak, N. 71° E., 48 miles. 230 fms.

Stones 1 specimen; adult?

P.F. 17998. Cape Point, N.E. 3/, N., 39 miles, 310-500 fms. Gn.

m. 1 specimen; adult ?

Holotype, South African Museum, no. A 6429, P.F. 17998.

Aside from these interesting individuals, which differ little from

each other, only two specimens of Cladaster are known; one, the

holotype of C. validus Fisher with R=17 mm. was taken near the

Aleutian Islands; the other, the type of C. rudis Verrill with

270 Annals of the South African Museum.

R=25mm., was taken in the West Indies. The present individuals

are thus much larger and it is noticeable that they have clearly the

longest arms; validus is most nearly pentagonal. Probably the rela-

tive length of the rays increases with age. Perhaps the number of

spines in the furrow series also increases with age, for the South

African form has three as against two in the other species. Whether

these South African specimens are adult seems doubtful and it is

probable that a fully grown specimen would throw much light on

the relationships of the genus. If it is true that the superomarginal

plates in macrobrachius bear coarse tubercles, the definition of the

genus will need some modification.

HIPPASTERIA PHRYGIANA.

Asterias phrygiana Parelius, 1768. K. Norske Vid. Sels. Skrift.,

vol. 4, p. 423; pl. 14, figs. 1, 2.

Hippasteria phrygiana Verrill, 1885. Rep. U.S. Fish Comm. for 1883,

p. 942.

Up to the present time only a single specimen of Hippasteria has

been recorded from the southern hemisphere. This was from the

Strait of Magellan and was first described by Perrier as H. hyadesi,

later as H. magellanica, and subsequently he used either name, ap-

parently interchangeably. Verrill adopted magellanica but hyadesi

seems to have priority, if the species has any validity. Perrier him-

self says it is very difficult to distinguish from phrygiana, and the

differences which he points out are no greater than are to be found

between two specimens of phrygiana from the New England coast.

He gives no measurements and no figures so that there is no way

of determining whether his specimen was adult or young.

The two specimens in the PieTER FAuRE collection only add to

the difficulty; they are quite unlike each other and neither is like

Perrier’s specimen. But I am quite unable to estimate the value of

the characters they show, for while they seem like representatives

of two different species, they are not so unlike each other as are

two specimens of phrygiana from the north-eastern coast of America,

which he before me. All four specimens are young, not half grown,

but their peculiarities are not to any great degree due to their

youth, I feel quite sure. I am forced to conclude that either all

four represent one species, or each one represents a separate species.

The former seems to me the more probable alternative and | am

therefore referring the PirrerR FAURE specimens to phrygiana. It is

quite likely however that a good series of adult Hippasteria from

Sey)

EE ei RON mie Ne, 95)

The Echinoderm Fauna of South Africa. 271

either South Africa or the southern part of South America will

show some constant specific characters. Meanwhile it may be well

to record briefly the chief peculiarities of each of the PirreR FAuRE

specimens.

Speamen A. KR == about 52 mm; 7 = 245 mime: = 257:;

br = 21 mm. but at half-way point is only 414 mm. Disk large,

rather flat; rays tapering rapidly to an almost pointed tip. There

are no large spines on the abactinal surface but each of the larger

plates carries a big pedicellaria or a short spine or a high tubercle.

Superomarginal plates, each with one or interradially two rather

stout spmes; on the interradial plates there are some large granules

in addition. Inferomarginals with a shorter and thicker spine and

2-10 coarse granules in addition; the imterradial plates have the

most granules. Actinal plates usually with a big central pedicellaria

and a marginal series of few very coarse granules; often a big

granule or two replaces the pedicellaria. Adambulacral armature

usually of a single large spine on the furrow margin, a similar but

shorter subambulacral spine and 3 or 4 granules on outer end of

plate; proximally there are 2 and rarely 3 spines on the margin,

but they are more slender, and compressed, and there is no conspi-

cuous subambulacral spine. Oral plates with only 4 or 5 marginal

spines, but they are big, somewhat compressed and blunt; there are

no big spines on the oral surface of plates.

P.F. 2798. -Vasco de Gama peak, N. 71° E., 18 miles. 230 fms.

Stones 1 specimen; young?

Specemen. Ba) Re 750 mm.; r = 25 mm:; R= 273 be 30mm

but at half-way poimt is 17 mm. Disk large, slightly tumid; rays

broad, rather flat, taperimg uniformly to a blunt point. There are

no spines at all on the abactinal surface; many plates carry a pedi-.

cellaria or a single large granule at center but some are quite bare;

the result is an unusually smooth surface for a Hippasterva. Super-

omarginal plates, each with a single, short thick spme; on the

interradial pair, a second shorter spine is below the first; on a few

plates a large granule accompanies the spine. Inferomarginals with

a single large tubercle or thick spinelet; interradially, several gra-

nules accompany this tubercle. Actinal plates as usual with a big

central pedicellaria or occasionally a large tubercle. Adambulacral

armature made up of a furrow series of two stout, bluntly pointed

spines, the aboral the larger, a very stout sugar-loaf shaped sub-

ambulacral spine with one or two granules adoral to it, and about

4 coarse, angular granules on the outer end of the plate. Oral

plates forming a rhomb, on each side of which are 3 stout spines;

272 Annals of the South African Museum.

those of the inner sides are quite markedly compressed; on the sur-

face of each plate is a single, stout spine.

P.F. 17997. Cape Point, N. E. %, N., 39 miles, 340-500 fms.

Gn. m. 1 specimen; young?

A specimen of phrygiana taken by the CHALLENGER on La Have

Bank, south of Nova Scotia, in which R = about 57 mm. is much

like A in form and proportions but in its adambulacral armature it

is much like B. On the other hand, a specimen with R= 48 mm.,

collected near Grand Manan, has so many big nearly spherical

tubercles on the abactinal, marginal and actinal plates that its

general appearance is quite different from any of the others; the

adambulacral armature approaches that of A but the big furrow

spine usually has a very small spine adoral to it and sometimes an

aboral one is present also.

There is little question that Hippasteria phrygiana is very varia-

ble. Possibly more than one species is now included under that

name or it may be that varieties or subspecies should be recognized.

But until the growth changes are known and a large series of spe-

cimens from many localities has been gotten together and studied,

seems to me best to let a single name cover all the Atlantic

forms of Hippasteria.

OREASTERIDAE.

There is only a single specimen in the South African collection

to represent this well-known tropical family of big sea-stars. Four

other species have been reported from South Africa however, so the

family is better represented there than the present collection indi-

cates. Nevertheless it must be granted that South Africa is a little

too far outside the tropics for even such a ubiquitous warm-water

genus as Oreaster to flourish, and probably south of Mozambique,

the Oreasteridae are represented chiefly by stragglers. It is an easy

matter to distinguish the few species that have been recorded

hitherto.

Key to the South African Species of Oreasteridae.

Rays well developed.

One or two distal superomarginals on each side of each ray bear a very big

spine, while the remaining marginal plates are merely a little tumid and

carry no spines’. é : : Oreaster linckar.

Superomarginals without spines or aio nail or moderate ones on many

plates, especially in interradiu—. Oreaster mammillatus.

Rays very short or apparently wanting, as ane aha is thick and cushion like,

and pentangular or roughly circular.

The Echinoderm Fauna of South Africa. 273

Furrow-series of adambulacral armature with 5—7 spinelets; papulae confined

to special areas above the margin.

Papular areas with little spinelets; tubercles of dorsal side rather small

and more or less pointed . : : . Culcita novaeguineae.

Papular areas without spinelets; tubercles of dorsal side, big, scattered

and blunt : . Culcita schmideliana.

Furrow-series of aaeabalecral aiiaiare with only 2 or 3 spinelets; papulae

all over back, clear to the margin : : : Culeita veneris.

* OREASTER LINCKII.

Asterias linkii de Blainville, 1830, Dict. Sci. Nat., vol. 60, p. 219.

See also Linck, 1733, De Stell. Mar., pl. 7, no. 8.

Oreaster linckii Liitken, 1864. Vid. med., p. 156.

Linck’s figure gives a very good idea of a typical specimen of

this species, which is common at Zanzibar and has been reported

from Mozambique by both Peters and Bell.

OREASTER MAMMILLATUS.

Asterias mammillatus Audouin, 1826. Expl. som. des pls. Echinod.

de Egypte pub. par Savigny, p. 209: Rayonnés, pl. 5.

Oreaster mammillatus Miller and Troschel, 1842. Syst. Ast., p. 48.

This is a very variable species and the growth changes and

limits of variation need very much- to be worked out. In some spe-

cimens, spines and even the big tubercles are nearly or quite

lacking while at the other extreme, every big dorsal or super-

omarginal plate carries a small or moderate spine. Peters re-

ported the species from Mozambique and it is not recorded from

south of there, but in the present collection is a specimen from

Mossel Bay, Cape Colony, which thus extends the known range of

the species many hundreds of miles to the south. The specimen is

a small one (R = 60 mm.) and lacks one ray, which is however

beginning to regenerate. There are no spines anywhere but many

of the marginals, especially of the lower series, and a number of

abactinal plates bear more or less elevated tubercles. The dry spe-

cimen is light yellowish-brown. Mossel Bay. C. W. Black. 4944.

* CULCITA NOVAEGUINEAE.

Miller and Troschel, 1842. Syst. Ast., p. 38. Déderlein, 1896.

Jena Denkschr., vol. 8, pls. 19 and 20, figs. 1—9.

This widely distributed Indo-Pacific species is very variable and

has been described under a number of names. It has been reported

from Mozambique and there is a young individual from that place

274 Annals of the South African Museum.

in the Museum of Comparative Zodlogy, identified and labelled by

Perrier as “‘Randasia granulata Gray. jeune Culcita areolata E. Per.”

CULCITA SCHMIDELIANA.

Asterias schmideliana Retzius, 1805. Diss. Ast., p. ?*

Culcita schmideliana Gray, 1840 Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist , vol. 6, p. 276.

Déderlein, 1896. Jena Denkschr., vol. 8, pl. 20, figs. 10-15.

This species seems to be common at Zanzibar and has been

reported from Mozambique by Bell. A specimen is in the 8. A.

Museum from Mozambique collected by K. H. Barnard, 1912.

* CULCITA VENERIS.

Perrier, 1879. Arch. Zool. Exp., vol. 8, p. 48; pl. 4.

This species then known only from the holotype, taken at St. Paul

Island in the southern Indian Ocean, was recorded by Bell (41905,

Rep. Mar. Inv. South Africa, vol. 3, pag. 248) from near the Cape

of Good Hope, in 23—37 fms. In spite of the extraordinary inter-

est attaching to the rediscovery of so remarkable an animal, Bell

does not give a single bit of information in regard to his specimen

and we can only surmise that it was so much like the holotype in

size and appearance that he felt no doubt of their identity.

PORANIIDAE.

This family was not hitherto known from the vicinity of South

Africa, and it is represented in the PreTer Faure collection by only

a single specimen. This however is of very great interest as it

proves to be an undescribed species of a little-known, and hitherto

monotypic genus of the North Atlantic.

CHONDRASTER ELATTOSIS **, sp. nov.

Plate VIII. Fig. 4.

Re=— Mo mmijor — 75 mms = 1-539 Wisk elevated avande

at center, 40 mm. Whole animal covered with a thick, smooth,

fleshy skin. Abactinal skeleton wanting or greatly reduced; mar-

ginal plates present but very spongy and without spines or tubercles.

' Papulae numerous, arranged in two parallel series, 20 mm. wide and

5 mm. apart, along the median, radial area; a few small groups of

papulae, occur irregularly near the center of the disk. Anal opening

* Few writers have been able to consult this paper and no one has given the

page reference. The paper is not accessible to me.

** z)iacrow = to lessen, in reference to the reduction of the skeleton.

Leth

llth: ela ane

PRY ON eecay

The Echinoderm Fauna of South Africa. 275

evident. Madreporite distinct but small, 3 mm. across; rather spongy.

Actino-lateral areas with numerous parallel furrows running to

margin and even over the margin onto the upper side; no spines or

tubercles anywhere. Adambulacral plates with an inner series of 3

or often 4 sharp spines, 1-3 mm. long, sacculate, the saccules ex-

tending far beyond the spine-tip; and an outer series of 3, rarely 4,

similar but stouter spines, enclosed in a thick, fleshy sack and forming

a low, racquet-shaped appendage, 3-4 mm. high and 2°5 mm. wide.

Oral plates very thick but flat with no superoral spines or tubercles;

at the inner tip of each plate is a rather stout, sacculate, nearly

horizontal spine; along the free margin of each plate is a series of

similar but longer and stouter, vertically placed spines, united with

each other and with the plate itself by skin. Feet large in two series.

Colour uniformly dull, deep pink; feet brown.

P.F. 19003. South from Cape Infanta, Cape Colony, 36° 49’ 5.,

21° 14’ E., 560 fms. Gn. s. 4 specimen; adult.

Holotype; South African Museum No. A 6448.

This remarkable sea-star was unfortunately preserved in formalin

and it is evident that some decalcification has taken place. It is

however impossible to determine now how much of the sacculate

appearance of the adambulacral and oral spines is due to decalcifi-

cation and how much is natural. It is also uncertain how much of

the absence of a dorsal skeleton, and to what degree the sponginess

of the marginal plates, is artificial. There is however little doubt

as to the generic position of this notable specimen, as it agrees so

well in its main features with Chondraster grandis Verrill, which

occurs in the northern Atlantic, southeast of New England, in

220-538 fms. The South African species differs from the genotype

however in the wider papular bands, the greater reduction of the

skeleton, the absence of marginal tubercles, and particularly in the

armature of the adambulacral plates. In grandis there are only two

spines in the inner series. The two species apparently differ also

in colour, as the northern form is red above and yellow beneath,

while the southern species seems to be unicolorous. This may of

course be only an individual matter.

OPHIDIASTERIDAE.

This is another tropical family and its inclusion in the present

report is due chiefly to the fact that four species are listed by Bell

in the ALERT Report (1884) as having been taken at Mozambique.

One of these is represented in the South African collection before

276 Annals of the South African Museum.

me by two small specimens but these also are from Mozambique.

The only truly South African species is the interesting Austrofromia

from False Bay.

Key to the South African Species of Ophidiasteridae,

Papulae on actinal surface; adambulacral armature spiniform.

Papulae single; rays 3 or 4 times as long as wide at base

Austrofromia schultzet.

Papulae in areas; rays 5 or 6 times as long as wide at base Nardoa variolata.

No papulae on actinal surface; adambulacral armature granuliform.

Inner (furrow) series of adambulacral spines with spines separated from each

other by vertical series of little granules.

Colour blue; arms relatively short and wide, R= 5 or 6 br

Linckia laevigata.

Colours orange and green; arms relatively long and slender, R = 7—12br

LInnckia multifora.

Inner (furrow) series of adambulacral spines with small spines alternating

with larger and no vertical series of little granules between Linckia diplac.

* AUSTROFROMIA SCHULTZEI.

Fromia schultzei Déderlein, 4910. Jena. Denkschr., vol. 16, p. 249;

pl. 4, figs. 3-3b.

Austrofromia schultzei H. L. Clark, 1921. Echin. Torres Strait, p. 49.

This interesting species is based on a single specimen from False

Bay, Cape of Good Hope. Its nearest ally, A. polypora H. L. C.,

occurs on the southern and western coasts of Australia. No nearly

related forms are known from the African coast.

* NARDOA VARIOLATA.

Asterias variolata Retzius, 1805. Diss. Ast., p. 19. See Linck, 1733,

De Stell. Mar., pl. 8, no. 10.

Nardoa variolata Gray, 1840, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., vol. 6, p. 286.

This well-known Indo-Pacific species is recorded by Bell from

Mozambique, whence Peters also reported it half a century ago.

Curiously enough, it has never been well figured, for Linck’s figures

while recognizable are far from good.

* LINCKIA LAEVIGATA.

Asterias laevigata Linné, 1758. Syst. Nat. ed. 10, p. 662.

See H. L. Clark, 19214. Echin. Torres Strait, pls. 9 and 26.

Linckia laevigata Nardo, 1834. Oken’s Isis, p. 717.

This handsome sea-star, notable for its colour, so unusual among

echinoderms, has been reported from Mozambique by both Peters

and Bell.

The Echinoderm Fauna of South Africa. 277

LINCKIA MULTIFORA.

Asterias multifora Lamarck, 1816. Anim. s. Vert., vol. 2, p. 565.

Linckia multiforis von Martens, 1866, Arch. f. Naturg., Jhrg. 32, Bd. 4,

p. 65. See de Loriol, 1885. Mém. Soc. Phys. Hist. Nat. Genéve,

vol. 20) pero:

This species is reported by Bell from Mozambique, and two young

individuals from the same place, taken by K. H. Barnard in Novem-

ber, 1912, lie before me. Some years ago (1908, Bull. M. C. Z. vol. 51,

p. 283) I expressed the opinion that multifora could only be considered

a variety of laeviyata. Since then I have collected and examined

hundreds of laevigata near the Great Barrier Reef of Australia and

I find its specific characters are very constant. I am inclined to

think therefore that multifora is probably entitled to rank as a valid

species, but its characters still need elucidation.

* LINCKIA DIPLAX.

Ophidiaster diplax Miiller and Troschel, 1842. Syst. Ast., p. 30.

Linckia diplax Liitken, 1871. Vid. Med., p. 269.

This species is reported by Bell from Mozambique. Its status is

dubious. It is very near the species so beautifully figured by de

Loriol (1885, Mem. Soc. Phys. Hist. Nat. Genéve, vol. 29, pl. 10) as

L. ehrenbergii M. & T., while Ludwig ranks it only as a variety of

L. pacifica Gray. In my opinion, pacifica is identical with the West

Indian species, guiidingii Gray; at any rate, I have not been able

as yet to find any tangible difference between them. The Indo-Pacific

Linckias are badly in need of a careful revision based upon fieldwork,

as the study of museum material alone proves very unsatisfactory.

GANERIIDAE.

The presence of this family in this report is due to a very young

sea-star which [ am unable to refer to any known genus but

which seems to belong in the Ganeriidae. The specimen was sent

to Dr. W. K. Fisher for his examination and he writes: ‘My guess

would be Cycethra or a close relative. ..... If the tube-feet have

true disks, I think the Ganeriidae will be a safe assumption.“ The

tube-feet appear to have true sucking-disks, so I am listing the

family Ganeriidae in the present report. Most of the members of

the family occur in the vicinity of the Straits of Magellan and the

Falkland Islands.

The important features of the youngster before me may be listed

278 Annals of the South African Museum.

as follows: Disk and rays flattened, the general form being distinctly

star-shaped but with very obtuse rays. R = 55 mm.; r = 3 mm.;

R=18r; br = 3mm. Abactinal plates relatively few, tabulate,

with well-spaced, short rough spines; under a magnification of 40

diameters, they thus appear paxilliform. No madreporite is visible

but in each interradius is a small, bare, depressed area, covered

only by thin skin. Marginal plates 5 on each side of each ray, in

each series; all very much alike; they bear short, rough spinelets,

well-spaced as on the abactinal plates. Terminal plate short but

wide, roughly kidney-shaped, covered with little spinules, like the

abactinal plates. Actinal plates small and rather numerous, each

with 2—5 (usually 3) rough spinelets similar to those of the abactinal

plates but rather longer; the series next to the adambulacrals runs

nearly to the tip of the ray and the second runs to the fourth

inferomarginal; the remaining two are very short and carry only 4

(or 3) and 2 (or 4) plates respectively. Adambulacral plates very

wide and short and very characteristic; the adoral marginal corner

extends inward half-way across the furrow, and at the tip curves

abrubtly aborally, thus half-way encircling a large tube-foot with a

fairly well-developed sucker; on this furrow-projection of the plate

are three relatively long, rough spines, of which the middle one is

slightly largest and stands at the bend in the plate, another is at

the tip of the plate and the third is between the largest and the

furrow-margin; on the actinal surface of each plate is an oblique

series of 3 or 4 spines the largest being nearest the furrow and

farthest from the mouth; the largest is equal to, or a trifle larger

than, the one on the bend of the plate, while the smallest is about

equal to the spines on the actinal plates. Oral plates of moderate

size, flat but distally rather abruptly raised; on each free margin

are four spines, the one at the tip of the jaw, much the largest, flat,

wide and truncate, the others progressively smaller, more cylindrical

and more slender; on the distal angle of each plate are two spines

like those on the actinal plates and proximal to them is a single

slightly larger spine.

P.F. 13240. Cove Rock, near East London, N. 3/, E., 5 miles.

43 fms. St., brk. sh. 4 specimen; very young.

I know of no sea-star with the ambulacral furrow guarded as in

this specimen and I have little doubt it represents an undescribed

genus. But it is conceivable that with growth the adambulacral

armature would become more like that of Cycethra, and in any case

it seems unwise to base a new genus on so obviously immature a spe-

cimen, And in this opinion, I am glad to say, Dr. Fisher fully concurs.

a fa? La a ery

ae ae) Pat

—

The Echinoderm Fauna of South Africa. 279

ASTERINIDAE.

This is the best represented in South African waters of any of

families of sea-stars, although the present collection contains but

seven forms. Eleven of those here listed are Asterinas in the wide

sense of that term and several of them are very imperfectly known

The group was revised by Verrill in 1913 (Amer. Jour. Sci., vol. 35,

p. 477) but owing to an unfortunate mistake one or more para-

graphs of his “key failed to be printed and as a consequence, it is

quite useless. Some of his statements also are very summary and

many species are not even mentioned. I have not found it prac-

ticable therefore to adopt his proposed new genera, though I have no

doubt they are destined to come into use when the numerous spe-

cies of Asterinidae are carefully revised. Meanwhile I use Asterina

in its old broad sense. I[ regret to have to add two new species

and a new variety to this mass of undigested material but there

seems to be no other course open. Another new species is a small

but interesting Anseropoda. Sladen (1889, CHALLENGER Ast., p. 390)

records Asterina gunnii Gray from the Cape of Good Bode but I

feel sure this is a mistake and I therefore omit that species from

the present list. The fourteen forms included are: separable as

follows : .

Key to the South African Species of Asterinidae.

Body not very flat and thin; r = 1-25—2 v.d. at center of disk.

R=18r or more, usually more than 27.

Actinal intermediate plates, at least near mouth, each with 5 or more spines.

Abactinal plates not imbricated, covered with spines

Parasterina bellula.

Abactinal plates more or less imbricated.

Actinal intermediate plates, each with a cluster of 8—15 spines

Asterina peneillaris.

Actinal intermediate plates, each with 5—11 spines in a single,

or rarely double, transverse series.

Abactinal plates closely covered with minute, crowded

spinelets . : : . Asterina granifera.

Abactinal plates relatively bare, the spinelets scattered,

frequently marginal or in a single transverse series

Asterina granifera var. sporacantha.

Actinal intermediate plates, each with 1—4 spines.

Abactinal plates with 5 or more spines and often in addition a tuft

of 2—4 stouter spines having a common base Asterina coronata.

Abactinal plates not as above . : . Asterina burtonir.

R = 1-256—1°8 7, only very rarely 27.

280 Annals of the South African Museum.

Adambulacral spines 2 (or sometimes 3).

No big subambulacral ne actinal intermediate plates with 3—6

spinelets . : 3 : : Asterina coccinea.

A big subambulacral spine on the surface of each adambulacral

plate; actinal intermediate plates with only 1 or 2 spinelets.

Abactinal spinulation, granuliform.

Abactinal granules coarse; many actinal intermediate plates

with 2 spines each; subambulacral spine very large, blunt

or truncate : : Asterina dyscrita.

Abactinal granules fetes fine; actinal intermediate plates

nearly always with 1 spine each; subambulacral spine not

disproportionately big, pointed. ; Asterina exigua.

Abactinal spinulation spiniform, the spinelets rather long but

stout and blunt; actinal intermediate plates usually with 1 spine

each ; subambulacral spine very large, blunt or truncate

Asterina calcarata.

Adambulacral spines 3 or 4, with 2 or more spines on the surface of

each plate.

Abactinal spinelets thick, blunt, crowded; actinal spines relatively

long, blunt ; : Asterina liideritziana.

Abactinal spinelets short, delreater sharp, well-spaced; actinal spinelets

very similar : : Asterina gracilispina.

Body very flat and thin; r= 25—5v. ue at Coniot of disk.

Rays 9 : : : : : . Anseropoda novemradiata.

Rays 5 J : : ; : Anseropoda habracantha.

* PARASTERINA BELLULA.

Patiria bellula Sladen, 1889. CHALLENGER Ast., p. 385; pl. 63, Jie 4, 2.

The original specimens of this species were taken by the CHALLENGER

in shallow water, Simons Bay, Cape of Good Hope. So far as I know

it has not been met with since except by the ScoriA which took one

specimen in Saldanha Bay. Fisher (1908. Smiths. Misc. Coll., vol. 52,

p. 90) called attention to the error in using the generic term Patiria

and suggested Parasterina, but he did not publish the combination

of the latter name with bellula. Sladen emphasizes the non-imbri-

cation of the abactinal plates, using that as the one distinctive cha-

racter in his key. Fisher does the same in his key to the genera

of Asterinidae (1911, Bull. 76 U.S. Nat. Mus., p. 253) and as I have

never seen an authentic specimen of Parasterina, 1 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 PENICILLARIS

Asterias penicillaris Lamarck, 1816, Anim. s. Vert., vol. 2, p. 555.

Asterina penicillaris von Martens, 1866. Arch. f. Naturg., Jhrg. 32,

Bd. 4, pi 7

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 Kobé represent a

new species which he describes under the name batheri. Meissner

(1892, Arch. f. Naturg., Jhrg. 58, Bd. 41, 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 | 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. 4; 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 PirreER 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 bellula 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.

sad

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, Falseé- Bay, N.W. '/, N., 2 miles.

23 fms. R. 4 specimen; adult.

P.F. 44711. Saldanha Bay, Cape Colony; low tide. 4 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 va7, 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-

ereened 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

* onxopas = scattered + axavda = spine, in reference to the widely scattered

abactinal spinelets.

ERE Il, NE Mey me rte dnest sy

Eye

asic

The Echinoderm Fauna of South Africa. 285

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 fms. Fne. s.

1 specimen; adult.

P.F. 5008. Rockland Point, False Bay, N.W. }/, N., 2 miles. 23 fms.

R. 4 specimen; adult.

P.F. 14711. 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. 4, 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. 441-416).

ASTERINA BURTONII,

Gray, 1840. Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., vol. 6, p. 289.

This widely distributed species, well-figured by Savigny (1809, Desc.

’ Egypte. Rayonnés, pl. 4, figs. 2-1-2°8) but without a name, has very

generally been called cepheus, the name given by Miller 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 1t is (as Bell poimted 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. 254,

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=1-25r,

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. Nov.

Plate XVI. Figs. 5, 6.

R44 er — anes a eo a 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

4AA0 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 adjoming 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

* Sioxgvtoc = 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, but 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 eaxigua 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 eaigua.

* ASTERINA EXIGUA.

Asterias exigua Lamarck, 1816. Anim. s. Vert., vol. 2, p. 554.

Asterina exigua Perrier, 1876. Arch. Zool. 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 Zodlogy has a specimen labelled

Cape of Good Hope, received many years ago from the ‘‘Huguenot

Seminary, South Africa’. It is reported in numbers by Déderlein

from Angra Pequena Bay.

* ASTERINA CALCARATA.

Asteriscus calcaratus 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.

286 Annals of the South African Museum.

It is obvious that exigua, dyscrita, calcarata 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 gunnit.

ASTERINA LUDERITZIANA.

Déderlein, 1908. Jahrb. Nass. Ver. Naturk. Wiesbaden, Jhrg. 64,

p- 296; pl. 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%m,.:" 7 4 mms; Ri 5 0d — 2 oy min. ee haycea:

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 + 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.

PF; 13280; ‘Coke Rock, N. E. by E. 1/5) 7 4miles) 422; fms:

R. and brk. sh. 41 specimen; young.

Holotype, South African Museum, no. A 6421.

I 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 will tell. The apparent absence of a madreporite may be an

indication of very early youth.

* ANSEROPODA NOVEMRADIATA.

Palmipes novemradiatus Bell, 1905. Mar. Inv, South Africa,

vol. 3, p. 248.

Although Bell was one of the first writers to point out the priority

of Anseropoda over Palmipes, 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 Palmipes 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.

Re ommin ee — 44 mm.; R == 1d ee — oY

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,

* apods = delicate + d&xuvia = 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° 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 LHchinaster, 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, which he 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. reticulutus 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 South African Species of Echinasteridae.

Abactinal plates with numerous very small spinelets Henrieia 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.

Déderlein, 1910, Jena. Denksch., vol. 16, p. 252; pl. 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=3444mm. One

individual has six subequal rays which are relatively stouter and less

tapering than in the others.

S.A.M. No. 3014. Cape Colony: False Bay. Littoral. Dr. Purcell.

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 South 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 25 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 spimelets, 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. 4 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. 4, 2.

he 75 m.: 7 == 15 om Rr ed i —— ee

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, but this does not greatly obscure the abactinal

skeleton. Abactinal plates carry numerous isolated spines, about a

millimeter high, sharp-pointed, but 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) spies, 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 two, thick blunt spines.

Colour, in alcohol, bright yellow-brown, the spinelets yellow, at

least at tip.

P.F. 13509. Cape Morgan, Cape Colony, W. ?/, N., 3 miles.

17-20 fms. Rocks. 4 specimen; adult.

P.F. 15602. False Bay, Cape Colony, 18-25 fms. Sand. 1 spe-

cimen; adult.

Table Bay, Cape Colony. 41 specimen; adult.

Holotype, South African Museum no. A 6423. P.F. 15602.

The three Echinasters which | 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. Actinallv 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 Zchinaster.

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 Echinasters 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 Cryaster 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 PreTer 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 eX. Bigs1s2:

R = 40 mm.; r = 25 mm.; R=1°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,

3mm. 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 15 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 spime, somewhat smaller, occurs

at the outer end of the plate; none of these adambulacral spines

* Poayts = short + axrig = 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) ight brown, with a reddish-

tinge orally; im life brilliant scarlet.

P.F. 48771. St. Croix Island, Algoa Bay, N.W. 3/, W., 8 miles.

26 fms. M. 4 specimen; adult?

P.F. 19055. Nanquas Peak, Algoa Bay, N. by E., 14 miles. 57 fms.

M. 4 specimen; adult.

Holotype, South African Museum no, A 6442; 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 388 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 [Kd.].

The Echinoderm Fauna of South Africa. 295

Key to the South African Species of Solasteridae.

Rays 8—10 : < . 5 ~ : Crossaster penicillatus.

Rays 5 . : 5 5 : : Lophaster quadrispinus.

CROSSASTER PENICILLATUS.

Sladen, 1889. CHALLENGER Ast., p. 446; pls. 70, fig. 5 and 72, figs. 9, 10.

