350 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. [140] 



broader than long - in adult specimens. The ratio of the breadth of the 

 fin to the mantle-length in the larger specimens (with mantle 150 mm to 

 225 mm long) is, in the males, from 1 : 1.75 to 1 : 2.00, while in L. Pealci, 

 of corresponding size, the ratio is 1 : 2.15 to 1 : 2.30; in the females of 

 var. pallida, of similar size, the ratio varies from 1 : 1.45 to 1 : 1.75 (see 

 Tables F, G). Tentacular arms long and slender, varying in length ac- 

 cording to the amount of contraction, in extension longer than the body, 

 the club or portion that bears suckers forming about one-third the whole 

 length. In a few males the larger suckers on the middle of this portion 

 are not so large as the largest on the lateral arms, but usually they are 

 twice as large. Iu some females the principal suckers of the tentacular 

 arms are very much larger than in others, and considerably exceed those 

 of the males of equal length; they form two alternating rows, of eight 

 to ten each, along the middle of the club; external to them there is a 

 row of smaller suckers alternating with them on each side; the suckers 

 toward the tips are very numerous, small, and crowded in four rows; at 

 the tip there is a group of about twenty minute, smooth-edged suckers, 

 in four rows. Outside of the suckers, on each side, there is a broad 

 marginal membrane, having the edges scalloped, and strengthened be- 

 tween the scallops by strong transverse muscular ridges; another mem- 

 branous fold runs along the back side, expanding into a broad mem- 

 branous keel or crest near the end. The arms of the ventral pair are 

 intermediate in length between those of the second and third pairs. 



Ground-color of the body, head, arms, and fins pale, translucent 

 yellowish white; the upper surface is covered with pale brown, unequal, 

 circular spots, which are not crowded, having spaces of whitish between 

 them ; the spots are more sparse on the head and arms, but somewhat 

 clustered above the eyes; entire ventral surface pale, with small, dis- 

 tant, brownish, circular spots, which are nearly obsolete on the siphon 

 and arms. The general appearance of the animal, when fresh, is un- 

 usually pale and gelatinous. The pen is broad, quill-shaped, translucent, 

 and amber-colored. 



A medium-sized male specimen, recently preserved in alcohol, meas- 

 ured 115 mm from the base of the dorsal arms to the posterior end of the 

 body; length of body, 120 mm ; length of caudal fin, 70 nim ; breadth of 

 fin, 75 mm ; length of first pair of arms, 42 mm ; of second pair, 50 mm ; of 

 third, 60 min ; of ventral pair, 53 mm ; of tentacular arms, 150 mD \ (For 

 other measurements, see Tables B to E.) 



Astoria, Long Island, Nov. 16 and Dec. 7, 1871 (Eobert Benner). 



This form has been received hitherto only from the western part of 

 Long Island Sound, where it is abundant with the schools of menhaden, 

 on which it feeds. 



Reproduction of lost parts. 



I have observed in this species, as well as in Ommastreplies illcccbrosns, 

 numerous instances in which some of the suckers have been torn off and 





