fi 10a 4 
IX. Descriptions of some New and Rare Cephalopoda. 
By Ricnarp Owen, Esq., F.R.S., &c., Hunterian Professor of Anatomy at the Royal 
College of Surgeons in London. 
Communicated February 23rd, 1836. 
AMONGST other contributions to natural history which have resulted from the la- 
bours of our zealous Corresponding Member Mr. George Bennett, during his late voyage 
to Australia, are several new or little known marine invertebrate animals, most of which 
were taken by means of the towing-net in the open sea, or among the gulf-weed. The 
value of these specimens, in a scientific point of view, is much increased, by the care with 
which the circumstances attending the capture of each are registered ; and I now com- 
mence the fulfilment of a promise to my friend, by bringing a portion of these speci- 
mens before the notice of the Members of the Society, with such observations as seem 
to be worthy their attention. 
The subjects at present under consideration belong to the class Cephalopoda : they are, 
Ist. A specimen of the Cranchia scabra, Leach. 
2nd. Four specimens of a very small nondescript species of Loligo. 
3rd. The head and principal viscera of a Decapodous Dibranchiate Cephalopod, 
from Port Jackson. 
4th. Three specimens of a small nondescript species of Octopus. 
5th. A very small specimen of the shell of Argonauta hians, Solander, with its 
inhabitant (Ocythoé Cranchii, Leach) and a large cluster of ova. 
With respect to the first of these specimens, Mr. Bennett, in his Journal, remarks, 
“On the Ist of March, fine weather, with light and moderate trade breezes from the 
south-east, thermometer Fahr. 77° to 80°, latitude 12° 15’ S., longitude 10° 15’ W., at 
8 p.m., captured, with the towing-net, several fine specimens of Hyalea dentata, and 
two species of the Medusa genus ; the latter are preserved in spirits (bottle No. 4, D.). 
One was very prettily marked with dark red spots.”” The specimen thus distinguished 
is the Cranchia scabra, now on the table' ; and from the uncommon form which this very 
remarkable Cephalopod presents, one cannot feel surprised that it should have been re- 
ferred by its captor to a Radiate family, with which the Cephalopods bear, in more 
than one respect, an analogical relation. 
The Cranchia scabra is the species on which the genus dedicated to the enterprising 
naturalist by whom it was first taken, was founded: it belongs to that tribe of Dibran- 
' Pl. XXI. figg. 1—5. 
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