Although the largest of these individuals is much larger than Sladen’s

types, and has the rays relatively much more slender than in his

figure, there is no reason to doubt their identity. Bell (1905) lists

this species from half a dozen stations but gives no data whatever

about the specimens. In the present collection, only two extremes

of age are represented, young ones with R = 10-15 mm. and _ big

adults with R = 55-60 mm. It is very interesting to find that of

the ten young, two have only 8 rays and eight have 9, while of the

five adults, only one has 9 rays and four have 10. This suggests

that 10 is the normal number of rays in the species and that smaller

numbers are growth-stages.

P.F. 17965. Cape Point, N. 41° E., 38 miles. 3415-400 fms. S.,

bl. sp. 10 specimens: young.

P.F. 18206. Cape Point, N.N.E. '/, E., 44 miles. 100 fms, Gn, m.

5 specimens; adult.

LOPHASTER QUADRISPINUS *, sp. nov.

Plate XVIII. Figs. 1; 2:

—= 0mm: 7 — 20 mm-; R— 3°57; br =20\ mm.) Disk rather

large, flat but quite high (v. d. = 10 mm.) Rays 5, rather flat,

tapering steadily to the pointed tip. Abactinal skeleton with rather

small meshes, the papular areas usually with only 3-5 papulae.

Paxillae relatively few and widely spaced, the distance between two

about equal to height of column; each paxilla bears a tuft of 10-12,

or more, long, slender spines, about equal to the column. Madre-

porite large, about 3 mm. across, nearer to center of disk than to

margin. Marginal plates about 25 in each series, the superomarginals

above and not alternating with, the lower series. Marginal paxillae

similar to the abactinal but abruptly much larger and correspondingly

conspicuous.

Actinal interradial areas fairly well developed; a series of actino-

lateral plates adjoining the adambulacrals, 25—30 in number, extends

* Quadrispinus = having four spines; in reference to the furrow series of the

adambulacral armature.

296 Annals of the South African Museum.

nearly to the tip of the ray; proximally they are close together and

there is one for each adambulacral plate but distally they are more

and more widely spaced and there is only one for every other adam-

bulacral ; these plates carry a central tuft of slender spinelets ; remainder

of the interradial area covered by 8-12 similar but smaller plates,

each with a central tuft of long slender spinelets. Adambulacral

plates two to each inferomarginal, as a rule, short, moderately wide,

well-spaced, the spaces often wider that the length of the plates;

each plate carries on its furrow-margin 4 long slender spines, the

relative lengths of which it is very hard to determine as they are

all more or less broken; from the middle of the ray on, there are

usually only 3 spines and near the arm-tip there are only 2; on the

actinal surface of each adambulacral plate is a series of 4 (or 3 or 2)

similar but slightly stouter spines, arranged in an oblique series cor-

responding to the width of the plates; these spines are also generally

broken. Oral plates large rounded, much swollen along the suture

distally ; the margin of each carries 8 or 9 slender spines of which

the one at tip is longest and stoutest; on the sutural swelling is a

series of about 4 similar but stouter spines, the innermost largest.

Membranes cover the actinal plates and spines, but they are thin

and unite the spines with each other very slightly. Tube feet large,

with well developed suckers. Colour yellowish-brown (dry) with a

more or less pinkish cast in alcoholic specimens.

P.F. 2798. Vasco de Gama Peak, Cape Peninsula, N. 71° E.,

18 miles. 230 fms. St. 1 specimen; young.

P.F. 15060. Lion’s Head, Cape Town, S.E. 3), 8., 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 imterest 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 fwrcilliger 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 defined area, con-

taining numerous small spiracles; R much exceeds 2r fetaster 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 =15r; oral spines, 5—7; adambulacral spines, 5—7

Pteraster capensis.

R= 2r; oral spines, 4; adambulacral spines, 4 Pteraster afjinis.

Adambulacral plates unlike, a more prominent regularly alternating with a

less prominent; latter with fewer adambulacral spines; pedicels in 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. Arch. f. Naturg., Jhrg. 33, Bd. 4,

p. 109; pl. 3, figs. 2—2e.

Retaster cribrosus Sladen, 1889. CHALLENGER Ast., p. 477.

When Perrier instituted his genus Ketaster 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 #etaster and Pteraster. If how-

ever we take eribrosus 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 Pteraster 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 isignis 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 Hetasters should, I think,

be relegated to Pteraster. Won Martens records cribrosus from Mozam-

bique but it is not known from south of that pomt. 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 ‘‘Retaster capensis ‘*? 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, | 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 ecribrosus agree in having “fun réseau a large mailles

formées de ligaments unissant les épines,’ 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 paxi'la 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 difference 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 Ketaster as a separate

genus. .

The specimens before me range from R = 53 and r = 40 mm.

(R=1-:325r), to R=19 and r=—12(R=1:6r). One specimen has

R=36 and r=20(R=1°87r) 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. 4341-136 fms.

Blk. spks. 4 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/, E., 48 miles. 200 fms.

Fne. s. 4 specimen; young.

300 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, 20-350 fms. 2 specimens; adult.

Mossel Bay, Cape Colony, 4 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.

K. A. Smith, 1876. Ann. Mag. N. H. (4), vol. 17, p. 108.

41879, Phil. Trans., vol. 168, pl. 16, fig. 5.

The specimen before me has R = 28-30 mm., r= 15 mm., so

that R=18-2r. 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.

DIPLOPTERASTER MULTIPES.

Pteraster muiltipes M. Sars, 1865. Forh. Vid. Selsk. Christiana, p. 200.

Fisher, 1914. Bull. 76 U.S. Nat. Mus., pl. 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 Déiplopter-

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.

HyYMENASTER LATEBROSUS.

Sladen, 1882. Jour. Linn. Soc. London (Zodl.), vol. 16, p. 230.

4889, CHALLENGER Ast., pl. 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

45 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 me well within

the probable range of individual diversity.

P.F. 16906. Cape Point N.E. by E. !/, E., 40 miles. 800-900 fms.

Gn. m. 1 specimen; adult.

HYMENASTER MEMBRANACEUS.

Sladen, 1882. Jour. Linn. Soc. (Zodl.), vol. 16, p. 237.

1889, CHALLENGER Ast., pl. 92, figs. 6, 7.

It is with much hesitation that I refer a number of small Hymen-

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 memébranaceus 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. 4726. Cape Pont E. 3/, N., 42 miles. 930 fms, Gn. m.

6 specimens: young ?

HyYMENASTER LAMPRUS *, sp. nov.

Plate XI. Figs. 3, 4.

R= 42 mm; r=32 mm.; R=13r. 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

* {Aaumods = bright-colored, in reference to the fine colour of the actinal surface.

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

patches 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 adjoiming 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. 3/, E., 40 miles. 800-900 fms.

Gr. m. 4 specimen; adult.

Holotype, South African Museum no. A 6446.

This handsome Hymenaster belongs in the same group with glaucus

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=1:25r. Form almost perfectly

* yevvaios = of noble brith, in reference to the close relationship to H. nobilis.

The Echinoderm Fauna of South Africa. 303

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 ambulacral 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/, E., 38 miles. 750-800 fms.

Gn, m. 1 specimen; adult.

Holotype, South African Museum no. 6447,

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 gennaews 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 PrereR 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 PreTER 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 transyerse) 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) . 5 Marthasterias glacialis.

Large acthedioes of fnrrosis! font (length about twice thickness).

Abactinal spines on rays few, all of one kind, stout

Mar thasterias rarispina.

Abactinal spines numerous, large and small

Marthasterias africana.

Rays 6—12.

Disk moderate, its diameter -25—-30R; rays not very long, R=6

OL MOT pins . Coscinasterias calamaria.

Disk small, its srameter only 20R; rays long and slender, R = 10dr

Coronaster volsellatus.

Adambulacral armature of more than 1 spine.

Diplacanthid (with 2 adambulacral spines); rays 5 or6 Asterias capensis.

Polyacanthid (with more than 2 adambulacral spines)

Perissasterias polyacantha.

STICHASTER FELIPES.

Sladen, 1889. CHALLENGER Ast., p. 433; pl. 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 Stichasteridae 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 fms. 1 specimen; adult.

P.F, 15434. Cape Point Lighthouse, N.E. by N., 78/, miles. 85 fms.

Fne. gn. s. 4 specimen; young.

MARTHASTERIAS GLACIALIS.

Asterias glacialis Linné, 1758. Sys. Nat. ed. 10, p. 661.

Marthasterias glacialis WW. K. Fisher, 1906. Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. (7),

vol. 17, p. 575.

There are three starfishes in the PierER 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 PreTeR 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 Ludwig’s great monograph ‘‘Seesterne

des Mittelmeeres‘‘, 1897, pl. 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 superomarginal 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. 4 specimen; adult.

* MARTHASTERIAS AFRICANA.

Asteracanthion africanus Miller 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 Marthasterias

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: Stellérides, pl. 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;

pl. 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/, 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. }/, 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 (1882) Bell thought it identical with glacialis, 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 spimes 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 310 mm.; r unknown; br = 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

* eovo0ds = above measure, excessive + Asterzas, in reference to the excep-

tional development of adambulacral spines.

** qodvaxavda = 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 spimes about 5 mm. long, and over a millimeter thick,

bluntly pomted 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 °60—75 mm. long and occur all over the animal, even in the

ambulacral furrow and attached to the adambulacral spines. Colour

dull yellowish-brown.

P.F. 2105. Lion’s Head, Cape Town, S.E.}/. E., 42 miles. 156 fms.

Dk. gn. s. 41 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 most 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 PizrTeR FAuRE collection by the follow-

ing species.

BRISINGA CRICOPHORA.

Sladen, 1889, CHALLENGER Ast., p. 606; pl. 109, figs. 6-8.

There are two specimens of Brisinga 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 14 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 two 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 TatismAN 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’ §., 21° 44 E., 250 fms. Gn. s., st. 2 speci-

mens; adult.

Fisher (1817, 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 differences 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.

Déderlein, 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 (Ophiura costata) and two

others (Ophioderma tunganum and Ophiothrix roseocoeruians) are due to

mistaken identifications. The collection from the South African

Museum contains over 1200 specimens representing 44 species, of

which 22 are in Déderlein’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 Déderlein,

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 Déderlein 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

Phe Echinoderm Fauna of South Africa. ol

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, Ophiernus

vallincola, being previously known only from the North Atlantic and

the Antarctic abysses, would naturally be expected in the deeps off

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

o12 Annals of the South 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 Ophiomyara of Agulhas Bank may

not be the South American species, so that Gorgonocephalus 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 Familhes of Ophiroidea.

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 : : Ophiomyaidae, p. 313.

Arms branching, or if saaiple: very one 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 T'’richasteridae, 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 0 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 a nde 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 aah side of each jaw

Ophaocomidae, 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—i0,

short, subequal. ; 5 : . Ophodermatidae, p. 349.

The Echinoderm Fauna of South Africa. 315

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.

V.B. 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 Ophiomyxidae.

Second (outer) oral tentacle-pore small, opening within the mouth slit; oral papillae

flat with wide somewhat serrate tips, the distalmost smallest Ophiomyzxa vivipara.

Second oral tentacle-pore large, opening on oral surface of mouth plate; oral

papillae spiniform, the 3 distal ones conspicuously longest and largest

Ophroscolex dentatus.

OPHIOMYXA VIVIPARA.

Studer, 1876. Monatsb. K.-Preus. Akad. wiss. Berlin, p. 462.

H. L. Clark, 1915, Mem. M. C. Z., vol. 25, pl. 2, figs. 4, 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 PirrER 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° K., 34 miles, 154 fms. Blk. spe.

5 specimens; adult. |

Station 13225. Cove Rock, N.W. 3/, W., 43 miles, 80-130 fms.

Cri. and r, 41 specimen; adult. ;

3t4 Annals of the South African Museum.

OPHIOSCOLEX DENTATUS,

Lyman, 1878, Bull. M. C. Z., vol. 5, p. 157; pl. VII, figs. 184-186.

1882, CHALLENGER Ophs., pl. 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 arm-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. spe.

1 specimen; half grown.

Station 2528, Lion’s Head, N. 63° E., 34 miles, 154 fms. Blk. spe.

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, 8—1i0 times disk-diameter or more, with 4 or 5 minute arm-spines

on each side arm plate. : : : Asteronyx loveni.

Arms short, scarcely twice disk- Aree wath only 2 minute arm-spines

Ophiuropsis lymana.

ASTERONYX LOVENI.

Miller and Troschel, 1842. Sys. Ast. p. 419; pl. 40, 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 PreTerR 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, KE. 3/, N., 42 miles, 930 fms. Gn. m.

2 specimens; very young.

Station 17303. Cape Point, E. 3/, N., 41 miles, 890 fms. Gn. m.

2 specimens; young.

* OPHIUROPSIS LYMANI.

Studer, 1884. Abh. K.-Preus. Akad. wiss. Berlin, p. 55;

pl. V, figs. 12a—d.

This remarkable little ophiuran is known only from the holotype

(disk-diameter, 6 mm.; arm-length, 10 mm.) which was taken by

the GAZELLE off Spencer Bay, Southwest Africa, in 60 fms. The

colour in life was rosy red. It is quite possible that this will prove

to be the young of some other genus but we have no clue yet as

to its relationships. The first spelling of the specific name was with

two n’s but as a subsequent spelling (in the Explanation of Pl. V)

is correct, we must treat the first as a slip of the pen or a typo-

graphical error.

GORGONOCEPHALIDAE,

This interesting family is represented in the region about the Cape

by only three species, of which two have the much-branched arms

which have led to the fisherman’s name of “‘basket-fish”.* Both of

these have long been known from South Africa but the third species,

having unbranched or simple arms, is a discovery of the PIETER

Faure. The three forms are very easily distinguished from each

other by obvious characters. The simple-armed species and one of

the basket-fish seem to be endemic but the other basket-fish has

an extraordinarily wide distribution, ranging as it does from Chili,

Argentina and the Falkland Islands to Kerguelen and Heard Island.

* This is the colloquial name of an allied species, on the New England coast.

316 Annals of the South African Museum.

Key to the South African Species of Goryonocephalidae.

Arms simple. : 4 ° ° . Astrothamnus papillatus.

Arms much-branched.

Nearly all tentacle-pores before first fork of arms guarded by minute arm-

spines : : c é Gorgonocephalus chilensis.

No arm-spines on basal tentacle-pores* . : . Astrocladus euryale.

ASTROTHAMNUS PAPILLATUS **, sp. nov.

Plate XX. Figs. 5, 6.

Disk 18 mm. across; arms rather more than 100 mm. long. Disk

shghtly tumid, the ridges formed by the radial shields wide (3 mm.

distally) and not conspicuous, though the interradial depressed groove

is fairly well marked, thus defining clearly the radial wedges. Whole

upper surface of disk covered by coarse granules, the largest nearly

a millimeter in diameter; they are well-spaced but there are scattered

among them smaller granules with which they intergrade; the larger

granules usually are rough or even prickly on the top. Arms 4mm.

in diameter at base but tapering rather rapidly to the attenuate tip.

From their very base the arms are encircled by alternating bands

of fine and coarse granules; the former bear numerous minute hooks

and hooklets while the latter are more or less nearly smooth. There

are two or three (rarely more) series of granules in each band;

when more than two, the marginal series are the coarsest.

Interbrachial areas below rather small and covered with a coat of

very fine granules, abruptly and conspicuously smaller than those at

the margin of the disk. Genital slits fully 3 mm. long. Surface of

Jaws and mouth frame and lower surface of arms as well, covered

by a rather uniform coat of fine granules, coarsest on the interradial

portions of the mouth-frame. Teeth, tooth-papillae and oral papillae

present, spiniform and similar except that the teeth are much the

largest and the distal oral papillae are smallest. First pair of ten-

tacle-pores of arm naked and small, nearer together than the fol-

lowing; second pair with 2 short, slightly thorny arm-spines; third

pair with 3 or 4; following pairs .with 4 or usually 5 and very rarely 6.

Colour, drled from alcohol, light yellow-brown.

P.F. 12872. East London, N. 15 miles, 310 fms. M. 9 specimens;

adult and young.

* In specimens more than 15 mm. across disk. Young specimens may have

minute arm-spines on all but the first pair of pores. Such specimens may be

distinguished from young G@. chilensis by the absence of granules on the disk and

the generally smooth appearance of both surfaces of the body.

** papillatus = having papillae, in reference to the numerous oral papillae,

The Echinoderm Fauna of South Africa. 317

P.F, 14380. Cape Hangklip, N.N.E. 31 miles, 95 fms. Gn. s.

1 specimen; very young.

P.F. 18229. Cape Hangklip, N.E. 1), E. 5 miles, 60 fms. Gn. m.

1 specimen; adult.

Holotype, South African Museum, no. A 6443. P.F. 18229,

The growth-stages as revealed by this interesting series are most

interesting. The smallest individual has the disk only 3-5 mm, across,

and the arms about 18 mm. long; the proportion is thus about the

same as in the adult. Conspicuous radial shields about *75 mm.

long and -40 mm. wide are present in two adjoining radii but are

lacking in the other three; in one of these three the arm is noti-

ceably smaller than in the other four radii. There is thus some

indication of an earlier reproduction by fission, but none of the other

specimens hint at such a possibility. The disk granules are few

but relatively large. Most of the arm-segments have only 2 arm-

spines and none has more than 3. The genital slits are well

developed.

The next specimen in size is 7 mm. across the disk. Radial

shields, 1 mm. long by ‘50 mm. wide, are distinguishable; they are

more or less surrounded by a series of minute granules, but as many

disk granules are nearly a millimeter in diameter, they are not very

distinct. Some of the basal arm-segments have 4 arm-spines, but

those near middle of arm have only 3 and distally only 2. In spec-

imens 9 mm. across the disk, there are no radial shields visible:

their position is indicated by a group of minute granules; the ap-

pearance is as tho the little granules which surrounded the radical

shields had closed in over the shield and buried it. The specimens

from off Kast London are dry and are clasping coral fragments,

cidarid spines, etc.; they are light brownish-white, and the arms are

tightly coiled, so their general appearance is quite unlike that of

the holotype, at first glance.

This species is as isolated structurally as it is geographically.

The four species of Astrothamnus previously known are all Asiatic;

one from the coast of Oman, two from the East Indies and one

from Japan. The South African form is nearest to the Japanese

species, echinaceus, so far as can be judged from descriptions and

figures but it differs in the presence of numerous oral papillae, in

the possession of arm-spines guarding the second tentacle-pore, in

having 4-6 arm-spines on the basal arm-segments (instead of only

3) and in the finer and more even granulation of the oral surface.

In the possession of oral papillae, papillatus resembles bellator from

the Sulu archipelago, but the differences in the granulation of the

318 Annals of the South African Museum.

disk, on both surfaces, and in the tentacle-pores and arm-spines are

quite evident. Matsumoto gives the absence of oral papillae as a

characteristic of the genus <Astrothamnus but Koehler’s figure of

bellator (1904, StpoGa-exp. Oph. Mer Prof., pl. XXVIII, fig. 8) shows

them distinctly and they are certainly well marked in the present

species. All the papillae of the jaws are so similar that their exten-

sion distally along the sides of the mouth slits is hardly of sufficient

importance to affect the position in the genus Astrothamnus, of the

species so characterized.

GORGONOCEPHALUS CHILENSIS.

Astrophyton chilense Philippi, 1858. Arch. f. Naturg., vol. 24, p. 268.

Gorgonacephalus chilensis Lyman, 1882. CHALLENGER Oph., p. 264.

Déderlein, 14911. Japan. Euryalae, pl. 5, fig. 5; pl. 8, figs. 1 and 4a.

This widespread and variable species is represented in the present

collection only by small specimens. Those from 2798 resemble the

Patagonian form in that the disk granules are widely scattered, low

and rounded, only a few at center of disk and on the radial ribs

rising into conical tubercles. The other specimens have the center

of the disk and especially the ribs crowded with relatively big coni-

cal tubercles, more as in Kerguelen specimens. I have sought in

vain for some character or group of characters by which the South

American and Falkland Island Gorgonocephalus might be constantly

distinguished from the South African and Kerguelen specimens.

Perhaps in the future, more abundant material will make such a

separation possible and desirable, which is not the case at present.

The larger individuals in the PrerER Faure collection are carrying

on their backs much younger ones. This at least suggests that the

species is viviparous and the young remain with the mother until

well grown. In one case before me, an individual with a disk 25

mm. across carries, well-fitted into the very middle of its abactinal

surface, a young one only 10 mm. in disk-diameter. In another

case, the larger specimen carries two small ones, one near the

center, the other near the margin of the disk. The young ones are

clinging very tightly, some of the ultimate arm divisions entering

into the genital slits of the carrier.

P.F. 2798. Vasco de Gama Peak, N. 71° E., 15 miles, 230 fms.

Stns. 2 specimens; rather young.

P.F, 18154. Cape Point, N. E. by E. 3/, E., 28 miles, 300 fms,

Fn. s. 7 specimens; small adults and young.

The Echinoderm Fauna of South Africa. 319

ASTROCLADUS EURYALE.

Asterias euryale Retzius, 1783. K. Vet. Akad. Hand., vol. 4, p. 243,

Astrocladus euryale Déderlein, 1911. Japan. Euryalae, p. 28.

Gorgonocephalus verrucosus Lyman, 1882. CHALLENGER Oph., p. 262.

L. Agassiz, 1839. Mem. Soc. Nat. Hist. Neuchatel, vol. 2, no. 8, pls. 4-3.

This very fine species, with only one exception known the longest

of any member of the family, seems to have a very limited range

as it has not yet been found anywhere except in the vicinity of

southernmost Africa. The Pieter Faure collection contains five

specimens, of which two are fine adults, 60 and 65 mm. across the

disk, and the remainder are about half as large.

P.F. 18381. Flesh Point, N. 6 miles. Depth and bottom unknown.

3 specimens; small adults.

False Bay. 2 specimens; fine adults.

OPHIACANTHIDAE.

This large and cosmopolitan family is very poorly represented in

the seas about South Africa. Only three of thirty-three genera

occur and each of these has but one representative. The genus

Ophiacantha with more than 125 valid species was not hitherto

known from the region but the PirrerR Faure has found a very

characteristic species at a considerable number of stations. The

three South African ophiacanthids are readily distinguished from

each other as follows.

Key to the South African Species of Ophiacanthidae.

Radial shields small and nearly or quite separated; outermost oral papilla not

wide and operculiform.

Disk elosely covered with granules and a few, more spiniform grains; upper

arm-plates large and in contact at base of arm Ophiacantha nerthepsila.

Disk scales evident, each with one rough-pointed, thick, short cylindrical

spinelet; upper arm-plates small and widely separated

Ophiomitrella corynephora.

Radial shields relatively large and broadly in contact; outermost oral papilla wide

and operculiform i : A ; : Ophiothamnus remotus.

OPHIACANTHA NERTHEPSILA *, sp, nov.

Plate XIX. Figs 3, 4.

Disk 7 mm. in diameter; arms 25 mm. long. Disk covered with

seales which, except around margin, are completely concealed by a

* véode = below + wedAdg = stript bare, in reference to the bare interbrachial

areas below.

320 Annals of the South African Musenm.

close coat of granules, among which are scattered irregularly a

number of spiniform grains; there are 75-100 of the nearly spheri-

cal granules to each square millimeter of surface; the spiniform

erains are 3-4 times as high as thick, pomted and well-spaced.

Radial shields narrow, widely separated, only the distal tip visible.

Upper arm-plates large, in contact basally but soon becoming slightly

separated; they are broadly triangular, with slightly convex sides

but the shape is variable owing to the degree of convexity of the

proximal sides; some or all of the basal plates have these sides so

strongly convex that they are almost bell-shaped and are nearly as

long as wide. In the holotype however most of the upper arm-

plates are distinctly triangular with a convex distal margin. Inter-

Fig. 1. Upper side of part of disk and arm of Ophiacantha nerthepsila sp. nov.

Some of the arm-spines removed. X 10.

brachial areas below, and margin of disk both radially and inter-

radially covered by overlapping scales, which are quite bare and

entirely free from granules. Genital slits wide but short, reaching

from the oral shields not quite to the second series of arm-spines.

Oral shields diamond-shaped, twice as wide as long; madreporite

much bigger than the others, its length and breadth more nearly

equal. Adoral plates large, quadrilateral, in full contact interra-

dially, about equally wide at the two ends, but the proximal margin

longer than the distal. Oral plates small and ill-defined but each

bears 4 (or 3) small, flat oral papillae; these are twice as wide as

long, the outermost is distinctly the widest and bluntest; one or

more of the others may be pointed. There are 6 teeth in each

column, the lowest one or two pointed and somewhat triangular but

The Echinoderm Fauna of South Africa. 321

the upper ones blunt and squarish. First under arm-plate moderate,

hexagonal, a trifle wider proximally than distally; second plate

large rather axe-head-shaped but much wider than long; succeeding

plates somewhat oblong, wider than long, but soon becoming squar-

ish, distal corners rounded; all the under arm-plates are separated

from each other more or less widely. Side arm plates not large or

with prominent spine ridges, meeting both above (except at base of

arm) and below; the basal plates bear 7 or 6 smooth, pointed spines,

the uppermost longest and equal to at least two arm segments; on

the first segment outside the disk, the rows of spines are closely

approximated dorsally and on the second segment they are fairly

close but the number of spines then drops to 5 and they do not

approach each other dorsally; the lowest spine is smallest and blunt-

est and scarcely equals one arm-segment. Tentacle-scale single,

blunt and spine-like. — Colour (dry): — pale brown, lightest below;

disk with faint indications of white variegation and arms very

faintly banded on the upper side distally.

P.F. 12983. Gonubie River, N. W. by W. 3/, W., 3 miles, 20

fms. Brk. sh. 4 specimen; small adult.

P.F. 13193. Cove Rock, N.W. by N., 6 miles, 43 fms. Brk. sh.

and r. 4 specimen; small adult.

P.F. 13240. Cove Rock, N.E. 3/, E., 5 miles, 43 fms. St. and

brk. sh. 4 specimens; small adults.

P.F. 13280. Cove Rock, N.E. by E., '/, E., 4 miles, 22 fms.

R. and brk. sh. 4 specimen; small adult.

P.F. 13455. _Sandy Point, N.E. by N., 6 miles, 51 fms. Brk. sh.

and st. 4 specimen; adult.

P.F. 13619. Great Fish Point, W. by N., 5 miles, 22 fms., R.,

erl., st. 4 specimen; adult.

Pe sole iiet Point, N.E. by E., 2 miles, 23 fms') Ssandest:

12 specimens; adult.

P.F. 15502. False Bay, 22 fms. 8S. and sh. 4 specimen; small

adult.

P.F. 15627. False Bay, 17-27 fms. R. 2 specimens; adult and

young.

P.F. 16231. False Bay, 22 fms. Brk. sh. 1 specimen; small

adult.

Bathymetrical range, 17-51 fms.

Holotype, South African Museum no. A 6437. P.F. 13801.

This is a well marked species in a genus of perplexing specific

lines and is not near enough to any species yet known to cause

any difficulty. The long approximated spines at the base of the

322 Annals of the South African Museum.

arms, the bareness of the sides and lower surface of disk, the big

upper arm-plates and the covering of the disk itself make a com-

bination of characters which are quite distinctive. The species is

evidently not a rare one on the southeastern coast of Cape Colony

but does not seem to reach a large size. The smallest specimen is

only 2 mm. across the disk while the arms are more than 8; it

does not differ essentially from the adults but the side arm-plates

are relatively more conspicuous and hence the arms are more

knotty”, while the granulation of the disk covers the marginal

plates and there are a few granules on the oral side.

There is some diversity of colour among the specimens at hand,

though the adults agree well with the holotype. The arms however

are sometimes quite distinctly banded. In one specimen most of the

disk is occupied by a symmetrical flower-like blotch of whitish and

in each interradius there is a conspicuous marginal spot of pure white.

The smaller specimens are as a rule paler and the smallest are nearly

white. Considerable diversity is shown in the number of ‘“‘spiniform

erains”’ on the disk. In some specimens they are few (10-15) and

far between, while in other cases, they are quite numerous (75-100).

There is some diversity too in their height for while they are usu-

ally only 2-4 times as high as thick they are occasionally elongated

into little spinelets 5-6 times as long as their diameter.

OPHIOMITRELLA CORYNEPHORA *, sp. Nov.

Plate XIX. Figs. 5, 6.

Disk 8 mm. in diameter; arms about 30 mm. long. Disk covered

by a coat of thin overlapping scales, most of which bear a single,

cylindrical (2-3 times as high as thick) granule with a rounded tip;

there are many plates with no granules but there are very few that

bear more than one. Radial shields moderate, rounded triangular,

as wide as long, separated from each other by a series of scales, at

least one of which is granule-bearing; the radial shields themselves

bear no granules but the inner distal corner of each shield tends to

project as a low tubercle. Upper arm-plates small, diamond-shaped,

about as long as wide, widely separated and becoming very small

distally. Interbrachial areas below like disk but there are only three

or four granules in each area. Genital slits long and narrow, ex-

tending from oral shield nearly to disk-margin. Oral shields (except

madreporite) diamond-shaped, wider than long, the two proximal

sides lightly concave, the two distal lightly convex; madreporite more

* xogvrngogos = club-bearing, in reference to the lowest arm-spines.

el ea

Pie es A ap Pa I 84 9 oO hi gE 2 Wc pm

The Echinoderm Fauna of South Africa. 323

nearly pentagonal as long as wide; the oral shields seem to be in

contact with the first pair of side arm-plates. Adoral plates rather

large, slightly curved, tetragonal with rounded angles, wider within,

where they meet, than without. Oral plates very small, but each

bears three big, club-shaped, subequal oral. papillae, 2-3 times as

long as thick. As usual in Ophiomitrella there is a distinct papilla

or tentacle-scale on the inner side of the oral tentacle-pore, which

seems to be borne on the first under arm-plate. Teeth about 4, the

upper squarish but the lowest thick and narrow, pointed, not unlike

one of the oral papillae. No tooth-papillae. First under arm-plate

small, somewhat pentagonal, longer than wide; succeeding plates

pentagonal a little wider than long, with distal angles rounded, all

Fig. 2. Upper side of part of disk and arm of Ophiomitrella corynephora sp. nov.

Some of the spines removed. X 10.

except first two well separated ; they rapidly increase in relative length,

and distally, are very small and rather narrow, scarcely three-fourths

as wide as long. Side arm plates large, meeting above and below,

the spine ridges becoming more and more prominent distally, where

the arms are quite “knotted”; each plate carries 6 (or basally 7)

spines, of which the first (uppermost) is longest and may equal two

arm-segments while the sixth or seventh is shortest, little exceeding

one segment; the upper spines are pointed but the lowest two or

three are blunt and thickened at tip, becoming more or less club-

shaped; all the spines are smooth except the lowest which may be

more or less prickly at tip. Tentacle-scale large, but narrow, blunt

and flattened, about half as long as under arm-plate. Colour (dry):

— nearly white; specimens in alcohol have a faint pinkish tinge

324 Annals of the South African Museum.

and it is probable the colour in life is red or orange of some shade.

