POTTS — POLTCIIitTA. 327 



Whether the extraordinary retractioa of the head within the anterior segments is 

 characteristic of the genus or the species is uncertain, but there is a tendency toward 

 this condition in other Palmyridss. The tentacles and cirri are of a type closely 

 resembling that found in Palmyra aurifera and 'Pontogenia chrysocoma, but the 

 distal joint is terminated by tiny fringing processes and not by a clear lens-like 

 structure. The paleas are characteristic structures, differing from those of Palmyra 

 (1) in the fact that the narrow basal portion is short and straight instead of long and 

 sigmoidally curved as in Palmyra, and (2) in the possession of smooth rounded borders. 

 In the specimen from Cargados Carnjos one or two posterior paleoe are found with a few 

 serrations recalling the markedly spinose condition in Palmyra. The occurrence of 

 capillary setae is apparently variable, for in the form from Seychelles a small number of 

 capillary setse with attenuated tips were found in each segment, but the other specimen, 

 though otherwise almost exactly similar, did not possess them. 



Genus PALMYRA. 



2. Palmyra splendens, sp. n. (Plate 20. iig. 25; Plate 21. fig. Si.) 



Measuremenls. Length 25 mm., breadth 9 mm. M'ith setse, 7 mm. without ; no. of 

 segments 31. 



Head indistinct and retracted, partly surrounded by pai'apodia of first segment. 

 Single tentacle and pair of eyes borne on low peduncles, each eye appearing formed of a 

 closely aj^posed pair. Tentacle and cii-ri articulate, exactly resembling corresponding 

 structures in Pontogenia chrysocoma and Palmyra aurifera — i. e., with conical basal 

 portion covered with low papillae, long uniform cylindrical stalk, surmounted by terminal 

 cylindrical joint ending in rounded lens-like tip of clear translucent appearance. 



Buccal segment bears paleae (12 on each side), but no ventral sette. Paleae here smaller 

 than in succeeding segments, arranged in inner and outer (smaller) groups as in rest of 

 body. Dorsal and ventral cirri of equal size and placed anterior to paleae. Second and 

 third segments with ventral setae also, represented by two types, (1) fui'cate smooth setse 

 like those of Palmyra aurea. and (2) few penuate setae (fig. 31) like those in same 

 position in Hermione. In fourth and all other segments first type of ventral seta alone 

 found. Paleae (fig. 25) curved sigmoidally, long basal portion hidden in parapodium. 

 Dorsalmost paleas of first two segments show three or four serrations on external border 

 and one or two smaller just under pointed tip. In succeeding segments paleae always 

 possess smooth boi'der, recalling in appearance those of Palmy rupsismacintoshi, arranged 

 in ov.al ring, incomplete anterioily. Anteriorly they are shorter and smaller, median 

 and posterior longest, and smaller again passing externally. Capillary selce amongst 

 inferior palese of each parapodium few in number (often barely half a dozen) and rather 

 short, with attenuated tip like those of P. aurifera. Dorsal cirri occur on first, second, 

 lifth, and then all alternate segments, placed posterior and ventral to paleie. No trace 

 of elytra or elytrophores in alternate segments. In second segment dorsal rather longer 

 than ventral cirrus ; in third and succeeding segments ventral cirrus very short, only 

 reaching laterally to point of emergence of setae. 



43* 



