276 ALLAN HANCOCK PACIFIC EXPEDITIONS VOL. 10 



mous mass of tentacles, capable of unusual extension and retraction. 

 Branchiae and eyespots are absent. There are many (over 20) setigerous 

 segments, but the number is highly variable in known species. Unci- 

 nigerous tori are more or less completely absent from the thorax, the first 

 pair is often indistinct and present in a far posterior segment. Ventral 

 scutes are conspicuous in the anterior thoracic region, and sometimes 

 deeply grooved. Notosetae are present from the second or third segment; 

 they are smooth or spinous. Uncini are avicular, occur in single rows, 

 usually have a prolonged basal portion terminating distally in a few large 

 teeth. Individuals are commonly luminescent. 



Species of the genus Polycirrus are in great confusion, at least partly 

 because of the unknown range of variation within species. Only 2 have 

 been reported from California — P. calif ornica Moore (1909, pp. 276- 

 277) from San Diego, and P. perplexus Moore (1923, pp. 198-199) off 

 central California, in 10 to 281 fms. P. calif ornica has about 28 setigerous 

 segments, uncini are first present from the thirteenth setiger, and ventral 

 scutes are large through the sixth segment. P. perplexus has about 40 

 setigerous segments, uncini are first present from the eighth setiger, and 

 ventral scutes large through the eleventh. The range of any or all of 

 these characters has not been ascertained. The number of setigerous 

 segments among a group of individuals from Moss Beach to Dillon Beach 

 ranges from 38 to only 19. Among these, only one individual has 38 

 setigers, 5 have 28, and 4 have 21 to 22. An examination of more material 

 than is now available is necessary to determine whether they represent 

 specific characters, and just what these individuals are. 



Genus AMAEA Malmgren 



The anterior end is greatly prolonged forward, provided with many 

 tentacles from its upper surface, including a modified, dilated kind limited 

 to the dorsalmost ridge of the peristomial fold, and great numbers of 

 slender, filiform ones attached to the peristomial fold at the sides and 

 around the oral aperture. The prostomial lobe is enormous. Branchiae 

 and eyespots are absent. The thoracic region has parapodia reduced to 

 papillar prolongations, provided with slender fascicles of fine setae; an 

 anterior abdominal region lacks parapodial structures and is followed by 

 a region in which setal fascicles are reduced to slender uncini. All setal 

 structures are inconspicuous and typically deeply embedded. 



Only 3 species have been attributed to this genus. They are A. tri- 

 lobata (Sars) from northern, western, and southern Europe (Fauvel, 



