14 SIR C. ELIOT 



SPONGIOBRANCHAEA AUSTRALIS, D'Orb. 



See especially Pelseneer, ' Challenger ' Report LVIII., pp. 18-20 ; Meisenheimer, ' Valdivia,' pp. 47-49 ; 

 id., Siidpolar Exped., pp. 99-101. 



One specimen labelled "Winter Quarters, 19. 11. '03. Mosquito net, 10 fathoms." 

 Four others labelled " 21. 11. '01. Lat. 55 31' S., Long. 156 19' E. ; 15 fathoms." 

 These localities support the idea that the species is circumpolar. 



A large elongated specimen is about 30 mm. long and 8 mm. broad, another of 

 about the same volume is contracted and stouter, measuring 22 mm. in length and 1 1 

 in breadth. The colour of the body is violet, grey or brown, with ill-defined bands of 

 lighter colour round the median constriction and the posterior gill. The buccal parts 

 and the appendages which bear the suckers are yellowish white, and contrast strongly 

 with the body colour. The foot is bluish with yellow edges, the fins yellowish. 



The lateral gill is hardly visible in any of the specimens. It is at most an 

 inconspicuous bladder-like projection which interrupts the median constriction, and is 

 lighter than the surrounding parts. The posterior gill is distinct and well-developed. 

 The median lobe of the foot is long and tapering, the side lobes are small, and the space 

 between them bears a few deep furrows. The parts behind the head, including the fins, 

 are much contracted, bat in the only specimen where the fins can be seen they appear 

 to be about 6 mm. long, and broader, and more deeply lobed than previous authors 

 have described. 



The buccal parts are everted in one specimen. The large proboscis bears a papilla 

 as described by Pelseneer, and at its base are two large and distinct tentacular flaps. 

 Each of the acetabuliferous appendages bears 8 stalked suckers, which increase in size 

 upwards. The two lowest are very small ; the upper ones are about 1 mm. wide. Just 

 before the radula is the jaw, which appears to be a collection of small straight spines or 

 teeth. At the sides of the radula are two small short hook-sacks, filled with hooks of 

 various shapes. The formula of the radula is about 26 x 8. 1. 8, and the teeth are as 

 in Pelseneer's plates. The median tooth is tricuspid. The laterals are longish, slender, 

 and curved at the tips. The first lateral bears a denticle on the inner side of the base 

 which is not found in the others. 



Winter Quarters appears to be the furthest southern record of Sp. aiistralis, which 

 is probably circumpolar, since it is now recorded from Long. 60 W., and Long. 5 E. 

 to Long. 30 E , Long. 54 E. and Long. 167 E. It is recorded from as far north as 

 Lat. 35 S. 