P.F. 2563. Vasco de Gama Point, S. 75° E., 13 miles, 166 fms.

Blk. spe. 47 specimens; adult and young.

P.F. 2798. Vasco de Gama Peak. N. 71° E., 18 miles, 230 fms.

St. 1 specimen; adult.

Holotype, South African Museum no. A 64414. P.F. 2798.

This species is near O. ingrata Koehler in its general features but

differs in the arm-spines and in the higher and more cylindrical

disk-granules. The lower arm-spines are very distinctive, no other

member of the genus approaching it in this particular. The smallest

specimen in the present series is only a little over 1 mm. across the

disk and the arms are scarcely 3 mm. long; it is obviously very

immature and shows none of the specific characters clearly. The

next larger is about 2°5 mm. across the disk and shows all the specific

characters more or less distinctly. These two specimens were asso-

ciated with an adult in such a way as to indicate that they were

its young and led me to the conviction that this species, like so many

other austral echinoderms, is viviparous. On opening one of the

alcoholic specimens, I found this to be the case, as there was a

single young one, like the smallest described above, in each one of

six bursae. The young evidently leave the bursae at this stage of

development but apparently may remain on or with the mother

until twice as large.

OPHIOTHAMNUS REMOTUS.

Lyman, 1878. Bull. M. C. Z., vol. 5, p. 149; pl. VIII, figs. 201-203.

In neither the preliminary report (op. cit.) nor in his final CHaL-

LENGER Report, do Lyman’s figures give an accurate idea of the

close-set, operculiform oral papillae of this little brittle-star, but the

earlier figures are the better in this particular. I have compared

the PirreR FAuRE specimens with a CHALLENGER cotype and there

is no doubt of their identity. Bell (14905, Mar. Inv. South Africa,

vol. 3, p. 258) reports that, of this species, ‘‘a good set was obtained

from Cape Natal” and “a few from off Algoa Bay”.

One of the specimens in the present collection, (13455), about

3 mm. across the disk is remarkable for the spinulation of the disk;

instead of slender acicular spinelets which characterize most specimens

there are just 7 stout abruptly pointed spinelets, 5 of which form a

symmetrical quintet at the center of the disk; in addition there are

a number of minute widely scattered granules. At first I thought

this specimen might represent a second species but in view of the

The Echinoderm Fauna of South Africa. 325

facts that it is otherwise quite a typical remotus and that there is

some individual diversity in remotus as to the thickness of the disk

spinelets, it is better to consider this one an individual variant.

P.F. 2248. Lion’s Head, E. 18 miles, 104 fms. Blk. spe. and r.

5 specimens; adult,

P.F. 2289. Lion’s Head, N. 67° E., 25 miles, 134-136 fms. Blk.

spe. 1 specimen; young.

P.F. 2766. Vasco de_Gama Point, N. 40° E., 13 miles, 120 fms.

R. 419 specimens; adult and young.

P.F. 2798. Vasco de Gama Peak, N. 74° E.,-48 miles, 230 fms.

Sts. 1 specimen; small adult.

P.F. 14359. Tugela River, N.W. by N.1/, N., 24 miles, 65-80 fms.

R. 40 specimens; small adult and young; 1 hexamerous.

P.F. 13227. Cove Rock, N.W.3/, W., 13 miles, 80-130 fms. Clr.?

1 specimen; adult.

P.F. 13455. Sandy Point, N.E. by N. 6 miles, 54 fms. Brk. sh.

and st. 4 specimen; young.

P.F. 13576. Stalwart Point, N.N.W., 9 miles, 53 fms. S. and sh.

1 specimen; small adult.

Bathymetrical range, 51-230 fms.

AMPHIURIDAE.

Although thirteen species of this family are now known from the

South African region, they represent only four of the twenty genera,

and in view of the large number and wide distribution of the species

of Amphiuridae it must be admitted the group is not adequately

represented around the Cape. A striking feature of the family’s

occurrence is the apparent absence of the cosmopolitan species,

Ophiactis savignyi, although three other species of Ophiactis do occur.

It is highly probable that a considerable number of the smaller

amphiurids will be found by more intensive collecting but it is evi-

dent from the Pieter Faure collection that local conditions are not

particularly favorable to the Amphiuridae. The thirteen species, here

recorded, may be distinguished from each other as follows.

Key to the South African Species of Amphiuridae.

Tip of each jaw occupied by a pair of block-like oral papillae.

Two oral papillae on each side of each jaw, the second being at its distal angle.

Tentacle-scales none. ; 5 5 . Amphiura dilatata.

Tentacle-scales present.

Tentacle-scale single.

326 Annals of the South African Museum.

Arm-spines 6—8, short : i . Amphiura capensis.

Arm-spines 4 or 5, longer than arm-segment Amphiura angularis.

Tentacle-scales 2.

Radial shields several times as long as wide, their length ex-

ceeding one-half ee upper arm-plates not wider than

long . é p . Amphiura candida.

Radial shields 2— 25 ‘iets, as long as wide, not nearly one-half

disk-radius; upper arm-plates much wider than long

Amphiura incana.

More than two oral papillae on each side of each jaw.

Three oral papillae on each side, outermost wide and operculiform,

equalling or exceeding the other two together in width.

Disk scales relatively coarse, especially at center of disk where some

are -25—°30 mm. across; 5—7 series of scales in each interradial

area where narrowest; radial shields large . Amphipholis minor.

Disk scales much smaller, more. numerous; radial shields smaller,

less conspicuous . ‘ Amphipholis squamata.

Four oral papillae on each AES eaten not greatly enlarged; tentacle-

scales 2; arm-spines 3.

Margin of disk ornamented with round tubercles or papillae

Amphioplus gibbosus.

No papillae or tubercies on disk margin.

Radial shields short, broadly in contact, equal to about one-

third disk-radius; arms, 4—5 times disk-diameter

Amphioplus integer.

Radial shields long, in contact, equal to half disk-radius; arms

more than 7 times disk diameter .. . Amphioplus hastatus.

Tip of each jaw without oral papillae, but occupied by the lowest tooth.

Upper arm-plates broadly oval, twice as wide as long, fully in contact

Ophiactis carnea.

Upper arm-plates more or less triangular little or not at all in contact.

One oral papilla on each side of jaw, large scale-like Ophaactis plana.

Two oral papillae on each side of each jaw . Ophiactis abyssicola.

AMPHIURA DILATATA,

Lyman, 1879. Bull. M. C. Z., vol. 6, p. 26; pl. XI, figs. 314-316.

There is good reason for believing that this species is identical

with Ljungman’s atlantica from St. Helena. The only difference is

that dilatata is known to have the lower surface of the disk bare,

while one infers from Ljungman’s description that such is not the

case in atlantica, although nothing is said one way or the other about

the matter. If the St. Helena species does have the interbrachial

areas below, naked, the identity of the two species would be clear

and the’ name atlantica would have priority. The CHALLENGER took

dilutata only at her station 141, in 98 fms. but the PrerErR FAuRE

a ad

satiatinasittesatiteisliiehinndsaesatata ee oe one

The Echinoderm Fauna of South Africa. 327

has found it at the following places. The specimens range in size

from 2 to 7 mm. across the disk, but the growth changes are rela-

tively slight and the agreement with Lyman’s description and figures

is close.

P.F. 458A. Outside False Bay, 34°34’ S. x 18° 30! E., 100 fms.

Gn. s. 7 specimens; young,

Ph. 461 A; Outside False Bay, 34° 38’ S. x 48°33! E., 110: fms:

Bott.? 3 specimens; young.

P.F. 2732. Vasco de Gama Point, N. 10° E., 413 miles, 85 fms.

D. gn. s. 77 specimens; adult and young.

P.F. 14833. Cape Castle, W.coast, E. '/, N., 9 miles, 89 fms.

D. m. and s. 7 specimens; adult.

AMPHIURA CAPENSIS.

Ljungman, 1867. Ofv. Kongl. Vet.-Akad. Férh., vol. 23, p. 320.

Lyman, 1882, CHALLENGER Oph., pl. XVIII, figs. 44446.

These specimens range from 3:5 to 65 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.

Déderlein reports numerous specimens of this species from Liideritz

Bay, Southwest Africa, 3-3-8 mm. across (1910, Schultze’s Zool.

Anth. Ergeb., vol. 4, Ifg. 4, p. 253). He suggests Lyman’s large

specimen with 8 spines was not cupens/s, but I have examined several

of the CHALLENGER specimens and can vouch for their identity.

Lyman’s figures are, as Déderlein 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. 4 specimen; young.

AMPHIURA ANGULARIS

Lyman, 1879, Bull. M. C. Z., vol. 6, p. 25; pl; Xd, figs, 311-3

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 triglochis 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. 15140. South Head, Table Mountain, E. by S. !/, 8., 25 miles,

190 fms. Gn, s. and blk. spe. 41 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; pl. 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

evopla 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 Pirrer 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 75 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.

Pik o45, JNear Port Elizabeth, 33° 542 °S: x 95° 53° He 34 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. 43280. Cove Rock, N.E. by E. 3/,

and brk. sh. 4 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.

Bathymetrical range, 8-31 fms.

K., 4 miles, 22 fms. R.

AMPHIPHOLIS MINOR.

Ophiactis minor Déderlein, 1910. Schultze’s Zool. Anth. Ergeb. vol. 4,

lieiep. 253; pl. V; figst 3, -o¢@:

Amphipholis minor H. L. Clark, 1915. Mem. M.C. Z., vol. 25, p. 243.

It is very curious that Déderlein 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 Déderlein’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. 4 specimen; adult.

330) Annals of the South African Museum.

AMPHIPHOLIS SQUAMATA.

Asterias squamata Delle Chiaje, 1828. Mem. Anim. sans Vert. Napoli,

vol. 3, p. 74.

Amphipholis squamata Verrill, 1899. Trans. Conn. Acad., vol. 40,

pol. EL. -Clark, 1904 (Bull. WS. Fo Cotor 1902, pla 6:

figs. 33, 34; pl. 7, figs. 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, pl. 6, figs. 9, 10. In 41882,

Mr. Lyman decided that kinbergi was not distinguishable from squam-

ata and hence the CHALLENGER specimens from South Africa are

listed under the latter name. A specimen in the PirTER 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 [ must therefore agree with

Mr. Lyman and call the South African specimens squamata, The

PirrerR FAURE specimen is quite different from the specimen of

A, minor but large series of sguamata from other regions show inter-

mediate forms and I am not fully satisfied that the two species are

distinct.

S.A.M. no. 3015. False Bay. Littoral. Dr. Purcell coll. 4 spe-

cimen; adult.

* AMPHIOPLUS GIBBOSUS.

Ophiophragmus gibbosus Ljungman, 1867. Ofv. Kongl. Vet.-Akad.

Forh., vol. 23, p. 346.

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. Ofv. Kongl. Vet.-Akad. Forh.

vol. 23, p. 313.

Amphiura integra Koehler, 1904. Mem. Soc. Zool. France, vol. 47,

. p65, figs] tot,

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. do

description and figures, based on one of Ljungman’s types. There

are in the PrerER 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-

man’s species than to give them a new name.

P.F. 13598. Great Fish Point, W. by N., 5 miles, 22 fms. R.,

erl., and st. 41 specimen; adult.

Rocks at Sea Point, Feb. 2, 1904. 4 specimen; adult.

* AMPHIOPLUS HASTATUS.

Amphipholis hastata Ljungman, 1867. Ofv. Kongl. Vet.-Akad. Forh.,

vol. 23, p. 313.

Amphioplus hastatus H. L. Clark, 1915. Mem. M.C. Z., vol. 25, p. 257.

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.

Sa Annals of the South African Museum.

OPHIACTIS CARNEA.

Plate XX. Figs. 3, 4.

Ljungman, 1867, Ofv. Kongl. Vet.-Akad. Férh., 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 143 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

eray-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 fms. S.

14 specimens; adult and young.

P.F, 215 A. Cape St. Blaize. S.W. by W. ?/, W., 6 miles, 45-18 fms.

Stns. 46 specimens; adult and young.

P.F. 769. Off East London, 32°52’ S. x 28°12’ E. Depth and

bottom? 4 specimen; young.

P.F. 859. Off East London, 32° 45’S. x 28°26’ E. 36 fms. Stns.

2 specimens; young.

S.A.M. No, 3015, False Bay, Cape Colony. Littoral. Dr. Purcell

coll. 4 specimen; small adult,

The Echinoderm Fauna of South Africa. 333

P.F. 10975. Tongaat: River, N.W. by N. 1), N., 5 miles, 36 fms.

S. and sh. 4 specimen; very young.

P.F. 12459. Umtwalumi River, N. by W., 2 miles, 25 fms. -Brk-

sh. 4 specimen; young.

P.F. 13280. Cove Rock, N.E. by E. 1/, E., 4 miles, 22 fms. S.

and brk. sh. 2 specimens; young.

P.F. 13520. East London, N.W. by W. 3/, W., 2 miles. Depth?

R. and brk. sh. 2 specimens; adult, fine.

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.,

erl., and st. 8 specimens; adult and young; fine.

P.F. 15627. False Bay, Cape Colony, 17-27 fms. R. 4 specimen;

young.

P.F. 18282. False Bay, Cape Colony, 8-10 fms. 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.

alee Clarks dota. Meme Mi 'C..7..: vol:-25;, pl. 40; figs. 492:

fo)

In the CHALLENGER Report, Lyman, after describing Ophiactis

flecuosa (p. 116), records ten, small, six-armed specimens of Ophiactis

from St. 142 (Agulhas Bank) as possibly young flerwosa but says

they can scarcely be distinguished from plana. A recent critical

study of the species of Ophiactis has led to the conclusion that plana

and flerwosa 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, 2-3 mm. across the disk, in

the Pirrer 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 | think there is little reason to doubt

that these youngsters are identical with those taken by the CHatL-

LENGER on Agulhas Bank, and all may properly be referred to plana.

P.F. 13227. Cove Rock, N.W. */, W., 13 miles, 80-130 fms. Crl.

1 specimen; young.

P.F. 13859. Glendower Beacon, N. }/, W., 24 miles, 400 fms,

Sh, and r. 4 specimen; very young.

334 Annals of the South African Museum.

OPHIACTIS ABYSSICOLA.

Amphiura abyssicola Sars, 1861. Ov. Norges Ech., p.18; pl. 2, figs. 7-12.

Ophiactis abyssicola Ljungman, 1867. Ofv. Kongl. Vet.-Akad. Férh.,

vol. 23, p. 324.

A recent critical study of the genus Ophiactis has shown that O,

poa, described by Lyman (1882, CuaLLENGER Rep., p. 119; pl. 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 Prerer 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 85> 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 spies 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. 2434, Lion’s Head, 8.E. '/, -E., 42 miles, 156 fms. D. gn. s.

1 specimen; adult.

P.F. 2798. Vasco de Gama Peak, N. 71° E., 18 miles, 230 fms.

Stns. 19 specimens; adult.

P.F. 14984. Lion’s Head, 55!/,° E., 47 miles, 175 fms. Bottom?

1 specimen; adult.

P.F. 15110. South Head, Table Mountain, E. by S. 1/. 8., 25 miles,

190 fms. Gn. s. and blk. spe. 3 specimens; adult.

P.F. 16758. Cape Point, N.E. by E. '/, E.,. 38 miles, 755 fms.

Gn. m. 1 specimen; adult.

P.F. 17330. Cape Point, N. 86° E., 43 miles, 900-1000 fms. Grey

m. 4 specimen; adult.

P.F. 17544. Cape Point, N.E. by E. 3/, E., 8 miles, 94 fms. S.

and spe. 4 specimen; adult.

P.F. 48154. Cape Point, N.E. by E. 3/, E., 28 miles, 300 fms.

Fne. s. 4 specimen; young.

The Echinoderm Fauna of South Africa. Boo

P.F. 18933. Southeast from Cape Agulhas, 36° 40’ S. x 21° 26 E.,

200 fms. Gn. s. 15 specimens; adult.

Jathymetrical 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 Ophiothriz 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 specifie 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 spinelets 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

Ophthri« 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 spinelets; arm-spines little flattened Ophiothrix fragilis.

Radial shields smaller and usually more or less covered by the

small thorny stumps which occupy a!l the rest of the disk sur-

face; larger arm-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 : . Ophrothria 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.

336 Annals of the South African Museum.

Upper and under arm-plates distinct; no radiating black lines on disk.

Upper surface of arms marked with narrow transverse lines of

deep red : ; : Ophiothria poecilodisca.

Upper surface of arms, at fea near tip, with a narrow median

stripe made up of three white lines separated from each other

by distinct black ones : : . Ophaothria trilineata.

Disk plates flat, smoothly covered by a uniform coat of granules; radial

shields bare and very large : 5 ; 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 . : : 3 Ophiopsammium nudum.

Side arm-plates low, square 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; pl. XV, figs. 421—494,

In Mr. Lyman’s description, he says the arm-spines are ‘scarcely

tapering: and “slightly flattened”. If this were so, it would be

exceedingly difficult to distinguish this species from triglochis 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 fms. 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 aristulata is normally a deep water species, I suspect

all of Bells specimens were triglochis.

The Prerer Faure collection contains only seven specimens of

this fine 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. spes.

3 specimens; adult.

P.F. 2798. Vasco de Gama Peak N. 71° E, 418 miles, 230 fms.

Stn, 2 specimens; adult.

The Echinoderm Fauna of South Africa. 37

P.F. 13225. Cove Rock, N. W. 3/, W., 13 miles, 80—4130 fms.

Crl. and r. 2 specimens; adult.

OPHIOTHRIX FRAGILIS.

Asterias fragilis Abildgaard, 1789. In Miiller’s Zool. Dan., vol. 3,

ps 205 ply. XC Vill

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 [ 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 ¢riglochis 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. 8S. and mussel-

beds. 6 specimens; adult.

OPHIOTHRIX TRIGLOCHIS.

Miller and Troschel, 1842. Sys. Ast., p. 144. Koehler, 41904.

Mem. Soc. Zool. France, vol. 17, p. 81, figs. 44—45,

The PierErR 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 ftriglochis. The smallest is only 25 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 imeluding 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 fragilis. Compared directly with

Saldanha Bay specimens however, several differences are obvious;

the radial shields are much smaller in triglochis, the disk spines,

much Jess 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 O, roseocoerulans Grube of St. Helena is

not to be separated from triglochis 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

triglocns.

The Pierer Faure collected triglochis at the following points:

P.F. 106A. 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.

spes. 1 specimen; adult.

P.F, 590. Algoa Bay, 33°50’S. x 25°54’ E., depth and bottom

not recorded, 4 specimen; young.

P.F. 769. Near East London, 32°52'S, x 28°42’ K., depth and

bottom not recorded, 30 specimens; adult,

The Echinoderm Fauna of South Africa. 339

P.F. 859. Off Great Kei River, 32° 45’S. x 28°26’E., 36 fms.

Stns. 7 specimens; adult and young.

S.A.M. 3014. False Bay, Cape Colony. Littoral. Dr. Purcell coll.

12 specimens; adult.

P.F. 3028. Cape Point, N.W. by W. 3/, W., 143/, miles, 45 fms.

M. and r. 4 specimen; adult.

P.F. 10354. Gericke Point, N. 3/, E., Knysna E. 3/, N., 46 fms.

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. 4 specimen; very young.

P.F. 12360. Umbhlangakulu 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!/, W., 3 miles, 20 fms.

Brk. shs. 8 specimens; adult.

P.F. 13068. Hood Point, N. by W. '/, W., 14 miles, 49 fms.

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. 414 specimens; adult and young.

P.F. 13280. Cove Rock, N.E. by E. }/, E., 4 miles, 22 fms. R.

and brk. sh. 41 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. by W. }/, 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.,

cr]. and stns. 20 specimens; adult and young.

P.F. 15502. False Bay, Cape Colony, 22 fms. 5S. and sh. 2 spec-

imens; young.

P.F. 16231. False Bay, Cape Colony, 22 fms. Brk. sh. 4 spec-

imen; very young.

P.F. 17468. False Bay, Cape Colony, 9 fms. S.andsh. 14 spec-

imens; adult and young.

P.F, 18282. False Bay, Cape Colony, 8—10 fms. R. 15 spec-

imens; adult and young.

Bathymetrical range, shore to 51 fms.

340 Annals of the South African Museum.

OPHIOTHRIX LONGIPEDA.

Ophiura longipeda Lamarck, 1816. Anim. s. Vert., vol. 2, p. 544,

Ophiothrix longipeda Miller and Troschel, 1842. Syst. Ast., p. 143.

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. @apres Nature, pl. 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. 4 specimen; small adult.

P.F. 12405. Itongazi River, N.W., 3/, W., 3 miles, 25 fms. R.

and st. 4 specimens; adult and young.

Delagoa Bay, P.E.A. K. H. Barnard, Oct. 14912. 4 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 O. 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. d41

OPHIOTHRIX POECILODISCA.

H. L. Clark, 1915. Mem. M.C.Z., vol. 25, p. 276; pl. 43, fig. 5.

cn)

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, 1869. 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.

Ophiura marmorata Lamarck, 1816. Anim. s. Vert., vol. 2, p. 543.

Opiocnemis marmorata Miiller and Troschel, 1842. Sys. Ast., p. 87.

Déderlein, 1888. Zool. Jahrb., vol. 3, pl. XXXII, figs. 6a—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. 4 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 O. 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 O. 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 Echinoderm Fauna of South Africa. 343

* OPHIOTHELA DIVIDUA.

Von Martens, 1879. Sitzb. Berlin Ges. Nat. Fr., p. 127, figs. 1-4.

Three of von Marten’s cotypes are in the M.C. Z. collection. They

were taken at Algoa Bay on alcyonarian coral. There is nothing

for me to add to the original description, but it may be 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

6f the radial shields, and at intervals across the arm, are conspicuous.

OPHIOCHITONIDAE.

This small family was not previously known from South Africa

but the Prerer FaAuRE has detected three species, representing the

two most characteristic

each other as follows:

genera. They may be distinguished from

Key to the South African Species of Ophiochitonidae,

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.

Ophiolepis dubia Miller and Troschel, 1842. Sys. Ast., p.94. Savigny,

1809. Descr. de Egypte (Audouin): Rayonnes, pl. 4, figs. 3'-3",

Ophionereis dubia Lyman, 1865. Illus. Cat. M. C. Z., no. 4, p. 149.

This species was not previously known from south of Zanzibar but

the Pirrer 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 65 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

BY 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. é;

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., 64 miles, 51 fms. Brk. sh.,

and st. 1 specimen; small adult, diskless,

P.F. 13520. East London, N.W. by W. '/, 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,

1865,0 Mls; Cat. MiYCs 7.) nod. p; Aad SticsMand els:

The Pirrer 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 im 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 Prerer Faure specimens range from 5°5 to 145 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

15280 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 arms 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. 507A. Algoa Bay, 33°58'S. «x 25°54’ H., 25 fms. R.,, blk.

spe 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. Umhlangakulu River, N.W. by W., 7 miles, 50 fms.

S. and sh. 3 specimens; adult and young.

P.F. 12405. Itongazi River, N.W. 3/, W., 3 miles, 25 fms. S. and

st. 5 specimens; adult and young.

P.F. 13068. Hood Point, N.W. by W. !/, W., 14 miles, 49 fms.

Brk, sh. 4 specimen; young.

P.F. 13280. Cove Rock, N.E. by E. 1/, E:, 4 miles, 22 fms. R.

and brk. sh. 1 specimen; small adult.

P.F, 13520. East London, N.W. by W. 3/, W., 2 miles. Depth?

S. and brk, sh. 1 specimen; small adult.

Bathymetrical range, 22-50 fms.

OPHIOCHITON AUSTRALIS *, sp. nov.

Platé XX. ~ Figs. 4,. 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

‘0-75 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 15 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

* qustralis = southern, in reference to the locality where found.

346 Annals of the South African Museum.

proximal, rounded; proximal sides longer than distal; madreporite

of holotype, larger and much longer than the other shields, its

distal 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

first wider than long but soon becoming longer than wide, broadly

in contact; the distal margin is slightly convex and the lateral mar-

eins 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. SAT

P.F. 11556. Tugela River, N.W. by N., 22 miles, 47 fms. Brk.

sh, 2 specimens; small adults.

Holotype, South African Museum no. A 6439.

This species so closely resembles Ophionereis porrecta 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 grandis, than to any of the Pacific

species. Excepting O. lentus, 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 PirreR Faure and | 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 scolopendrina

which Lyman reports was taken at Simon’s Bay, Cape of Good Hope,

in 10-20 fms. 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, | suspect there was some mistake about the locality label,

and [ shall not believe that Ophiocoma occurs on the coasts of Cape

Colony until further specimens are secured. Koehler has described

an Ophiopsila (O. paucispina) trom 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 less whitish on under side of arms; arms

5—8 times disk-diameter : < : Ophiocoma scolopendrina.

Colour very dark, nearly or quite black; no hght 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 schoenleinir.

Colour more or less light and variegated . . Ophiocoma valenciae.

Disk free from granules, but usually with a few scattered, blunt spines

Ophiomastia venosa.

OPHIOCOMA SCOLOPENDRINA.

Ophiura scolopendrina Lamarck, 1816. Anim. s. Vert., vol. 2, p. 544.

Ophiocoma scolopendrina Miller and Troschel, 1842. Syst. Ast., p. 101.

H. L. Clark, 1915. Mem. M.C. Z., vol. 25, pl. 14, figs. 10, 41.

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 scolopendrina.

* OPHIOCOMA ERINACEUS.

Miller and Troschel, 1842. Syst. Ast., p. 98. H. L. Clark, 4915. Mem.

MiyC..2., vol. 25; pl, do) figss ous

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, | 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 Echinoderm Fauna of South ‘Africa, 349

* OPHIOCOMA SCHOENLEINII.

Miller and Troschel, 1842. Syst. Ast., p. 99. H. L. Clark, 1915. Mem.

ew GsZ., vol. 25, spls-15:5 fies. A.) 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 Kast Indies, the record must be regarded as dubious, to say

the least.

* OPHIOCOMA VALENCIAE.

Miller and Troschel, 1842. Syst. Ast., p. 402. H. L. Clark, 1915. Mem.

ME CUZ vobe2o pl. AG. ‘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 Ophi-

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,

350 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 conspicaously bare plates on diek- upper arm-plates often fragmented

Ophioderma wahlbergu.

CRYPTOPELTA ASTER.

Ophiopeza aster Lyman, 1879. Bull. M. C. Z., vol. 6, p. 50; pl. XIV,

figs. 395-397.

Cryptopelta aster H. L. Clark, 1909. Bull. M. C. Z., vol. 52, p. 434.

The rediscovery of this interesting species, and the collecting of a

good series of specimens, is one of the noteworthy results of the

Pierer Faure’s work. In disk-diameter, the specimens range from

25 to 13 mm.; the largest is thus somewhat larger than Lyman’s

type. The ta 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 45 mm. has arms 9 mm.; one with disk 65, 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 (7-13 fms.) But his specimens have decidedly

longer arms and more arm-spines and [ am inclined to think a

comparison of specimens would show that the South African and

East Indian species of Cryptopelta are not identical. The PirTER

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. 41359. Tugela River, N.W. by N.1/, 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/, E., 5 miles, 43 fms. St. and brk.

sh. 7 specimens; adult and young.

The Echinoderm Fauna of South Africa. 301

P.F. 14365. Cape St. Blaize, N.E. by N.3/, N., 94 miles, 116 fms.

S., sh., and r. 1 specimen; adult.

Bathymetrical range, 43-230 fms.

OPHIARACHNELLA CAPENSIS.

Pectinura capensis Bell, 1888. Proc. Zool. Soc. London, p. 282; pl. 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 Prerer 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 (145 mm.) the colored bands

on the arms are so faintly indicated as to be practically wanting,

while in the smallest (95 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.

Pee odd) Aleoa Bay, .33° 085. >< 257517 H.25) fms... KR. bik.

spks. 4 specimen; small adult.

S.A.M. No. 3013. False Bay, Cape Colony. Littoral. Dr. Purcell

coll. 4 specimen; large adult.

P.F. 12359. Umhlangakulu River, N.W. by N., 7 miles, 50 fms.

S. and sh. 4 specimen; adult.

OPHIODERMA LEONIS.

Déderlein, 1910. Schultze’s Zool. Anthr. Ergeb., vol. 4, lfg. 1,

pe zozespl. Vo chigs. 4, da.

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

52 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 Déderlein is right in suspect-

ing that Lyman’s specimens were not tonganum but were identical

with the species, /eonis, from Liideritzbucht, S.W. Africa. Déder-

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 tonganum, | 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 propinguum. 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 Déderlein’s

specimens. This accounts for Mr. Lyman’s statement (apropos ton-

ganum) “occasionally radial shields naked”. I am inclined to think

that in the young the radial shields are naked but become covered

at full maturity (Déderlein’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 Déderlein’s figure; his descrip-

tion, saying they are for the most part granulated, does not seem

to me accurate. Curiously enough, one of the PiererR FAuRE spec-

imens, shows exactly the same tusion of an oral shield (apparently

the madreporite) with an adoral plate which is so well shown in

Déderlein’s figure. The colouration of the present specimens is

somewhat diversified; only two are gray, like Déderlein’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, 5 specimens; adult.

P.F.14714. Saldanha Bay, Cape Colony; littoral. 2 specimens; adult.

P.F, 18282. False Bay, Cape Colony; 8-10 fms. R. 1 spec-

imen; adult,

sipeninictiebinsheaiddiialreteatinds

The Echinoderm Fauna of South Africa. ee

* OPHIODERMA WAHLBERGII.

Miller and Troschel, 1842. Sys. Ast., p. 87.

This species, described 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 we

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 Miller and Troschel, the Natal species is very well character-

ized, and it is much to my regret that I find no specimens in the

PiererR Faure collection.

OPHIOLEPIDIDAE.

This large, cosmopolitan family is well represented in South

African waters, by a small but diversified group of species, belong-

ing to seven genera, three of which are of worldwide distribution,

one is a distinctly Indo-Pacific 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 . 3 : : : : : . Astrophiura cavellae.

Basal segments of adjoining arms separated by genital plates

Ophiomisidiwm pulchellum.

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.

ive)

—

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 . . E Ophwura trrorata.

Arm-spines 3, moderately long, ee 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. eRe elongated, little or not at all in

contact ; E ‘ Ophiura trimeni.

Radial shields pushed pak 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 baal 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 pactficum.

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 : 5 : Ophioplocus imbricatus.

ASTROPHIURA CAVELLAE.

Koehler, 1915. Bull. Inst. Ocean., no. 311, p. 4, figs. 4-6.

