230 



They rise, according to Norman, " above the hyclrotheca 

 to a height (exclusive of tentacles) which is not less than 

 five times its diameter, and far overtop the level of the suc- 

 ceeding hydrotheca." The calycles are quite rudimentary. 

 Hob. In deep water in the Minch (A. M. N.). 



Genus OPHIODES, Hincks. 



Der. otptwSijs, snake-bearer. 



GENERIC CHARACTER. Stem branching, rooted by a 

 creeping stolon ; hydrothecae vase-shaped ; poll/piles not 

 retractile within the calycle ; the body deeply constricted 

 a little below the base of the tentacles; tentacles in a 

 single verticil, muricate, webbed, and surrounding a coni- 

 cal proboscis ; tentaculoid organs borne singly on the stem 

 and on the creeping stolon, highly extensile, protected at the 

 base by a small chitinous cup, and terminated at the upper 

 extremity by an enlarged capitulum armed with thread- 

 cells ; reproduction by means of fixed sporosacs. 



THE remarkable tentacular organ with which Ophiodes is 

 furnished, and which may be regarded as the equivalent of 

 the nematophore, consists of a very extensile, snake-like 

 appendage, with an enlarged head, attached at the lower 

 extremity by an extension of the coenosarc. The base is 

 protected by a small chitinous tube, which expands from 

 its point of origin upwards; the capitulum contains 

 numerous thread-cells, from which very long threads, 

 barbed below, are emitted. 



These tentaculoid organs are capable of great elongation 

 and contraction, and execute the most vigorous move- 

 ments, stretching themselves out with apparent eagerness 



