734 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. [36] 



ranged in a very slowly ascending spiral. Each main branch sub- 

 divides close to its origin, and again divides ; there is a strong tend- 

 ency to terminate in a short bifurcation, one branch of which is a little 

 longer than the other (fig. 75). The lowest main branches are the 

 largest. They are convex externally, concave internally, directed up- 

 ward and a little outward. The main branches grow rapidly shorter 

 from base to summit, and tend more directly outward. The result of 

 this arrangement is an egg-shaped branchia, the small end outward. 

 There would appear to be normally four branchise, but none of our 

 specimens show more than three. 



The tentacular cirri are short, numerous. 



The lateral membrane of the second segment is short but high ; outer 

 margin convex ; the corresponding membrane of the third segment is 

 lower, but extends from the dorsal to the ventral surface. 



The anterior ventral shields are very short ; the others are variable 

 in form ; thej^ may be square, or their length may be more or less than 

 their width. 



There are two series of capillary setse (figs. 7C, 77), the setae not dif- 

 fering much from each other except in length. 



' The uncini of the anterior segments (fig. 78) do not differ much 

 from those further back, and will be seen to closely resemble those of 

 Pista cristata, as figured by Malmgren. The elongated inferior process, 

 said by Malmgren to exist on the uncini of the first six uncigerous seg- 

 ments in this species, we found on all uncini. It does not seem, how- 

 ever, to be a process of the uncini, but a tendon or cord, derived from 

 a membrane, which, in i)art at least, covers each unciuus. We were 

 able to trace this membrane to the extent shown in fig. 78. On all the 

 species of this family which we have had an opportunity to examine 

 we have found a similar membrane and similar cords, when sufficient 

 care has been taken with the preparation of the uncini for examination. 

 It may further be noted, both as regards this species and Pista palmata, 

 that the uncini are not simply flattened with a single series of terminal 

 points, but that the apex is much widened, with transverse series of 

 points, each series comj^osed of from three to five points, corresponding 

 to the single series seen when the unciuus is viewed from the side. 



The notes on color were made by Professor Verrill. An terior region 

 dull olive-green dorsally, sometimes tinged with reddish, and usually 

 with more or less distinct transverse lines of reddish between the seg- 

 ments, these lines less marked in front. On the sides each torus is sur- 

 rounded by a broad band of dark blood-red, and above each setigerous 

 fascicle, except iu front, there is a red s])ot. On the sides, between 

 the segments, are narrow pale-olive sutural bands. Ventral surface 

 Ijale-olive or yellowish-green. Each ventral shield with a conspicuous 

 red spot on the lateral borders, those on the posterior shields being con- 

 nected with the lateral bands. Feet, pale greenish. Posterior portion 



