6 HoVLE, Generic Nanus Octopus, Eledojic, and Histiopsis. 



certainly, whether or no Histiops invalidates Histiopsis, 

 there can be no doubt that Hoylia " fait double emploi 

 avec " Hoylea. 



There is, however, another reason why M. Cossmann 

 would have done well to make further enquiries before 

 burdening our lists with another name. It is probably 

 not needed at all. The impression has been gradually 

 growing in my mind that Histiopsis is merely a young 

 form of Histioteuthis. The chief difference between the 

 two forms is the varying extent of the web between the 

 arms, and there seems reason to believe that this is a 

 character which undergoes change as development pro- 

 ceeds. From a conversation with m}^ friend Dr. Pfeffer, 

 I learn that he has independently come to the same 

 conclusion. At present there is not sufficient published 

 evidence to prove the identity of the two forms, though 

 I notice that Dr. Pfeffer has reduced Histiopsis to the 

 rank of a synonym in his recent revision of the CEgopsida 

 (:00). 



WORKS REFERRED TO. 



1184. ScHNKiDER, J. G. " Charateristik des ganzen Gesch- 

 lechts und der einzelnen Arten von Blakfischen." 

 Samml. vermischt. Abhandl. z. Aiipkldrung d. Zool. 

 p. 105-144. Berlin, 1784. 



17!HK L.\MARCK, J. B. P. A. de. " Sur les genres de la Seche, 

 du Calmar et du Poulpe." Mem. Soc. Hist. Nat. 

 Paris. Vol. I. An I. [1799]. p. i — 25, 2 pi. 



'17. Leach, W. E. "Synopsis of the orders, fanfiilies and 

 genera of the Class Cephalopoda^ Zool. MiscelL, vol. 

 III., p. 137-141, 1817. 



'35. Fkrussac, A. de & A. D'Orbigny. " Histoire naturelle 

 geneiale et particuliere des Cephalopodes acetabuli- 

 fbres, vivants et fossiles." Paris, 1835-48. 



