THE COAST OF CALIFORNIA. 9 



Nootocysts were seen. It is important to know whether 

 otocysts exist or not, for in tlie original description of Pol- 

 yorchis this point was left in clouht. I have repeatedly 

 searched for otocysts and my search supports the opinion 

 that these bodies are wanting in Polyorchis.^ 



The proboscis is mounted on a conical or rounded ge- 

 latinous extension of the bell which is crossed by the four 

 radial tubes. The lateral branches of the tubes hang from 

 this prominence of the bell and are not formed in the wall 

 of the true proboscis. 



The sexual bodies have the form of numerous long, fil- 

 amentous threads, hangiug down iu the bell cavity, in some 

 instances as far as the bell opening. Their color is yellow 

 and they vary in number since many are small and half 

 developed. Although in former descriptions only four sex- 

 ual bodies are described on each tube, the number was 

 found in some of my specimens to be much greater. 



The proboscis is long and flexible and has a [)ale yellow 

 color. It is trumpet-shaped at the oral end. The mouth 

 is four-parted and often hangs just at the opening of the 

 bell. Food when present can be readily seen through the 

 walls of the stomach. 



Nothing is known of the young of the medusa of Poly- 

 orchis. The following description of an immature condi- 

 tion of this genus is thought to be of interest. 



The youngest stage of Polyorchis which was taken dif- 

 fers in several details from the adult just described, and in 

 its form indicates the affinities of the genus. 



Its bell is oblong, without a prominent apical protuber- 

 ance, although somewhat thicker in the apical region. The 

 lateral walls of the bell are of about uniform thickness and 



* The importance of knowing whether otocysts exist or not in Polyorchis is 

 seen when we remember that tliis genus h:is several features in its anatomy 

 which ally it to tliose Mediisaj possessing these structures. 



