REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. [ 216 ] 
Histioteuthis Collinsii Verrill. (Seep. [121].) 
Plate XXIII. Plate XXIV, figs. 3-7. Plate XXV, figs. 1, la. Plate XLY, figs. 6, 6a. 
The teeth of the odontophore originally described and figured (p. [123], 
Plate XXIV, fig. G) were not the most developed of those on the same 
odontophore; therefore, I have prepared another figure (Plate XXIY, 
fig. 7). The pedicels of the larger suckers on the tentacular club are 
very peculiar. They are, when extended, long and remarkably stout, 
their diameter being more than half that of the sucker. They are 
cylindrical, and are capable of being invaginated to near the middle, 
so that they can be lengthened out or very much shortened by a sort of 
telescopic motion. The upper end is thick, and so fits the basal part of 
the broad sucker that it acts as a piston, very perfectly. (Plate XXXY, 
figs. 1, la.) 
Two additional examples of this interesting species have been re¬ 
ceived. The first is in nearly the same condition as, but is considerably 
smaller than, the one originally described. The head and arms alone 
remain, but these are well enough preserved to show the characteristic 
color-marks. It was taken from a cod, on the western part of the Grand 
Bank, X. F., by Captain Johnson and crew, of the schooner “Augusta 
Johnson” (lot 962). Presented to the U. S. Fish Commission, June, 1881. 
The last example also consists only of the head and sessile arms, and 
is not in so good condition as either of the others referred to. It is about 
as large as the one originally described. This was taken by Capt. Chas. 
Anderson and crew, of the schooner “Alice G. Wonson,” in 180 fathoms, 
near the northeast part of George’s Bank, October, 1881. 
Desmoteuthis tenera Verrill. 
Trails. Conn. Acad., v, p. 412, pi. 55, figs. 2-2 d, pi. 56, fig. 3. 
Plate XLV, figs. 2-2d. Plate XLVI, fig. 3. 
Two small but perfect specimens of this new species were taken in 
the “trawl-wings”* this season, at station 952, in 388 fathoms. 
The specimens are both males, but show no positive evidence of hec- 
tocotylization. The eyes are very large and prominent, occupying the 
whole of the sides of the head, wide apart dorsally, blit nearly in con- 
* The “trawl-wings,” which were first invented and used by the U. S. Fish Com¬ 
mission, this summer, consist of fine nets attached to a support extending out from 
each end of the trawl-beam. When in use they are about two feet above the sea bot¬ 
tom. They are provided with an interior funnel-shaped net to prevent the escape of 
animals captured. They have been of great value to us for capturing, and retaining 
in excellent condition, many kinds of free-swimming deep-sea animals, not otherwise 
obtainable, or if taken in the trawl crushed by the great masses of fishes, echinoderms, 
actinia}, etc., usually taken in every haul in those waters. 
Among the things captured in the “trawl-wings” are not only several cephalopoda 
(including AUoposus, Lestotcutkis, Rossia), but Cymbulia calceolus, and other Pteropods; 
vast numbers of Sagitta, one of them bright orange-colored; numerous species of 
Copepod crustacea, some of them of great size; Schizopods; Salpse; Acalephs, in¬ 
cluding one very remarkable new form of Siphonophora, etc. 
