MUSEUM OF COMPARATIVE ZOOLOGY. 303 



stem of Stephanomia is generally contracted into a closely coiled spiral. The 

 alcoholic stem of Haliplujta is uncoiled. 



A description * of what remains of the single specimen of Haliphyta is as 

 follows. The parts remaining which could be identified were the float, stem 

 (nectostem and polyp-stem), a few covering-scales, polypites, a broken tentacle, 

 and clusters of sexual bells. Although no nectocalyces are found, their former 

 existence is indicated by a well-marked nectostem and a cluster of immature 

 swimming-bells (always the most adherent of these bodies) just below the 

 float. Nectocalyces, with the exception of the cluster just mentioned, are more 

 readily detached from the stem than any other structures, and they were prob- 

 ably broken from their connections with the axis at the time of capture. 



The float is a small, pear-shaped, colorless body, slightly inclined to one side 

 in its attachment to the stem. The nectostem is larger in diameter than that 

 of any other genus, not excluding gigantic specimens of Apolemia. The con- 

 tracted axis is about a quarter of an inch in diameter. It is not twisted in 

 contraction. The nectostem has a smooth surface with the exception of one 

 side, on which is placed a row of small tubercles, which I have considered 

 former points of attachment of the absent nectocalyces. 



The polyp-stem is a little more in diameter than the nectostem, and is jointed. 

 Many detached joints from the distal end are found in the bottle, while several 

 of the joints, although partially severed, hang adherent to the remainder of the 

 axis. 



The appendages to the polyp-stem all arise from one side of the stem, which 

 by its contraction in spirit has thrown them in such confusion that their 

 normal arrangement cannot be satisfactorily determined. The v/alls of the 

 stem are very thick, and its terminal end opposite the float is not enlarged into 

 a sac, as occurs in Physophora. 



Several detached covering-scales are found in the bottle, and a few still hang 

 from the stem. They have a spatulate outline, continuous margin, and re- 

 semble the bracts of Agalma. A small orange-colored tube f (somatocyst) 

 passes through the middle of each covering-scale, and opening into the stem 

 cavity. 



The polypites are very large, and in alcohol are contracted into an almost 

 globular shape. They have a bright vermilion color, which must have im- 

 parted to this Physophore, when alive, a very beautiful appearance. The 

 polypites seem to have been mounted upon a long peduncle, which is also con- 

 tracted into a spherical shape. Upon the basal part of the polypite we find 

 two kinds of appendages arranged in clusters. 



* A few sketches of this Physophore made by Mr. Emerton shortly after the speci- 

 men was placed in alcohol have been of assistance in my studies. I have also made 

 use of a few of his notes as regards the color of the tastem and covering-scales. 



t This tube was colorless when the specimen came into my hands. Mr. Emer- 

 ton, who observed it shortly after the medusa was placed in spirit, has indicated its 

 color as bright orange. The central tube of the bract of known species of Agalma, 

 AgalmoiJsis, Halistemma, and Stephanomia is colorless. 



