OCTOPODIDAE 397 



present. In any case, however, I think that it is smoother than is usual and in parts may 

 be entirely smooth. It is otherwise so characteristic that I do not hesitate to identify it 

 with Bosc's species. Sector A, though shallower than E, is not noticeably shallower (as 

 is usually found in O. nigosus). 



The specimen from Simon's Town is a typical form with well-developed sculpture of 

 neat, close multifid warts. The colour is rather dark, but the characteristic reticulate 

 pattern is well seen. 



Octopus (Octopus) vulgaris. Lam. 



Simon's Town. 29. vi. 27. Found while draining the dock : one $. 



A very large specimen with typical sculpture, about 120 mm. long in dorsal mantle 

 length. The arms are so much contracted that I cannot satisfactorily ascertain their 

 length and that of the web. The suckers, as in some old females of this and other 

 species, are very wide, the index (see p. 374) amounting to 15-16. It is a pity that 

 it is not possible to study this specimen in greater detail, as it is desirable to check 

 carefully all identifications of this species in tropical and southern latitudes. 



Family ARGONAUTIDAE 



Sub-family ALLOPOSINAE 



Alloposus hardyi, n.sp. (PI. IV, fig. i.) 



St. 288. 21. viii. 27. 00° 56' 00" S, 14° 08' 30" W. 250 (-0) m. Young-fish trawl: one <?. 



Dimensions {in mm). 



Web 



The body seems to be broadly ovoid. Its width is only a little less than its length. 

 It decreases in width from the level of the base of the arms towards the apex. On the 

 left side there is a low keel. The general shape recalls that of the short, broad form of 

 Bathypolypm arcticiis. The eyes are large and prominent. The arms are 73 per cent of 

 the total length and are, as usual in the group, in the order i, 2, 3 (?), 4, the last arm 

 being about half the first in length. The web is in the order A, B, C, D, E, E being 

 nearly \ the depth of A. The tissues are almost entirely gelatinous. A very remarkable 

 feature may be noticed at this point. Viewed laterally (Fig. 17) the animal bears a 

 striking resemblance to the extraordinary new form described by Joubin (1929 a, 

 p. 383) as Retroieuthis, in that the velar area has undergone a rotation through about 

 60-70° and its anterior surface has become largely attached to the dorsal region. The 



4-2 



