Gdtty ^farine Lahorafori/, -'>t. Andreion. 11 



Grphyrean'^ A. In a tow-net at GOO fathoms, during the 

 woik of the * Triton/ on the 20th August, 188.2, a minute, 

 l):ully preserved form oecurred in the del)ri8. Little more 

 couhl 1)6 made out of the specimen than that it was a 

 minute slender annelid in a pulpy condition, yet at one end 

 it presented under the microscope two groups of remarkable 

 bristles, unknown in the history of the Polychtcts, so far as 

 can be ascertained. These consisted of comparatively large 

 curved bristles (PI. III. fig. 9), one end terminating in a 

 blunt point, the other gradually dilating into a broad blade 

 with an oblii[ue base, the dilated region which appears to be 

 thin having a series of oblique striae, which in some views 

 simulate fibres. These bristles are evidently hollow, with 

 comparatively thin walls, especially at the base, and the 

 memtjranous central region may readily be thrown into 

 strite by the solution. The convex outline presents a double 

 margin, as if the ehitinous tissue were thicker there. 



The structure of these bristles is peculiar, and it may 

 be they belong to the Gephyrea, though the minute and 

 elongated outline resembles that of an Oligochfete. The 

 condition of the si)ecimen, however, is most imperfect. 

 Before mounting in Farrant's solution it was thought that 

 somewhat triangular, diaphanous hooks appeared in the 

 softened tissues, but none could be detected thereafter. One 

 hooked bristle, however, was observed (PI. 111. fig. 10), with 

 the same thin shaft as the larger bristles figured, but a 

 peculiar separation or modification of the inner layer of the 

 bristle appears to have taken place near the tip, the central 

 axis remaining entire. Such a type of bristle has no con- 

 nertion with the large forms with the expanded bases. 

 All ai'c exceedingly dia[)hanous. These brief notes may be 

 sufficient for the identification of the form by subsequent 

 observers. 



Another peculiar form, apparently Gephyrean, and which 

 may be termed Fhascolosoma lankesteri *, was dredged in the 

 ' Porcupine' Expedition of 1870, in GO-160 fathoms, east of 

 Cape de Gatte. It inhabited a clear soft tube resembling 

 that of Plucostegus. It is a small form (PI. II. fig. 11), 

 barely half an inch in length, of a pale yellowish colour, 

 nearly cylindi'ical in outline, but having a long process, 

 widened at its extremity anteriorly, whilst posteriorly it is 

 rounded and papillose. On each side of the base of the long 



* In lionoui- of ray old and distinguished friend Sir E. Ray Lankester, 

 K.U.B. The Fhascolosoma ohlini of Th^el (Swedish Autarct. Exped, 

 1911, p. 29) presents similar papillae posteriorly, hut differs in other 

 respects. 



