314 



Note on a Large Squid (Ommastrephes pteropus, Stp.). 



By 



E. N. Goodrich, F.Ii.iS., 



Assistant to the Linacre Professor of Human and Comparative Anatomy, Oxford. 



On the 6tli of January, 1892, Dr. Elliot of Kingsbridge most 

 generously presented to ttie Marine Biological Association a large 

 and interesting Ceplialopod which was captured off Salcombe. 



Dr. Elliot brought the squid to the Plymouth Laboratory, and 

 it was subsequently purchased for the Oxford Museum by Prof. 

 Ray Lankester, who requested me to identify it, giving me much 

 kind help, for which I wish to express my sincere thanks. 



The specimen in question, which I find to be a female 

 Ommastrephes pteropus, Stp. {Sthenoteuthis pteropus, Verr.),is in veiy 

 fair condition, having been preserved in chromic acid and in alcohol. 

 The left eye is unfortunately missing, and the lateral membranes of 

 the arms and lining of the siphon pit are somewhat torn. The 

 principal measurements, which can only be approximate owing to 

 the shrinking during preservation, are as follows : — Length from the 

 extremity of the body to the edge of the mantle, dorsally, 51 cm. ; 

 length from the extremity of the body to the edge of the mantle, 

 along the postero-ventral surface, 50 cm. ; length from the ex- 

 tremity of the body to the level of the mouth, 66 cm. The edge 

 of the mantle is nearly straight along its postero-ventral border, 

 and is produced to a slight point dorsally at the end of the nuchal 

 cartilage, as figured by Steenstrup (3, p. 146, fig. 3). The large 

 '' caudal fins " are transversely rhomboidal, as described and figured 

 by Verrill (5, p. 229, and PI. LIV, fig. 2 a). The breadth across 

 the two is 40 cm. ; they each measure 27 cm. along the posterior 

 free edge, and 23 cm. along the dorsal line of attachment. The 

 dorsal or first pair of sessile arms is 23 cm. long, and trapezoidal 

 in section. The second pair is 28 cm. long, with a keel and a 

 small lateral membrane, whose maximum width is about 1"5 cm., 

 on the ventral border. The third or lateral pair of arms (Fig. 1) 

 is 28'5 cm. in length ; on the outer surface is a large keel, broadest 