It was with great pleasure that I found in the Prerer 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 Vaxprvia collected a species

The Echinoderm Fauna of South Africa. 300

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

Weltmeeres, p. 488). In 1915, 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 Sagami Sea, Japan. Finally

Koehler in 1915 (/.¢.) gave full descriptions of the five specimens

taken by the VaxpiviA, 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 (permira) 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 Prerer 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

PirrER 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

Job Annals of the South African Museum.

extramarginal 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, | am very sceptical as to there being any true

specific distinction between cavellae and permira. It would be per-

fectly possible to consider the Pierer 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 VaLpryra specimens, I think they must be considered

cavellae. 1 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 (4879, 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 Astrophiwra 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.1/, 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., pl. III, figs. 1-3.

Ophiomisidium pulchellum 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

The Echinoderm Fauna of South Africa. 307

Astrophiura and at no other station. The specimens are 3 to 45 mm,

in disk diameter and show no trace of genital slits.

P.F. 1909. Cape St. Blaize, N. by E.}/, E., 67 miles, 90-100 fms.

Rough bottom. 4 specimens; adult and young.

OPHIURA COSTATA.

Ophioglypha costata Lyman, 1878. Bull. M.C. Z., vol. 5, p. 76; pl. LV,

figs. 92-94,

Ophiura costata Meissner, 1901. Bronn’s Thierreichs, vol. 2, pt. 3, p. 925.

Ophiozona capensis Bell, 1905. Mar. Inv. South Africa, vol. 3, p. 256;

peel tgs, 2:

Matsumoto (1915, Proc. Philadelphia Acad. Nat. Sci., p. 841) first

called attention to the fact that Bel’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 PirreR Faure collection, I was struck by their

resemblance to Ophiwra 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-group 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 PrererR 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

398 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. 461A. Off Cape of Good Hope, 34°38’ 8. x 18°33’ E.,

110 fms. Bottom? 1 specimen; young.

P.F. 2216. Lion’s Head, E. 18 miles, 104 fms. Blk. specs, 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., 43 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.

Ophioglypha irrorata Lyman, 1878. Bull. M. C. Z., vol. 5, p. 73;

pl. IV, figs. 106-108.

Ophiura irrorata Meissner, 1901. Bronn’s Thierreichs, vol. 2, pt.3, p. 925.

This characteristic species from the abyssal fauna is represented

in the Prerer 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. 309

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 proximally. 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.?/, E., 40 miles, 800-900 fms.

Gn. m. 4 specimens; young.

P.F. 16991. Cape Point, N.E. by E. ¥/, E., 43 miles, 900 fms.

Gn. m. 4 specimens; adult and young.

P.F. 17268. Cape Point, EK. 3/, 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. 141 specimens; young.

P.F. 17351. Cape Point, N. 86° E., 43 miles, 900-1000 fms.

Grey m. 14 specimen; young.

OPHIURA FLAGELLATA.

Ophioglypha flagellata Lyman, 1878. Bull. M. C. Z., vol. 5, p. 69;

pl. I, figs. 49-54.

Ophiura flagellata Meissner, 1901. Bronn’s Thierreichs, vol. 2, pt.3, p. 925.

The specimens in the Prerer Faure collection are all young

(75-14 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/, 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. rt

P.F. 17631. Cape Point, N. 841° E., 32 miles, 460 fms. Gn. m.

1 specimen; young.

OPHIURA TRIMENI.

Bell, 1905. Mar. Inv. South Africa, vol. 3, p. 257; pl. 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 140 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., 48 miles, 180 fms. Gn. s.,

blk. sps. 2 specimens; adult.

P.F. 15038. Lion’s Head, S.E. 1/, 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. 4 specimen; adult.

The Echinoderm Fauna of South Africa. 361

P.F. 18933. Southeast from Cape Agulhas, 36° 40’S. x 21° 26’ E.,

200 fms. Gn. s. 19 specimens; adult and young.

Bathymetrical range, 1341-900 fms.

DICTENOPHIURA * ANOIDEA **, gen. et sp, nov.

Plate XIX. Figs. 4, 2.

Disk 6°25 mm. in diameter; arms, 15 mm. long; arms about two

and a half times disk-diameter. Disk flat, 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

five 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 armplates, 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 fine papillae, lying just underneath and within the true

armcomb. Papillae of latter, 45-20, 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 flat; 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.

* Ais = double + xteis (root, xrev-) = comb + ophiura, in reference to the

double arm-comb between the elevated ends of the genital plates. The type of

the genus is Ophiwra carnea Liitken. The only other species are Ophioglypha

stellata Studer and the new South African one about to be described.

** °'4 privative + oidéos = 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 4°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.

Cal. 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/, 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 Echinoderm Fauna of South Africa. 363

P.F. 16231. False Bay, Cape Colony, 22 fms. 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 Kast 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; pl. 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. Warp of the University of Illinois for study.

P.F. 13721. Great Fish Point, N. by W. 3/, W., 17 miles, 100

fms. S., sh., st. 41 specimens; adult and young.

364 Annals of the South African Museum.

P.F. 13859. Glendower Beacon, N. !/, W., 24 miles, 100 fms.

Sh., st. 37 specimens; adult and young.

P.F. 13884. Nanquas Peak, N.W. '/, N., 15 miles, 49 fms. .S.,

blk. sps. 4 specimen; adult.

OPHIOCTEN PACIFICUM.

Liitken and Mortensen, 1899. Mem. M.C.Z., vol. 23, p. 131;

pl. IU, figs. 5-7.

These specimens agree well not only with the description and

figures of Liitken and Mortensen, but with numerous specimens of

pacificum 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. 1/, E., 40 miles, 800-900 fms.

Gn. m. 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 Pomt, N. 86° E., 43 miles, 900-1000 fms.

Grey m. 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. 46758. Cape Point, N.E. by E. 3/, E., 38 miles, 755 fms.

Gn. m. 1 specimen; young.

P.F. 16905. Cape Point, N.E. by KE. 3/, E., 40 miles, 800-900

fms. Gn. m, 2 specimens; young.

P.F. 16928 B. Cape Point, N.E. by E. }/, E., 40 miles, 800-900

fms. Gn. m. 3 specimens; adult and young.

P.F. 17268. Cape Point, E. 3/, N., 42 miles, 930 fms. Gn. m.

2 specimens; young.

The Echinoderm Fauna of South Africa. 365

* 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

@apres Nature, pl. V, fig. 4.

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; pl. VI, figs. 470-172.

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.

PE 4167305 Cape’ Point, NE: by ES 4, E538" miles, 755 fms.

Gn. m. 1 specimen; adult.

P.F. 16781. Cape Point, N.E. by E., 36 miles, 650-700 fms. Gn.

m. 4 specimens; adult and young.

P.F. 17183. Cape Point, E. 3%/, N., 38 miles, 6380 fms. Gn. m.

17 specimens; adult and young.

P.F. 17303. Cape Point, E. 3/, N., 44 miles, 890 fms. Gn. m.

1 specimen; adult.

P.F. 17441. Cape Point, E. 1/, 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. m.

9 specimens; adult.

Bathymetrical range, 460-890 fms.

306 Annals of the 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 ENpDEAvouR 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, m South African waters, they make up more than twenty

per cent of the echimoderm 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 Parechinus

angulosus is at all common on the Cape Colony coast.

Déderlein, in his list mentioned previously (see p. 222), gives 25

species of Echini as occuring in water under 278 fms., but one of

these (Protocentrotus annulatus) is synonymous with another (Pare-

chinus 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 43 are in Déderlein’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 Déderlein 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 25

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 417 continental echini, we find that there are 14 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 off the coasts of

both southern South America and southeastern Australia, one is

West Indian and two are well-known North Atlantic forms. It

ought to be added further that of the 14 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 West Indian

region. This makes up nearly the whole of the continental fauna,

and has one representative in the littoral and one in the abyssal

eroup. 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 west.

The 44 species of sea-urchins here listed belong to no fewer than

21 families. The Palaeopneustidae. is the only one of the other eight

families of Echini large enough to make its absence worthy of eom-

ment. The 21 families are distinguishable from each other as

indicated in the following key. Under each family will be found a

key to its South African species, when more than one occurs in the

area covered by this report.

368 Annals of the South African Museum.

Key to the South African Families of Echini.

Mouth and periproct central and opposite.

Primary tubercles perforate.

Ambulacral plates simple.

Peristome covered with numerous small plates. : Cidaridae.

Peristome with only ten large, buccal plates . Aspidodiadematidae.

Ambulacral plates compound, at least orally.

Test more or less flexible, or at least not very rigid; periproct more

or less leathery; spines slender, hollow.

Peristome not covered by ambulacral plates Centrechinidae.

Peristome covered by five double columns of perforated ambul-

acral plates . : Echinothuridae.

Test rigid; periproct well pera spines stout, solid . Pedinidae.

Primary tubercles imperforate.

Large, permanent, suranal plate, similar to those of oculo-genital ring,

present . : : . Salenidae.

Suranal plate, if Brea ee or large, ane at all like those of oculo-

genital ring.

In midzone, every four or five ambulacral plates fused together and

grown over by one large primary tubercle. Stomopneustidae.

Ambulacral plates in midzone, not thus fused together.

Ambitus circular.

Periproct covered by 4 ae 3,5 or more) similar, trian-

gular plates. : . Arbacudae.

Periproct covered by Pere or many dissimilar, and usually,

irregularly arranged plates.

Ambulacral plates made up of 3 elements; ambitus at

or below equator.

Test, at least abactinally or in midzone, more or

less sculptured or ornamented with deep pits or

furrows : : Temnopleuridae.

Test not sculptured, atte or furrowed Echainidae.

Ambulacral plates made up of 4 or more elements; or

if only 3 are present, ambitus above equator

Strongylocentrotidae.

Ambitus elliptical . : : ‘ Echinometridae.

Mouth central or anterior; periproct posterior, often on oral surface.

Mouth central, with jaws.

Auricles (of perignathic co separate; test not discoidal; genital

pores 5. 5 ; . : . Clypeastridae.

Auricles fused into a anele plece.

Test not discoidal and with no lunules or marginal slits.

Petals more or less perfect; madreporic pores numerous; test

flattened, moderate or large. 7 : . Laganidae.

Petals reduced, often rudimentary; only one madreporic pore;

test small, 5—8 mm. long, rarely up to 15 mm., but often

relatively high 5 5 : : . Fibularudae,

The Echinoderm Fauna of South Africa. 369

Test discoidal, with lunules or marginal slits, at least in posterior

half (South African species). > ; . WScutelldae.

Mouth anterior without jaws.

Interambulacrum 5 not essentially different orally from the other inter-

ambulacra : : : : 2 : . Nucleolitidae.

Interambulacrum 5 modified orally to form a sternum.

Labrum (i.e. primordial plate, adjoining mouth, in interambulacrum 5)

followed by a single plate.

Mouth horizontally placed on oral surface of test Urechinidae.

Mouth vertical at the end of an oral invagination or furrow

Pouritalesudae.

Labrum followed by a pair of nearly, or quite, equal large plates,

Subanal fasciole wanting . : : . Hemiasteridae.

Subanal fasciole present . : 2 . Spatangidae.

CIDARIDAE.

This interesting family is poorly represented in South African

waters, only one species, and that not a littoral one, being known

certainly from south of Mozambique. Two widespread Indo-Pacific

species occur at that point and perhaps somewhat further down the

coast. The three forms may be distinguished from each other as

follows. *

Key to the South African Species of Cidaridae.

Primary spines short, cylindrical and stout, barely equal to, or shorter than, test-

diameter, truncate or at least very blunt, with no purple spots or lines at base

Eucidaris metularia.

* It is difficult to determine whether any other species of Cidaridae occurs at

Mozambique. Peters (1855, Seeigel von Mossambique, p. 118) lists Cidaris verti-

cillata without comment and it is impossible to say whether he met with the

species at Mozambique or at the Kerimba Islands. That the latter is the locality

to which he referred is indicated by the fact that Mr. J. J. Simpson collected a

small specimen of verticillata there some ten years ago. In his report on Simpson’s

collection, Rudmose Brown (1910, Proc. Roy. Phys. Soc. Edinburgh, vol. XVIII,

p- 36) misspells the specific name, so that it reads verticulata. In this same report

Brown records ten specimens of Goniocidarvs, canaliculata from the Kerimba Islands;

he also lists Natal and Zanzibar as localities for this South American species.

Obviously his locality records are taken from the “Revision*. Mortensen’s most

important review of the cidarids in 1903 and my paper on the group in 1907

were evidently unknown to Mr. Brown. It is practically certain that canaliculata

does not occur in South African waters. In view of the fact that Brown does

not list Hucidaris metularia, which is common at Mozambique, there is good reason

to believe his ten specimens called canaliculata are that species. This idea is

confirmed by his remarks about the spines.

370 Annals of the South African Museum.

Primary spines decidedly longer than test-diameter, or if shorter, with purple

spots or lines at base.

Primary spines with purple spots or longitudinal lines, conspicuous on the

base or “neck* . : - ; : Prionocidaris baculosa.

Primary spines with light-colored, unspotted neck Stereocidaris capensis.

EUCIDARIS METULARIA.

Cidarites metularia Lamarck, 1816. Anim. s. Vert., vol. 3, p. 56.

Eucidaris metularia Doderlein, 1887. Japan. Seeigel, p. 42.

Cidaris metularia A. Agassiz, 1873. Rev. Ech., pl. Ig, fig. 4.

Although Mr. Agassiz lists this species from the Cape of Good

Hope, on the strength of specimens in the British Museum, there is

little doubt that the locality label for these old specimens is not to

be trusted. Neither the CHALLENGER nor any of the other expeditions

which have collected at the Cape have met with this species there,

nor has it been taken by the Pizrer Faure. There are five speci-

mens in the collection of the South African Museum but they were

taken at Mozambique, by K. H. Barnard, along shore. There is no

evidence to warrant the belief that this sea-urchin occurs very much

to the south of that point.

PRIONOCIDARIS BACULOSA.

Cidarites baculosa Lamarck, 1816. Anim. s. Vert., vol. 5, p. 55.

Prionocidaris baculosa Mortensen, 14909. Gauss Ech., p. 50.

Phyllacanthus baculosa A. Agassiz, 1873. Rev. Kch., pl. If, figs. 4, 5.

There is in the collection a small specimen of this well known

Indo-Pacific species, which was taken by Mr. Barnard at Mozambique,

the most southerly point on the African coast, whence baculosa is

known. This specimen is only 28 mm. in diameter, with the longest

primaries a trifle more. The “necks‘ of the primaries show clearly

the longitudinal purple lines.

It is of great interest to find in the PieTER Faure collection two

large primary spines (50-55 mm. long and 4-6-5 mm. in diameter)

which show the characteristic purple lines of this species. They are

undoubtedly from an individual identical with the small specimen

from Mozambique. They are more or less water-worn or at least

have that appearance and have undoubtedly been transported a long

distance by some agency; for they were dredged in 25 fms. on a

bottom of broken shells, two miles off the Umtwalumi River, Natal,

hundreds of miles south of the known range of baculosa. They bear

the reference no, 12466, It is possible they were carried by a fish.

The Echinoderm Fauna of South Africa. 371

STEREOCIDARIS CAPENSIS.

Stereocidaris indica var. capensis Doderlein, 1901. Zool. Anz., vol. 25, p.19.

Stereocidaris capensis Déderlein, 1906. Vaupivia Ech., p. 1410; pl. X,

fies. 3-6.

This specimen, 62 mm. in diameter and 50 mm. high, with pri-

mary spines 75 mm. long, and only 4 mm. in diameter, does not

answer to the description of any known species, but [ have no doubt

that both it, and the two specimens of Cidaris reported by Bell

(1904, Mar. Inv. South Africa, vol. 5, p. 168) are to be referred to

the same species as the specimens taken by the VatpiviA on Agulhas

Bank. None of the VALDIVIA specimens was nearly so large as the

present individual, which is also peculiar in the relatively large

peristome, 28 mm. across. I am more and more inclined to think

that capensis and indica are identical and possibly one or more of

the Japanese species of this perplexing genus, is also to be referred

to indica. But more abundant material must be available before the

matter can be decided. The present specimen has the abactinal

system 31 mm. across and the ambulacra are, in width, *23 of the

interambulacra. There are, in each column, 7 or 8 coronal plates,

6 or 7 of which bore primary spines.

P.F. 14259. Cape St. Francis, N.E. by E., 32 miles. 74 fms. R.

1 specimen; adult.

ASPIDODIADEMATIDAE.

This small family of cosmopolitan, but abyssal, distribution was

not previously known from South Africa or from any of the neigh-

boring deeps. It is a matter of great interest therefore to find it in

the Prerer Faure collection, where it is represented by the following

species.

ASPIDODIADEMA NICOBARICUM.

Déderlein, 1906. Vatprvia Ech., p. 165; pl. XX, figs. 1-10.

The specimens at hand are 141-17 mm. in horizontal diameter, and

are therefore scarcely half as large as the original VALDIVIA specimens.

They resemble closely specimens in the M. C. Z. collection from the

Hawaiian Islands. The primary spines are only faintly purplish but

the test, especially actinally, is quite purple. The slender tridentate

pedicellariae of the abactinal region are very conspicuous with straight,

narrow valves about 2 mm. long. The species was formerly known

372 Annals of the South African Museum.

from near the Nicobar Islands, near the Kei Islands and from the

Hawaiian Islands.

P.F. 12793. East London, N.W. }/, N., 20 miles. 400-450 fms.

S., st. 4 specimens; small adults and young.

CENTRECHINIDAE.

This distinctly tropical, shallow-water family, is scarcely entitled

to a place in this report for it occurs only at Mozambique or as a

straggler southward to Natal. The’ three species, long known from

Mozambique, and two of which have been reported from as far south

as the Cape of Good Hope, are easily distinguished from each other

as follows.

Key to the South African Species of Centrechinidae.

Test and spines black or blackish; primary spines sometimes banded, black and

white.

Ambulacral primary spines not essentially different from those of inter-

ambulacra; ambulacra with few or no secondary spines abactinally and nar-

rower there than at ambitus; a conspicuous abactinal white spot in life, in

each interambulacrum ‘ ; . Centrechinus setosus.

Ambulacral spines filiform, most ae near tip; ambulacra with numerous

secondary tubercles abactinally, ane distinctly wider there than at ambitus;

interambulacral primary spines fragile, diameter of their central cavity more

than half diameter of spine; minute teeth on spine in distinctly separated

whorls ; : Echinothriz calamaris.

Test and and spines of no aa: preentes aa red or red-brown, the prevailing

tints; test very flat . : : : : . Astropyga radiata.

CENTRECHINUS SETOSUS.

Echinometra setosa Leske, 1778. Add. ad Klein, p. 36; pl. XX XVII,

hess 2

Diadema setosa Gray, 1825. Ann. Phil., vol. 26, p. 426. (Auct. omnes).

Centrechinus setosus Jackson, 1912. Phyl. Ech., p. 28.

This well-known Indo-Pacific sea-urchin is represented in the col-

lection at hand, by a single specimen collected along shore at Mo-

zambique by K. H. Barnard. The test is about 35 mm. in diameter

and the primary spines are 65-70 mms. long. The characteristic

white spots in the interambulacra, abactinally, can still be detected,

which is unusual in dry specimens. The species has long been known

from Mozambique and Mr. Agassiz list’s it in the ‘‘Revision‘ from

Simon’s Bay, Cape of Good Hope. Bell (1904, Mar. Inv. 8. Africa,

vol. 3, p. 168) lists a young specimen from off Cape Morgan, in

The Echinoderm Fauna of South Africa. 373

77 fms. These records from the coast of Cape Colony do not seem

to me trustworthy though it cannot be denied that stragglers from

the Mozambique region may occur far down the coast.

ECHINOTHRIX CALAMARIS.,

Echinus calamaris Pallas, 1774. Spic. Zool., vol. 1, fase. 10, p. 34.

Echinothrix calamaris Peters, 1853. Monatsb. Berlin Akad., p. 484.

A fine, though small, specimen of this beautiful sea-urchin lies

before me, taken at Mozambique by Mr. Barnard. No satisfactory

. figure has as yet been published of this remarkable echinoid. Leske,

(1778, Add. ad Klein, pl. XLV, figs. 1, 2) gives two recognizable

views and also (fig. 1 B) shows well one of the extraordinary pri-

mary spines, much enlarged. But a colored figure, taken from a

living specimen, is really necessary to give any fair idea of this,

perhaps the most lovely of sea-urchins. It has never been reported

from south of Mozambique but it is well-known throughout the

Indo-Pacific region.

Dr. Rudmose Brown (1910, Proc. Roy. Phys. Soc. Edinburgh, vol.

XVIII, p. 38) records a small specimen of this species from the

Kerimba Islands as E. turcarum. The differences between the two

species of Echinothrix are by no means great and are evidently not

clear in Dr. Brown’s mind,

ASTROPYGA RADIATA.

Cidaris radiata Leske, 1778. Add. ad Klein, p. 52.

Astropyga radiata Gray, 1825. Ann. Phil., vol. 26, p. 426. Peters,

1855. Seeigel von Mossambique, fig. 1 (as A. mossambica).

Although Bell says (1904, Mar. Inv. S. Afr., vol. 3, p. 169) that

Krauss long since collected this species at the Cape, I have no doubt

that the record is unreliable. Bell records young specimens from

four stations on the coast of Natal, north of 30°? S. lat. and two of

these, about 145 mm. in diameter, from the South African Museum

are before me. There is no reason to question the identification, but

the fact that they were taken six and a half miles off shore at a

depth of 48 fms. seems to warrant the opinion that they are only

stragglers from the north. The species is not in the PrererR FAuRE

collection. It is well known however from Mozambique and Zanzibar.

374 Annals of the South African Museum.

ECHINOTHURIDAE.

This remarkable family is sparingly represented in South African

seas. Two species are in the PreTER FAuRE collection and there is

little doubt that the same two species are mentioned by Bell [1904,

Mar. Inv. 8S. Afr., vol. 3, p. 169) as being in the collection he exam-

ined. He did not trouble to identify his specimens but simply says

they are “allied respectively to P. tenue A. Ag. and P. bursariwm

A. Ag.” The specimens before me are indeed allied to these Paci-

fic species but they are nevertheless North Atlantic forms. They

are easily distinguished from each other as follows.

Key to the South African Species of Echinothuridae.

Many actinal primary spines enclosed in skin bags, none with “hoofs”; abactinal

and actinal surfaces abruptly and strikingly unlike . Phormosoma placenta.

Actinal primary spines not enclosed in skin bags, some at least ending in “hoofs” ;

abactinal and actinal surfaces not abruptly and strikingly unlike

: Echinosoma petersw.

PHORMOSOMA PLACENTA.

Wyville Thomson, 1872. Proc. Roy. Soc. Edinburgh, vol. VII, no. 84,

p. 617. 4874, Porcupine Ech., pls. LXII and LXIII, figs. 4-8.

This well-known North Atlantic species is represented in the

PrereR Faure collection by a good series of specimens ranging from

7 to 120 mm. in diameter. The last is the largest specimen yet

recorded for this species. Bell (/.c¢.) says that the Phormosoma from

the Cape received by him was allied to P. bursariwm but I am

satisfied that the Pirrer Faure specimens are all placenta. I have

compared them with specimens of placenta, sigsbei, bursarium and

indicum and feel quite sure of the identification. They were taken

at the following stations:

P.F. 16702. Cape Point, N.E. by E. '/, E., 38 miles, 755 fms.

Gn. m. 2 specimens; adult.

P.F. 16744. Cape Point, N.E. by E. 'j, E., 38 miles, 755 fms.

Gn. m. 2 specimens; adult.

P.F, 16790. Cape Point, N.E. by E., 36 miles, 650-700 fms. Gn.

m. 3 specimens; adult.

P.F. 16902. Cape Point, N.E. by E. ¥/, E., 40 miles, 800-900

fms. Gn. m. 5 specimens; very young and young.

P.F. 16944. Cape Point, N.E. by E. 3/, E., 40 miles, 800-900

fms. Gn. m. 1 specimen; young.

. ee ee a ae a

The Echinoderm Fauna of South Africa. 37d

P.F. 17351. Cape Point, N. 83° E., 43 miles, 900-1000 fms.

Grey m. 6 specimens; young.

P.F. 17376. Cape Point, N. 81° E., 32 miles, 460 fms. Bottom?

41 specimen; very large adult.

P.F. 17440. Cape Point, N. 89° E., 36 miles, 700 fms. Bottom?

1 specimen; young.

Bathymetrical range, 460-1000 fms.

ECHINOSOMA PETERSII.

Phormosoma petersii A. Agassiz, 1880. Bull. M. C. Z., vol. 8, p. 76.

1885, Blake Ech., pls. X and XI.

Echinosoma petersii A. Agassiz and Clark, 1909. Mem. M. C. Z.,

vol. 34, p. 169.

I see no reason to doubt that the echinothurid to which Bell

refers (/.¢.) as allied to Phormosoma tenue is identical with one in

the PirTEeR Faure collection, which I believe to be the Caribbean

species HE, petersii. The only difference noticeable is that the primary

tubercles appear to be somewhat larger on the abactinal surface, than

they are in a Caribbean specimen of slightly larger size. The PrrTER

FAURE specimen is only about 125 mm. in diameter and is in poor

condition. The surface is so badly rubbed I could find no tridentate

pedicellariae and there are very few unbroken spines. There is a

small vial with hoofed spines in it accompanying the specimen but

there is no direct evidence to show that they actually came from

this specimen. They probably did however.

P.F. 12580. Cape Natal, N. by E., 24 miles, 440 fms. M. 4 spec-

imen; small adult.

PEDINIDAE.

This family, containing but one Recent genus, has not hitherto

been found in southern seas. One species is known from near the

Kei Islands but all the others are from north of the equator. The

occurrence therefore of a Coenopedina from deep water off the Cape

is a matter of very great interest. It appears to be an undescribed

form and may be named for the locality where it occurs, as two of

the other species have been.

COENOPEDINA CAPENSIS, Sp. Nov.

Plate XXII, Figsad 2:

Test 16 mm. in diameter and only 7 mm. high; height therefore

is about 44 h.d. Coronal plates 9 or 410 in a column, all, or all

but the uppermost, with primary tubercles and spines; interambu-

376 Annals of the South African Museum.

lacral areas in midzone, about 5°5 mm. wide. Ambulacral plates only

9, the uppermost and sometimes the two uppermost without primary

tubercles; ambulacra about 45 mm. wide in midzone; poriferous

areas very narrow, the pore-pairs in almost vertical arcs of three

near the outer margin of plate. Primary tubercles relatively large,

without crenulation, but conspicuously perforate. Abactinal system

85 mm. across; oculars moderately large, pentagonal, with pore

distal to center, and several small tubercles; all decidedly exsert;

genitals large, wider than high, heptagonal, well covered, except

along lateral and distal margins, with secondary and miliary tubercles ;

genital pore small, situated about half way between center of plate

and the distal tip; with the latter it is connected by a shallow furrow ;

anal system 425 mm. across, covered by numerous, small, thin,

Fig. 4. Abactinal view of portion of test of

Coenopedina capensis sp.nov. X 5.

somewhat overlapping plates, a dozen or more of which carry secon-

dary tubercles and spines, Peristome 7°5 mm. across, covered by

the five pairs of large buccal plates and numerous thin _peristomal

plates; a few of the largest of the latter carry pedicellariae while

the buccal plates in addition to numerous small tridentate and ophi-

cephalous pedicellariae, carry a very few secondary spines; gill cuts

so shallow as to be barely perceptible.

Primary spines all broken, so it is impossible to state their length

definitely, but the largest were *75—80 mm. in diameter at base and

were thus probably 15-20 mm. long; they are not at all hollow and

the surface is covered with 25-30 very delicate, parallel, longitudinal

ridges, which are microscopically serrate; secondary spines similar

but conspicuously smaller,

The Echinoderm Fauna of South Africa. 317

Pedicellariae fairly abundant, but only two kinds were noted,

ophicephalous and tridentate. The former are characteristic having the

markedly constricted valves found in cubensis, mirabilis and pulchella,

but different from those of any of these species in the wider blades

and the more abrupt contraction between blade and base; a typical

valve is about ‘27 mm. long, with the loop 40 mm. more; the ex-

panded part of blade is about “17 mm. wide and ‘11 long, while the

base of the valve is 19-20 mm. wide. The tridentate pedicellariae

are not abundant nor do they seem to reach a large size; the valves

are always straight and narrow and are more or less expanded, as

well as in contact, at the tip; the largest ones noted were ‘80 mm.

long. The ophicephalous pedicellariae are most common abactinally

while the tridentate occur chiefly on the coronal and buccal plates.

The calcareous plates of the tube-feet are very numerous, coarsely

reticulated, often narrow with drawn-out, rod-like ends.

Colour of test, dried from alcohol; dingy whitish, but whole genito-

ocular ring and the coronal plates immediately adjoining rich bright

purple in abrupt contrast; periproct very pale violet or at center,

whitish. Secondary spines whitish but the primaries above the am-

bitus are more or less markedly purple, though the basal portion

may be dull flesh-color or reddish.

P.F. 16902. Cape Point, N.E. by E.}/, E., 40 miles, 800-900 fms.

Gn. m. 14 specimen; young.

P.F. 17215. Cape Point, N. 77° E., distant? miles, 660-700 fms.

Gn. m. 2 specimens; small adult and young.

Holotype, South African Museum no. A 6432, P.F. 17215.

This very interesting sea-urchin is closely allied to C. hawaiiensis

from the Hawaiian Islands, but careful comparison shows a number

of differences of more or less value. Perhaps the most important of

these are in the ambulacra, which are composed of fewer and wider

plates; thus, in a specimen of hawaiiensis of the same size as the

holotype of capensis, there are 10 or 11 ambulacral plates and 8 inter-

ambulacral, as against 9 of each in the African species; moreover

the ambulacra are only about half as wide as the interambulacra,

while in capensis they may be four-fifths as wide. Another difference is

in the position of the genital pores, which are much further from

the distal angle of the plate in capensis than in hawaiiensis. The

periproctal plates in capensis are very thin and overlapping, while im

hawaiiensis they are much more like granules. The ophicephalous

pedicellariae in the two species are quite unlike. Although both

species are conspicuously purple abactinally, the contrast between the

purple and the dingy white of the greater part of the test is quite

378 Annals of the South African Museum.

marked in capensis whereas in the Hawaiian species, the purple fades

out more gradually in the midzone. In view of all these differences,

even though each is trivial in itself, it seems to me the two forms

must be regarded as distinct species. Both are abyssal forms, while

the other Recent species of the genus are inhabitants of the con-

tinental slope. The African species cannot be confused with the

Atlantic species, cubensis, the conspicuous purple of the abactinal

surface distinguishing it at a glance. But it agrees with that species

in having the peristome distinctly smaller than the abactinal system,

and in the general character of the ophicephalous pedicellariae.

