ALASKA NEMERTEANS 33 



The armature of the proboscis resembles that in some species of Am- 

 phiporus. 



Paranemertes is represented on the coast of Alaska by at least 

 three species. 



10. PARANEMERTES PEREGRINA sp. nov. 



Pl. II, fig. 6 ; pi. Ill, fig. 5 ; pi. VII, fig. 7. 



Body moderately elongated, flattened below, rounded on dorsal sur- 

 face ; anterior portion slightly more slender than middle region ; pos- 

 terior tapering gradually to extremity. 



Head very variable in shape, commonly wider than the portion of 

 body immediately following ; flattened, sometimes sharply demarcated 

 by lateral constrictions. Tip of snout pointed, rounded, or emargi- 

 nate according to the state of contraction. On each side of the head 

 is an inconspicuous V-shaped furrow, with the ends pointing ob- 

 liquely forward above and below. The upper limb of the furrow 

 reaches into the dark color of the dorsal surface, where it is sometimes 

 conspicuous from its light color. 



Color. The color varies considerably as may be seen from a com- 

 parison of pi. u, fig. 6, and pi. in, fig. 5, but is commonly homo- 

 geneous dark brown, orange brown, or purplish brown above and on 

 the sides, while the ventral surface is opaque white or whitish yellow. 

 In most specimens the dark purple of the dorsal surface encroaches 

 considerably on the ventral surface, shading gradually into whitish or 

 yellowish. Seen from the ventral surface therefore the worms appear 

 dull white or yellowish white, with a wide border of dark purple. 

 Oftentimes the whitish color occupies scarcely more than the median 

 third of the ventral surface. Anteriorly the whitish color covers the 

 whole ventral surface, and on the head it covers also the sides and 

 front. The head is dark purplish brown above, bordered in front and 

 laterally by the light color of the ventral surface. At the posterior 

 border of the head is a small angular spot on each side corresponding 

 in color with that of the ventral surface. Behind the head is a nar- 

 row, V-shaped, dorsal marking, usually of lighter color, with its ends 

 pointing forward and outward. In paler individuals the pinkish 

 color of the brain lobes can be distinguished. The natural color oi 

 the body is well retained in formalin or alcohol. 



Size. Individuals of all sizes from 20 to 400 mm. were met with, 

 but the most common size was about 150 mm. in extension. The 

 width was commonly about 5 mm. 



