298 



BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF FISHERIES. 

 Measurements of Polypus hoylei. 



a Through an inadvertence the length of this mutilated arm was given in the original description as that of the second arm 

 pair. In the above table the measurements of all the arms were taken along the inner surface from the mouth to the tip. The 

 umbrella was measured externally. 



Type. — Cat. no. 214310 United States National Museum [S. S. B. 166]. 



Type locality. — Hawaiian Islands (Albatross); the exact locality and other data are unknown as 

 this specimen was unfortunately not accompanied by any label when it came into my hands. 

 Distribution. — Among the Hawaiian Islands, in the archibenthal region (Albatross). 



Specimens of Polypus hoylei Examined. 



c Type. 



Remarks. — P. hoylei appears to be a characteristic member of the deeper water fauna of this region. 

 Finding no close ally among its neighboring congeners, it is conspicuously characterized by its pale 

 color, sjft consistency, unusually small mantle opening, fine surface papulation, short arms, stout hec- 

 tocotylized arm, and the very unusual shape of the funnel organ. I had originally thought that this 

 species might be a near relative of P. januarii (Steenstrup), but a reconsideration of the admirably full 

 description of the latter in the Challenger Report has led me to believe that the alliance is not especially 

 close. Both are of deep-water habit and such resemblance as exists between them may well be due to 

 coordination with a similar environment. P. hoylei bears a certain resemblance to some of the pub- 

 lished figures of P. sponsalis (P. and H. Fischer) and one or two similar forms, but it is. I think, suffi- 

 ciently distinct. 



Altogether it is an unusually attractive and interesting species. The specific name is in honor of 

 that master student of cephalopods, Dr. William Evans Hoyle. 



