MUSEUM OF COMPARATIVE ZOOLOGY, 107 
Octopus Bairdii VERRILL. 
Octopus Bairdii VERRILL, Amer. Jour. Sci., V. p. 5, Jan. 1873; XIX. p. 294, 1880. 
American Naturalist, VIL. p. 394, figs. 76, 77, 1873. 
Am, Assoc. Adv. Sci. for 1876, p. 348, Pl. I., figs. 1, 2, 1874. 
G. O. Sans, Mollusca Regionis Arcticæ Norvegiæ, p. 339, Pl. 83, figs. 1-10 (9), 
Pl. XVII. figs. 8^ to 8* (dentition and jaws), 1878. 
Tryon, Man. Conch., I. p. 116, Pl. XXXII. figs. 37, 38 (description and figures 
from the papers by A. E. V.). 
VERRILL, Trans. Conn. Acad, V., Pl. XXXIII figs. 1, 1a; Pl. XXXIV. figs. 5, 
Cy Pl.XXXVI,8g.103 Pl. XXX VIIT, fig, 8; Pl. LI, fige: 1, 14. 
Plate II. Figs.4,4». Plate IV. Figs. 1, La, 
Several specimens of this species, agreeing with the ordinary northern form, 
are in the collection. "They are mostly of small size. 
This species proves to have a very extensive range, both geographically and 
in depth. It is one of the most common and characteristic inhabitants of the 
bottom, in 100 to 500 fathoms, along our entire coast, from South Carolina 
to Newfoundland. It was taken in the trawl, by the U. S. Fish Commission, 
in 1872, 1873, 1874, 1877, 1878, 1879, and 1880, in depths ranging from 50 to 
500 fathoms, at numerous localities, from off Halifax, N. S. and the Bay of 
Fundy to the region 90 to 100 miles south of Newport, R, I., where it is com- 
mon and of large size. 
In November it was taken by Lieut. Z. L. Tanner, on the * Fish Hawk," off 
the mouth of Chesapeake Bay, in 157 to 300 fathoms. 
The Gloucester fishermen have brought in many specimens from the banks, 
off Nova Scotia and Newfoundland. 
Professor G. O. Sars has taken it, off the Norwegian coast, in 60 to 300 
fathoms. 
One of the specimens obtained by Mr. Agassiz is remarkable for the length 
and slenderness of the cirrus above the eyes (Plate IV. fig. 1). This is an im- 
mature male, and does not appear to differ in any other way from ordinary 
specimens of similar size. The appendage of the hectocotylized arm. is small, 
and not fully developed (as is always the case in young males), and has an 
ovate-triangular form, slightly concave surface, and only a few transverse 
lamellæ, 
SPECIMENS EXAMINED. 
Specimens. 
No, Stat. Locality. Fath, When rec'd, No.and Sex. 
1 303, N. Lat. 419 34' 30”, W. Long. 65° 54’ 30" 306 1880 1d (fig'd.) 
2 332, N. Lat. 359 45' 30", W. Long. 74? 48” 263 1880 4d 19 jun. 
3,6 327, N. Lat. 34° 0' 30", W. Long. 769 10^ 30” 178 1880 10 ir 
4 810, N. Lat, 809 59° 16", W. Long..70% 18°80” 260 1880 1 ๕ 
5 336, N. Lat. 88° 21’ 50", W. Long. 739 32” 197 1880 1d jun. 
8 821, N. Lat. 820 43’ 25", W. Long. 77° 20° 30” 288 1880 19 19 jun. 
9 306, N. Lat. 419 82’ 50”, W. Lat. 65° 55’ 524 1880 1 ๕ jun. 
