298 ; BULLETIN OF THE 
silicious spicules, dead Pteropod shells, and from their strange associa- 
tions with Corals, Gorgoniæ, Sponges, and even Mollusks. A species 
of Phorus was frequently accompanied by a large Annelid, comfortably 
established in the axis of the shell, with the head close to the aperture. 
Among the Crustacea, we found again the Bathyonomus giganteus 
A. M. Edw., discovered last year. We also brought. up from 734 fathoms 
a Pygnogonium, measuring not less than two feet along the legs, when 
fully extended ; a fine Astacus zealacus; and, from 416 fathoms, a mag- 
nificent species, allied to Nephrops, blind, but with rudimentary eye- 
stalks. An interesting Isopod, with gigantic lateral processes on the 
posterior segment, was also obtained from 300 fathoms. Many Hermit- 
Crabs occupied tubes of bamboo or cavities in dead wood and Sponges, 
of which they completely closed the orifice, with one of the large claws 
flattened like the operculum of a Serpula. 
Among the Mollusks, the preliminary Report of Mr. Dall (in Letter 
No, 2) mentions the most important types. We obtained, however, in 
addition, a good set of Pleurotomaria, one specimen measuring five 
inches in height, while another was so small that the slit, from which 
the genus takes its name, existed only as a slight indentation. I hope 
to supply Mr. Dall with the material necessary for an anatomy of 
this interesting genus. But by far the most interesting of the Mollusks 
is a Spirula, from a depth of 950 fathoms, in excellent condition. The 
small number of Waldheimia collected this year is quite striking. Other 
species of Terebratule were more common. We found, as was usual 
last year, an immense number of dead Pteropod shells at all-depths, 
playing a most important part in determining the nature of the deep- 
sea bottom. 
The collection of Fishes is excellent ; its special characteristic is the 
large number of Lophioid types it contains. We also obtained many of 
the genera collected by the “Challenger.” Some of the rarer pelasgic 
Fishes, which are occasionally caught at sea, are undoubtedly either 
full-grown deep-sea Fishes or their young. It becomes an interesting 
problem to know where the young remain, before they become perma- 
nently inhabitants of deep water. 
The pelasgic fauna of the eastern part of the Caribbean Sea is, during 
the winter season, rather scanty. Owing to the constant agitation of 
the water, I had no opportunity, as in the Gulf, to make much use of 
the surface tow-net. From the number of fragments of Siphonophore 
constantly found they must be very numerous. In the roadstead, 
under the lee of the islands, there was but little pelasgic life to be found. 
