26 THE VOYAGE OF H.M.S. CHALLENGER. 



characteristic differences, was recognisable by a change in the constitution of its tissues, 

 similar to that which is noticed in pelagic animals belonging to other grouias, when 

 compared with their non-pelagic allies, viz., the hyaline transparency of the body, with 

 undiminished, or even with rather increased bulk. The first specimen captured was a 

 ripe female, the second a very young female. No further specimens were met with. The 

 first specimen, though somewhat lacerated, was preserved ; the second was observed alive 

 and figured, but was destroyed. Before mentioning the results which have been obtained 

 by a careful microtomy of the available specimen, I will here insert in full the interesting 

 descriptions with which Professor Moseley furnished us as early as 1875,^ soon after 

 the specimens were captured, and when he had been a,ble to observe them in the fresh state. 

 His first article ^ On Pelagonemertes roUestoni runs as follows : — 



" This remarkable form was found in the trawl, together with a number of deep-sea 

 animals, from 1800 fathoms, near the southern verge of the South Australian current, 

 lat. 50° 1' S., long. 123° 4' E., March 7, 1874. Its appearance at once pronounced it a 

 pelagic animal, the body being gelatinous and transparent as in Scdj^a, with the 

 exception of the alimentary canal, which stood out in relief, being of a deep burnt-sienna 

 colour (as is the nucleus in many SaljJ^), and the region of the sheath of the proboscis, 

 which was less transparent than the remainder of the body. The animal was living 

 when obtained, and when placed in fresh sea-water gave evidence of life by a feeble, 

 irregular, peristaltic contraction of the external muscular tunic, which increased on 

 irritation ; the proboscis w^as also protruded and retracted several times. 



" The animal was about 4 cm. long and 2 broad, and 5 mm. in thickness. Hence its 

 dimensions, and especially its thickness, render it unfavourable for a perfect examination 

 of its structure under the microscope whilst in the entire condition. As only one 

 specimen was procured, and as this was believed to be unique, no dissection was resorted 

 to, excepting the removal of a small portion of the epidermis and external muscular tunic 

 for microscopic examination. Hence the investigation of the structure of this Nemertine 

 necessarily remained an imperfect one, and the afiinities of the animal amongst other 

 Nemertines could not be determined. 



" The animal is leaf-like in shape, narrowing to a blunt point at the posterior 

 extremity, and commencing abruptly at the anterior. The proboscis is protruded from the 

 summit of a protuberance occupying the middle region of the anterior extremity. The 

 mouth is situate on the ventral surface of the body, just posterior to the aperture for the 

 proboscis. It is a simple aperture with a plaited margin composed of five or six folds. 

 It is the commencement of a short muscular tube, the oesophagus, which was seen to 

 pass behind the most anterior prolongation of the main mesial digestive canal, but the 

 communication of which with the latter was not traced. The digestive system stands 



1 Ann. and Mag. Nat. Hist., 1875, No. 87 and No. 96. 



- The fif^ures which accuinpanied lh« article have all been reiJroduced on PL I. figs. 24-27. 



