from the Xortli Sea and adjacent parts. 273 



probosci?, but tlie filiform papillae at tlie aperture were not 

 present. The organ is well adapted for the predatory habits 

 of the animal, and Dr. Johnston found that they devoured 

 one another in confinement. 



The Monograph mentions that Dr. Johnston considered 

 the purplish hue, which is often seen in many specimens, 

 spread rapidly all over the body when the a,ninial is alarmed. 

 However, it is further stated that, as this phenomenoM 

 occurred in April, it is possible that it may have been con- 

 nected with the development of the ova. Sir J. Dalyell, in 

 his experiments, found that the colour depended on the food. 



Genus Megalia, Marion & Bobretsky, 1875. 

 Megalia assiniilis, sp. n. 



One fragment of this annelid, consisting of the head and 

 seventeen segments, was taken in dredge lOJ: at the depth of 

 75 m. at Station 41 B, lat. 56° 42' N., long. 0° 35' E. In 

 the Monograph an allied species, M. perarmata (Marion & 

 Bobretsky), is not uncommon in dredgings from Queens's 

 Ground, Asia Shore, and Milbay Channel, Plymouth. 

 Marion and Bobretsky found it under stones and in prairies 

 of Posidonia, and in the coralline rfgion, Marseilles. 



head somewhat quadrangular, with four eyes of consider- 

 able size, the anterior pair being the larger and placed some- 

 what widely apart. The pairs are situated near each other 

 towards the middle region. In M. perarmata, according to 

 Marion and Bobretsky *, the anterior pair have lenses, but 

 in this species there is some uncertainty. The tentacles are 

 long and smooth, curved in this specimen, and are attached 

 over the jjalps, which are smooth, stout, and biarticulate. 

 The buccal region lies beneath the head. Six pairs of articu- 

 lated tentacular cirri, most of which in this specimen have 

 been broken, arc directed forward, and each has a spine at 

 its base. 



Body about 5 mm. in length (7-8 mm. in M. perarmata), 

 and tapers ))osteriorly. The anal segment is absent. The 

 colour is yellow, but brown spots are prominent at the base 

 of each dorsal cirrus and brown patches appear on the head. 

 Transverse striations occur on the dorsal surface at the bases 

 of the feet, up several of which the striae are continued. The 

 ventral surface is lighter in hue, and on it also are minutely 

 transverse and somewhat irregular striaj. The Monograph 

 (vol. ii. part i. p. 137) states in reference to M. perarmata : 



* Vide ' Annales des Sciences Naturelles,' ser. vi. V(jl. ii. pi. vii. fijr. IG. 



