CONTRIBUTION TO KNOWLEDGE OF EHABDOPLEURA. 623 



points in its anatomy, and, if fortune favoured me, of obtain- 

 ing material for the study of its development from the egg. 

 In 1879, Dr. Norman had for a second time encountered 

 Rhabdopleura, having dredged it at this spot (Lervik) in water of 

 150 fathoms' depth, growing upon the dead parts of the corallum 

 of the beautiful Lophohelia prolifera, which is so abun- 

 dant on this coast. Dr. Norman very kindly gave me minute 

 instructions as to the exact spot at which he had made this 

 second find of Ehabdopleura, and within a few days of estab- 

 lishing myself at Lervik I was successful in obtaining some 

 specimens.^ A little later. Dr. Norman himself joined me at 

 Lervik and gave me the immense advantage of his help in 

 dredging operations. We very soon obtained Rhabdopleura 

 from a depth of 40 fathoms only, and growing not upon a hard 

 corallum, but upon a much more favorable substance for the 

 purposes of study, namely, on the test of Ascidia mentula. 

 At the same spot, at the very mouth of the harbour 

 of Lervik, south of the lighthouse island, we obtained a 

 specimen (the fourth on record) of the Bonellia-like Gephy- 

 rsean Hamingia arctica, which was remarkable not only 

 for its occurrence south of the Arctic Circle and in compara- 

 tively shallow water, but for retaining its prseoral appendage 

 in full perfection (see ' Ann. and Mag. Nat. Hist./ Jan., 

 1883). 



From this spot I was able then, on many succeeding days, to 

 obtain a supply of Rhabdopleura. Unfortunately, the period 

 of sexual reproduction appeared to have passed (it was then 

 August), and not only were there no ova or embryos to be 

 found, but the adult polypides seemed to be, in the majority of 

 examples, in a moribund condition. Nevertheless, I was able 



* I must not omit to express my warm thanks to Mr. Herman Friele, of 

 Bergen, who spared no trouble in helping me to make my arrangements at 

 Lervik, and gave me the benefit of his long experience in exploring the Bercea 

 district. To him, as well as to the veteran naturalist Danielssen, and to 

 Armauer Hansen, I am indebted for the most agreeable memories of the 

 hospitable Norse city — a city truly remarkable to the naturalist for its 

 splendid zoological museum and the circle of eminent men who give their time 

 to its enrichment. 



