76 U.S. NATIONAL MUSEUM BULLETIN 2 34 



low pointed teeth unevenly spaced about the rim of the horny rings 

 but widely separated from each other, and of which two to four on 

 the distal outer margin are united or raised on a common base. They 

 are much larger and sharper, having the appearance of a smaU cluster 

 of claws. No other species in the area has suckers so formed, to my 

 knowledge. On some of the larger specimens the rings appear almost 

 smooth except for one or two low triangular teeth on the distal border. 

 This may be a variation or may be due to changes with age. The 

 distal suckers have large teeth on the distal side, smaller proximally 

 but without any minute teeth in between. 



The buccal membrane is seven-pointed, with seven stout supports. 

 Each lappet bears two to four small round suckers at the tip. 



The color in the male is yellowish brown with closely set oval 

 reddish-brown chromatophores distributed over the mantle, head, fins, 

 arms, and tentacles. In this specimen the chromatophores form a 

 sort of scaHng over the skin. 



A gladius that was removed from one of the specimens had the 

 typical Loligo form. 



Measurements and indices of two males and one female of Loligo 

 sp. A are: 



Discussion. — I am not at all certain that the specimen of 137,0 ML 

 from Manila is the same species. The teeth on the tentacular suckers 

 are broadly triangular, of moderate size, widely spaced with two or 

 three on the distal side enlarged. In the others approaching the 

 size of this specimen, the ring would appear smooth or nearly so 

 except for the distal pad. 



The status of the present specimens seems so uncertain that it 

 seems wiser to leave them unnamed rather than add another name to 

 the systematic confusion already existing or to identify them ten- 

 tatively with another already existing species. It is hoped that as 

 the Phihppine fauna becomes better known that larger and better 

 series of these will come to hand. 



Distribution. — Pinas Island; Palawan Island; Samar; Manila. 



I 



