408 TEANSACTIONS LIVEEPOOL BIOLOCtICAL SOCIETY. 



During May, 1893, I captured many specimens in Port 

 Erin Bay. On May 30th many dozens were left by the 

 tide upon the sandy beach, and amongst the weeds in the 

 rock pools. The largest specimens were about 30 mm. in 

 diameter. 



At the end of April, 1894, 1 obtained specimens of some 

 early stages. The smallest measured 4 mm. long and 4^ 

 mm. wide. Umbrella bell-shaped. Sixteen large tentacles, 

 4 in each quadrant, and between every two of them either 

 3 or 4 smaller tentacles. Sixteen marginal vesicles, some 

 with otoliths arranged in two rows, others with scattered 

 otoliths. The gonads just commencing to develop along 

 the radial canals. When the gonads are ripe, the genital 

 band is folded. 



Another specimen 12 mm. wide and 8 mm. long. 

 Umbrella globular. Manubrium very short ; mouth with 

 four lips. The genital band folded along the radial canals. 

 Sixteen marginal vesicles, each with 15 — 20 otoliths 

 arranged in two rows, the largest being in the centre. 

 About 35 large tentacles and from 3 to 6 smaller tentacles 

 between every two large ones. The large tentacles when 

 fully expanded are about twice the length of the umbrella. 

 Mouth and tentacle-bulbs of a purplish colour. Genital 

 bands yellowish brown, sometimes purple. 



This medusa may be distinguished by the presence of 

 16 marginal vesicles, which are usually hidden by the 

 small tentacles. 



Phialidium variahile, Hseckel (16). 



At the beginning of May, 1894, 1 captured two specimens 

 of a medusa which 1 believe to be Phialidium variahile. 

 The first taken on May 5th. Umbrella bell-shaped, 10 

 mm. long and 13 mm. wide. 29 tentacles, eight in three 

 of the quadrants and five in the other. Two or three mar- 



I 



