1885.] PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 629 



the harbor of Havana. The water deepens rapidly from the shore to a 

 depth of several hundred fathoms, and the bottom is very rough. The 

 tangles only could be used for collecting, and the exact depth at which 

 all the specimens were taken could not be determined, as the depth 

 generally increased during the progress of every haul, the tangles being 

 usually dragged diagonally off' shore from the places where they were 

 lowered. The range of depth given in connection with each species is 

 probably' approximately correct, but P. Millleri appears to be limited to 

 more shallow water than P. decorus. 



As the tangles were hauled on board, ihe " lilies " generally hung 

 with the arms downward ; they were cut as quickly as possible from 

 the hemp swabs, and placed in large, deep dishes, about two-thirds full 

 of alcohol, in which they gave off" immediately a rich reddish-brown 

 color. They were afterwards transferred to the large copper tanks and 

 large jars. P. Millleri retains more of its natural color in alcohol than 

 P. decorus. 



The writer has made a careful examination of all the specimens for 

 the purpose of determining the species represented, but the collection 

 merits more critical study, without which it would be impossible to en- 

 large upon the results already ijublished by Dr. P. H. Carpenter in his 

 recent Challenger volume,* in which he discusses the collection made in 

 the'same region by the Coast Survey steamer Blake. Of great interest 

 are the more or less complete series of the young of three species, which 

 are deserving of careful study. 



Rhizocrinus Ra'wrsoni Pourtal^s. 



P. H. Carpenter, Report upon the Crinoidea collected by II. M. S. Challenger^ 

 1873-7(3, Part I, 1884, p. 262. 



Many examples of this species were collected by the steamer Alba- 

 tross in the Gulf of Mexico, in 1885, but in the cruise of the preceding 

 winter but a single specimen was obtained, and that was taken at sta- 

 tion 2129, south of Cuba. The greatest number were obtained south- 

 cast of Pensacola, Fla., in depths of 88 to 196 fathoms, over one hundred 

 specimens having been dredged in a single haul at station 2401, 142 

 fathoms. 



As usually happens with this species, but a very small proportion of 

 the specimens retain their arms, the rough handling to which they are 

 naturally subjected in the trawl-net, filled with materials of all kinds, 

 tending to break off the more delicate and loosely jointed appendages. 

 The series from station 2401 is an exceedingly interesting one, con- 

 taining individuals of all sizes, from those measuring about 23™"* in 

 length of stem to others with the stem fully 280™™. in length, the 

 latter being much larger than any yet recorded. Among the smaller 



* The Voyage of H. M. S. Challenger. Zoology. Report npon the Crinoidea col- 

 lected duriug the Voyage of H. M. S. Challenger, during the Years 1873-76. By P. 

 Herbert Carpenter, D. Sc, assistant master at Eton College. Part I. General Mor- 

 phology, with Descriptions of the Stalked Crinoids. 1884. 