SALENIIDAE.

This small, but old and interesting, family of little, deepwater

sea-urchins is represented on the Agulhas Bank by the following

species. No other saleniid is known nearer than Tristan d’Acunha.

* SALENIA PHOINISSA.

A. Agassiz and Clark, 1908. Mem. M.C. Z., vol. 34, p.54. See Déder-

lein, 1906, Vauprvia Ech., pl. XXI, figs. 2, 2a (as S. pattersont).

This is one of the characteristic species of the Agulhas Bank, where

it was taken by the VauLprviA in 56 fms.; but it must be rare, as

it has not been met with by the Pirrer Faure. The only other

living members of the genus are found in the West Indies and near

Japan.

STOMOPNEUSTIDAE.

This family contains but a single genus and probably the following

widely distributed Indo-Pacific form is the only species.

STOMOPNEUSTES VARIOLARIS.

Echinus variolaris Lamarck, 1816. Anim. s. Vert., vol. 3, p. 47.

Stomopneustes variolaris Agassiz, 1841. Mon. d’Ech.: Obs. Prog. Ree.

Hist. Nat. Ech., p. 7. A. Agassiz, 1873. Rev. Ech. pl. 1V), figs. 1-3.

There are two specimens in the collection before me, taken at

Mozambique by Mr. K. H. Barnard in November, 1912. The species

has long been known from this place but its occurrence south of

there is doubtful. Mr. Agassiz, in the ‘Revision, lists a specimen

from Natal, as occurring in the Stuttgart Museum, but there is a

strong probability of a mistake in the label,

The Echinoderm Fauna of South Africa. 379

ARBACIIDAE,

The discovery of a representative of this family in South African

seas was one of the interesting results of the VaLprtyra’s collecting

on the Agulhas Banks. Ddéderlein, at first, considered it identical

with the West Indian representative of the same genus but later

decided it was a distinguishable variety. In the Pirrer FAurE col-

lection is a magnificient specimen of what is apparently the same

species, which convinces me that the form may well be recognized

as a valid species, under the following name.

COELOPLEURUS INTERRUPTUS.

Plate XXI. Fig. 3.

Coelopleurus floridanus Doderlein, 1906. Vatpivia Ech., p. 184

(non A. Agassiz, 1872).

Coelopleurus floridanus var. interrupta Déderlein, 1910. Jena.

Denkschr., vol. 16, p. 257.

Déderlein had but a single small example (18 mm. in diameter)

of this interesting species and as he had no specimen of floridanus

at hand for comparison, it is not strange that he referred it to the

West Indian species, and gave no detailed description. The PieTerR

FAURE specimen is 43 mm. in diameter, somewhat larger than the

largest specimen of floridanus in the M. C. Z. collection. On com-

paring the two specimens one finds the following differences of taxo-

nomic importance.

In the first place the colouration of the Cape specimen is totally

different from that of floridanus. In the latter the bare interambu-

lacral area is prevailingly blue-violet, clearest on the distal half of

the genital plate and fading out rapidly towards the ambitus; there

are small blotches of pale brown proximally which increase rapidly

im size so that the brown occupies a much larger area than the

blue-violet; the sides of the interambulacra are bright scarlet-red,

the prevailing tint of the ambulacra. This general pattern of colora-

tion is shown in all (16) of the specimens of floridanus in the M.

C. Z. collection, the only diversity being in the brightness of the

shades and their relative extent; in some young individuals, the

brown is wanting and there remains the blue-violet and scarlet in

vivid contrast; more commonly the shades are paler or duller and

the brown is replaced by greenish-white or dirty whitish; some dry

specimens are quite dingy but this is usually due to superficial

foreign matter. Now in the fine specimen of interruptus 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

differences interruptus, viewed as a whole, looks quite unlike any

specimen of floridanus | 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

35 mm. or about 45 per cent of the length. The ophicephalous

pedicellariae in both species have stalks about 4 mm. long and

The Echinoderm Fauna of South Africa. 381

valves *40—50 mm., not including the loops, but in floridanus, the

stalks are at base about "20 mm. 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 PrerER FAauRE 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. 46, p. 644) records

a specimen of Coelopleurus 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 Coeloplewrus living there is the West Indian,

the South African or an undescribed species.

P.F. 18707. Algoa Bay, Cape Colony, 30 fms. 1 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

PiererR 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 Yemnopleurus with a similar range. Three other species

of Temnopleurids are recorded from South Africa, all by Déderlein

(1906) in his Vauprvia 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 Yemnopleurus, | 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 Déderlem certainly knows the species

of Temnopleurus, it seems unlikely that this can be a case of mista-

ken identification. And yet, since reevesii is not otherwise known

from east of Ceylon, | am loth to include it among South African

382 Annals of the South African Museum.

echini. Until further evidence is forthcoming therefore I must con-

sider the young echinoid taken by the Vatpivia and recorded as

reevesil, 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 the 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, 1844. Pref. Val. Anat. Ech., p. VIII. A. Agassiz, 1873,

Rey. lich. pl. Ville; figs, 14, AD:

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. 4, p. 156), Salmacis suleata (= S. sphaeroi-

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 Echinoderm 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 torewmaticus; hence Junod’s identi-

fication and record are vindicated. The larger is 38 mm. 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 Déderlein, 1905. Zool. Anz., vol. 28, p. 622.

1906, Vaupivia Ech., p. 196; pls. XXV, fig, 14; XXXV, fig. 6.

The VAupivia took a single specimen of this East Indian species,

with the following, southeast of Mossel Bay, in 276 fms.

* LAMPRECHINUS NITIDUS.

Déderlein, 1905. Zool. Anz., vol. 28, p. 622. 1906, Vaxpivia Kch.,

p. 190; pls. XX XIII, figs. 1, 2, XXXV, fig. 44.

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 Déderlein 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

384 Annals 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. : : : : é : 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 defined; 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 angulosus.

Gill cuts deep and sharply defined; size large Toxopneustes pileolus.

Ambulacral pores in 3 vertical series, forming very broad poriferous areas

Tripneustes gratulla.

* ECHINUS HORRIDUS.

A. Agassiz, 1879. Proc. Amer. Acad., vol. 14, p. 203. Déderlein, 1906,

Vauprvia Ech., p. 220; pl. XXVIII, figs. 1c. H. L. Clark, 1916,

EnpEavour Kch., p. 109; pls. XXXIX and XL.

The VaupiviA 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. Déderlein, 1906,

Vaupivia Kch., p. 2413; pl. X XVI.

It seems a little strange that the PieTER FaurRE 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

Déderlein make the recognition of the species easy. It was listed

The Echinoderm 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 fms. The VaLprvIA 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

Echinus, when compared with the northern acutus, which seems to

be its nearest relative. As in the northern species, the proportional

height of the test varies greatly.

PARECHINUS ANGULOSUS.

Cidaris angulosa Leske, 1778. Add. ad Klein, p. XVII, 28.

Parechinus angulosus Mortensen, 1905. Ixcoitr Ech., pt. 4, p. 108.

4909, Gauss Kch., pls. VIII, figs. 7, 8; IX, figs. 8 and 10.

Protocentrotus annulatus Mortensen, 1909, Gauss Ech., p. 61; pl. VIII,

figs. 9-13,

The series sent me from the South African Museum is of the

greatest interest and value, for it shows that this characteristic South

African urchin does occur as far north as Mozambique, that Mortensen’s

proposed species annulatus is only a phase of this variable species,

and that another phase seems to be isolated as a recognizable variety

in Saldanha Bay.

Ludwig (1899, Ech. Sansibar., p. 555) suggested that the specimens

of angulosus recorded by Agassiz, in the Revision, from Mozambique

were probably Lytechinus verruculatus and he accordingly lists them

under that specific name. But the three specimens in the present

collection, taken at Mozambique, although small, are almost certainly

anaulosus and it is therefore likely Mr. Agassiz’s record should stand,

and the name verruculatus must then be stricken from the Zanzibar list.

I am fortunate in having at hand three of Mortensen’s original

specimens (cotypes) of annulatus and have therefore been able to

compare them directly with the young angulosus in the PIETER FAURE

collection. The lot from 17486 is particularly instructive, as they

range from 10 to 18 mm. in diameter and show great diversity of

colour (see J. S. Thomson. A. M. N. H. (8). 412. p. 190. 1913); one

has all the spines orange-red except those around the peristome

where the red fades to white; another has all the spines light

violet; but in most, the spines are more or less annulated usually

with dusky but sometimes with white. Examination of the ambulacra

of these, and other young specimens shows that the characters sup-

posed to distinguish annulatus are not regularly correlated with banded

spines, but many specimens with unicolorous spines have numerous

ambulacral plates and small tubercles. The only conclusion I can

386 Annals of the South African Museum.

reach is that annulatus is simply based on young specimens of

angulatus which have banded spmes, and unless adult specimens are

found retaining this feature I do not see how we can use the name

even in a varietal sense.

All of the specimens in the present collection from Saldanha Bay,

on the west coast of Cape Colony are conspicuous for having white

spines; the white is often tinged with green or rarely with purple,

but the pale, unicolourous spines are in striking contrast to the

ereenish or reddish test. In view of the constancy of the character

and the geographical isolation of the locality, I think this form may

well be designated as variety PALLIDUS. The test is noticeably flat-

tened and the buccal membrane has very few calcareous plates out-

side the circle of buccal plates. None of the specimens (the largest

is 25 mm. h.d. and 114°5 mm. high) has an insert ocular. In some

particulars this variety reminds one of the Marion Island form of

magellanicus but when placed side by side, the differences between

the two forms are obvious.

Among the specimens sent me from Capetown are half a dozen

young ones, two each from the lots 180, 182 and 4183 of Bell’s

report (1904, Mar. Inv. S. Afr., vol. 3, p. 171) and which he listed

as “Echinus juv. Although Bell has not seen these particular spec-

imens there is no doubt they are identical with his. I see no reason

for considering them anything but young angulosus. Aside from these

half dozen specimens, the localities for which are given in Bell’s

report, the material of angulosus in the collection sent me is from

only the three following stations. There are however in the M.C. Z.

collection more than a hundred additional specimens, all of which I

have examined.

P.F. 14642. Off Saldanha Bay, west coast of Cape Colony, 20 fms.

S., sh., r. 54 specimens; adult and young.

P.F. 17486. False Bay, Cape Colony, 9 fms. 8., sh. 14 specimens;

young.

Mozambique, Nov. 1912, K. H. Barnard. 35 specimens; young.

* TOXOPNEUSTES PILEOLUS.

Echinus pileolus Lamarck, 1816. Anim. s. Vert., vol. 3, p. 45.

Valenciennes, 1846. Voy. Venus: Zoophytes, pls. 8 and 9.

Toxopneustes pileolus Agassiz, 1844. Int. Mon. Scut., p. 7.

This well known Indo-Pacific species is recorded from Mozambique

by Bell (1884, ALerr Rep., p. 510).

The Echinoderm Fauna of South Africa, 387

TRIPNEUSTES GRATILLA.

Echinus gratilla Linné, 1758. Sys. Nat. ed. 10, p. 664.

Tripneustes gratilla Lovén, 1887. Ech. Linn., p. 77.

This widely distributed Indo-Pacific 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 VaLpivra on the con-

tinental slope of South Africa and has been met with three times

by the Prerer Faure 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 Pierer 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. Echinostrephus 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 ; : . Paracentrotus agulhensis.

Size large, up to 80 mm. hd; eine from more than half to nearly two-

thirds h.d.; peristome less than one-fourth h.d.; tridentate pedicellariae with

straight narrow jaws, 1—2 mm. long, abundant Paracentrotus grandis.

* ECHINOSTREPHUS MOLARE.

Echinus molaris Blainville, 1825. Dict. Sci. Nat.: Oursin, p. 88.

Echinostrephus molare A. Agassiz, 1872. Rev. KEch., pt. 1, p. 119.

4873, Rev. Ech., pt. 3, p. 457; pl. Va, 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 Mozam-

388 Annals of the South African Museum.

bique is not unlikely but needs confirmation, The occurrence south

of there seems unlikely. Mr. Agassiz’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.

Déderlein, 1905. Zool. Anz., vol. 28, p. 623. 41906, Vauprvia EKch.,

p. 207; pls. XXVII, figs. 1-4; XXXYV, fig. 17; XLVII, fig. 4.

The Prerer 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 ambulacral plates, actinally and at midzone contain

only three elements, while abactinally they are perfectly simple;

the specimen is thus an Hehinus, a most interesting growth-stage!

The Prerer 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/, N., 42 miles, 930 fms, Gn. m.

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 351 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,

The Echinoderm Fauna of South 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 3-5 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 9 mm.

across, not very thickly covered with minute plates; there is no

conspicuous suranal but a plate, somewhat larger than the others,

adjoms 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 pedicellariae; 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

10-14, well-spaced; on adjoining ambulacral 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 ophi-

cephalous 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

‘60-220 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,

36° 49'S. x 24°14’ 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 Hehinus 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 imconceivable that these two specimens are

the full grown adults of agulhensis, 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 145 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. Dict. Sci. Nat.: Oursin, p. 94.

Echinometra mathaei Blainville, 1830. Dist. Sci. Nat.: Zodphytes, 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

FE. lucunter, Mr. Agassiz has given a single figure of a nearly bare

test (1873, Rev. Ech., pl. 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 Echinoderm 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 Prerer 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, [ have found a small Clypeaster,

also from Natal, in our collection, labelled Laganum decagonale, which

while clearly a Clypeaster is certainly not audouini. In the PIETER

Faure collection are two tantalizing specimens of Clypzaster, 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 PreTER FaurE specimen is a fragment of the lateral margin

of a large Clypeaster, which the coarse tuberculation shows is cer-

tainly neither audouini nor humilis. 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 41 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 reticulatus, fully adult specimens

of which are in the M. C. Z. collection from Mauritius. It seems

probable that the Prerer FAurE fragment comes from a species as

yet unknown to science.

392 Annals of the South 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.

Fourtau, 1904. Bull. Inst. Egypt, ser. 4, no. 4, p. 418; pl. I, figs. 1-3.

There are in the M. C. Z. collection three very good specimens of

this well-marked species, which were 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; pls. 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, altho it may not be denied

that it is possible it is a young audouini. The test is 36 mm. long

and 54 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 audouwini,

were it not for the PrereR 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 would 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

humilis from Ceylon, in practically every particular.

P.F. 12084. O’Neil Peak, N.W. 1/, W., 9 miles, 90 fms. Brk. sh.

1 specimen; very young,

The Echinoderm Fauna of South Africa. 395

LAGANIDAE.

This family has not hitherto been found on the South African

coasts but there is an unmistakable laganid, probably of the following

species in the PirrerR FAuRE collection.

LAGANUM DECAGONALE.

Scutella decagonalis Blainville, 1827. Dict. Sci. Nat.; Scutelle, p. 229.

Laganum decagonale Bell, 1884. Atert Ech., pe 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 Clypeaster. However there is a dead

Laganum test, in poor condition, in the Pirrer Faure collection

which seems to be this species; owing to its poor condition, it is

however impossible to assert whether it is a Laganum 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. 41740. Off Tugela River, Natal, N.W. by N. 3/, N., 15 miles,

36-42 fms. M. 1 specimen; adult, poor.

FIBULARIIDAE.

This family also was unknown from South Africa until now.

But the Prerer Faure has taken two specimens of an Echinocyamus,

which I refer to the following species.

ECHINOCYAMUS ELEGANS.

Mazetti, 1895.. Mem. Reg. Accad. Sci. Modena, ser. 2, vol. 10, p. 246.

Of the two specimens taken by the Prerer 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 85 mm. long, 6mm.

wide and 25 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 pores 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 les 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

35 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 two 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 elegans, 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!/. miles, 54 fms. Fne. s.

1 specimen; adult; bare.

P.F. 13228. Cove Rock, N.W. 4), N., 43 miles, 80-130 fms. Cri.

and r. 4 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 the South 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, 4844. Mon. Scut.,

pl. XII (as Lobophora bifora).

There are specimens of this fine scuttellid in the M. C. Z. collee-

tion from Mozambique, Durban and Mossel Bay. It is well-known

The Echinoderm Fauna of South Africa. 395

from Madagascar, Zanzibar and Mauritius, and occurs also in the

Red Sea and eastward to the Dutch East Indies.

* KCHINODISCUS AURITUS.

Leske, 1778. Add. ad Klein, p. 138. A. Agassiz, 1873. Rev. Ech.,

pts 3, pl. Xille! fess eee

’

This species is recorded from Mozambique by Sluiter and since

its distribution is like that of bisperforatus, 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 lovent.

Ambulacral pores very evident abactinally.

Abactinal poriferous areas long, reaching nearly or quite to the almost circular

ambitus ; : : . Echinolampas crassa.

Abactinal agente areas not ees not ene reaching the oval or elliptical

ambitus é A ° : é ; . Echinolampas ovata.

TROPHOLAMPAS * LOVENI.

Catopygus loveni Studer, 1880. Monatsh. Berlin Akad. Wiss., p. 878;

pl. H, figs. 4-1d.

Neolampas loveni H. L. Clark, 1917. Mem. M. C. Z., vol. 46, p. 140.

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 147 fms. south of the Cape of Good Hope, which Studer

reported as a Recent species of Catopygus. Without seeing any

specimens, I concluded that Studer’s species would go better in

* Tphogos = nurse + Acures = lantern, in reference to the care of the young

and in conformity with the terminal syllables of allied genera.

296 Annals of the South African Museum.

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 Neolampas is evident. It differs from

Neolampas in the complete absence of any anal furrow or pit, the

periproct being flush with the surface of the test, in having

4 distinct genital pores and in the complete shutting out of the

oculars from the abactinal system, the five pairs of interambulacral

plates forming a closed ring surrounding the fused plate formed from

the genitals. The oculars are greatly reduced and I failed to detect

any ocular pores.

The most striking character however, though it may prove to be

specific rather than generic, is the development of a sunken brood-

pouch in the female. This appears to be formed by the invagination

of the fused genitals with them surrounding ring of interambulacral

plates, so that the genital pores lie on the floor of the pouch, whose

wall is thin and carries very few spines. The pouch itself is about

15 mm. deep and 2-3 mm. in diameter; the entrance is about half

the diameter. Relatively large spines and pedicellariae guard the

entrance but are outside of it. In one female, whose pouch I opened,

there was a single young one, nearly circular in outline, slightly

flattened, about 1°5 mm. in diameter, covered with many primary,

but few miliary, spines and with a central circular mouth. In the

males, there is no pouch but there may be a slight depression of

the proximal end of interambulacrum 5, Studer speaks of it as a

shallow groove concealed by overcrossing spines but it is not at all

noticeable in his figure nor in any of the Prerer Faure specimens.

There are four well marked genital pores. Studer says the left

anterior pore is noticeably smaller than the others but it does not

seem to be so in any of the present specimens. Again, Studer says

the peristome is covered by naked skin, but probably he did not

dry a specimen, for when the membrane is dry it is found to be

filled with thin calcareous plates. In his description of the basico-

ronal plates around the peristome, Studer does not refer to the large,

glassy sphaeridia, one of which les in a big, shallow pit at the

middle of each ambulacral margin.

The miliary spines of Tropholampas are (like those of the other

Nucleolitidae) similar to those of the Laganidae, in being made up of

parallel rods, connected by cross-bars, and more or less expanded,

flattened and toothed at the free end. Each spine is made up of

six such rods in T'repholampas and each rod is so much expanded

at the tip that the whole spine is abruptly three times as thick at

the tip as elsewhere. While the miliary spines are thus noticeably

The Echinoderm Fauna of South Africa. 397

more capitate in T'ropholampas than in Neolampas, it is interesting

to find that the primary spies are much more acuminate, and are

quite sharp.

The pedicellariae of T'ropholampas are of only one kind so far as

I can find, and they occur only about the abactinal system. They

are large tridentate, with valves about -20 mm. long; the basal part

is about “15 mm. wide and “10 high; the blade is only about ‘O41 mm.

wide at base but is twice that near tip; the valves are rather strongly

curved near tip, where they meet only by their terminal edges.

The colour of these specimens in alcohol is pale grayish, with a

slight yellowish tinge, but they are nearly white when dry. The

largest is a male, measuring 8 mm. long, by 6 mm. wide and 5

mm. high. The largest female is about 7 mm. long but is nearly

as wide and as high as the male.

There can be little doubt that this interesting little nucleolitid is

nearly related to Neolampas rostellata of the Caribbean Sea. In

this Neolampas there is a well-marked sexual dimorphism, as the

genital pores of the female are very large so that a considerable

part of the abactinal system is membranous. It is not hard to see

how such a condition might lead to invagination of the area affected

and thus a brood pouch would easily be formed. In Neolampas

rostellata there are however only three genital pores, the left ante-

rior (i.e. the one in genital 3) being wanting. In other particulars,

the whole abactinal region of rostellata is less specialized than in

the African species, for there are five distinct ocular pores and_ the

ocular plates are in contact with the fused genitals.

The specimens of Tropholampas were taken at the following places.

P.F. 14252. Cape St. Francis, N. EK. 29 miles, 75 fms. S., sh., r.

1 specimen; adult.

P.F. 15129. Table Mountain, E. by 8. !/, S., 25 miles, 190 fms.

Gn. s., bl. spks. 12 specimens; adult.

ECGHINOLAMPAS GRASSA.

Palaeolampas crassa Bell, 1880. Proc. Zool. Soc. London, p. 43; pl. TV.

Echinolampas crassa H. L. Clark, 1917. Mem. M. C. Z., vol. 46, p. 113.

It is a little strange that the PierER FAuRE has not met with

this species. It is apparently very local, for the only known station

for living specimens is two miles north-northeast of Kromhout in

14 fms. of water. The VatpiviA met with a fragment of a dead

test off the Cape Colony coast in 276 fms. but this had no doubt

been washed out from much shallower water.

398 Annals of the South African Museum.

* ECHINOLAMPAS OVATA.

Echinanthus ovatus Leske, 1778. Add. ad Klein, p. 427.

Echinolampas ovata Déderlem, 1906. Vaupivta Ech., p. 240. H. L.

Clark, 1917, Mem. M. C. Z., vol. 46, pl. 153, figs. 1, 2.

This species is recorded in the ‘‘Revision” from the Cape of Good

Hope but it has not been met with in recent years anywhere on

the African coast south of the Red Sea. Evidently the South Afri-

can record needs confirmation.

URECHINIDAE.

There is only a single species of this little family known from

the region covered by this report.

URECHINUS NARESIANUS.

ond

A. Agassiz, 1879. Proc. Amer. Acad., vol. 14, p. 207.

1881, CHALLENGER Ech., pl. XXX.

Bell (4905, Mar. Inv. South Africa, vol. III, p. 473) lists this

species as occuring in the South African material he studied, ‘but

he forgets entirely to give either place or depth. In the PIETER

Faure collection is a lot of small urechinids in poor condition which

I refer to this species with little hesitation. They are all rubbed

more or less completely bare of spies and pedicellariae, and nearly

all are broken or crushed to a greater or less extent. They range

in length from 9.5 mm. to 21, but they show very little diversity

in form, the height being half the length or a little less.

P.F. 17351. Cape Point, N. 83° E., 43 miles, 900-1000 fms.

Gr. m. 40 specimens; young, bare.

POURTALESIIDAE.

The occurrence of this extraordinary family in the vicinity of

South Africa was known only from a single small specimen identified

by Bell as Pourtalesia carinata A. Ag. one of the CHALLENGER echini,

a large pourtalesiid, 90-100 mm. long, taken in 1600 fathoms near

te Crozet Islands and at still greater depths further eastward. For-

tunately the South African Museum collection contains ten Pourtalesias

labelled as “duplicates of those sent to Bell”. From these it is clear

that the species is not carinata but a much smaller pourtalesid, not

very closely allied to that big, deep water form.

The Echinoderm Fauna of South Africa. 399

POURTALESIA ALCOCKI.

Koehler, 1914. Ech. Indian Mus. Spat. p. 8, pl. 4, figs. 4-14.

The ten specimens before me accord well with Koehler’s descrip-

tion and figures and confirm the validity of the species which was

originally taken in the Golf of Oman. There is nothing but a most

superficial resemblance to carinata, which is as Mortensen (1907,

Ingolf Ech. pt. 2, p. 82), has shewn, really the representative of a

distinct genus. Bell’s reference of his specimen (1905, Mar. Invyst.

S. Afr. III, p.472) to that species was probably based on geographical

grounds as no other pourtalesiid has been recorded from any spot

so near to Cape Town, as are the Croset Islands, far away as they

are. The series of alcocki at hand range from 27-37 mm. in leneth;

the largest is 18 mm. wide and the height is the same. The colour

is light purple, darkest in the large specimens, and very pale in the

small ones. All the specimens are from the station recorded by

Bell, 46 miles west southwest of Cape Point, 900 fathoms.

HEMIASTERIDAE.

This widely distributed family is very poorly represented in South

African waters although four genera and eleven species are charac-

teristic echini of Antarctic and subantarctic waters on both sides of

the region. One species has long been known from the Cape and a

second has now been found by the PiererR Faure. They are easily

distinguished from each other as follows.

Key to the South African Species of Hemiasteridae.

Vertical diameter of test about half the length; genital pores 3 Brisaster fragilis.

Vertical diameter of test ‘60 of length or more; genital pores 2

Schizaster edwardsi.

BRISASTER FRAGILIS.

Brissus fragilis Diiben and Koren, 1846. Skan. Ech., p. 280.

Schizaster (Brisaster) fragilis Gray, 18595. Cat. Ech. Rec. Brit. Mus., p.61.

Mortensen, 1907. INcGour Ech., pt. 2, pl. I, figs. 6, 7.

The single specimen in the Prerer Faure collection is badly

crushed and throws no new light on the disputed question whether

the Cape Brisaster is identical with the European species or not,

400 Annals of the South African Museum.

I cannot see that anything is gained by giving it even a varietal

name for it is certainly so close to the northern form that from the

zoogeographical point of view it is practically identical. The PirTEeR

FAURE specimen was apparently about 44 mm. long, 40 mm. wide

and 20 mm. high.

P.F. 15143. Table Mountain, E. by 8. '/, S., 25 miles, 190 fms.

Gn. s. and spks. 4 specimen; adult, crushed.

SCHIZASTER EDWARDSI.

Cotteau, 1889. Bull. Soc. Zool. France, vol. 14, p. 344. 1889, Compte-

Rendu Cong. Int. Zool., p. 286; pls. III, figs. 7-12; IV, figs. 4-12.

Although the single Schizaster taken by the PrETER FAURE was

found on the Natal coast, and hence ought to belong to the Indo-

Pacific species, it seems to be unquestionably identical with Cotteau’s

specimens from Cape Palmas, Liberia, Placed side by side with a

specimen of dacunosus of the same size (28 mm. long, 24 mm. wide,

20 mm. high) from Japan, the differences are obvious, particularly

in the width of petal II] and the shortness and great divergence of

the posterior petals. In my key to the species of Schizaster (1917,

Mem. M.C. Z., vol. 46, p. 1953), [ have used the term ‘‘petal-length”

without definition and hence in an ambiguous way; it refers to the

leneth of the antero-lateral petals, not to the posterioir pair. It may

also be mentioned in passing that /acwnosus is somewhat variable in

the character under consideration and specimens with petals I and V

as divergent as in edwardsi will perhaps be found. — A careful

search failed to reveal any pedicellariae on the PIETER FAURE spe-

cimen of edwardsi but the specimen is badly damaged and most of

the oral surface back of the labium is missing.

P.F. 11430. Off Tugela River, Natal, 12-14 fms. M. 1 specimen;

small adult; damaged.

SPATANGIDAE.

This large and cosmopolitan family is well-represented in South

Africa, although it is evident that none of its representatives are very

common. Several species are identical with or at least very nearly

allied to European forms. Two of these are recognizable as distinct

and are here treated as endemic species. But the only really distinc-

tive spatangoid is the one here made the type of a new genus, to

which I have given the name Spatagobrissus. The seven species

The Echinoderm Fauna of South Africa. 4O1

occurring in the region covered by this report are easily distinguished

from each other as follows.

Key to the South African Species of Spatangidae.

No internal fasciole present.

Peripetalous fasciole well developed.

Ambulacrum III dorsally sunken and more or less petaloid

Brissopsis lyrifera.

Ambulacrum III not at all sunken or petaloid.

A distinct anal fasciole rises from subanal on each side of periproct

Metalia spatagus.

No anal fasciole . : Spatagobrissus mirabilis.

Peripetalous fasciole wanting ; . Spatangus capensis.

Internal fasciole present.

Large, deeply sunken primary tubercles present in interambulacra; labrum

very long and narrow; sternum with tubercles confined to posterior part

Lovenia elongata.

No large, deeply sunken, primary tubercles; labrum short and wide; sternum

well covered with tubercles.

Ambulacrum III not at all sunken, even at ambitus

Echinocardium capense.

Ambulacrum III distinctly sunken, especially at ambitus

Echinocardium cordatum.

BRISSOPSIS LYRIFERA.

Brissus lyrifer Forbes, 1841. British Starfishes, p. 187.

Brissopsis lyrifera Agassiz and Desor, 1847. Ann. Sci. Nat. Zool.,

(3) vol. 8, p. 14. Mortensen, 1907. Incotr Hch., pt. 2, pl. III,

figs ese 1, 11. 12 418) 20) 2A ee.

The occurrence of this European species at the Cape of Good Hope

has long been known. Mortensen thinks the Cape specimens are

recognizable as a distinct variety and that more material may prove

them to be entitled to specific recognition. I am unable to agree

with him in this, and the small amount of material in the present

collection provides no further reason for adopting his view. The

specimens range from 6 mm. to 54 mm. in length. It is worthy of

note that they were all taken on the west coast of Cape Colony and

no Brissopsis was met with on the southern or eastern coasts.

P.F. Dassen Island, E. '/, S., 9 miles, 76 fms. Gn. s. 3 speci-

mens; adult.

P.F. Table Mountain, E. by S. }/. S., 25 miles, 190 fms. Gn. s.,

blk. spks. 13 specimens; young.

42 Annals of the South African Museum.

*METALIA SPATAGUS.

Echinus spatagus Linné, 1758. Syst. Nat. ed. 10, p. 665.

Metalia spatagus Loven, 1887. Ech. Linn., p. 162.

Metalia maculosa A. Agassiz, 1873. Rev. Ech., pt. 3, pl. XXIB, figs. 8, 9.

This species is included here with great trepidation and solely on

the strength of the reports that Peters took it at Mozambique in 1854.

It is known from Mauritius but not from Zanzibar.

SPATAGOBRISSUS * MIRABILIS gen. et sp. nov.

Plate XXIII.

