332 Miscellaneous. 



Nevertheless in a footnote to the ' Manual ' we are informed that 

 " this name was inadvertently printed ' Athlennes,^ and may remain 

 80 ; ' Ablennes ' was intended." Surely then, in strict analogy with 

 such usage, the name Orycniis can be retained as the generic desig- 

 nation of the Tunny.— Proc. U. 8. Nat. 21us, 1888, p. 319. 



On Polyodontes maxillosus. By M. Eemt Saint-Lottp. 



The author remarks that large Annelides are rare in the Gulf of 

 ilarseilles, but notices the occurrence of a Eunice {E. Ronsseaui) 

 about 1 metre in length. Recently a gigantic Aphroditacean has 

 heen captured, which he identifies with the Pohfodontes maxillosus 

 of Audouin and M.-Edwards and of Claparede, a species which is 

 probably identical with Phi/lJodoce maxillosa, Eanzani, and with 

 Ei'.molpe maxima, Oken. The specimen measured 2 metres in 

 length, but it was broken during capture, and only the anterior 

 portion, about 0-30 m. long, was preserved. The animal was 

 caught by means of one of the deep-sea lines which the fishermen 

 call imlangrottes, the hook being baited with the abdomen of a large 

 hermit-crab, which is interesting as indicating the diet and the 

 voracity of the Annclide. It was taken at a depth of 50 metres. 



The body near the head is 20 millim. in diameter, slightly thinner 

 further back. The segments are red-brown above, marked off by 

 narrow streaks of bright green. The ventral surface is rosy yellow 

 and the proboscis salmon-coloured. In the region near the cephalic 

 lobe the elytra completely cover the dorsal surface, which is free 

 and naked in the rest of the fragment. The elytra are inserted 

 upon feet which alternate with others having only a dorsal cirrus. 

 In this the author agrees with Claparede, but not with Delle Chiaje's 

 figure. The proboscis, which is not described by Claparede and not 

 very well figured by Delle Chiaje, is extensible to a length of O'OB 

 ra., and then presents a diameter somewhat greater than that of 

 the body. In front it bears four denticulate jaws, each terminated 

 by a larger tooth or claw, 4 millim. in length. When the aperture 

 is enlarged for the purpose of biting the organ presents the aspect 

 of a viper's head ; its infero-superior diameter is then about 0*02 m. 

 When closed its greatest diameter is transverse and reaches 15 

 millim. A small living Dorado presented to the Polyodontes was 

 seized by it, held for a few seconds, and then released ; but it soon 

 died, and the author could not decide whether this was caused 

 mechanically or b}' a venomous action of the bite. The cephalic 

 lobe bears the eyes on two peduncles which are united and soldered 

 together ; their projection is sufficient to enable the Polyodontes to 

 see in front of it even when the proboscis is protruded. The delicate 

 fringes of the extremity of the proboscis bear ultramarine-blue 

 granules, which are phosphorescent at night. — Comptes Rendus^ 

 September 2, 1889, p. 512. 



