26 EDWARD T. BROWNE. 



definite type, but to three distinct independent types, as found in Zanclea, Ctenaria, 

 and Cladonema respectively. 



Genus ELEUTHERIA, de Quatrcfages, 1842. 



This o-enus is better known to English zoologists by the name of Clavatella, 

 through Hincks's description of Clavatella prolifera, which had, however, been 

 previously described by de Quatrefages under the name of Eleutheria dichotoma. The 

 Medusa has normally six tentacles, each of which is bifurcated. The upper or outer 

 branch of the bifurcation terminates with a large cluster of nematocysts, and the lower 

 branch ends with an adhesive disc or sucker, by means of which the Medusa is able to 

 crawl about sea-weeds at the bottom of rock-pools. 



A second European species is recorded under the name of Eleutheria claparedii. 

 It differs from E. dichotoma in having both branches of the tentacles terminating with 

 clusters of nematocysts. It is quite probable that it is only an abnormal form of 

 E. dichotoma, with some nematocysts in the adhesive discs. 



Another species of this genus inhabits Stanley Harbour, Falkland Islands. A 

 single specimen was found there by Mr. Rupert Vallentiu in 1898, and I described it 

 under the name of Eleutheria vallentini. In 1900 Mr. Vallentin obtained some more 

 specimens which have not yet been described. This species has twenty-four tentacles, 

 each of which is bifurcated. The upper branch bears a terminal cluster of nematocysts, 

 and, in addition, two to three clusters along the upper side, and occasionally a cluster 

 on the lower side. The other branch of the bifurcation has an adhesive disc. The 

 finding of an Eleutheria in the Falklands was of considerable interest, because the 

 genus had been previously known only to Europe. 



In 1908 Prof. Bedot published a Paper bearing the title "Sur un Animal Pela- 

 gique de la Region antarctique," and the animal was named Wandelia charcoti. It 

 was taken off Wandel Island, lat. 65 S., long. 66 W. (Paris), by the ' Fra^ais ' 

 Expedition. The specimens, as the figures show, were in a very fragmentary 

 condition. Although Prof. Bedot felt sure that the animal was not the remains of a 

 Siphonophore, he was uncertain about its position amongst the Coelentera. 



At first I did not recognise the animal, but on a second reading a picture of an 

 Eleutheria came into my mind. As there was nothing in the description or figures 

 to render the idea an impossible one, I wrote to Prof. Bedot. I suggested that 

 his remarkable animal might possibly be an Eleutheria, and sent him the original 

 drawings of Eleutheria vallentini for comparison. Prof. Bedot most kindly sent 

 me specimens of Wandelia for examination, and I, in return, sent specimens of 

 Eleutheria hodgsoni. We both came definitely to the conclusion that Wandelia was 

 undoubtedly an Eleutheria. 



The condition of the specimens of Wandelia was so bad that without a good 

 clue it was practically impossible to associate the animal with an Eleutheria. I was 



