ARCTIC SEA TO THE WEST OF GREENLAND. 71 



example belonging to this species was cited under the name of A. arcticum, Leach^ 

 the writers, as there stated, not having had at the time an opportunity of seeing the 

 specimen. Upon subsequent examination the Astrophyton in question, which had 

 been dredged off West Greenland by Mr. A. C. Horner (who accompanied Sir Allan 

 Young in the ' Pandora '), at a depth of 600 fathoms in Smith's Sound, lat. 78 19' N., 

 long. 74 30' W., was found to be identical with the species which had been described 

 by Stimpson as A. Agassizii, a form not uncommon in the Arctic Seas of Greenland 

 and North America. Careful and thorough search was then made for Leach's type 

 specimen of Gorgonocephalus arcticus (obtained by Sir John Ross), which was 

 deposited in the British Museum. Prof. F. Jeffrey Bell very kindly took much trouble 

 on our account, and rendered every assistance in his power by carefully looking up 

 all the specimens in the national collection. Unfortunately it is impossible to say 

 with certainty that the object of our quest was found. An old dried specimen, however, 

 is still extant which is supposed to be Leach's type, and which, from its fragile nature, 

 has never been moved since it was originally set out by him. This is at least the 

 traditional (!) representative of Gorgonocephalus arcticus ; for it is without ticket of any 

 kind. Although this absolute evidence is wanting, there appears to be little doubt about 

 the correctness of the supposition. This old specimen would seem to be unquestionably 

 referable to Stimpson's species, and also to accord most closely with the example which 

 forms the subject of the present remarks. If, therefore, the specimen above 

 mentioned be really the Gorgonocephalus arcticus of Leach, that name and Astrophyton 

 Agassizii of Stimpson will stand as synonymous terms. 



We quote in full the original diagnosis given by Dr. Leach ; as a further evidence 

 in support of our views, and also as a testimony to the careful study and acumen of 

 Mr. Edgar A. Smith, who was the first to refer to this hitherto overlooked and almost 

 forgotten description : 



" Genus GORGONOCEPHALUS, Leach (1815). Euryale, Lamarck (1816). 

 " Species Arcticus. Corpore supra radiatim costato : costis tuberculatis, radiis 

 longissimis, tenuibus, supra granulatis ; articulis (apicalibus prsesertim) 

 distinctissimis."* 



From the brevity and ambiguity of this description, together with the element 

 of uncertainty which is now inseparable from the type, and which can never be 

 cleared away, we do not feel justified in restoring Dr. Leach's name in the face of the 

 present universal adoption of Dr. Stimpson's ; although, if all points were equal, the 

 former would undoubtedly claim priority. 



Distribution. 

 a. Northward up Smith's Sound: Lat. 78 19' N., long. 74 30' W., 600 fins. 



* ' A Voyage of Discovery in H.M.SS. ' Isabella ' and ' Alexander ' for the purpose of exploring Baffin's 

 Bay and enquiring into the probability of a North-west Passage.' By John Boss (1819), Yol. ii. [Append. 

 No. iv. by W. E. Leach], p. 178. 



