[71] CEPHALOPODS OF NORTHEASTERN COAST OF AMERICA, 
ties in the armature, both of the sessile and tentacular arms, as given 
above (p. 70), are quite sufficient, however, to warrant its separation 
from all the other genera. Its pen, as figured, also differs from all others 
hitherto described. It is narrowest anteriorly, gradually and: slightly 
expanding backward to the one-sided, conical hood or cone, which is not 
inserted into a solid terminal cone, as in Moroteuthis robusta, and the 
blade is relatively larger. The caudal fin is large, rhomboidal, and 
acute posteriorly, as in the latter. The tentacular club bears two large, 
abruptly curved, claw-like hooks in the middle, with numerous small 
suckers around them and on the proximal part. The length of the head 
and body of the original example was about 28°™ (11 inches). : 
This genus is, in the character of its armature, very much like Gonatus 
Sars; the structure of its pen appears to be similar. 
Mr. Dall has described a small species (probably young) from the coast 
of California, which may possibly belong to the same group. He re- 
ferred it doubtfully to Onychoteuthis (O. lobipennis Dall). 
A large Cephalopod, referred doubtfully to Ommastrephes, has been re- 
corded from Japan and described by Dr. F. Hilgendorf.* It was taken 
on the east coast of Japan, north latitude 35° to 56°. It had been split 
open, salted, and partly dried, and the viscera had been removed. The 
ends or clubs of the tentacles were also gone. In this condition it was 
on exhibition in Yeddo. The following are the measurements given: Tip 
of tail to front edge of mantle, 186 (6 feet, 1 inch); mantle to mouth, 
about 41 (1 foot, 5 inches); longer sessile arms, 197°" (6.5 feet); from 
tip of tail to tip of sessile arms, 414°"; total expanse across outstretched 
tentacles, 600; circumference of mantle (breadth as cut open), 130°"; 
length of caudal fin, 60™; breadth of caudal fin in middle, 45™; breadth 
of forward end of caudal fin, 28; diameter of posterior tip, 1°"; tongue 
of funnel, 10™ broad, 6 long; eye-opening, which was oblong-oval, 
without an obvious sinus, 19; distance between eyes, 26°"; diameter of 
oval skin of lip, 12°" by 8; breadth of sessile arms, 11°"; of tentacles, 
2" to 3™; diameter of horny rings of suckers on base, 1.5"; height, 
0.7""; number of denticles, 37. 
The great size, and especially the length, of the caudal fin in propor- 
tion to that of the mantle (4) render it probable that this was not a spe- 
vies of Architeuthis. The form of the fin, its length exceeding its breadth, 
is unlike the usual proportions in Ommastrephes and Sthenoteuthis. It 
is more probable that this specimen belonged to Moroteuthis robusta, or 
to some related form not yet characterized. 
D.—Note on large species of Octopus. 
Although this article relates specially to the gigantic species of ten- 
armed Cephalopods, it may not be amiss to add a few lines in respect to 
species of Octopus that attain large dimensions. It is certain, however, 
*Mittheilungen der deutschen Gesellschaft fiir Natur und Viilkerkunde Ostasiens. 
Herausgegeben von dem Vorstande, 1st Heft,*p. 21, May, 1873, Yokohama, Japan, 
See also American Journal of Science, vi, p. 237, September, 1873. 
