CEPHALOPODS OF WESTERN NORTH AMERICA. 297 



Loligo opalescens is the common squid of the Pacific coast of the United States. It is in many 

 ways suggestive of L. pealii Lesueur, its congener from the other side of the continent, and also in some 

 respects recalls L. gahi from the Chilean coast, but appears sufficiently distinct from either. The 

 hectocotylized arm in particular is extremely constant in its details, which are unlike those of any 

 other species known to me. 



A few words should be said in regardtothesynonymy of this species. The first published reference 

 which I have been able tofindregardingthe occurrence of any Loligo on the west coast of North America 

 is a short paper by Hemphill in Zoe for 1892 (vol. in, p. 51-52). It is entitled " Note on a California 

 Loligo" and, alluding to the occurrence of some speciesof this genus in the San Francisco markets, pub- 

 lishes the name Loligo Stearnsii Hemphill for its reception. The article would be of little importance to 

 us now were it not for the fact that the name applied has found its way into print on a number of subse- 

 quent occasions; hence as a matter of interest the entire paper is reprinted in the Appendix following 

 this report. It will be observed that the only " diagnosis " offered is to be found in the lines, " The arms 

 are not webbed," and "it closely resembles Loligo Gahi." As it is upon these 10 words alone that the 

 validity of the name L. stearnsii must rest, it would seem that Dr. Hoyle was fully justified in his 

 refusal to recognize it as more than a mere nomen nudum. The present writer was at first inclined to 

 rehabilitate Hemphill's name and furnish it with the needful description, especially since he could not 

 but believe that the form in hand was really the one here dealt with, but in view of the suspicion that 

 we have more than one Loligo on the coast, not to mention the obvious discrepancy in the statement 

 that "the arms are not webbed." the safest course appeared to be to discard the title L. stearnsii entirely 

 and adopt an entirely new name. 



The known range extends from Puget Sound south to San Diego, Cal., and in its proper season 

 is everywhere abundant, usually occurring in great shoals by the thousand. In Monterey Bay the 

 squid appear to be chiefly abundant in the summer time, although hauls are sometimes sent into the 

 Scui Francisco markets as late as the middle of November. It used to be taken in vast quantities by the 

 Chinese of Monterey, who dried the animals on shore, packed them in bales, and exported them to China. 

 The fishing was done by night, torches being used to attract the creatures to the surface, whence they 

 were scooped in by wholesale. 



CEGOPSIDA. 



The animals belonging to this division are characterized by having a perforate eyelid free all round, 

 permitting the sea water to bathe the cornea without obstruction. The opening frequently has a pro- 

 nounced indentation or sinus in front. Both oviducts are normally developed. 



High specialization of minor organs seems characteristic of the OEgopsida. This is strikingly seen 

 in the frequent modification of many of the suckers into hooks, and the development of more or less 

 complex luminous organs showing an almost unparalleled variety of structural detail. Photophores have 

 been described as occurring in over one-half of the recognized genera. The curious arrangement of 

 modified suckers known as the "fixing apparatus" which is to be found on the tentacles is also to be 

 noted. 



Perhaps the best discussion of the group as a whole is that given by Pfeffer (1900, p. :47-i54). 



Family OMMASTREPHID.€ Gill, 1871. 

 Genus OMMASTREPHES d'Orbigny, 1835. 



Ommaslrephcs d'Orbigny, 1835, p. 4S (fide Hoyle). 

 Ommatostrft>hcs Loven, 1S46. 

 Todarodes Steenstnip, 1880. 

 Ommatosirephes Pfeffer. 1900. p. 178, 179. 

 Otnmastrepbes Hoyle, 1902, p. 198. 



Animals of moderate size, much resembling Loligo in shape and general appearance. Funnel 

 connective apparatus massive, subtriangular, with a deep x-shaped groove and corresponding ridges 



