Bibliographical Notice. 423. 



Immediately below the constriction there is a slight tinge of 

 yellowish colouring. 



The web that unites the lower portions of the tentacles forms 

 a rather deep cup round the proboscis^ and is coloured by the 

 batteries of thread-cells that occur between, each pair of arms. 

 These intertentacular thread-cells are similar to those which 

 thickly cover the capitulum of the snake-like organs. They 

 emit a very long thread, with a barbed sheath at its base. 

 These slender filaments may be seen cast forth beyond the ten- 

 tacles, and intermingling with them, and must constitute an 

 effective auxiliary force for the capture of prey. The arms are 

 held alternately elevated and depressed. 



The ehitinous tube that encloses the base of the tentaculoid 

 appendages is small and somewhat trumpet-shaped. 



The Ophiodes, it will be seen, combines a large number of 

 interesting characters ; and one or two of its most striking fea- 

 tures are unique. It presents a really remarkable array of 

 curious structures — the distinct funnel-shaped head crowning 

 the tapering body, and itself crowned by the tentacular verticil 

 with its battery of thread-cells at every embrasure, the elegant 

 calycle, the strange snake-like organ near it, either resting 

 motionless and sentinel-like or twisting vehemently about, 

 bristling above at times with barbs, and casting abroad its fatal 

 threads, and the number of similar organs below, twirling them- 

 selves about in the maddest fashion, as if to scare away any 

 invaders. 



Hab. On weed, dredged in shallow water (5-8 fathoms), 

 Swanage Bay, Dorset. Not uncommon. 



EXPLANATION OF PLATE XIV. 



Figs. 1 & 2. Ophiodes mirabilis, Hincks, highly magnified. 



Fig. 3. One of the tentaculoid organs. 



Fig. 4. A portion of the tentacular circle, showing the connecting web 



with its clusters of thread-cells. 

 Fig. 5. A calycle, showing the cup-shaped chamber which encloses the 



base of the polypite. 



BIBLIOGRAPHICAL NOTICE. 



Annuario delta Societh dei Naturatisti in Modena. Anno I. Mo- 

 dena, Maggio 1866. 8vo, pp. 152, with 8 plates. 



The political development of Italy is attended by a gradual and 

 steady progress of science. Scientific publications have been until 

 lately comparatively few in number ; and such as have appeared have 

 been more or less marked by some irregularity in the manner of their 



