MUSEUM OF COMPARATIVE ZOOLOGY. 53 



Variety coronata nov. 

 Plate VI. Figs. 8,8 a. 



This variety is chiefly peculiar in having one or two of the upper transverse 

 series of verrucse much more prominent than usual, and tipped by a conical, 

 often acute point of hard chitinous material, of the same nature as the coating 

 over the general surface, but thicker and harder. The lower part of the col- 

 umn may be covered with low tessellated verruca, or it may be nearly smooth. 

 The base, in nearly all the examples of this variety that I have seen, is flat and 

 adherent. The few specimens of this kind in my possession are mostly less 

 than an inch in diameter. They are mostly from deep water, 300 to 980 

 fathoms. Intermediate states between this and the normal form are not rare. 

 From Station 307, in 980 fathoms, there is a peculiar specimen (Figs. 8, 8 a) of 

 this variety, in which there is a single circle of twelve very prominent, sharp- 

 pointed verrucae around the retracted summit ; the lower part of the column is 

 irregularly wrinkled and covered with a tough and closely adherent dark brown 

 epidermis. 



"Variety tuberculosa nov. 

 Plate VI. Fig. 7. 



This is a remarkable form, perhaps a distinct species. The column is cov- 

 ered with large, distinct, irregularly scattered, round or hemispherical, solid 

 tubercles, which are persistent. The upper retractile border has irregular, 

 strong, longitudinal, unequal crests. The surface of the column is covered 

 with a firm dark brown epidermis. The base is broad and adherent to stones, 

 lumps of mud, etc. The tubercles in alcoholic specimens are generally white, 

 the surface between dark bro^\^l. Height in alcohol, 40 to 70 mm. ; diameter, 

 25 to 45 mm. ; diameter of tubercles, 5 to 10 mm. 



I have never seen this variety alive, and therefore hesitate to separate it as a 

 species, although it may very well prove to be distinct. I have seen no truly 

 intermediate forms. 



This variety has often been brought in from various localities, on the fishing 

 banks off" Nova Scotia, etc., by the fishermen of Gloucester, Mass., and pre- 

 sented to the U. S. Fish Commission by them. It has been dredged by the 

 U. S. Fish Commission in the Gulf of Maine and off Nova Scotia. It was 

 also sent to me by Mr. J. F. Whiteaves, who dredged several specimens of it 

 in 1872, in the Gulf of St. La^v^ence, off Anticosti Island, in 112 fathoms. 



Actinauge longicornis Verrill. 



Urticina longicornis Verrill, Amer. Jour. Sci., XXIII., March, 1882, p. 222. 



Plate V. Figs. 1, 3. 



This is a very large and beautiful species, remarkable for the large size, 

 great length, and delicate coloration of its tentacles, and for the whitish or rosy 