Test wide, low, well rounded in front, the ambitus rounded behind,

but below ambitus interambulacrum 5 slopes abruptly forwards

making an oblique surface on which opens the longitudinally elongated

periproct. Peristome anterior, not deeply sunken. Ambulacrum HI

narrow, flush, not very distinct, ambulacra I and V moderately wide,

conspicuously petaloid, the petals rather long, bluntly pointed, dis-

tinctly depressed; ambulacra Il and IV similar, the petals as long

or longer, and more divergent than [ and V. Peripetalous fasciole

a single very distinct band, enclosing a nearly circular area, containing

numerous large primary tubercles. Subanal plastron small, subanal

fasciole very distinct. Genital pores 4.

The above paragraph may serve for the generic diagnosis while

the following additional data apply more particularly to the species.

Test 112 mm. long, 95 mm. wide across anterior end of posterior

petals but only 90 across their tips, and 53 mm, high posteriorly

(about the same point as where widest) but only 43 high at peristome.

Anterior petals 36 mm. long and posterior pair about the same,

Anterior half of test above and below, inside and outside of peripe-

talous fasciole, crowded with primary tubercles, among which are

secondaries and numerous miliaries also; the tuberculation is parti-

cularly thick in the midzone, outside the fasciole; on the posterior

half of the test there are no primaries outside the peripetalous fas-

ciole but within it they are nearly as numerous as anteriorly; even

* The characters of this genus combine so strikingly those of Spatangus and

Brissus, it seemed to me fitting to combine those two generic names in one,

dropping the n of Spatangus for eupbony’s sake and to accord with the names

Spatagocystis and Spatagodesma. The significance of the specific name, mirabilis,

is obvious,

The Echinoderm Fauna of South Africa. 403

in the interporiferous areas there are small primaries, though not in

ereat number. In ambulacrum III the plates are high and have a

well developed vertical pore-pair just distal to the centre; as the

apical disc (which is anterior to the center) is approached the pore-

pairs lie more and more towards the outer side of the increasingly

lower plates. The apical system is small, compact and elongated ;

there are four large genital pores and a greatly elongated madre-

porite; from ocular Hf to a line joining the posterior margins of

genital pores 1 and 4 is not quite 3 mm. but from that line to the

distal tip of the madreporite in interambulacram 5 is nearly 4 mm.

The peripetalous fasciole is very distinct, obviously depressed below

the test level and about a millimeter wide; it does not bend in at

any interradius and posteriorly has an evident narrow squarish out-

ward bend. Peristome not very much sunken, about 24 mm. wide

and its length not quite half as much; its anterior margin is 29 mm.

from anterior end of test. Sternum and subanal plastron considerably

projecting but the surface of the subanal plastron is nearly flat and

almost horizontal. There are, on each side of the plastron, two large

tube-feet and apparently only 3 plates enter the fasciole. Periproct

12 mm. high and 7 mm. wide, pointed at both ends; its upper end

is just below the ambitus, so no part of it is visible from above; its

lower end is 6 or 7 mm. nearer the mouth than its upper, so oblique

is the surface on which it is placed.

The holotype, S.A.M. No. A 6451, of this new species is a dead

but not waterworn test from Onrust River, near Hermanus, Cape

Province. There is also a second specimen in the collection but it

is from an unknown locality and has no label. It is somewhat

damaged and is also a little deformed, the ventral surface on the

left side being somewhat pushed in, forming a hollow, where, on the

opposite side of the test there is a slight outward arching of the

surface.

This remarkable spatangoid combines to a very striking degree the

characters of Spatangus and of Brissus. The petals, the mouth and

the form of the posterior part of the test are quite like Spatangus,

while the presence of the peripetalous fasciole (but not its course),

the form of the anterior half of the test and the form and_ position

of the periproct are much like Brissus. The proximal part of the

anterior poriferous areas of petals HT and IV are very nearly com-

plete and normal, not more or less reduced as in Spatangus. In the

tuberculation of the test the new genus is unlike either of the others

for the primary tubercles are much more numerous, than in Spatangus

while they are much larger than in Brissus, In some particulars,

4O4 Annals of the South African Museum.

Spatagobrissus approaches Eupatagus but the shape of the test, the

form and depression of the petals and the distribution of the primary

tubercles preclude their close association. It is rather remarkable

that so large and well characterized a spatangoid has not hitherto

been described and the discovery of living specimens will be a matter

of very great interest.

SPATANGUS CAPENSIS.

Déderlein, 1905. Zool. Anz., vol. 28, p. 624. 4906, VaLprvia Kch.,

pl. XXXIII, figs. 4, 4a.

This seems to be one of the common and characteristic echino-

derms of the Cape region. The PieTER FAURE specimens show

some diversity in relative height and width. They range in length

from 68 to 145 mm.; the width is °84—94 of the length and the

height is -48—56 of the length. The colour varies from deep purple

to purplish-gray, one specimen showing only a faint purple tinge.

They were taken at the following places.

P.F. 1935. Cape St. Blaize, N.W. 1/, N., 30 miles, 32 fms. R.

1 specimen; small adult.

P.F. 10325. Cape Hangklip, N. 3/, E., 29 miles, 48 fms. St. 4

specimen; adult.

P.F. 14844. Cape Castle, E. ‘/, N., 9 miles, 89 fms. Dk. grey

m. and s. 1 specimen; adult.

Agulhas Bank. 2 specimens; large adult.

LOVENIA ELONGATA.

Spatangus elongatus Gray, 1845. Eyre Voy., vol. 1, p. 436.

Lovenia elongata Gray, 1851. Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. (2), vol. 7, p. 431.

A. Agassiz, 1873. Rev. Ech., pt. 3, pl. XIXc, figs. 1-4.

This fine spatangoid has long been known from South Africa,

whence its range extends to northern Australia and Japan. It is

rather remarkable that the Prerer Faure collection contains only a

dorsal fragment of one specimen.

P.F. 11028. Umhloti River, Natal, N.N.W. 11/, miles, 27 fms.

S., sh., r. 1 specimen; a fragment, with its spines.

The Echinoderm Fauna of South Africa. 4OD

* ECHINOCARDIUM CAPENSE.

Mortensen) 1907. Ingolf Ech., pt. 2. pidisis ple Il figs, 5..614-

Although related to the North Atlantic species, flavescens, this

form seems to be perfectly distinct. It is known only from the

coasts of South Africa in 31-150 fms. Unfortunately it has not

been taken by the PieTER Faure.

ECHINOCARDIUM CORDATUM.

Echinus cordatus Pennaent, 1777. Brit. Zool., vol. 4, p. 69.

Echinocardium cordatus Gray, 1848. Brit. Rad., p. 6. A. Agassiz,

1873, Rev. Ech., pt. 3, pl. XX, figs. 5-7.

This cosmopolitan species is represented in the present collection

collection by 28 specimens, ranging from 11 to 27 mm. in length,

but a number are badly crushed.

P.F. 483. Algoa Bay, Cape Colony, 20 fms. M. 2 specimens;

adult.

P.F. 608. Algoa Bay, 33° 49’S. x 25°56’ E.. Depth and bottom?

2 specimens; small adult.

P.F. 735. Between Roman Rock aud Cape Recife, 22 fms. M.

2 specimens; adult and young.

P.F. 2911 and 2912. False Bay, Cape Colony, 30 fms. S. and

sh. 19 specimens; adult and young.

P.F, 2959. Cape Point, 8. W. by W. 2/, W., 3'/, miles, 32 fms.

S. and sh. 2 specimens; adult.

P.F, 4046. False Bay, 20 fms. Brk. sh. 14 specimen; large adult;

crushed.

SEA-CUCUMBERS. HOLOTHURIOIDEA.

The collection of holothurians received from the South African

Museum was an unpromising lot of material. It had pre-

viously been sent to a zodlogist whose work was interrupted by

the war, and having been returned by him to Cape Town, was

forwarded at once to me. Owing to transportation difficulties and

custom’s-house delays, it reached me only after some months of

travel. Several jars and bottles were broken and from others the

alcohol had vanished, so that many specimens were completely

dried and appeared to be hopelessly unidentifiable. As a matter of

fact however the collection proved to be a very interesting one and

406 Annals of the South African Musewn,

only one specimen is beyond recognition. That is apparently a

Thyone which was evidently preserved in formalin, and from which

the anterior end is missing, As there are no calcareous structures

left, there is no clue to its identity. The dried specimens yielded

surprisingly well to prolonged soaking in water, followed by weak

alcohol. The most serious difficulty with the collection however is

the fact that in some way, at sometime, labels have been mixed,

so that one jar containing five species bears both Natal and Mozam-

bique labels and there are other jars in which there were more

labels than specimens. On the other hand a few bottles contained

no labels at all.

In spite of these drawbacks, the collection throws a great deal

of light on the hitherto little known holothurian fauna of South

Africa and its origin. There are also three species which seem to

be new to science, each representing a large, cosmopolitan genus.

One of the most striking features of the collection is the entire

absence of apodous forms, neither a synaptid nor a molpadiid being

present. This remarkable fact emphasizes anew the entire absence

of apodous holothurians in the South African region, Possibly they

may yet be found there but they must be at least relatively rare.

The Elpidiidae are also conspicuous by their absence, a single spec-

imen in the PrereR Faure collection being the only representative

of the family as yet noted from that portion of the Southern Ocean.

The collection sent me contains 174 specimens of 24 species. It

is a little hard to determine how many of these were previously

known from South Africa for no list of the holothurians of the

region has ever been published. In Theél’s great monograph on

the CHALLENGER holothurians, the most useful, reliable and alto-

gether satisfactory work dealing with this somewhat difficult class

of echinoderms, there are some twenty species given which seem to

occur in the region covered by this report. I have found a few

other species recorded in subsequent papers, so that there are about

25 species now listed from South Africa but at least five of these

are synonymous with others of the list, so that 20 seems to be the

number of valid species now known. Of these 12 are in the col-

lection sent to me from the South African Museum which also

contains 12 species new to the fauna of the region. There are thus

32 species included in the present report, but it is perfectly clear

from the available data that not more than three or four holothu-

rians are at all common on the coasts of South Africa, at least

south of Delagoa Bay.

Of the 32 species, 27 are truly littoral occurring in water less

The Echinoderm Fauna of South Africa, 4OT

than 20 fms. deep, and any one of them may be found at or just

below low tide mark. Of the other five species, 2 are abyssal and

3 belong in the continental group. Of the 27 littoral species, 12 are

endemic so far as our present knowledge goes but it is very proba-

ble 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 Indo-

Pacific species. There is not a single Atlantic or West Indian

species nor one known from the southern 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-Pacific.

It is noteworthy that there are included in this report no fewer than

9 holothurians 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 1884, Bell (ALERT Ech., p. 509) listed half a dozen 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 Theél’s 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 Holothuria impatiens is a very puzzling form,

H, maxima is absolutely unknown in every detail, H. amboinensis is

little known but is probably synonymous with H. atra, H. pulla is

practically unknown and H. layoewa is now known to be synonymous

with H. leucespilota. It might be added that we do not know whether

the H. maxima of Bell’s list is the species of Delle Chiaje or of

Forskaal, and that H. pulla is listed with a question mark. Obviously

* Ludwig considers his Colochirus australis from Australia synonymous with

Pentacta doliolum (Pallas) of Cape of Good Hope and Angra Pequena. Both forms

are very imperfectly known and their identity seems to me highly improbable.

408 Annals of the South African Museum.

then the ALerT Report’s list does not throw much light on the

Holothurians of South Africa! Owing to our lack of knowledge as

to then essential characters, I cannot include either Holothuria maxima

or H, pulla in the present report.

The 32 species of South African holothurians represent only 3 families.

These are easily distinguished from each other by the following

characters,

Key to the South African Families of Holothurians.

Tentacles dendritic; retractor muscles well developed : . Cucumaridae.

Tentacles more or less peltate; no retractor muscles.

No tentacle-ampullae; no respiratory trees 3 : . LElpidudae.

Tentacle-ampullae and respiratory trees present. : Holothurudae.

CUCUMARIIDAE.

This large and widespread family is represented in South African

waters by 17 species of which 13 are in the collection before me.

Three of the species belong in the continental fauna and one is

abyssal. Two seem to be new to science. Generic differences in the

family are not easily maintained for the genera have been largely

based upon the number and arrangement of the tentacles, characters

which show more or less considerable changes during growth.

The South African species fit into their respective genera well how-

ever, except that several of the species of Cucumaria approach so

close to Pentacta that the line of difference between the two genera

is hard to maintain. It is worthy of special note that with a single

exception, all the Cucumariudae of this report occur on (or off) the

coast of Cape Colony, or the adjoiming coast of Southwest Africa

and of Natal. The family is thus the characteristic one for the

South African region. Two of the species here reported are new to

science, and nine others are endemic, a very unusual proportion.

The 17 species may be distinguished from each other as follows.

Key to the South African Species of Cucumariidae.

Body wall soft or leathery, more or less filled with microscopic calcareous particles.

Tentacles 10.

Ventral side of body not markedly distinct from dorsal nor are dorsal

ambulacral appendages larger than those of ventral side.

Pedicels either confined to radii, or if present on the interradial

areas they are much smaller there.

Inner layer of skin with numerous, often densely crowded, thick,

knobbed perforated plates or buttons.

The Echinoderm Fauna of South Africa. 4O9

Outermost layer of skin with numerous minute branched

rods, reticulated cups or “baskets* or very small plates

with few large perforations regularly arranged.

Deposits of outermost layer of skin in form of reticulated

cups or baskets.

Baskets with numerous little spines or knobs scat-

tered over them = . Cucumaria discolor.

Baskets smaller, perfectly smooth with few marginal

projections. : Cucumaria spyridophora.

Deposits of outermost layer of skin not in form of baskets.

Deposits of outermost layer of skin short thick rods

forked at each end, and often more or less further

branched dichotomously . Cucumaria insolens.

Deposits of outermost layer of skin minute perforated

plates, which appear to have been formed by fusions

of the tips of branches of rods which have more

or less frequently dichotomously branched

Cucumaria capensis.

Outermost layer of skin apparently without deposits; no

terminal plates in pedicels.

Small pedicels scattered over dorsal interambulacra

Cucumaria sykion.

No pedicels on interambulacra . Cucwmaria jaegert.

Inner layer of skin with no knobbed plates or buttons.

Calcareous deposits in the form of more or less curved rods

of two kinds. : ; Cucumaria frauenfeldi.

Calcareous deposits in the form of reticulated baskets and

large, smooth, perforated plates . Cucumaria improvisa.

Pedicels more or less generally distributed over body.

Calcareous deposits, in part at least, tables with irregular disk

and spire of two rods : : : Thyone serrata.

No tables present.

Deposits, knobbed plates with a vertical arch at right angles

to each surface . : : Thyone sacellus.

Deposits, perforated rods and spn plates Thyone aurea.

Ventral side of body modified to form a creeping sole; dorsal ambulacral

appendages, large papillae. : : . Pentacta doliolum.

Tentacles more than 15.

Caleareous particles of skin, short thick rods with sharp spines at each

end and around middle : : . Phyllophorus frauenfeldr.

Caleareous particles, large lenticular perforated plates

Pseudocucumis africana.

Body wall wholly, or at least on dorsal side, covered with macroscopic calcareous

plates, either overlapping or closely joined along margins.

Whole body encased equally ; : . Echinocucumis typica.

Only back, or back and ends with oveilapeiae plates.

Body not very flat; ventral sole not sharply defined Psolus imperfectus.

Body very flat with sharp margins and ventral sole correspondingly well-

defined . ; : 3 : : . Psolus squamatus.

4A0 Annals of the South African Museum.

CUCUMARIA DISCOLOR.

Theél, 1886. CHALLENGER Holoth., p. 64; pl. IV, fig. 8.

The type locality of this species is Simon’s Bay, 10—20 fms. and

although Theél had but one specimen his account is, as usual for

him, accurate and satisfactory, while his figures are equally good.

The specimens before me range from 24 to 55 mm. in length; all

are more or less strongly contracted but are relatively slender, the

diameter being about one-fifth of the length. The closed and con-

tracted oral end is as markedly stellate as in Pentacta and the body

in cross section is distinctly pentagonal rather than circular. The

color is light brown or fawn-color. Theél says the anus is without

teeth but so far as I can judge these specimens have very small

anal teeth, which might however be easily overlooked, and perhaps

are not present in all individuals.

P.F. 16336. False Bay, 14 fms. Brk. sh. 4 specimen; young.

P.F. 16365. False Bay, Fishhook Bay, 5 fms. Fne. s. 3 speci-

mens; adult.

False Bay; 3 specimens; 2 young.

Locality ? 1 specimen.

CUCUMARIA SPYRIDOPHORA * sp. nov.

Body somewhat pentagonal in cross section, about 45 mm. long

by 142 mm. in diameter; in the present specimens, which are much

contracted the body is noticeably thicker at the anterior than at the

posterior end. Color light brown, more or less finely mottled with

darker; on one specimen the dark color predominates. Pedicels rather

large, not at all crowded, confined to the ambulacra; in the mid-

ventral and two dorsal ambulacra there are only two well separated

series of pedicels, but in the latero-ventral, the pedicels are more

humerous and there are more or less evident indications of a third

series; the dorsal pedicels seem to be a little smaller than the ventral.

Tentacles 10, the two midventral very much smaller than the other

eight. Anal teeth well developed but in these contracted specimens,

they are rather difficult to demonstrate. Calcareous ring moderately

stout, with no posterior prolongations; the radial pieces are more

deeply notched than the interradial and have slightly shorter but

wider anterior projections; the interradial pieces are about 3 mm. high,

Caleareous particles of skin in two very distinct layers; the inner

* oxvois = a round, plaited basket + gogém = to bear, in reference to the

characteristic calcareous particles. .

The Echinoderm Fauna of South Africa. AAA

is a densely crowded layer of very numerous knobbed buttons while

the outer is a single layer of rather crowded reticulate ‘‘baskets” or

cups. The buttons are quite uniform in size and shape, ‘O7—:08 mm.

long and about two-thirds as wide; each button is perforated by

four holes and carries, on each surface, two central and ten marginal

knobs; on some buttons there are a few more knobs, or the knobs

may be swollen and more or less fused but there is no marked

tendency to form larger knobbed plates or spheres. The ‘‘baskets‘‘

are very characteristic for while they show some diversity in size

and considerable diversity of form, scarcely two being exactly alike,

they are mostly about -08 mm. long, not quite so wide and about

one-half to two-thirds as deep; the rims are slender and with either

no knobs or a few low, small ones, while the dichotomous rod forming

the floor of the basket is somewhat flattened, perfectly smooth and

rather stout. They are thus much like those of Cucumaria punctata

(see Ludwig, 1875, Arb. Zool. Inst..Wurzburg, vol. 2, pl. VI, fig. 8)

but the rims are much more slender and lack the prominent spine-

lets. Pedicels well supplied with broad curved supporting rods,

having perforations at each end. Terminal plates seem to be wholly

wanting.

Mossel Bay, Cape Colony. 3 specimens; adult. ‘Colour red”.

Holotype, South African Museum No. A 6453,

This species belongs very evidently, to Judge from its form and

general appearance, in the same group with C. discolor, insolens and

capensis but it is easily distinguished from any of these by the cal-

careous baskets of the outer layer of skin. Although in these baskets,

there is some resemblance to C. punctata, in no other respect does

spyridophora resemble that West Indian species.

CUCUMARIA INSOLENS.

Théel, 1886. CHALLENGER Holoth., p. 70; pl. IV, fig. 5.

Cucumaria leonina var. africana Britten, 1910. Schultze’s Zool. Anthrop.

Erg. Forsch. Siidafrika, vol. 4, pt. 1, p. 240.

It is rather curious that Britten does not refer to insolens in his

discussion of his supposed new Cucumaria from Angra Pequena Bay.

However there are in the M. C. Z. collection several cotypes of his

variety and they are unquestionably identical with the material be-

fore me from Cape Colony. The specimens at hand show much

diversity in size, colour and form but agree well in the distribution

of the pedicels and in the calcareous parts. Those from Saldanha

Bay are 12—23 mm. long, very dark brown above, much lighter

4AQ, Annals of the South African Museum.

below; these colours in the living animals, according to Mr. Barnard’s

notes, are dark maroon red above, bright scarlet below. Those

from the unknown station are a trifle larger and are more or less

uniformly light dirty gray-brown; they are in rather poor condition.

Those from 1938 range up to 45 mm. in length and are dirty cream-

colour; the body wall in these specimens is softer than, and the

colouration utterly unlike, that of the Saldanha Bay specimens, but

the calcareous particles seem to be identical. Comparing this material

with Théel’s description and figures has satisfied me that all must

be called imsolens. Evidently in shallow water, pigmentation occurs

much more heavily than at greater depths, especially on the dorsal

surface.

Pe. 1938. Cape St. Blaize N.W.4/, N; 30 mules, 52fmss Rs

11 specimens; adult.

Saldanha Bay; low tide lying exposed im pools with sea-weed.

5, IX, 1912, K. H. Barnard. 20 specimens; young.

Saldanha Bay; low tide, under stones. 5, IX, 1912, K. H. Barnard.

7 specimens; young.

Locality unknown, but PrereR FAuRE collection and probably from

off Cape Pomt. 23 specimens; young.

CUCUMARIA CAPENSIS.

Théel, 1886. CHALLENGER Holoth., p. 62; pl. V, fig. 2.

In the form of the body, the distribution of the pedicels, and the

firmness of the body-wall, this species approaches Ocnus and [ was

inclined to refer the specimens before me to that genus, but on

comparing them with Theéel’s description and figures of C. capensis,

I realized that they belong in that species. The PreTeER FAuRE

specimens are 16 and 58 mm. long, with a diameter about equal to

one-fourth or one-fifth of their length. The smaller one is light

gray but the larger one is nearly white.

P.F. 2836. Vasco de Gama Peak, N. 71° E., 18!/, miles, 230 fms.

St. 4 specimen; young.

PF. 14987. Lion’s Head, S.H: 3/, E.,. 47 miles, 175 fms... Gr. s:

1 specimen; adult.

CUCUMARIA SYKION.

Semperia sykion Lampert, 1885. Die Seewalzen, p. 250.

Cucumaria sykion 'Théel, 1886. CHALLENGER Holoth., p. 266.

The type locality for this species is Algoa Bay, but it seems to

be rather common along the eastern coast of Cape Colony and

The Echinoderm Fauna of South Africa. 443

southern Natal. The specimens at hand range from 22 to 57 mm.

in length; the larger individuals are quite stout, the diameter equall-

ing half the length or more; all are strongly contracted. While

most of the specimens still retain more or less of the characteristic

black colouration, some are not at all black; the lot from East

London is a uniformly light brown. The absence of deposits in the

outer layer of skin and the lack of terminal plates in the pedicels

are noticeable features of this species.

P.F, 918. 41 mile east of Cove Rock, East London, low tide.

9 specimens; adult.

Natal: Port Shepstone and Scottsburgh. kK. H. Barnard coll. 6

specimens; adult and young.

Natal: Umhlali. K. H. Barnard coll. 2 specimens; adult.

Cape Colony: Port Elizabeth. 2 specimens; adult.

Locality unknown. 10 specimens; adult and young.

* CUCUMARIA JAGERI.

Lampert, 1885. Die Seewalzen, p. 249.

This species seems to me to be very near the preceding but as

there are no specimens at hand which [ can refer to it, it is best

to let the species stand as Lampert left it. The differences between

jigeri and sykion in their calcareous particles is hard to understand

(and Lampert gives no figures) while the differences in the distribu-

tion of the pedicels are of doubtful importance.

CUCUMARIA FRAUENFELDI.

Ludwig, 1882. Notes from Leyden Mus., vol. IV, p. 430.

This species has hitherto been inadequately described or at least,

the descriptions are quite unsatisfactory. Ludwig gives no des-

cription, simply referring to Semper’s notes on, and figures of, an

unnamed species. Lampert, three years later, ignorant apparently

of Ludwig’s work, gave the same species another name (posthuma)

and added some useful notes on the morphology, but neither he

nor Britten (1910, Schultze’s Zool. Anthrop. Erg. Forsch Siidafrika,

vol. 4, pt. 1, p. 239) have given a clear statement as to the cal-

careous particles. [I have had one of Britten’s specimens for com-

parison with those in the collection of the South African Museum.

The calcareous particles in this species are remarkably charac-

teristic. They consist altogether of rods but there are two very

distinct sorts of these rods. In the outer layer of the skin the

4A 4. Annals of the South African Museum.

rods are very slender, more or less curved, but often nearly straight,

with the ends more or less forked or branched; sometimes these

branches unite and thus give rise to apparent perforations in the

ends of the plates. Lampert evidently thought these slender rods

were the supporting rods of the pedicels. While it is true that they

occur abundantly in the walls of the pedicels, they also form a

close, but not dense, layer all over the body surface. Beneath them,

in the deeper layers of the skin are the other sort of rods, the so-

called ‘“‘spectacles” or ‘“eye-glasses.” They are very much stouter

rods which usually have a single large perforation at each end; the

rod is often nearly straight but when short and sufficiently curved

the rememblance to eye-glasses is obvious. Many of these rods

however are simply notched more or less deeply at the end and

not perforated; probably such rods are but growth stages of the

“eye-glasses”’.

The specimens of frauenfeldi in the present collection are of

moderate or small size, the largest about 65 mm. long. The largest

specimens are uniformly black but some of the smaller ones are

light brown or brown. ‘The body wall is relatively thin, not nearly

so thick and firm as in the specimen from Angra Pequena. It

seems to me quite probable that the Cucumaria from Java, which

is in the Vienna Museum and which must be considered the type

of frauenfeldi, is not identical with the South African form but

until a critical comparison can be made, the two must remain under

the same name.

P.F. 918. 4 mile east of Cove Rock, East London. Low tide.

2 specimens; adult.

Cape Colony: False Bay. 5 specimens; adult.

Cape Colony: Knysna, low tide. 44, HI, 97, R. M. Lightfoot.

1 specimen; young. »*

* CUCUMARIA IMPROVISA.

Ludwig, 1875. Arb. Zool.-Zoot. Inst. Wiirzburg, vol. 2, p. 85;

pl: Vie mis. oO:

The type locality for this species is Algoa Bay. So far, as I know

it has not been met with since its description. Théel thinks it

probable that it is identical with the European C. elongata but

whether that is so or not, it is evidently quite ale from any

of the other South African Cucumarias,

The Echinoderm Fauna of South Africa. 4A5

* THYONE SERRATA.

Britten, 1910. Schultze’s Zool. Anthrop. Erg. Forsch. Siidafrika,

vol. 4, pt. 4, p. 242.

This species is closely related to the European 7. fusus but seems

to be recognizably different. It is known only from Angra Pequena

Bay where it seems to be fairly common.

THYONE SACELLUS.

Stolus sacellus Selenka, 1867. Zeit. f. wiss. Zool., vol. XVII, p. 355;

pie XX> figs: 115; 4416:

Thyone sacella Théel, 1886. CHALLENGER Holos., p. 138.

This species, well characterized by its calcareous ring and particles,

has long been known from Zanzibar and Mozambique. The presence

in the South African collection of specimens from Delagoa Bay,

marks a note-worthy extension of the range southward. These

specimens are 42—70 mm. long and are white or very pale reddish

in color. They are accompanied by the following notes:

Delagoa Bay: Inyack Island. Oct. 1912. K. H. Barnard. Dull

claret. In rock crevices. 41 specimen; adult.

Delagoa Bay: .Inyack Island.. Oct. 1912. K. H. Barnard. Claret

colour. Beneath corals. 2 specimens; adult and young (half grown).

THYONE AUREA.

Holothuria aurea Quoy and Gaimard, 1834. AsTroLABE Zool., vol. IV,

p. 120; pl. 7, figs. 45—17.

Thyone aurea Semper, 1868. Holothurien, Il heft, p. 66.

The presence of some twenty Thyones, in more or less poor con-

dition, from Table Bay, indicates that the species is common at the

Cape. Most of the specimens were found washed up on the beach,

some at least among the ‘“holdfasts’” of Laminaria. The colour of

these specimens is said to have been “pink”. While one cannot

determine positively from Quoy and Gaimard’s account, whether this

Thyone is their Holothuria aurea or not, I feel so sure that it is, I

am unwilling to give it a new name. The calcareous ring is like

that of 7. sacellus but the calcareous particles in the skin are entirely

different and are very distinctive. They are small flat rods perforated

at one or both ends, and irregular plates, of which these rods are

the apparent starting point; thus there may be a hole on either or

416 Annals of the South African Museum.

on both sides of what was the primary rod; these holes differ greatly

in size and shape and are not infrequently divided transversely in

two; scarcely two of the plates are exactly alike. These deposits are

unlike those of any species of Thyune, of which I know, and taken

in connection with the wide calcareous ring, made up of many

pieces and having long radial, posterior prolongations, and with the

presence of well-marked anal teeth, they make the species easy to

recognize. Since Quoy and Gaimard say their Holothuria aurea was

found ‘‘parmi les racines de fucus de la rade du Cap de Bonne-

Kspérance”, the habits and habitat of the Thyone at hand _ point

strongly to aurea. The difference in colour, I think, may be due to

the fact that all of the specimens at hand, of which the colour is

given, were washed up on the beach and were very probably dead

specimens from which most of the orange-red colour of the living

animal had been washed out.

P.F. 45967. .Zwartklip N.E. 1/, N., 1 mile, 10 fms. Brk. sh:

17, XI, 702. 4 specimen; adult.

P.F. 16365. False Bay: Fish Hook Bay, 5fms. Fne.s. 24, XII, ’02.

5 specimens; adult and young.

Table Bay: Mouille Point, amongst roots of laminaria, washed up

on beach. Colour pink. June, 1912. Dr. L. Péringuey. 2 specimens;

adult. ;

Table Bay: Woodstock Beach. July, 1915. K. H. Barnard. Pale

pink. 15 specimens; small adults and young in very poor condition.

* PENTACTA DOLIOLUM.

Actinia dolivlum Pallas, 1766. Misc. Zool., p.152; pl. XI, figs. 10—12.

Pentacta duliolum Goldfuss, 1820. Handbuch der Zoologie, pt. 4, p. 477.

Colochirus doliolum von Marenzeller, 1874. Verh. zool.-bot. Gesell.

. Wien, vol. XXIV, p. 303.

It is a matter of great regret to me that the collection from the

South African Museum contains no specimen which I can refer to

this species, originally described from the Cape of Good Hope and

in 4887 recorded by Ludwig from Angra Pequena Bay. It is a

curious fact that the species was not taken by the CHALLENGER at

the Cape nor by Schultze at Angra Pequena, while species of Cucu-

maria taken by those parties at those places, and also represented in

the present collection, have calcareous particles of the same general

type as those which Ludwig describes for his specimens from Angra

Pequena. The line of separation between Cucumaria and Pentacta

needs further elucidation.

