'Alert' 1881-2

117
ECHINODERMATA.
F. JEFFllEY BELL.
The chief points of interest attached to the ' Alert ' collection of
Echinoderms may be indicated as follows :
Though there are no new Echinoidea, there are some very precious
series of some species, Maretia platwlata being notably well
represented. Similarly the series of some of the Asterids has given
us evidence of a variability that would be almost incredible but for
the careful registration of the localities of the species. Eare and
new forms of Ophiurids and Asterids will, on inspection of the succeeding
systematic list, be found to be well represented : OpMotlirix
has a large number of forms, the exact delimitation and definition of
which has been to me a matter of just as much anxiety and doubt
as it has been to my predecessors ; but a study of the collection has
led me to a somewhat important conclusion, in that I have been
compelled by the evidence to attach much less weight than some
have done to the characters of the coloration *.
The question of coloration of forms has taken on almost a new
aspect since the publication by Mr. Seebohm of his views as to the
value of the pattern of colour in the Turdinse (Cat. Birds B.M. v.
p. viii) ; while, on the other hand, the recent statements of such experienced
entomologists as Butler, who thinks that in time it will
be impossible to decide, without rearing from the egg, whether any
form is a species, a hybrid, or a variety (Trans. Ent. Soc. 1880,
p. 200), and Elwes, in whose opinion {I. c. p. 134) climate, food, and
conditions of life will more than account for the change in tint of
certain representative species, seem to indicate that in the group of
the Lepidoptera, where coloration has been so much attended to,
those who are among the most experienced are learning to doubt its
value, and to recognize, as the professed students of ichthyology
(see Giinther's ' Study of Fishes,' pp. 176-182) would seem to have
done, that in coloration there is great variation. It would be a
matter for regret if, when the views of others are advancing, the
describer and systematist of Echinoderms should make a backward
* Liitken, "Le systeme general de coloration constitue un caractere impor-
tant qu'il ne faut pas negliger dans la distinction des Ophiothrix" (Vid. Selsfc
Skr. (5) Bd. 8, ii. p. 104) ; and compare the descriptions of all writers on the
genus.
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