LIEIOPE. 



115 



is merely the final condition of the former and therefore deserves no recogni- 

 tion in nomenclature. 



The gonads in very small specimens are ovate (PI. 4, fig. 3), such as are 

 believed by Maas to characterize the species L. tetrapht/lla ; but this is only 

 a transitory stage, for v^ith growth the gonads broaden at their basal end, 

 •while remaining of about the same breadth at the distal end, — a change 

 resulting in the attainment of the triangular form. An interesting feature 

 connected with the growth of the gonads is that the radial canal distal to 

 the sex organ is very much broader than it is proximal to the latter. 



This character, as well as the form of the gonads, separates L. tetraphylla 

 from the second species of Liriope in the collection, and it is because of the 

 form of the canals (broadest at their distal ends) that I have included in 

 L. tctraplvjlla such larval stages as that represented on PL 4, fig. 2, 



The series shows clearly that the number of blind canals per quadrant is 

 of no taxonomic significance, for although seven seems to be the normal final 

 number, large specimens may have fewer, there being much variation in this 

 respect. 



The color is variable ; most specimens are colorless, but in others the 

 gonads and manubrium are yellowish. 



L. tetra^jhylla seems to be a typical oceanic species ; it has, under its 

 various synonyms, been recorded from the tropical and subtropical waters 

 of all oceans. It occurred regularly over the entire area traversed by the 

 " Albatross." 



Liriope species ? 



Station 4571 ; 300 fathoms to surface ; various stages. 

 Station 4575 ; surface. 

 Station 4605 ; 300 fathoms to surface. 

 Station 4634 ; 300 fathoms to surface. 

 Station 4638 ; 300 fathoms to surface. 

 Station 4640 ; surface. 

 Station 4648 ; 300 fathoms to surface. 

 Station 4664 ; surface. 

 Station 4710 ; surface. 

 Station 4712 ; surface. 

 The series contains all stages from the first appearance of gonads up to 

 specimens some 15 mm. in diameter. They are distinguished from L. 



Several specimens at each 

 station. 



