426 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. [216] 



Histioteuthis Collinsii Verrill. (See p. ,[121].) 



Plate XXIII. Plate XXIV, figs. 3-7. Plate XXV, figs. 1, la. Plate XLV, figs. 6, Ga. 



The teeth of the odontophore originally described and figured (p. [123], 

 Plate XXIV, fig. C) were not the most developed of those on the same 

 odontophore ; therefore, I have prepared another figure (Plate XXIV, 

 fig. 7). The pedicels of the larger suckers on the tentacular club are 

 very peculiar. They are, when extended, long and remarkably stout, 

 their diameter being more than half that of the sucker. They are 

 cylindrical, and are capable of being invaginated to near the middle, 

 so that they can be lengthened out or very much shortened by a sort of 

 telescopic motion. The upper end is thick, and so fits the basal part of 

 the broad sucker that it acts as a piston, very perfectly. (Plate XXXV, 

 figs. 1, Iff.) 



Two additional examples of this interesting species have been re- 

 ceived. The first is in nearly the same condition as, but is considerably 

 smaller than, the one originally described. The head and arms alone 

 remain, but these are well enough preserved to show the characteristic 

 color-marks. It was taken from a cod, on the western part of the Grand 

 Bank, X. F., by Captain Johnson and crew, of the schooner "Augusta 

 Johnson" (lot 902). Presented to the U. S. Fish Commission, June, 1881. 



The last example also consists only of the head and sessile arms, and 

 is not in so good condition as either of the others referred to. It is about 

 as large as the one originally described. This was taken by Capt. Chas. 

 Anderson and crew, of the schooner 'Alice G. Wonson," in 180 fathoms, 

 near the northeast part of George's Bank, October, 1881. 



Desmoteuthis tenera Verrill. * 



Trans. Conn. Acad., v, p. 412, pi. 55, figs. 2-2(7, pi. 56, fig. 3. 



Plate XLV, figs. 2-2d. Plate XLVI, fig. 3. 



Two small but perfect specimens of this new species were taken in 

 the "trawl-wings"* this season, at station 952, in 388 fathoms. 



The specimens are both males, but show no positive evidence of hec- 

 tocotylization. The eyes are very large and prominent, occupying the 

 whole of the sides of the head, wide apart dorsally, but nearly in con- 



*The " trawl-wiii gs," which were first invented and used by the U. S. Fish Com- 

 mission, this summer, consist of fine nets attached to a support extending ont from 

 each end of the trawl-beam. When in use they are about two feet above the sea bot- 

 tom. They are provided with an interior funnel-shaped net to prevent the escape of 

 animals captured. They have been of great value to us for capturing, and retaining 

 in excellent condition, many kinds of free-swimmiug deep-sea animals, not otherwise 

 obtainable, or if taken in the trawl crushed by the great masses of fishes, echinoderms, 

 actinia?, etc., usually taken in every haul in those waters. 



Among the things captured in the "trawl-wings" are not only several cephalopoda 

 (including Alloposus, Lestoteuthis, Hossia), but Cymbulia calceolus, and other Pteropods; 

 vast numbers of Sagiita, one of them bright orange-colored; numerous species of 

 Copepod crnstacea, some of them of great size ; Schizopods ; Salpse ; Acalephs, in- 

 cluding one very remarkable new form of Siphonophora, etc. 