The Echinoderm Fauna of South Africa, 4A7

If Ludwig and von Marenzeller are correct in assigning Pallas’

Actinia doliolum to the genus Colochirus, instituted by Troschel in

1846, there is no doubt that the genus must be called Pentacta, for

Goldfuss established Pentacta for Pallas’ species alone; at least it is

the only species named. Pentacta has usually been considered a

synonym of Cucumaria, but there seems to be no good reason for

such an opinion unless doliolum is a Cuewmaria, And, as already

stated, von Marenzeller long since’ (1874) showed it was a Colochirus

and this view has been strongly confirmed by Ludwig (1887). Pen-

tacta therefore simply replaces Colochirus.

PHYLLOPHORUS FRAUENFELDI.

Ludwig, 1874. Arb. Zool.-Zoot. Inst. Wirzburg, vol. II, p. 95;

ple VI; fig. 22.

Among the specimens before me which suffered much from des-

sication is what must have been a very fine example of this Red

Sea species. The tentacles are well expanded and show distinctly

the following asymmetrical arrangement: 3 large, 1 small, 4 large,

4 small, 3 large, 1 small, 2 large, 1 small, 3 large, 1 small. It has

long been known that individuals of this genus show so much diver-

sity in the relative size and arrangement of the tentacles that neither

generic nor specific distinctions can be based thereon. The calcareous

rods of this species are very distinctive, except that they are so

suspiciously like those of Urodemas ehrenbergii Selenka, which is also

a Red Sea species, that the identity of the two forms seems highly

prebable. But Selenka speaks of a peculiar arrangement of the rods

in trios, which is not evident in the specimen at hand. This specimen

has the label: Natal Coast. Dr. J. D. F. Gilchrist.

PSEUDOCUCUMIS AFRICANA.

Cucumaria africana Semper, 1868. Holothurien, II heft, p. 55, pl. XV,

fig. 16.

Pseudocucumis africana Ludwig, 1888. Zool. Jahrb. Abt. Syst., vol. II,

p. 845.

There are two specimens in the present collection of this wide

spread Indo-Pacific species. They are in a bottle with labels indi-

cating both Natal and Mozambique (coll. K. H. Barnard) as the

locality. Probably the latter is the correct one.

4A8 Annals of the South African Museum,

ECHINOCUCUMIS TYPICA.

M. Sars, 1859. Forh. Vid. Selsk. Christiana f. 1858, p. 174.

There are two small dried specimens of an Kchinocucumis in the

collection which are not unnaturally listed as typica, although the

form of the body is somewhat different from that of any examples

of typica in the M. C. Z. collection. The most noticeable difference

is the very short ‘neck” and caudal regious, but this apparent eli-

mination of the terminal prolongatious may be due to the drying.

At any rate, I find no satisfactory characters by which these speci-

mens may be separated from the northern species. The specimens

are about 8—9 mm. long by 5—6 mm. thick.

P.F. 17350. Cape Point N. 86° E., 43 miles, 900—1000 fms.

Grey mud, 2 specimens; young,

PSOLUS IMPERFECTUS * sp. nov.

Body nearly cylindrical and truncate at each end in these much

contracted specimens, of which the larger is about 9°5 mm. long by

5mm. in diameter, while the smaller is about 8 mm. long by 35 mm.

in diameter. Color light yellow-brown. The middle of the ventral

surface is slightly flattened to form a very imperfect sole, to which

the pedicels are completely confined. On each lateral margin of the

sole, which is rounded and not at all sharply defined there is a single

series of pedicels, 8 in the smaller and 10 in the larger specimen;

the median part of the sole is occupied by a few pedicels, anteriorly

and posteriorly but is quite bare centrally; in the larger specimen,

there are about 6 pedicels at the anterior end and 4 behind but in

the smaller specimen the numbers are only 4 and 2. The skin of

the sole is moderately thick and contains calcareous plates which are

rather thick, with rounded margins, and perforated by 20—24 holes.

The remainder of the body is covered by large overlapping plates,

about half a millimeter across; these plates are covered by a thin

epidermis but it is evident that if the animal was dried the plate

margins would be conspicuous. The mouth is not dorsal but distinctly

anterior and not protected by any special valves; the tentacles are

completely retracted in the larger specimen and very much so in

the smaller. The anus is distinctly dorsal and around it the plates

are smaller than elsewhere.

* Imperfectus = incomplete, in reference to its incomplete approach to the

typical Psolus form.

The Kchinoderm Fauna of South Africa. 4A9

P.F. 18929. Southeast from Cape Agulhas, 36°40'S. x 21°26’ E.,

200 fms. Gn. s. 2 specimens; young?

Holotype, South African Museum, No. A 6454,

These little holothurians are quite unlike any I have ever seen but

they approach several of the previously known species of Psolus.

They are perhaps nearest to the Antarctic P. charcoti Koehler and

Vaney, but the sole is more distinct and the calcareous plates it

contains are perfectly distinctive. In life this species must look very

much like the figure of P. boholensis given by Semper (1868, Holo-

thurien, Heft II, pl. XII, fig. 3), although the sole is not quite so

distinct and the color is brighter. Why Semper should say (p. 6)

that boholensis is “von ausgesprochensten ascidienartigen Habitus” is

impossible to see from his figure, which is not in the slightest degree

ascidian-like !

PsSOLUS SQUAMATUS.

Holothuria squamata O. F. Miller, 1776. Prod. Zool. Dan., p. 232.

Psolus squamatus M‘Andrew and Barrett, 1857. Ann. Mag. Nat.

Hist, \(2)) voll;.20, p45.

There are five small specimens of a Psolus at hand which I am

unable to distinguish from sqguamatus and I therefore refer them to

that northern species. But the specimens are too young for satis-

factory determination. It is important however to emphasize what

has been well said by both Ludwig and Théel that the proper

descrimination between the northern and southern species of Psolus

must await the accumulation of far more abundant material from a

considerable number of localities. Owing to a suggestion of Liit-

ken’s that O. F. Miiller’s Holothuria squamata is the young of Psolus

phantapus, the specific name of this holothurian is usually dated

from Diiben and Koren. Those authors however refer to Miiller’s

name and I do not see how any one could question that the Danish

author’s name refers to either the present species or the form sub-

sequently separated from it as P. fabrici. It seems highly impro-

bable to me that Miiller’s figures represent the young of P. phantapus.

P.F. 14310. Cape Seal, N. by E. 4/, E., 37 miles, 80 fms. (Agul-

has Bank). S., sh., r. 20/2/02. 4 specimens; young.

P.F. 18929. Southeast of Cape Agulhas, 36° 40’ 8S. x 24° 267 E.,

200 fms. Gn. s. 1 specimen; young; dry.

420 Annals of the South African Museum,

ELPIDIIDAE.

The right of this family to a place in this report is based on the

extraordinary Planktothuria, whose position in the family is dubious,

and on a single specimen in the PrerTerR FAuRE collection, which

seems to be referable to the following nearly cosmopolitan species.

BENTHODYTES SANGUINOLENTA.

Théel, 1884. CHALLENGER Holoth., pt. 4, p. 104; pl. XXIII.

The single specimen referred to this species is in two unusually

solid fragments 50-60 mm. long and 25-30 mm. in diameter. Owing

to their condition my identification is based on the colour and

general body-form.

P.F. 16822. Cape Point, N.E. by E. 3/, E., 38!/, miles, 750 fms.

8/VII/03. Green mud. 1 specimen; adult.

PLANKTOTHURIA DIAPHANA,

Gilchrist, 1920. Quar. Jour. Mic. Sci., vol. 64, p. 373.

Although a careful and complete description is given of this

remarkable pelagic holothurian, the locality and depth are recorded

only as ‘deep water off the Cape of Good Hope”.

HOLOTHURIIDAE.

This large tropicopolitan family is not well represented in South

Africa proper, for of the following 14 species, only two occur

south of Natal and only half a dozen are from south of Mozambique.

All are littoral species, none bemg reported from a depth of more

than 20 fms. Only three of the species are endemic and of these

one is new to science. It will be noticed that within the genus

Holothuria, the calcareous particles of the skin furnish almost the

only reliable guide to the species. The various forms of these particles

(tables, plates, buttons, rosettes, rods, etc.) are fully illustrated in

Théel’s invaluable CHALLENGER Report.

Key to the South African Species of Holothuriidae.

Anus not protected by conspicuous calcareous teeth.

No large, pointed tubercles on back and sides.

Tables, more or less well formed, present in the outer layer of skin.

Rosettes or perforated plates present with the tables, but no rods or

buttons,

Rosettes and small, irregular perforated plates present, but no

large circular plates.

SOT Sey

The Echinoderm Fauna of South Africa. 424

Color more or less uniformly black . Holothuria atra.

Color dark brown or blackish above, rose-color (in life) or

gray (in alcohol) beneath : . Holothuria edulis.

No rosettes but rather large circular perforated plates present

Holothuria africana.

No rosettes or plates present.

Curved, roughish rods present but no buttons

Holothuria cinerascens.

No rods but buttons present.

Buttons smooth, without knobs.

Pedicels on ventral surface; pedicels or small papillae

on back.

Buttons symmetrical usually with 3 pairs of holes.

Tops of table-spires squarish with 20 or more

teeth ‘ ; . Holothuria diffierlis.

Tops of table-spires circular with about 8 teeth

Holothuria leucospilota.

Buttons more or less asymmetrical, usually with

fewer than 6 holes, collected in heaps or circles

Holothuria pardalis.

Large papillae all over the body Holothuria impatiens.

Buttons knobbed 2 : . Holothuria scabra.

No tables present.

Spinous, thick rods in skin : ; . Holothuria parva.

Small irregular smooth rods and very diversified, asymmetrical plates

in skin. . : Holothuria grammata.

Large pointed tubercles on back and alabe sides of quadrangular body; color

deep green in life (dull yellow-brown in alcohol, usually)

Stichopus chloronotus.

Anus guarded by 5 large, calcareous teeth.

Tentacles 25 or more , : : ; Actinopyga mauritiana.

Tentacles about 20 (18—23) : ; 5 . Actinopyga miliaris.

HoLOTHURIA ATRA.

Jaeger, 1833. De Holot., p. 22. See also Edwards, 1908,

Biometrika, vol. VI, pp. 286—301, pls. I—V.

This common Indo-Pacific species has long been known from

Mozambique and Zanzibar. A specimen in the present collection is

labelled: Conducia Bay, Mozambique. Rock pools. Nov. 1912. K. H.

Barnard.

* HOLOTHURIA EDULIS.

Lesson, 1830. Cent. Zool., p. 125; pl. 46, fig. 2.

This species has been recorded from Mozambique by Semper but

it is not represented in the present collection. Although the cal-

429 Annals of the South African Museum.

careous particles are similar to those of atrd the general appear-

ance of the two species, especially in life, is quite unlike. The

bright rose-red ventral surface of edulis makes it much the hand-

somer of the two, but unfortunately the colour is soon lost in

alcohol.

¥ HoLorHuria AFRICANA.

Théel, 1886. CHALLENGER Holoth., p. 174; pl. VIII, fig. 7.

Although the type locality for this species is Simon’s Bay, 10 —20

fms., it is not in the present collection and I therefore can add

nothing to Théel’s satisfactory description and figures.

HoLOTHURIA CINERASCENS.

Stichopus (Gymnochirota) cinerascens Brandt, 1835. Prod. Descr.

Anim., p. 251.

Holothuria cinerascens Lampert, 1885. Die Seewalzen, p. 82.

Holothuria pulchella Selenka, 14867. Zeits. f. W. Zool., vol. XVI,

p: 329% pl XVI. figs: 61,562:

It is a pity to have to abandon Selenka’s familiar name for the

older and less euphonious one of Brandt but Ludwig’s demonstration

of the identity to the two leaves us no choice. Ludwig’s Revision

of Brand’s holothurian names (4881, Zeits. f. w. Zool., vol. XXXV,

p. 575) was one of the most valuable contributions to the study of

holothurian taxonomy ever made, and it is unfortunate that neither

he nor Théel adopted the resulting changes in nomenclature.

This species, previously known from Mozambique and widely

distributed in the Indo-Pacific region, is represented in the present

collection by two specimens. The larger is either from Mozambique

ar Natal, while the smaller, which is in poor condition, is said to

be from Durban, Natal. The species therefore evidently ranges as

far south as Durban, but is apparently not common as Mr. Barnard

did not meet with it at the intermediate locality of Delagoa Bay.

HOoOLOTHURIA DIFFICILIS.

Semper, 1868. Holothurien, Heft III, p. 92; pl. XXX, fig. 24.

A single specimen of this Indo-Pacific species is in the collection

of the South African Museum. It bears the label: Mozambiqne.

In rock pools, freely exposed. Light brown. Nov. 1912. K. H.

Barnard. Although known from Mauritius, this species was not

The Echinoderm Fauna of South Africa. 423

recorded hitherto from the African coast. The calcareous tables

form a very uniform layer, making the surface of the body slightly

rough to the touch and the epidermis quite brittle.

HoLOTHURIA LEUCOSPILOTA.

Stichopus (Gymnochirota) leucospilota Brandt, 1835. Prod. Descr.

Anim,, ‘p. 251.

Holothuria leucospilota Lampert, 1885. Die Seewalzen, p. 71.

Holothuria vagabunda Selenka, 1867. Zeits. f. w. Zool., vol. X VII,

Purse. pl. XIX, figs: 75; 76.

Although Lampert cannot bring himself to abandon the universally

used name, given by Selenka, for the earlier and often inappropriate

name of Brandt, nevertheless he publishes the combination Holothuria

leucospilota and’seems to have been the first writer to do so. It is.

of course regrettable to have to abandon the name vagabunda but

after all, very few zoologists indeed are acquainted with the specific

names of holothurians and the abandonment of one in favour of

another causes exceedingly little imconvenience. There is no valid

reason therefore for not using the correct name.

Of this well-known and wide-spread Indo-Pacific species, long

known from Mozambique, there are five specimens in the present

collection, one of which is from either Mozambique or Natal (coll.

K. H. Barnard), while the other four are said to be from Durban.

They are very greatly contracted and in poor condition but there is

little reason to doubt their identily. The range of the species is thus

extended far to the southward along the coast. But Mr. Barnard?

did not find the species at Delagoa Bay.

_ HOLOTHURIA PARDALIS.

Selenka, 1867. Zeits. f. w. Zool., vol, XVII, p. 336; pl. XIX, fig. 85.

There is a single specimen of this common Indo-Pacific species in

the present collection. There is no means of determining whether

it is from Mozambique, as seems probable, or from Natal. (Coll.

K. H. Barnard).

HoLOTHURIA IMPATIENS.

Fistularia impatiens Forskal, 1775. Desc. Anim., p. 124; pl. 39.

4776, Icon. Rev. Nat., pl. XX XIX, fig. B.

Holothuria impatiens Gmelin, 1790. Syst. Nat. Linn. ed. XIII, p. 3142.

This very common tropicopolitan species has long been known

from Mozambique. The single poor specimen in the present collection

— 424 Annals of the South African Museum.

is probably from Mozambique but may be from Natal. (Coll. K. H.

Barnard).

HOoOLOTHURIA SCABRA.

Jaeger, 1833. De Holothuriis, p, 25.

This large Indo-Pacific species was not hitherto recorded from

south of Querimba but in the present collection are five very badly

contracted specimens, which are apparently from Delagoa Bay. They

are recognizable by the large size, gray and white coloration and the

characteristic calcareous particles. There are two labels with these

specimens; one reads: ‘‘Inyack Island, Delagoa Bay, on sandy shore,

light gray with black speckles. Oct. 1912 K. H. Barnard. 2 large

specimens”. I think there can be no doubt that this label belongs

with the two largest and best preserved of the quintet. The other

label reads: “Ilha da Inhaca, Delagoa Bay, low tide, burrowing in

the sand. Oct. 1912. K. H. Barnard. 3 specimens. Ref. no. 305.”

I doubt if this label belongs with the remaiming trio of scabra as |

can hardly think this big species lives “burrowing in the sand”, *

* HOLOTHURIA PARVA.

Lampert, 1885. Die Seewalzen, p. 246; fig. 38.

Although Lampert’s description and figures show quite clearly

that this is a valid species, collected by Krauss on the coast of Natal,

Ludwig always considered it identical with /ubrica Selenka and hence

has listed the latter species from Natal. Lampert’s species is not in

the collection of the South African Museum nor have I ever seen a

specimen, but I believe he is right im insisting on its distinctness

from lubrica.

HOLOTHURIA GRAMMATA ™ sp. nov.

Body very much contracted and distorted, about 50 mm. long by

20 mm. thick in the largest specimen. It is impossible to determine

the number, arrangement or nature of the ambulacral appendages,

but they seem to be few, scattered and like large pedicels arising

from distinct papillae. Body wall thick and soft. Number of ten-

tacles cannot be determined. Calcareous ring low, the anterior pro-

longations small and the posterior margin of each piece with a wide

* This statement as to the habitat is quite true. [Kd_].

** yoduuaca = 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. 4X5

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 curve 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 adjoming 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. 41 specimen;

adult; eviscerated.

P.F. coll. Sebastian Bay. 415, VII, ’00. Low tide. Colour red.

3 specimens; young.

Holotype, South African Museum No. A 6455. P.F. 948.

I have been unable to satisfy myself whether this interesting and

well marked species is a Stichopus or a Holothuria. There seem to

be, in one specimen at least, two genital bundles and the ambulacral

appendages are also Stichopus-like dorsally. On the other hand the

small size, red color, slender calcareous ring and absence of numerous

pedicels ventrally, all are features more like Holvthuria, The cal-

careous particles are rather more like some species of Holothuria

than they are like those of any known Stichopus. 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. Anim., p. 250.

This widespread Indo-Pacific species is easily recognized in life

426 Annals of the South 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 quite

disappears in alcohol.

* ACTINOPYGA MAURITIANA.

Holothuria mauritiana Quoy and Gaimard, 1833. AsTROLABE Zool.,

vol. IV, p. 438.

Actinopyga mauritiana W. K. Fisher, 1907. Holot. Hawaiian Is.,

p. 648; pl. LX VII, figs. 1—1d.

This species is recorded from Mozambique by Bell but it is not

represented in the present collection.

ACTINOPYGA MILIARIS.

Holothuria miliaris Quoy and Gaimard, 1833. AstTROLABE Zool.,

vol, TV, p. 138:

Actinopygad miliaris Bell, 4887. Sci. Trans. Roy. Dublin Soc. (2),

vol. 3, p, 653.

Although Bell pointed out many years ago (4887, 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 Hawaian specimens had 22—26. 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.

abyssicola (Ophiactis) .

acanthodes (Calliaster).

Actinopyga .

acuminatus (Psilaster).

affinis (Pteraster)

africana (Holothuria) .

africana (Luidia).

africana (Marthasterias)

africana (Pseudocumis)

agulhensis (Paraccutrotu

alcocki (Pourtalesia)

amboinensis (Holothuria).

amitinum (Ophiocten) .

Amphioplus :

Amphipholis .

Amphiura .

AMPHIURIDAE.

angularis (Amphiura) .

angulosus (Parechinus)

225, 226,

annulatus (Protocentrotus) .

anoidea Onaga ae baa

Anseropoda

antarctica (Lophaster) .

ARBACIIDAE .

aristulata (Ophiothrix)

aspera (Luidia) .

Aspidodiadema

ASPIDODIADEMATIDAE .

aster Ceipiopelals.

Asterias. .

ASTERIIDAE

Asterina.

ASTERINIDAE .

ASTEROIDEA

Asteronyx .

Astrocladus

Astropecten

ASTROPECTINIDAE

Astrophiura

Astropyga .

Astrothamnus

importance are in black-face type.

PAGE | atlantica (Amphiura) .

326, 327, 334 | atra (Holothuria)

. 252, 265 | Auvpovrni (Clypeaster)

426 | aurea (Thyone)

241, 248 auritus (Echinodiscus).

. 297, 800 | australiensis :Mediaster) .

. 421, 422 | australis (Colochirus) .

. 251 | australis (Ophiochiton)

304, 305, 306 | Austrofromia . ae:

ee 409 |

s) . 387, 388 B.

Hoos

baccatus (Calliaster)

batheri (asterina)

; Hes Bathybiaster .

; 326 bellator (astrothamnus)

geese bellula (Parasterina)

2 SU eee Ee ihcde ies

BENTHOPECTINIDAE .

, bicolor (Salmacis)

ee seek =o bifora (Lobophora) .

s bifrons (Plutonaster |

on Ben | bisperforatus (Echinodiscus)

kis 99% | BOURGUETICRINIDAE.

368, 379 | brachyactis (Cryaster)

312, 325, 326 brachyactis (Pseudarchaster)

' 959 | Brisaster

ee ain | Brisinga. . .

BRISINGIDAE .

| rissopsis :

. 349, 351 Becee

306 ris . .

: 238, 303 bursarium (Phormosoma).

burtonii (Asterina) .

: 238, 279 Bythocrinus

pa As Cc.

. 819 caeruleus (Porcellanaster)

. . . 249 > calamaria (Coscinasterias)

238, 241 236,

. . 853 | calamaris (Echinothrix) .

. 3873 calcarata Ae) 236, 237, 280,

. 316 | Calliaster .

Page references of first

354, 363 baculosa (Prionocidaris) .

. 407,

= ul,

. 409,

. 394,

_ 343,

eee iG

. 253,

. 370

PAGE

326

421

392

415

395

257

407

345

264

281

247

317

280, 281

238:

253,

| 238,

237, 304,

SEI,

420

428 Index.

PAGE PAGE

canaliculata (Goniocidaris) 369 | Cryptopelta . 350

candida (Amphiura) . 326, 328 | cubrusis (Cornopedinay : 377

capense (Kchinocardium). . 401, 405 | Cucumaria. : 408, 410

capensis (Amphiura) 326, 327, 329 | CucuUMARIIDAE . 408

capensis (Aniedon). . . ... . 323 | Culcita - . 273

capensis (Asterias) . . 304, 305, 306 | Cycethra ey hf

capensis (Astropecten) . 235, 249

capensis (Coenopedina) oO D.

capensis (Cucumaria) . . 409, 412

capensis (Mediaster) . 253, 256 | decagonale (Laganum). . 391, 393

capensis (Ophiarachnella) 349, 351 | dentatus (Ophioscolex). . 313, 314

capensis (Ophiothrix) . . 335, 8340 | Dichrometra oe . 233

capensis (Ophiozona) . 310, 357 | Dictenophiura. ; 224, 211

capensis (Poraniopsis) . . . . 289 | difficilis (Holothuria) . 421, 422

capensis (Pteraster). . 297, 298 | dilatata (Amphiura) 325, 326

capensis (Spatangus) . 401, 404 | diplax (Linckia). PA per be |

capensis (Stereocidaris) 370, 371 | Diplopteraster 297, 300

carinata (Pourtalesia) . 398 | Dipsacaster. é . . 246

carinata (Tropiometra) 225, 228, 229,233 | discolor (Cucumaria) 429, 410

carnea (Ophiactis) . . 326, 332 | Distolasteriae. . » 308

carnea (Ophiura) . 224, 361, 363 | dividua (Ophiothela) . . 336, 343

Catopygus . 221, 395 | doliolum (Pentacta). 407, 409, 416

cavellae (Astrophiura). . 353, 354 | dubia (Ophionereis). 343, 347

CENTRECHINIDAE. . 368, 372 | dyscrita (Asterina) . 280, 284

Centrechinus . a erebyaies

cepheus (Asterina) . . 283 E.

Ceramaster. . . . 258

chilensis (Gorgonocephalus) 312, 316, 318 | echinaceus (Astrothamnus) . ely

chloronotus (Stichopus) 421, 425 | Echinaster . : 288, 290

Chondraster aibsigne . . 274 | echinaster (Poraniopsis) 290

chondriscus (Ceramaster) . 252, 258 | EcHINASTERIDAE. 238, 288

chuni (Bythocrinus) . 227, 228, 229 | echinata (Pontasta). 240

CIDARIDAE. . . . 368, 869 | EcuInIpAE. 368, 383

cinerascens (Holothuria) . . 421, 422 | Echinocardium 405

Cladaster 8 37s 2. 222684) Echinoeucumis 418

Clypeaster . . 892 | Echinocyamus 393

CLYPEASTERIDAE. 368, 891 | Echinodiscus . 394

coccinea (Asterina) . 280, 256 | Ecurnomra 366

Coelopleurus . . 374 | Kchinolampas. 397

coelus (Monachocrinus) 2277, 228, 229 | Kchinometra . 390

Coenopedina . . . . . 375 | EcHrnomrtripar 368, 390

Comanthus. . 231 | Echinosoma 375

CoMASTERIDAE . 231 | Echinostrephus . 387

Cominia. . . . 231 | Echinothrix 373

cordatum (Behinocardium) - 401, 405 | EcHrnoTHURIDAE. 368, 374

Coronaster . 5 : . 304, 806 | Echinus. . 384

coronata (Asterina) . : 279, 283 | edulis (Holothuria). 421

corynephora (Ophiomitrella) 319, 322 | edwardsi (Schizaster) . 399, 400

corynetes (Calliaster) . .. . 266 | ehrenbergii (Linchia) . ec

Coscinasterias . me . 806 | ehrenbergii (Urodemas) 417

costata (Ophiura) 310, 354, 357 | elattosis (Chondraster). 274

crassa (Hchinolampas). 395, 397 | elegans (Echinocyamus) . 393

Craterobrisinga . en . 809 | elongata (Cucumaria) . : 414

cribrosus (Retaster). 297, 298, 300 | elongata (Lovenia) . 401, 404

cricophora (Brisinga) . . 809 | ELPrpimIpAE 406, 408, 420

CRINOIDEA . dee . 22'7 | emericus (Porcellanaster) . 5 RY)

Crossaster . 295 | endeca (Solaster). 294

Crotalometra . . . . . . . 284 | endecacnemos (Brisinga) . . 309

Cryaster . . . . . . . 237, 292 | erinaceus (Ophiocoma). . 348

CRYASTERIDAE ... . . 238, 292 | Hucidaris ee ey . 8370

Index. 429

PAGE PAGE

euopla (Amphiura) . 328 | HoLoTHURIIDAE . 408, 420

Eupatogus . . . 402 | HoLorHurorpEa . . 405

euryale (Astrocladus) . 316, 319 | horridus (Kehinus) . . 484

euryplax (Ceramaster paneeoulens | humilis (Clypeaster) 391, 492

Wars) en 253, 262 | hyadesi Waeliget 3 5 S200

exigua (Asterina) 225, 280, 285 Hymenaster : . 300

F. I.

RuprenuPaolas).. 4] imbricatus (Ophioplocus). . 354, 365

ee eee sO | inpaHens (Holothuria) 407, 421, 428

8 imperfectus (Psolus). 409, 418

SL WeeE eae ae sore | lmprovisa (Cucumaria) 409, 414

flagellata (Ophiura). beso On) pena (iaphina): a26 EOS

flavescens (Echinocardium) . 405 | indica (Stereocidaris) 371

flexuosa (Ophiactis). 333 | indicum (Phormosoma) 374

floridanus (Coelopleurus) . 379 | mgrata (Ophiomitrella) 324

forcipatus (Pontnaster) 240 | msignis (Retaster) . -- 298

: ; | insolens (Cucumaria) . 409, 411

fragilis (Brisaster) . 399, 400 | - re aa

fragilis (Ophiothrix) go eaputephe) é ae Boe

995 296 31 9 5 intermedius (Plutonaster). 2alk

frauenfeldi ee va 409 413 interruptus (Coelopleurus) . . 379

frauenfeldi (Phyllophorus) . 409, 41'7 | irorata (Ophiura) . 354, 358

furcilliger (Lophaster). : 296 J

G. jageri (Cucumaria) . 409, 413

GANERIIDAE eS.

gennaeus (Hymenaster) . 297, 303 Hs

gibber (Retaster). : | gas 298 | kawamurai (Astrophiura) . . 355

gibbosus Cabins) oe 330 kerguelenensis cesptye ete 241, 242

giganteus (iiymenaster) . 302 | kinbergi (Amphipholis) . = eal

gilchristi (Echinus). . 384 | koehleri (Hymenaster). 302

glacialis (Marthasterias) 236, 304, 505

glaucus (Hymenaster) . 302 It

GONTASTERIDAE . 238. 252, 267

GORGONOCEPHALIDAE . 312, 315 | laetmophilus (Dipsacuster) . 246

Gorgonocephalus . . . 318 | laevigata (Linckia) . es ee

gracilispina (Asterina). 280, 286 | LAGANIDAE . 368, 393

grammata (Holothuria) . 421, 424 | Laganum . . ; . . 393

grandis (Chondraster) . . . 275 | lagoena (Holothuria) ; 2 40%

grandis (Ophiochiton) . oa | Lamprechinus . 383

grandis (Paracentrotus) . 387, 388 | Lamprometra . : ap 233

granifera (Asterina). 297, 281, 282 lamprus (Hymenaster). 297, 301

granulata (Randasia) . . . . 274 | latebrosus (Hymenaster) . 297, 300

granulatus (Astropecten). . 242, 250 _ lentus (Ophiochiton) DAT

gratilla (Tripneustes) . . 384, 387 leonina var. africana (Cucumaria) 411

gunnii (Asterina) . 235, 279, 285 leonis (Ophiodermia) 226, 331, 350, 351

| Leptychaster . . . . 242

H. | leucospilota (Holothuria) 407, 421, 423

Linckia . 276

habracantha (Anseropoda) 280, 287 lincku (Oreaster) : . 272, 273

hastatus (Amphioplus) . 326, 331 | Liparometra . . 232

hawaiiensis (Coenopedina) . . . 377 | Lohophora . : « 304

HEMIASTERIDAE . . 369, 399 | longipeda (Ophiothrix) 335, 340

hemprichii (Astropecten). . 242, 250 | Lophaster . 294, 295

ree ao 258 | josent Gaeeae 311, 314

ippasteria ee oveni (Catopygus 224, 395

hirsutus (Luidiaster) . 239, 240 | loveni (epbeaanes). 395

Holothuria ; . 421 | Lovenia. 404

430

PAGE

lubrica (Holothuria) 424

lucunter (Echinometra) yee EO) |

liideritziana (Asterina). . 280, 286 |

Luidia so BASIL

Luidiaster . . 240 |

LUIDIIDAE . : 5 eats), Gals)

lymani (Ophiomusium) . 354, 364 |

lymani (Ophiuropsis) . . 314, 315

lyrifera (Brissopsis). . 401

macrobrachius (Cladaster) . 253, 268

maculata (Luidia) . . 251, 252

magellanica (Hippasteria) 270

magellanicus (Parechinus) Sue no86

magnicirra (Crotalometra) 229, 234

mamumillatus (Oreaster) 225, 272, 273

MARIAMETRIDAE . 5 . 232

marmorata (Ophiocnemis)

225, 310, 336, 341

Marthasterias . Sait, OOD,

mathaei (Kel \inometra) li iSO

mauritiana (Actinopyga) 407, 421, 426

maxima (Holothuria) .

