NO. 1 hartman: goniadidae, glyceridae, nephtyidae 113 



appear dusky in mass, the postacicular ones nearly colorless. The pre- 

 dominance of these preacicular setae is observed through the first 4 

 segments but thereafter the postacicular setae increases in size so as to be 

 the major ones. By segment 12 the preacicular series is far surpassed by 

 the postacicular one. 



The first neuropodium is a short lobe with a long ventral cirrus 

 similar to the respective notopodial cirrus but only about two-thirds as 

 large. It compares in size and shape with the ventral prostomial antennae. 

 Its preacicular and postacicular setae are arranged in an oval series 

 around the short conical acicular lobe; the 2 series are about equal in 

 number and prominence, but the entire fascicle is much weaker than the 

 corresponding notopodial one. 



The second neuropodium resembles that of more posterior segments; 

 its preacicular setae form a conspicuous anterior row of about 26 setae, 

 its postacicular series comprises about as many but the setae are much 

 finer and delicate. By segment 7 to 8 the postacicular series is the more 

 conspicuous. 



In typical parapodia the notopodial acicular lobe is incised (figs. 3, 

 4), not excavate as in N. hombergi (above). Acicula occur singly in 

 parapodia; they are yellow but look dark when observed from the tip. 

 They are distally straight and only slightly project from the parapodium 

 when not retracted. Postsetal lobes are broad and foliaceous; the noto- 

 podial is much smaller than the neuropodial one (fig. 4). Setae are 

 directed laterally in sparse fascicles. Preacicular setae form transverse 

 series in front ; they diminish in size and number farther back. In median 

 and posterior segments they are inconspicuous when compared with the 

 postacicular setae. Like those in front, they are transversely barred 

 (fig. 5). Postacicular setae are transversely serrated at their widest 

 part (fig. 6). 



N. assignis is characterized in having a proboscis with only 4 or 5 

 distal rows of papillae and smooth proximal surface; interramal cirri 

 are first present from segment 6 and small for 12 to 20 segments. The 

 conspicuous development of preacicular setae continues through a few 

 anterior segments. The notopodial lobe is incised, the neuropodial one 

 is rounded. Postsetal lobes are broadly foliaceous. N. assignis is dis- 

 tinguished from other species in the key above. 



Holotype from station 1379-41 and paratypes in the Allan Hancock 

 Foundation. 



Type locality. — Santa Catalina Channel, California in 84-95 fms. 



Distribution. — California and Lower California, Mexico, from 

 Monterey Bay south to Cedros Island in 36-109 fms; also off San Jose 

 Light, Guatemala in 2-5 fms, sand and mud. 



