274 BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF FISHERIES. 



a juvenile character disappearing in the adult. The occurrence of a correspondingly larger radula in 

 the more mature individual, however, quite disproves this hypothesis and indicates that it has either 

 been previously overlooked, or that the structure is present in some species of the group and much 

 reduced or wanting in others. 



The apparently disproportionate development of the two sides of the head may be due to the 

 bursting of the eyes, but if not, closely parallels the remarkable state described for the widely different 

 Meleagroleulhis hoylci by Pfeffer and alluded to on page 305 of the present paper. Though attained inde- 

 pendently in each species, it may be that the condition is due to some environmental feature or habit 

 common to both. It is a curious fact that in every individual seen it is the left eye which undergoes 

 the enlargement and the right which is reduced. 



Genus STAUROTEUTHIS Verrill, 1879. 



Siauroteuthis Verrill, 1S79, p 468. 

 Venill, 1881. p. 382. 

 Hoyle, 1904, p. 5. 



A group closely allied to Cirroteuthis, but differing chiefly in the fact that the dorsal cartilage is 

 posterier in position and horseshoe-shaped, with the free ends directed toward the head. 

 Type, S. syrtcnsis Verrill, 1879, from off Nova Scotia. 



? Stauroteuthis sp., juv. (PI. xx.xin, fig. 1.) 



A single individual obtained by the Albatross at station 4325, 191-292 fathoms, in the vicinity of 

 San Diego, Cal., is so young that to name it might lead to little but confusion in the future, yet it is 

 so remarkably well preser\-ed that a brief description at least seems well worth while. 



Body short, plump, subgelatinous, slightly compressed above and below; on either side a small 

 paddle-like fin which is slightly constricted and tliickened at the base. 



Head apparently larger than the body, but so intimately connected with the latter that no exact 

 line of demarcation can be dra^vn. Eyes relatively enormous, appearing as prominent swellings; eyeball 

 dark bluish in color, with a very large white lens. Funnel very small, broadly triangular in shape, 

 very blimt at the tip. Opening of the branchial cavity much reduced, forming only a small semicircle 

 below the ftumel and not extending beyond it on either side. 



Arms subequal, the ventral ones somewhat the shortest; connected almost to their extreme tips 

 by the enormously thick and fleshy umbrella; intermediate web absent. Suckers of exceeding minute- 

 ness, in a single row, and supplemented by the usual row of paired cirri on each side. 



Notwishingfor the present to mutilate the specimen seriously, I amimable to add sufficient particu- 

 lars definitely to settle its generic position, but refer it provisionally to Stauroteuthis. In general it 

 suggests Verrill 's figure of Cirroteuthis plena, but has larger eyes, smaller suckers, and the arms are more 

 immersed in the web. The illustration given by Joubin of Cirroteuthis umbellata {=Stauroteuthis 

 hippocrcpium Hoyle ?) also offers many points of resemblance, but the above remarks as to the arms and 

 web would apply here as well ; nor does the small specimen described by Hoyle as Cirroteuthis meangensis 

 appear to be the same. 



The imique specimen is in the U. S. National Museum (no. 119 of the author's register). Its 

 measurements as contracted in spirits are given below. 



Measurements of Stauroteuthis sp.,juv. 



mm. 



Total length 3° 



From Up of body to mantle opening 11 



Width of body '♦ 



Width of fins ' 



Length of fins 4 



Width of mantle opening S 



Width across eyes ^° 



Diameter of eye *• S 



