352 Miscellaneous. 
Nevertheless in a footnote to the ‘ Manual’ we are informed that 
‘‘this name was inadvertently printed ‘ Ath/ennes,’ and may remain 
so; ‘ Ablennes’ was intended.” Surely then, in strict analogy with 
such usage, the name Orycnus can be retained as the generic desig- 
nation of the Tunny.—Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus, 1888, p. 319. 
On Polyodontes maxillosus. By M. Remy Saryt-Lovp. 
The author remarks that large Annelides are rare in the Gulf of 
Marseilles, but notices the occurrence of a Hunice (FE. Rousseaut) 
about 1 metre in length. Recently a gigantic Aphroditacean has 
been captured, which he identifies with the Polyodontes maaillosus 
of Audouin and M.-Edwards and of Claparéde, a species which is 
probably identical with Phyllodoce maxillosa, Ranzani, and with 
Eumolpe maxima, Oken. The specimen measured 2 metres in 
length, but it was broken during capture, and only the anterior 
portion, about 0°30 m. long, was preserved. The animal was 
caught by means of one of the deep-sea lines which the fishermen 
call palangrottes, the hook being baited with the abdomen of a large 
hermit-crab, which is interesting as indicating the diet and the 
voracity of the Annelide. It was taken at a depth of 50 metres. 
The body near the head is 20 millim. in diameter, slightly thinner 
further back. The segments are red-brown above, marked off by 
narrow streaks of bright green. ‘The ventral surface is rosy yellow 
and the proboscis salmon-coloured. In the region near the cephalic 
lobe the elytra completely cover the dorsal surface, which is free 
and naked in the rest of the fragment. The elytra are inserted 
upon feet which alternate with others having only a dorsal cirrus. 
In this the author agrees with Claparéde, but not with Delle Chiaje’s 
figure. The proboscis, which is not described by Claparéde and not 
very well figured by Delle Chiaje, is extensible to a length of 0-03 
m., and then presents a diameter somewhat greater than that of 
the body. In front it bears four denticulate jaws, each terminated 
by a larger tooth or claw, 4 millim. in length. When the aperture 
is enlarged for the purpose of biting the organ presents the aspect 
of a viper’s head ; its infero-superior diameter is then about 0-02 m. 
When closed its greatest diameter is transverse and reaches 15 
millim. A small living Dorado presented to the Polyodontes was 
seized by it, held for a few seconds, and then released ; but it soon 
died, and the author could not decide whether this was caused 
mechanically or by a venomous action of the bite. The cephalic 
lobe bears the eyes on two peduncles which are united and soldered 
together ; their projection is sufficient to enable the Polyodontes to 
see in front of it even when the proboscis is protruded. The delicate 
fringes of the extremity of the proboscis bear ultramarine-blue 
granules, which are phosphorescent at night.—Comptes Rendus, 
September 2, 1889, p. 512. 
