234 Proceedings of the Royal Society of Victoria. 



three dozen jars of tlie same species. This is due to the fact that 

 the species are very difficult to distinguish by external characters 

 alone, owing to their variability in form and sometimes also in 

 colour. Although the presence of so many duplicates has gi'eatly 

 increased the labour of examination, yet they are very valuable 

 as showing the variation in form and colour. I have been very 

 doubtful as to the advisability of enumerating every specimen in 

 the present catalogue. As, however, they may be distriljuted 

 amongst museums in various parts of the world and may thus be 

 extremely useful as standards of reference, I have decided to 

 do so. 



Each specimen bears my own register numl^er, prefixed by the 

 letters J^.N., and quoted in this catalogue. After my own 

 register number I have, except in cases where there are a large 

 number of duplicates, (}U()t<-d in brackets the particulars as to 

 locality (station number or letter), and natural colour, supplied to 

 me by Mr. Wilson. A nundier followed by the letter " f " 

 indicates the approximate depth in fatlioms. 



I have also quoted under each species the sjDecimens by which 

 it is represented in the British Museum, so far as I have know- 

 ledge thereof. These specimens are nundjered as sent out to me, 

 the numbers being prefixed by the letters B.M. The letter " d " 

 before any such number stands for "dry," and "sp." for "spirit." 

 The name attached in the British Museum and the British 

 Museum register number, where known, are quoted in brackets 

 after the number. It is hoped that these precautions will 

 facilitate any future discussion on questions of synonymy, and 

 will indicate the exact nature of the authority on which I have 

 relied. 



As regards the exact locality in which the specimens were 

 collected, I may mention that Mr. Wilson has arranged a series 

 of dredging " stations " which he designates by means of letters 

 or numbers. The letter " x " indicates a station outside but near 

 Port Phillip Heads. A number prefixed simply by the letter 

 "s" indicates a dredging station inside the Heads. I hope that 

 Mr. AV^ilson may soon publish a list of these stations for 

 convenience of reference.* 



« See Article XXV., iu which Jlr. Wilson has published the list of stations referred to. 



