CEPHALOPODS OF WESTERN NORTH AMERICA. 



285 



Head short, very broad, and separated from the body by the usual slight constriction. Eyes rather 

 large, somewhat protruding. Funnel broad at the base, tapering rapidly to a truncate nearly cylindrical 

 extremity; free distally for a little less than half its length. 



Arras rather long, attaining about three and one-half timesthe length of the body; slender, attenuate 

 slightly unequal, the order of length in general being 2, 3, 4, i; iinited at base for about a quarter of their 

 length by the strong umbrella, which is best developed between the lateral arms, shortest between the 

 ventral pair; membrane continuing from the umbrella along the outer surfaces of the arms very pro- 

 nounced, wide, and traceable nearly or quite to their tips. Suckers in two rows, rather large, little 

 elevated; in the male some four to eight suckers near where the web joins the arm are somewhat larger 

 than the others. Third right arm in the male very much shorter than either its mate of the opposite side 

 or any of the remaining arms, less attenuate, its marginal membrane much wider and furnished with a 

 slightly incurved margin to form the usual narrow canal, terminating in a small conical papilla; hecto- 

 cotylus relatively large and stout, deeply channeled, the groove narrow and abrupt at first, but widening 

 and flattening distally to some degree; inner surface very rugose, rendering the transverse groovings 

 quite obscure. (PI. xxxv, fig. 5.) 



Beak and radula not examined. 



Color of preserved specimens a deep brownish claret slightly mottled with a darker shade above, 

 paler below. Some of the color dissolves out in alcohol and the accompanying station label is stained a 

 heavy pinkish brown. 



Young unknown. 



Measurements of Polypus gilbertianus. 



Total length 



Tip ol body to base of dorsal arms. 

 Width o( body 



Neck 



Head 



Length of funnel 



Dorsal arm 



Second arm 



Third arm 



Ventral arm 



Hectocotylus 



Umbrella between dorsal arm . 



Umbrella between ventral arm 



Type, catalogue no. 214.320, U. S. National Museum (no. 139 of author's register.) 

 Type locality, Albatross station 4228, vicinity of Naha Bay, Behm Canal, Alaska; depth 41-134 

 fathoms, gravel and sponge bottom. 



Distribution, Behra Canal and Stephens Passage, Southeastern Alaska. 

 The type and one other specimen examined as given below: 



The relationships of P. gilbertianus are all with the confusing group of species of whichOctopus punc- 

 tatus Gabb was the earliest described member, and I have been quite puzzled as to how best to deal 



85079° — Bull. 30 — 12 ig 



