DROMALIA ALEXANDRI. 303 



doubtful whether the hitter difference is an actual one. And even if it is, it is 

 questionable whether it is of systematic importance or an indication of different 

 stages of development . The three genera Stephalia, Rhodalia, and Angelopsis 

 all have a solid, bulbous, gelatinous corm; and- in all, at least by Haeckel's 

 account, the aurophore is a smooth-walled, bag-like structure, opening to 

 the exterior by a single pore, if at all. In the recently described Archangelopsis 

 Lens and Van Riemsdijk the corm is represented by a voluminous thin-walled 

 sac while the aurophore bears numerous papilliform appendages on its surface. 

 To these four genera I add Dromalia, characterized by having a bulbular corm, 

 but at the same time bearing papillae on the aurophore. The probability 

 that Circalia stephanoma Haeckel is the young of some Rhodalid, probably of 

 Stephalia, has been noted, p. 268. 



The two most interesting features of the family are the presence of the 

 aurophore, and the position of the zone of proliferation of nectophores and 

 cormidia. These questions have been the subject of much discussion by Claus 

 ('89), Chun ('97b), Schneider ('98), and especially by Lens and Van Riemsdijk 

 (:08). But inasmuch as some new light is thrown on them by the present col- 

 lection, I can best treat them after describing the specimens. 



In the Eastern Pacific collection there is a single somewhat injured example 

 of Angelopsis. I am also fortunate enough to have at hand fifteen specimens 

 collected by the "Albatross" in 1887, which form the basis for the new genus 

 Dromalia, described here because of their great importance. A typical and 

 very well-preserved specimen of Aixhangelopsis Lens and Van Riemsdijk, taken 

 by the "Albatross" in the N. W. Pacific, near Japan, has also been available 

 for comparison though luifortunately received too late for description. 



DROMALIA, gen. nov. 



Rhodaliidae with solid bulbous corm; with papilliform appendages on the 

 aurophore; tentacles with tentilla. 



Dromalia alexandri, sp. nov. 

 Plate 23, figs. 0-11; Plate 24. 



21° 12' N.; 157° 44' W. 293 fathoms to surface. 15 specimens, the 

 Type 30 mm. high by about 30 mm. in greatest diameter. 



The specimens are all very well preserved in alcohol, with most of the 

 cormidia still attached. But all of the nectophores, except the younger ones 



