POLYCH.ETA— BENHAM. 1? 



Family NEREIDiE. 



As in other expeditions, this fanuly was found but sparsely in the Antarctic; 

 indeed, until 1908, the only species that had been met with was N. loxecMni, which 

 Kinberg had originally described from the Magellan Strait, but which in recent years 

 has been recorded from the deep water to the east of Island of St. Paul, and from the 

 winter quarters of the " Gauss." But Ehlers found amongst the " Valdivia" worms 

 Nereis uncinata from near Bouvet Island. The " Aurora" did not meet with it. 



Family NEPHTHYDID.E. 



In addition to xY. macrura, which is a Sub-antarctic form entering the Antarctic 

 region, .V. ahranckiata, has been recorded from the region by Ehlers (1913). 



Family EUNICIDiE. 

 The Eunicids scarcely enter the Antarctic, for only two species have ever been 

 recorded, both of which are included in the present collection. Lumbricmereis magal- 

 h'tcnsis is a typically Siib-antarctic form, and only one specimen was gathered in 

 Commonwealth Bay. The small pelagic Ophryotrocha claparedi was however 

 extremely abundant in Boat Harbour ; it has already been gatliered elsewhere, 

 though recorded under the title of Paractius notialis. 



Family GLYCERIDiE. 

 Glycera copifata, originally described from the European seas, is the oiJy member 

 of the family that appears to enter the region under consideration. It has been met 

 with by each of the expeditions. 



Famay ARICIIDiE. 

 Hitherto only three species belonging to the family have been described from 

 the Antarctic region. One of these, Aricia marginata, is included in the present col- 

 lection. A new species, Scoloplos mawsoni, is necessary for a worm that differs from 

 S. kergudensis , which has been recorded by the French Expedition, but which is 

 characteristically a Sub-antarctic form. 



Family CIRRATULID^. 



The Cirratulids aro also very rare in the region ; only one species has been 

 definitely determined, though Ehlers found certain worn^s which he names generically 

 without giving specific names to them. This sole species is the European Cirratulus 

 cirratus, hitherto kno\\Ti from the Magellan Strait and elsewhere in the south under 

 Ehlers' s title, Prameniafulgida, which Fauvel has shown to be a nomen nudun. 



Family TEREBELLID.E. 

 The Antarctic is a favourable habitat for members of the family, as each 

 expedition adds one or more to the species already knowai. Of the twenty-four that 

 have been recorded the " Aurora" obtained seven off Adelie Land. Of these, three 



♦83892— c 



