[1 ( J] MEDUSAE FROM THE GULF STREAM. 531 



verrillii wo find several specimens with twenty-eight. Why ELeekel 

 has assigned from sixteen to thirty-two tentacles to the Collaspidie does 

 not appear from what we already know of the genera (Collaspis and 

 Atolla) which compose the family. The least number of tentacles ob- 

 served in any of my Atolkv is twenty-two. Hajckel records an Atolla 

 with nineteen tentacles. The greatest number of tentacles observed in 

 any Atolla is twenty-eight in my species verrillii. It is not denied that 

 it is possible that Atolhv with less than.nineteei • ■ twenty - 



eight tentacles may be later observed, but until t! 

 to include the limits in the number observed (> 

 twenty-two to twenty-eight. 



The deepest limit in the ocean at which Atol 

 2,3(39 fathoms. Many specimens are recorded from the surface. Ate 

 has been found by the Albatross within the following geographical 

 limits: Lat. 3S° 19' 26" to 42° 46', long. 50° 55' 30" to 71° 5S'. The 

 Albatross has collected thirteen specimens of the genus. 



The genus Collaspis, Hreck., of which several drawings are pub- 

 lished by Hoeckel (System der Medusen, PI. xxviii), was collected "by 

 Smith" between Kerguelen and Crozet Islands in " about 1,000 fath- 

 oms," according to Haeckel. The expedition upon which this specimen 

 was collected is not mentioned, but the great depth from which it is 

 said to have been taken excites more than usual interest in it. Very 

 few, if any, other hauls besides those of the Challenger have been made 

 at this depth in this remote locality, and this seems to be the only 

 medusa ascribed to " Smith" from this locality. Hasckel's description 

 of Collaspis was made from a very much mutilated specimen, which he 

 reconstructed from his knowledge of Atolla, and allowed a drawing of 

 the medusa thus reconstructed to be published. On account of what 

 might be regarded as suspicious circumstances, under which LToeckel's 

 description of Collaspis was made, the genus is not recognized. 



According to Filhol (La Vie au Pond des Mers, p. 244) Atolla is found 

 "dans l'Atlantique sud et dans l'Atlantique nord au niveau du canal 

 des Faroer." The species of the Atolla, from the latter locality, is not 

 mentioned by Filhol, and it is probably the same as one of mine, A. 

 bairdii or A. verrillii. 



The increase in number of specimens from the surface would indicate 

 that Atolla is found on the surface of the ocean as well as at great 

 depths. The data for this statement are those of the collector. I have 

 already discussed the limitations which necessarily exist to a rigid 

 acceptance of the recorded depths ascribed to this and other so-called 

 deep-sea inedusse. 



