332 ALLAN HANCOCK PACIFIC EXPEDITIONS VOL. 15 



individual (2017-51), measuring less than 17 mm long, consisting of 

 eight prebranchial, 20 branchial and 52 postbranchial, or a total of about 

 80 segments. Other individuals have from five to eight prebranchial 

 segments. As they come from the same general locality and show great 

 resemblance in other respects, they are regarded as the same species. 



Postbranchial segments are smooth and cylindrical and segmental 

 furrows are hardly visible. After the middle region the segments are 

 shorter and have raised parapodial ridges ; in far posterior segments the 

 postsetal lobes are visible as slender, filamentous processes (fig. 2). Setae 

 in anterior segments are all slender and capillary. In far posterior neuro- 

 podia the setae are replaced by curved acicular spines (fig. 3) numbering 

 to four in a transverse row, in which the uppermost one is longest and 

 others are gradually shorter. They alternate with an equal number of 

 fine and slender capillary setae that are directed obliquely outward. 



The posterior end of the body terminates in a large midventral lobe 

 and a pair of slender filamentous processes (fig. 2). Some individuals 

 are ovigerous; one (2202-53) has one or two oblong ova in a segment, 

 each nearly as long as the segment is wide and so arranged that the 

 longitudinal axis of the ovum is in line with that of the animal. 



Paraonis gracilis oculata differs from the stem species in having, in- 

 stead of lacking, prostomial eyes. Other characters are suggested in 

 comparing isolated individuals, including especially the shape of the 

 prostomial lobe, the number of prebranchial and branchial segments and 

 the comparative sizes of posterior neuropodial uncini. However, these 

 features may be highly variable. 



Distribution. — This species is abundant in soft bottoms of San Pedro 

 areas, California, especially in shallower depths, and is frequently as- 

 sociated with other annelids, especially species of Aricidea, spionids and 

 smaller cirratulids. Its known distribution is plotted on the chart 

 (above). 



Paraonis multibranchiata, new species 



Collections.— 3504-55 (2) ; 3731-55 (15) ; 3733-55 (1). 



Total length is up to 30 mm; width varies from 0.3 to 0.5 mm in 

 the middle prebranchial, or widest region, of the body. Segments number 

 about 75. The prostomium is similar to that of P. gracilis (PI. 44, fig. 

 4) ; its anterior third is triangular and slightly set off from a posterior 

 inflated part; there are no visible eyes. Setae are present from the first 

 postoral ring. The prebranchial region has 5 segments with biramous 

 parapodia in lateral position. Their notopodia and neuropodia have 



