15^07] Fitter. — California Coast Ascidians. 25 



cesses projeetiiiii' from the inner surface of the tentaciihir area 

 (fig. 29). Bra)icliial Sac exceedingly delicate, so much so as to 

 be found with considerable difficulty in the mutilated specimens. 

 No stigmata present but the sac composed of an irregular net- 

 work of delicate vessels all in the same plane, through which at 

 intervals run larger vessels of more regular course, i).v. (pi. 2, fig. 

 80). The direction of these large vessels with reference to the 

 sac as a whole not determined since no part of the sac in situ has 

 been seen. From the larger vessels other vessels of considerable 

 size and length pass off to the mantle, h.m.v. No folds or internal 

 papillae present. 



Digestive Tract. — As a whole consisting of a single loop, the 

 esophageal opening and anus being near together (pi. 2, fig. 29). 

 Length of entire loop 5 cm., width of loop in broadest part 4 cm. 

 Esophagus rather thick, more than half as long as stomach. 

 Stomaclt somewhat cask shaped though slightly curved, about 

 two-thirds as broad as long; wall thrown into a large number of 

 fine folds running lengthwise of the organ, those most pronounced 

 at the anterior end wdiere the wall is of a brownish color. Intes- 

 tine from stomach on diminishing slightly and uniformly in 

 diameter to the anus which is somewhat inconspicuously four- 

 lobed. 



Reproductive Organs. — ]\[ale and female, situated alongside 

 of and within the intestinal loop. The ovary a large curved sac, 

 containing ova of about 2 mm. in diameter, — giant size for tuni- 

 cate eggs. Testes irregular band shape, situated within the loop 

 of the ovary and somewhat beneath it (pi. 2, fig. 27). Sperm 

 duct consisting of half a dozen or more vasa efferentia, as they 

 might be called, running together at a common center. From 

 this center the sperm duct proper arises and takes a nearly direct 

 course parallel with the rectal portion of the intestine, but ex- 

 tending some distance beyond the anus. The sperm duct pro- 

 nouncedly club-shaped, the narrow end being proximal. (Prob- 

 able that the expansion of the distal part pertains only to the 

 period of sexual activity.) 



I am considerably puzzled over my inability to find a second, 

 presumably atrial orifice. In view of the dilapidated condition 

 of the specimens it would be unwarranted to suppose the creature 



