Gatfy Marine Lahoratonj^ St. Andrews. 555 



observed in the Polynoidse, are less marked. Unfortunately 

 not a few authors rely on verbal descriptions without figures, 

 and occasionally the latter are somewhat imperfect^ so that 

 the expenditure of time in vainly endeavouring to grasp the 

 author's meaning is serious. 



In the present preliminary note five species represent the 

 Ouuphids iu the British seas, and all frequent water of some 

 depth. The first of these is a form which probably has been 

 included nnder the Onuphis conchylega of Michael Sars, but 

 which is quite distinct, and may be termed Onuphis britan- 

 nica. It frequents the Zetlandic seas in 90 to 100 fathoms. 

 The tentacular cirri arise from the centre of the peristomial 

 segment dorsally. The first pair of feet on the succeeding 

 segment are large, and project forwards almost as far as the 

 anterior border of the snout, and bear, besides the simple 

 bristles, large falcate bristles with bifid tips and wings, the 

 whole differing characteristically from those of the true 

 OnnpJiis conchylega, Sars. The dental apparatus, again, 

 resembles that of the latter species, though the teeth on the 

 various plates appear to be more numerous. The branchiae 

 commence on the 10th foot as a simple filament and con- 

 tinue almost to the tip of the tail. Tlie powerful bifid hooks 

 of the posterior region and the brush-shaped bristles are 

 similar to those of OnvpMs conchylega. This form con- 

 structs a tube of its secretion and fragments of shells. 



The other form, Onuphis conchylega, Sars, occurs not 

 only in Norwegian waters, but off the eastern shores of 

 Britain, and in vast numbers in the Atlantic, as dredged 

 by H.M, ship ' Triton ' *, as well as stretches to the shores of 

 Canada. In this form the somewhat short tentacular cirri 

 are borne by the anterior border of the peristomial segment. 

 The general form of the dental apparatus is the same, though 

 the number of deutienlations is less. The posterior appen- 

 dages to the maxillae are tapered to a point posteriorly, and 

 have a notch between them, a T-shaped band of pigment 

 separating them from each other and from the maxillae. 



The first foot is shorter; the long, strong, falcate bristles 

 have a very bold hook at the tip and a small secondary 

 process a short distance beneath, and with wings i The 

 character of this hook differs from that of Onuphis hritannica, 

 not only in the completely developed condition, but in its 

 early stage when nothing but the tip is formed. In many 

 adults^ however, the secondary process either disappears or 



* I am indebted to Sir John Murray for these and other specimens 

 procured by this ship. 



