84 AUSTRALASIAN ANTARCTIC EXPEDITION. 



There are indeed one or two points in which my specimens seem, to differ from 

 Gravier's account, which may be due to differences in the state of preservation or of 

 ^ge. Thus, he states that he could detect no eyes. In most of the present worms 

 the^e are distinctly present as a series of minute black dots, in two to four rows on each 

 side : this oculiferous area occupies about half the height of the prostomium on each 

 side. In some of my specimens, however, they are absent. And it has been noted 

 by Ehlers and other authors that in some species of Terebellids eyespots are sometimes 

 present, sometimes absent. 



I think that Gravier must luive overlooked the fact that the ventral surface of 

 2nd and 3rd segments coalesce, though they are distinct laterally and dorsally, and 

 laterally the 2nd segment is very much compressed, and therefore quite short. Hp 

 states that the " flap " is borne by the 2nd segment. I find it distinctly on the 

 next. Also the first gill is said to be on the first segment, instead of, as I find it, on 

 *he 2nd. 



Again, Gravier writes that "there is only one row of uncii\i." This is true for the 

 anterior and posterior segment-;, Init from about the 10th to the end of the thorax, 

 that is to segment 18, I find that there are two series of uucini close together and facing 

 alternately fore and aft, interdigitating with each other, ^o that they simidate a single 

 row till examined under a microscope. 



The bristles of the 1st notopod have simple points, with a narrow flange on both 

 sides, which is not striated. But the bristles of the later segments are stouter, with a 

 narrow flange on one side and a broader one on the other, each faintly striated. 



Apart from these slight discrepancies I think there is no doubt that the worms 

 before me are identical with those described by my French colleague. 



Locality . — 



Boat Harbour, 31-4 fathoms. 



Distribution. — Off Terre Alexandre and Port Cironcision (ile Petermann). 



Remarks. — Both Ehlers and Gravier, in discussing the allied form T. (Phyzelia) 

 fasciata Grube, show how difficult it is to define the genera and sub-genera 

 of this family; they give up in despair the attempt to set things right for 

 these exotic species, although Te St. Joseph has arrived at some apparently 

 satisfactory conclusions with regard to the European species. 



In dealing with this species Gravier expresses himself as being unable 

 to decide whether it should come into the genus Polijmnia Mlmgrn, or Nicolea 

 or Scione, and yet finally he places it in Phyzelia, which has received different 

 limitations by various authors. Under the circumstances it may be as well 

 left in the genus Terebella lato sensu. 



