[27J 



MEDUSA FROM THE GULF STREAM. 



958 



These and other features ally HaUcrea.s in a distant way to the Pec- 

 tyllidae, but I know of no family in which the genus can find a legiti- 

 mate place. In a specimen of JIalicreas, which is destitute of the tuber- 

 cles on the eight marginal projections, we find the prominence slightly 

 ererhanging the bell-margin, recalling in general structure the mar- 

 ginal lappets of the Ephyridse. I think this fact, taken in connection 

 with the existence of the number eight, maybe found to be a significant 

 one in relation to the alfinities of this medusa. In the specimen where 

 there is the closest likeness between the marginal tubercles and the 

 socles of sense-bodies of an Acraspedote medusa, there is a nearer re- 

 semblance to the original types of Halicreas described in 1882 than in 

 the case of the other specimens. The papillae on the prominences are, 

 however, not as well marked as in the type and in the last-mentioned 

 examples. This fact is a confusing one, and but for the regularity of 

 the tubercles would lead me to ascribe them to the state of preservation 

 of the specimen. It seems, however, impossible that the "papillae" 

 are the result of alcoholic contraction, and all these specimens are there- 

 fore placed in my old species, H. minimum. 



Halicreas minimum, Fewkes. 



(Plate VIIL) 



The genus and species is represented by several specimens in the 

 collection made by the Albatross. One of these closely resembles the 

 type ; the others are doubtfully placed in the same species. In the 

 specimen like the type (Station 2236) the tubercles have inconspicuous 

 papillae 5 the remainder have papillae even more prominent than in the 

 type. In the latter the margin of the bell becomes very much hardened 

 and contracted in alcohol, so that the resemblance to the live medusae 

 must be very distant. 



Specimens examined. 



Catalogue ! 

 nanibeis. j 



stations. 



Locality — 

 17. lat. W. lonf 



Depth. 



9284 

 9316 

 9308 

 9297 



9334 

 8091 



2034 

 2039 

 2041 

 2042 

 2202 

 2216 

 2236 



39 27 10 



38 19 26 



39 22 50 

 39 33 00 

 39 38 00 

 39 47 00 

 39 11 00 



69 56 29 

 68 20 20 

 68 25 00 

 6S 26 45 



71 39 45 



70 30 30 



72 08 30 



Fathoms. 



1.346 



2,369 



1,608 



1,555 



515 



963 



636 



In addition to this material I have found in the collections of the 

 Blake, made in 1880, a specimen of Halicreas, which, if it belongs to the 

 above species, shows many differences from the type. It was found in 

 lat. 390 25' 30" X., long. 70^ 58' 10" W; depth, 1,391 fathoms. 



The bell of several of these specimens is smaller than that of the S. 