Mediaster

mem branaceus (Hymenaeter) 297, 301

Metalia . : . 402

metularia (Eucidaris) . dodo LO

miliaris (Actinopyga) . . 421, 426

minor (Amphipholis) . . 326, 329

mirabilis (Coenopedina) Sy anon

mirabilis (Spatagobrissus) . 401, 402

molare (Echinostrephus) . . 387

monacanthus (Astropecten) . 250

Monachocrinus ' . 229

monolini (Orechinus) 382 2, 283

multicirra (Liparometra) 227, 228, 232

multifora (Linckia) . 216, 2177

multipe (Diplopteraster) 236, 297, 300

Nardoa . ae

naresianus (Urechinus) . 398

Neolampas . , aol

nerthepsila (Ophiacantha) . 319

nicobaricum (Aspidodiadema) Se ay(il

nitidus (Lamprechinus) 382, 383

nobilis (Hymenaster) . 302, 303

novaeguineae (Culcita). PQ

novemradiata (Anseropoda). 280, 287

novemradiatus (Palmipes) he 208.

NUCLEOLITIDAE . i . 369, 395

nudum (Ophiopsammium) . 336, 341

occidentalis (Cominia) . . 228

Ophiacantha . Jigar

OPHIACANTHIDAE . 312, 319

5 ar |

. 256 |

Index.

PAGE

Ophiactis 311, 325

Ophiarachnella 351

Ophiarthrum . ie einoae

OPHIDIASTERIDAE 238, 275

Ophiernus . . . 865

| Ophiochiton . . 845

OPHIOCHITONIDAE 312, 343

Ophiocnemis . 5 Od

Ophiocoma. : 347

OPHIOCOMIDAE 312, 347

Ophiocten . >: 363

Ophioderma 2. oO

OPHIODERMATIDAE: . 312, 349

OPHIOLEPIDIDAE . 313, 353

OPHIOLEUCIDAE . 313, 365

| Ophiomastix . 349

Ophiomisidium 311, 356

Ophiomitrella . -- O22

Ophiomusium . . 3864

Ophiomyxa 312, 313

| OPHIOMYXIDAE 312, 313

Ophionereis . 843

Ophioplocus 365

| Ophiopsammium . 341

Ophiopsila . 347

Ophioscolex 313, 314

Ophiothamnus 324

Ophiothela . 342, 343

Ophiothrix . 335, 336

OPHIOTRICHIDAE . 312, 335

Ophiura. . 3858

OPHIUROIDEA . 310

Ophiuropsis 315

Oreaster 273

OREASTERIDAE 272

| Orechinus . ee ate eS 5 . 383

ornata (Henricia) 236, 237, 288, 289

Othiha . ; Mee het eee

ovata (Echinolampas) . 5 5 web, BIS ts

15h

Pachylometra . . 234

pacifica (Linckia) . . ; 277

pacificum (Ophiocten) . _ 354, 364

Palaeopneustidae é » 5 aay

pallidus (Parechinus angulosus ¥ var.) 386

Palmipes . . 287

papillatus (Astrothamnus) . 316

Paracentrotus . : . 388

Parasterina. . . 280

pardalis (Holothuria) . 421, 423

Parechinus. . Ty op hs 35)

parva (Holothuria) . : . 421, 424

parviecirra (Actinometra) . ol

patagonicus (Ceramaster)

236, 253, 260, a6

Lon 3 6

pattersoni (Salenia). 78

paucispina (Ophiopsila) 347

Index. 431

PAGE PAGE

Pectinaster , . 240 | reevesi (Temnopleurus) 366, 381

PEDICELLASTERIDAE . 304 | remotus (Ophiothamnus). . 319, 324

PEDINIDAE. . 368, 375 | Retaster : 297, 298

penicillaris (Asterina) . 279, 281 | reticulatus (Clypeaster) 5 2 auill

penicillatus ieee : . . 285 | reticulatus (Echinaster) 289, 290

Pentacta 408, 416 | robustus (Bathybiaster) 241, 24.7

PENTAMETROCRINIDAE . : 235 roseocoerulans (Ophiothrix). 310, 338

Pentametrocrinus 235 | rostellata (neolampas) . 397

Perissasterias (n.g.). . . . . . 807 | rudis (Cladaster). 269

permira (Astrophiura). . . . . 354 | rugosum (Ophiopsammium) . 342

petersii (Echinosoma) . 314, 375

phantapus (Prolus) . 419 8.

phoinissa (Salenia) . 378

Phormosoma . . . . . . 3874 | sacellus (Thyone) 404, 415

phrygiana (Hippasteria) ... 253, 270 | Salenia . a See is!

Phyllophorus . =. - . 407 | SALENIIDAE 368, 378

pileolus (Toxopneustes) 384, 386 | Salmacis 381, 382

placenta (Anseropoda). 288 | sanguinolenta (Benthodytes). . 420

placenta (Phormosoma) . . 874 sanguinolenta (Henricia) . 289

plana (Ophiactis) 326, 333 | savignyi (Luidia) 251, 252

Plinthaster . 267 | savignyi (ophiactis). 325

Plutonaster. : 242 | scabra (Holothuria). 421, 424

poa (Ophiactis) . >.» (304 | Schizaster ~. . . 400

poecilodisca (Ophiothrix) . . 336, 841 | schmideliana (Culcita) . 213, ATA.

polyacantha (Perissasterias) . 304, 307 | schoenleinii (Ophiocoma) . 348, 349

polyacanthus (Astropecten) . 241, 249 | schultzei (Austrofromia) . 276

polypora (Austrofiomia) . 276 | sclateri (Pachylometra) 229, 234

pontoporaeus (Astropecten) 235, 242, 249 scolopendrina One) : i OAS

PoRANIIDAE oy 238, 274 | ScurELLIDAE. . . : 369, 394

Poraniopsis. . 289 | sepositus (Echinaster) . 292

Porcellanaster . ‘ . . . 289 | serrata (Thyone). 409, 415

PORCELLANASTERIDAE . . 238, 239 | setosus (Centrechinus) . . 812

porrecta (Ophionereis). 343, 344, 347 | sigsbri (Phormozoma) . Be ee can

posthuma (Cucumaria). . . 413 | sladeni (Dipsacaster) . 241, 256

Pourtalesia . . . . . . . 898 | SoLASTERIDAE. 238, 294

PouURTALESIIDAE. . . . . 369, 398 | Spatogobrissus (n.g. Spatangidae)

Prionocidaris . . . 370 224, 366, 402

propinqguum (Ophioderma) . . . 352 | spatagus (Metalia) . . 401, 402

proteus (Plutonaster) . . 241, 242 | SPATANGIDAE . _ 369, 400

Pseudarchaster . . . 253 | Spatangus . : 403

Pseudocucumis . 417 | sphaeroides ( (Salmacis) . 382

Psilaster. . 248 | spinosus (Calliaster) 266

Psolus . . 448 | sporacantha (Asterina granifera

Pteraster : . 297, 298 VERE) 2 x a « 2s), Bis

PTERASTERIDAE . . . . 238, 297 | spyridophora (Cucumaria) : 409, 410

pulchella (Coenopedina) . . 877 | squamata (Amphipholis)

pulchella (Holothuria). 422, 310, 326, 329, 330

pulchellum (Ophiomisidium) 353, 563 | squamatus (Psolus). 409, 419

pulla (Holothuria) . 407 | stellans (Lophaster). Pe 296:

pumilus (Phoxaster) 247 | stellata eee) 361, 363

punctata (Cucumaria) . 411 | Stereocidaris . : 5 6 Sal

Stichaster . . 304

Q. STICHASTERIDAE . . 304

Stichopus 425

quadrispinus (Lophaster). . 295 | Stomopneustes. RPA eis:

SToMOPNEUSTIDAE . 368, 378

R. STRONGYLOCENTROTIDAE . 368, 378

suensonil (Ophiothrix). : 340

radiata (Astropyga) . 372, 373 | sulcata (Salmacis) a) oe Se

rarispina (Marthasterias). . 304, 305 | sykion (Cucumaria). . 409, 412

432 Index.

PAGE PAGE

Ts U.

TEMNOPLEURIDAE . 368, 881 | UREcHINIDAE . . 369, 398

Temnopleurus. Se sol S20) Urechimusae ‘ 398

tenue (Phormozoma) . eae rae

ternispinus (Ophiochiton). sie ra owl We

tessellatus (Pseudarchaster) . 253, 254

tessellatus (Pteraster). . . . . 299 | vagabunda (Holothuria) . . 423

THALASSOMETRIDAE . . 234 | valenciae (Ophiocoma). . 348, 439

Thyone. . 406, 415 | validus (Cladaster). . . . . . 269

toreumaticus (Temnopleurus) . 882 | vallincola (Ophiernus). . 311, 365

tonganum ela 310, 352 | varians (Pentametrocrinus) 227, 229,235

Tosia . : aie . 266 | variolaris (Stomopneustes) 378

Toxopneustes . . 886 | variolata (Nardoa) . ue Nee

TRICHASTERIDAE. . | . 312, 8314 | veneris (Culcita’. . 230, 21s OMA:

triglochis (Ophiothrix) 327, 335, 336 | venosa (Ophiomastix). . . 348, 349

trilineata (Ophiothrix). 336, 841 | verrucosus (Gorgonocephalus) . . 319

trimeni (Ophiura) . 354, 860 | verruculatus (Lytechinus) . . . 385

Tripneustes : ; 387 | verticillata (Cidaris) . . . . . 369

trispinosus (Ceramaster) . _ 253, 260 vivipara (Ophiomyxa). > eae

Tropholampas (n. & Nucleolitidae) 256 | volsellatus (Coronaster) . 304, 306

Tropiometra . . . 233

TROPIOMETRIDAE . . 233 W.

tuberculata (Tosia) . 253, 266

turcarum (Echinothrix) . . . . 373 | wahlbergii (Comanthus) 228, 229, 231

typica (Echinocucumis) . . 409, 418 | wahlbergi (Ophioderma) . 350, 353

EXPLANATION OF PLATES.

All figures are natural size except where otherwise stated:

Fig. 1.

Fig. 2.

Fig. 3.

Fig. 4.

Figs. 1,

Figs. 3,

Figs. 1,

Figs. 3,

Figs. 1,

Figs. 3,

Figs. 1,

Figs. 3,

Figs. 5,

Plate VIII.

Monachocrinus coelus n. sp.

Inparometra multicirra n. sp.

Comanthus wahlbergu (J. Mutt).

Chondraster elattosts n. sp.

Plate IX.

Tosia tuberculata (GRAY).

Pteraster capensis GRAY.

Plate X.

Hymenaster gennaeus n. sp.

Plate XI.

Cryaster brachyactis n. sp.

Hymenaster lamprus n. sp.

Plate XII.

Pseudarchaster brachyactis n. sp.

Calliaster acanthodes n. sp.

Plate XIII.

Cladaster macrobrachius n. sp.

Plutonaster proteus n. sp.

6, 7. Plutonaster proteus n. sp.

Holotype enlarged 8 times, the

distal parts of the arms not

shown.

Holotype.

Upper surface of holotype a

little more than one half nat.

size.

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-

ges.

ive)

Explanation of Plates.

Plate XIV.

Figs. 1, 2 Ceramaster patagonicus var. ewryplaxn. Upper and lower surfaces of

holotype.

Figs. 3, 4. Ceramaster trispinosus n. sp. Upper and lower surfaces of

holotype.

Figs. 5, 6. Ceramaster chondriscus n. sp. Upper and lower surfaces of

holotype.

Plate XV.

Figs. 1, 2. Echinaster reticulatus n. sp. Upper and lower surfaces of

holotype.

Figs. 3, 4. Porantopsis capensis n. sp. Upper and lower surfaces of

holotype.

Plate XVI.

Figs. 1, 2. Mediaster capensis n. sp. Upper and lower surfaces of

holotype.

Figs. 3, 4. | Asterina gracilispina n. sp. Upper and lower surfaces of

holotype, enlarged 3 times.

Figs. 5, 6. Asterina dyscrita n. sp. Upper and lower surfaces of

holotype, enlarged 3 times.

Plate XVII.

Figs. 1, 2. Asterina granifera (Gray). Upper and lower surfaces.

Fig. 3. Asterina granifera var. sporacantha n. Upper surface of paratype.

Figs. 4, 5. Anseropoda habracantha n. sp. Upper and lower surfaces of

holotype, enlarged 3 times.

Plate XVIII.

Figs. 1, 2. Lophaster quadrispinus n. sp. Upper and lower surfaces of

holotype.

Fig. 3. Perissasterias polyacantha u.g. and sp. Holotype, a little more than

one half nat. size.

Plate XIX.

Figs. 1, 2. Dictenophiura anoidea n.g. and sp. -—- Upper and lower surfaces of

olotype, enlarged 4 and

3 times respectively.

Figs. 3, 4. Ophiacantha nerthepsila n. sp. Upper and lower surfaces of

holotype, enlarged 3 times.

paratype, enlarged 3 times.

Plate XX.

Figs. 1, 2. Ophiochiton australis n. sp. Upper and lower surfaces of

holotype, enlarged 4 and

3 times respectively.

Figs. 3, 4. Ophiactis carnea Lyunc. Upper and lower surfaces,

enlarged 3 times.

Explanation of Plates.

Figs. 5, 6. Astrothamnus papillatus n. sp.

Plate XX1.

Figs. 1, 2. Coenopedina capensis n. sp.

Fig. 3. Coeloplewrus interruptus Doderl. _

Plate XXII.

Figs. 1, 2, 3. Paracentrotus grandis n. sp.

Plate XXIII.

Figs. 1, 2, 3. Spatagobrissus mirabilis n.g. and sp.

ABS

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.

Upper and lower surfaces of

holotype. $ natural size.

Mus. Vol. XIII. Plate VIII.

SoutH AFRICAN ECHINODERMS.

Adlard « on & West Newma

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XIII.

Mus. Vol.

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Ann. 8S. Afr. Mus. Vol. XIII. Plate X.

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13. — Descriptions of three new Fresh-water fishes from Northern

Rhodesia. — By G. A. BouLencer, F.R.S. etc.

Famity CHARACINIDAE.

ALESTES PERINGUEYI, N. sp.

Depth of body 3} times in total length, length of head 4 times.

Head twice as long as broad, 1} times as long as deep; snout a

little longer than eye, which is lateral and 4 times in length of

head; adipose eyelid fully developed: maxillary not extending to

below anterior border of eye: 16 teeth (?) in upper jaw, 40 (8) in

lower; lower border of second suborbital longer than eye. Gill-

rakers long and slender, 22 on lower part of anterior arch. Dorsal

II 8, originating above last ray of ventral, at equal distance, from

end of snout and from caudal, longest ray ? length of head. Anal III

9°

15. Pectoral ? length of head, not reaching ventral. Caudal forked.

Caudal peduncle 1) times as long as deep. Scales with radiating and

: 44 :

anastomosing canals, 295°, 2 between lateral line and root of ven-

tral. Silvery, speckled with black above the lateral line; a whitish

streak from the upper border of the gill-cover to the caudal, a black

band, widest in front, extending on the middle rays of the caudal.

Total length 4335 mm.

A single specimen from Mansa River, N. Rhodesia; collected by

Dr. Colyer.

Type in the South African Museum, No. 14530.

This species comes very near the West African A. kingsleyae Gnthr.

NANNOCHARAX MULTIFASCIATUS, Nn. Sp.

Depth of body 5! times in total length, lenght of head 4! times.

Head 2! times as long as broad, deeper than broad; snout rounded,

feebly projecting, as long as eye, which is 3} times in length of

head and equals inter-orbital width. Dorsal III 410, originating a

little in advance of vertical of root of ventrals, equally distant from

eye and from caudal; longest ray ? length of head. Anal III 6.

438 Annals of the South African Museum.

Pectoral about ? length of head, not reaching root of ventral. Lobes

of caudal obtusely pointed. Caudal peduncle nearly twice as long

as deep. Scales ae, 5 between lateral line and root of ventral;

lateral line complete. Yellowish, with 15 brown vertical bars; a

large black, light-edged ocellus at the root of the caudal fin, as in

N. ocellicauda Bilger. Total length 48 mm.

A single specimen from Sesheke, R. Zambezi; presented by the

Rev. L. Jalla.

Type in the South African Museum, No. 14844.

Closely allied to N. lwapulae Blgr. (Rev. Zool. Afr. IV, p. 164,

1915) from the Luapula River, Katanga (Congo System).

Famity SILURIDAE.

SYNODONTIS COLYERI, Ni. Sp.

Depth of body equal to length of head, 4 times in total length.

Head 4! times as long as broad, feebly rugose above behind snout,

which is rounded and slightly longer than postocular part of head;

eye supero-lateral, 6 times in length of head, twice in interorbital

width; lips moderately developed; premaxillary teeth forming a

short and broad band; movable mandibular teeth } diameter of eye,

22 in number. Maxillary barbel with a narrow marginal membrane

at the base, as long as head, reaching anterior fourth of pectoral

spine; outer mandibular barbel not quite twice as long as inner,

the former with long slender branches, the latter with tubercular

branches. Gill-opening not extending downwards beyond root of

pectoral spine. Occipito-nuchal shield 1} times as long as broad,

with pointed posterior processes. Humeral process much longer

than broad, not keeled, sharply pointed. Dorsal I 7; spine 4 length

of head, feebly curved, smooth in front, rather strongly serrated

behind. Adipose dorsal 4 times as long as deep, 3 times as long

as its distance from rayed dorsal. Anal III 7, rounded. Pectoral

spine a little shorter than head, strong: serrated on both sides.

Ventral not reaching anal. Caudal strongly forked, upper lobe the

longer. Caudal peduncle as long as deep. Olive-brown above,

whitish beneath, with numerous black spots. Total length 1442 mm.

A single specimen from Mansa River, N. Rhodesia; collected by

Dr. Colyer.

Type in the South African Museum, No. 14529.

Allied to S. zambesensis Peters.

( 439 )

14.—Diagnoses of New Species of Marine Fishes from South African

Waters.—By K. H. Barnarp, M.A., F.L.S., Assistant Director.

Tue following diagnoses of new species of Fishes are the result of an

examination of the Collection of Fishes in the South African Museum.

When the whole collection has been thoroughly examined there will

probably be some more species to be described, but it is thought that

these should be published as soon as possible with a view to aiding

the work being done on the Fishes of this region by other workers.

CYCLOSTOMATA.

Famity MYXINIDAE.

HEPTATRETUS PROFUNDUS, 0. sp.

Five gill-openings. Teeth, 11 in outer, 10 in inner row, the anterior

3 in the outer, the anterior 2 in the inner, row, basally fused. Head

(7.e. from nostril to first gill-opening) 4% times, depth of body (at

level of gill-openings) 12 times in totallength. Ventral fin ending at

a great distance (100 mm.) behind last gill-opening. 620mm. Dark

brown.

Off Cape Point, 400 fathoms. s.s. Pieter Faure.

The forward position of the gills at once removes any doubt as to

this specimen being merely a five-gilled aberration of the Common

South African Hag (H. hexatrema). The second gill-pouch on the left

side is degenerate, being only about a quarter of the size of the others.

This is the first record of a five-gilled Heptatretus and the deep-water

habitat is exceptional for a member of this genus.

HEPTATRETUS OCTATREMA, 0. sp.

Eight gill-openings. Teeth 10 in both rows; the anterior 3 in the

outer, the anterior 2 in the inner, row, basally fused. Head 4 times,

depth of body 25 times in total length. Ventral fin ending only a

short distance (8-10 mm.) behind last gill-opening. 300 mm.

Brownish.

440 Annals of the South African Museum.

Agulhas Bank, 25-40 fathoms. s.s. Pieter Faure.

Easily distinguished by its greater slenderness from the Japanese

okinoseanus, Dean, 1904, the only other known species with eight

gill-openings.

ELASMOBRANCHII.

Famity RAIIDAE.

RAIA SPINACIDERMIS, n. sp.

2, shape of microps (Giinther, Challeng. Rep. I, Plate IV), but a little

broader in proportion to length, and snout sharper. Width equal to

distance from snout to middle of tail. Snout pointed but not produced,

about 90°, anterior margin almost straight, outer pectoral angle broadly

rounded, hind margin convex. Hye a little less than interorbital

width, which is 32 in preocular length of snout. Internasal width less

than distance of nostril from tip of snout. Rostral cartilages narrow

and slender, united for a little more than half theirlength. Anterior

rays of pectoral reaching to 25 mm. from tip of snout. Tail a little

shorter than length of body; the lateral cutaneous fold confined to

the posterior third. Teeth 60, the median ones slightly pointed.

Whole upper surface of disc and upper and lateral surfaces of tail

covered with closely-set fine setiform spinules (resembling the skin

of Spinax, whence the name), larger and closer on the tail than else-

where ; large spines entirely absent ; lower surface of tip of snout with

a few spinelets, lower surface of tail, except the median line of the

basal two-thirds, with setiform spinules similar to those on upper

surface. 600mm. Pale slaty-grey, becoming slightly darker towards

hinder margins of pectorals and distinctly darker on pelvics. Lower

surface similar to upper.

Exact locality unknown. s.s. Pieter Faure.

This hitherto undescribed species is represented by a 9 only, and is

noteworthy for the entire absence of enlarged spines.

ISOSPONDYLI.

Famity ALEPOCEPHALIDAE.

ALEPOCEPHALUS AUSTRALIS, 0. sp.

Depth of body 52-6, length of head 3 in length of body. Greatest

depth at level of pectoral. Eye equal to snout, not quite twice

New Species of Marine Fishes from South African Waters. 441

interorbital width, 32 in length of head, 103-11 in length of body.

Kye touching dorsal profile, interorbital space flat or slightly concave.

Maxilla posteriorly enlarged, extending to vertical from centre of eye.

Opercular flaps voluminous, overlapping. D 16-17, A 16-17.

Dorsal commencing opposite vent, slightly in advance of anal, which

commences behind middle of body. P 10. Caudal peduncle 23

times its greatest depth. Scales: 1. 1. 538-55; 1. tr. 13-14. Gill-

rakers 14 on lower part of anterior arch. Pyloric caeca (14-) 15. Up

to 325mm. Deep violet black on head, lighter on body.

Off Cape Point, 630 fathoms. s.s. Pieter Faure.

This species is closely allied to blandfordt Alck. (1892) from the

Arabian Sea, but differs in the slightly larger eye, the maxilla extending

farther back, the fewer scales, and the more slender caudal peduncle.

Described from two specimens, 325 and 280 mm. long, and from three

somewhat mutilated young specimens.

APODES.

Famity SYNAPHOBRANCHIDAE.

DIASTOBRANCHUS, n. g.

Dorsal commencing behind vent, which is less than a head’s length

distant from gill-slits. Pectoral considerably longer than snout.

Gill-slits ventro-lateral, oblique, separated. Tail more than 3 times

length of body to vent. Scales extending over head and cheeks,

The patch of teeth on front of vomer distinctly separated by a gap

from the single series on the hinder part, the first two teeth of which

are conical and larger than any of the other teeth in the mouth.

Except for the separate gill-slits, the species for which this new genus

is proposed, might well go into Synaphobranchus, as the forward

position of the vent is not by itself of sufficient importance to be

considered a generic character. In the short extension of the cleft

of the mouth behind the eye it resembles Ilyophis.

DIASTOBRANCHUS CAPENSIS, Nn. sp.

Depth of body 3 (adult)—4 (juv.), length of head (to pectoral) 12-12

in length of body (to vent). Length of body 42-5 in total length.

Eye 2-24 in snout, 1-1} in interorbital width, 6-7 in length of head.

Mouth not more than twice length of snout, extending not more than

an eye’s length behind posterior margin of eye, 1% in length of head.

442 Annals of the South African Museum.

Dorsal commencing about % of a head’s length behind vent. Pectoral

inserted considerably nearer vent than tip of snout, }—2 as long as head,

extending to or almost to vent, pointed. Guill-slits separated at their

anterior ends by a space equal to the length of one gill-slit. Teeth in

jaws as in Synaphobranchus pinnatus ; teeth on front part of vomer

enlarged, conical, in an oval patch, separated by a space from the

single series on the hind part of the vomer, the first two teeth of which

are also conical and larger than any of the others. Up to 790 mm.

Blackish-brown, the branchial region with a violet tinge, mouth

blue-black.

Off Cape Point, 470 fathoms. s.s. Pieter Faure.

Described from several specimens from 240 mm. upwards, in

excellent condition. The food consists of various Crustacea.

Famity CONGRIDAE.

CONGERMURAENA ALBESCENS, Nl. Sp.

Depth of body about 5, length of head nearly 3 in length of body to

vent. Length of body to vent about 1} in distance from vent to tip

of tail. Eye 14 in snout and in interorbital width, 53 in length of

head. Dorsal commencing above middle of pectoral, which is 32

in length of head. Lips rather thick and fleshy, upper jaw slightly

longer than lower, but snout not projecting, cleft of mouth extending

to below centre of eye. Teeth in about 4 series on jaws and vomer ;

maxillary and mandibulary bands 4 mm. wide (wider in front),

vomerine band elongate ovate, 6 mm. wide, extending back beyond

tip of tongue and almost to level of front margin of eye; the teeth

mostly conical, but the inner ones more or less tubercular with rounded

tops, the vomerine teeth especially so. Length of gill-slit 24 in inter-

space. 700 mm. Yellowish-white, vertical fins without any traces

of dark edging.

Off Cape Point, 250 fathoms. s.s. Pieter Faure.

CONGERMURAENA AUSTRALIS, Nn. Sp.

Depth of body about 7, length of head 24 in length of body to vent.

Length of body about 14 in length of tail. Eye nearly equal to snout,

twice interorbital width, 43-5 in length of head. Dorsal commencing

immediately behind origin of pectoral, which is 3 in length of head.

Lips thick and fleshy, snout overlapping lower jaw by at least half the

New Species of Marine Fishes from South African Waters. 443

diameter of eye, cleft of mouth extending to below anterior third of

eye. Vomerine teeth extending back to tip of tongue, 7.e. not as far

as front margin of eye; about 3 series in each band, more numerous

in front, some of the vomerine teeth subtubercular. Length of gill-

slit half the interspace. Vertebrae about 136. Up to 375 mm.

Brownish, the vertical fins with dark edging.

Coast of S.W. Africa, off Cape Peninsula, False Bay, Tristan

d’Acunha, 2-60 fathoms.

This species resembles mystax in the longer tail proportionately to

the head and trunk, and in the projecting snout and thick lips; but

it has the vertical fins with black edging as in balearica, and is inter-

mediate between the two northern species in the number of vertebrae.

As is evident from a series of Leptocephali in the South African

Museum, this is the adult of the form described by Kaup as Lepto-

cephalus capensis.

Famity DYSOMMIDAE.

DYSOMMA ANGUILLARIS, N. Sp.

Length of body to vent 5 times in length of tail. Length of head (to

gill-slit) 7 in total length. Head flat above. Eye 4 in snout, 3} in

interorbital space. Snout overlapping lower jaw, 43 in length of

head. Lips thick and fleshy. Cleft of mouth extending 2 eye

diameters behind eye. Posterior nostril almost as large as eye.

Pectoral about 44 in length of head. Dorsal commencing above or

slightly in advance of gill-slits, which are subequal to the interspace

between them. Distance of vent from posterior end of gill-slit equal

to length of one gill-slit. A narrow band of villiform teeth on

posterior 2 of maxilla; 2 conical teeth, set transversely in front of

upper jaw, followed by 4 canine teeth on vomer, the third being the

largest ; 7-8 canine teeth on each mandible, set well apart, but not so

large as those on vomer; each of the canine teeth is set in an oval,

conical, fleshy papilla with only its point projecting. Snout and

lower jaw thickly covered with minute villiform papillae. 360 mm.

Silvery-white, base of vertical fins posteriorly dark, but the edges white.

Off Tugela River mouth, Natal, 63 fathoms. s.s. Pieter Faure.

The elongate form at once distinguishes this species from the only

other known species of the genus: bucephalus, Alck. 1889. The

body cavity extends to within 70 mm. of the end of the tail, but the

intestinal loop only extends to about the middle of the total length

of the body. The stomach contained portions of Crabs,

444 Annals of the South African Museum.

Famity OPHICHTHYIDAE.

OPHICHTHYS TRISERIALIS, nN. sp.

Length of head 24 in distance from gill-slits to vent. Tail three-

quarters as long again as body. Snout conical, somewhat depressed.

Cleft of mouth moderate, not extending beyond hind margin of eye.

Lips not fringed. Eye 2 in snout, subequal to interorbital width.

Teeth pointed, subequal, but largest in front of upper jaw, triserial

in both jaws and on vomer. Dorsal commencing just behind end of

pectoral, which is 4 in length of head. 3800 mm. Uniform brownish,

vertical fins with dark margins posteriorly.

Algoa Bay, 55 fathoms. s.s. Pieter Faure.

This specimen bears a very close resemblance to wnicolor which

was also described from Algoa Bay. The difference in the teeth is

indeed the only important distinguishing character, but in this respect

the specimen is clearly distinct from the type of wnicolor which I have

examined in the British Museum.

SPHAGEBRANCHUS ACUTICEPS, N. sp.

Body cylindrical. Depth of body 43 in length of head. Length

of head a little over 3 in distance from gill-slits to vent.. Tail only a

very little longer than rest of body. Cleft of mouth 3 in length of

head. Snout pointed, projecting, 44-5 in head. Eye about in middle

of cleft of mouth, well developed but small, about 4 in snout, subequal

in length to interorbital width. Gill-slits longitudinal, parallel,

subequal in length to snout. Branchiostegal membranes rather

swollen. Teeth rather large, pointed, lancet-shaped, recurved,

uniserial, 15 in upper jaw, 12 on vomer and in lower jaw, 3 in a triangle

in front of upper jaw, the vomerine series extending back beyond

tip of tongue, whichis free. 188mm. Brown, eyes black.

Off Tugela River mouth, Natal, 37 fathoms. s.s. Pieter Faure.

Very like vulturis, Weber & Beauf, 1916, but differing in the

proportions.

New Species of Marine Fishes from South African Waters. 445

acuticeps (Sphagebranchus)

albescens (Congermuraena)

Alepocephalidae

Alepocephalus .

anguillaris (Dysomma)

APODES : :

australis (Alepocephalus)

australis (Congermuraena) .

capensis (Diastobranchus) .

Congermuraena

Congridae

CYCLOSTOMATA .

Diastobranchus

Dysomma

Dysommidae

ELASMOBRANCHIL

Heptatretus

I N-D EX

PAGE

444 ves ata

449 ISOSPONDYLI

440

440 O

443 | octatrema (Heptatretus)

i Ophichthyidae 3

449 Ophichthys

441 | profundus (Heptatretus)

442

439 P E

Raia

Raiidae

441

443 Ss

443 Sphagebranchus

spinacidermis (Raia) .

rrr, Synaphobranchidae

439 | triserialis (Ophichthys)

PAGE

440

439

444

439

440

444

440

44]

444

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