FIJI-NEW ZEALAND EXPEDITION 205 
problem is not solved by either of these theories but no other pre- 
sents itself and it will have to remain one more ‘‘unsolved mystery 
of the deep.”’ 
The specimens were often found almost éémpletely immersed 
in a large soft sponge, all but the lower part of the body whorl 
being entirely covered. They were brought up in the trawl from 
a depth of about twenty-four fathoms, while we were working 
near Little Barrier Island, Hauraki Gulf. 
A number of other gastropods were secured, some of them very 
beautifully sculptured, but none requiring special mention here, 
although it is hoped that the specialist (probably Dr. Paul Bartsch 
of the United States National Museum) will find something of 
interest. 
One species seemed to be a sort of shell-less Patella, having the 
general features of that group, but without any trace of a shell. 
The specimens are a little less than an inch in length and almost 
black in color, with the dorsal integument so thin that the coiled 
intestine can be seen through it. On the head there is a pair of 
short stumpy tentacles. The foot is very regularly oval in shape, 
muscular, and under the edge of the mantle are a number of gill 
lamelle. Dr. Paul Bartsch, from my verbal description, thinks 
this may be an Onchidium, a shell-less pulmonate. 
I have been unable to find any reference to Patellide without 
shells and may be far afield in my identification. The species 
resembles the Amphineura or Chitons in many respects, and there 
are chitons which do not bear shells. We understand, however, 
that only one genus of this group has a distinct head, and that is 
a worm-like form very different from the one here described. 
These were collected on Rakino Island. A number of very prettily 
marked Patella shells were secured at the same place. They had 
radiating ridges of dark brown running from the apex to the 
margin, alternating with furrows of a much lighter color. 
There are several species of chitons in the collection, most of 
them from Rakino Island. One is a uniform dark grayish olive, 
ranging to almost white in some specimens. These are small forms 
only about three-quarters of an inch long in which the girdle is 
made up of diamond-shaped plates or spicules. The ectenidia are 
relatively large and extend nearly the whole length of the foot. 
Another chiton, collected. by the trawler from a depth of thirty 
to forty fathoms, is quite different, being about an inch and a 
quarter long. The plates are elaborately sculptured with fine, 
