1911] Kofoid: The Genus Gomjaulax. 251 



and in certain nodes of the meshwork on the plates. They are of small 

 size and inconspicuous. 



The cell contents are not dense. In addition to the ellipsoidal nucleus 

 there is in some individuals a very large dense yellowish chromosphere, 

 nearly 0.4 transdiameters across similar to those often seen in Oxytoxum. 



Dimensions: Length, 65 to 77/x (4 measured) ; transdiameter, 

 65 to 74/*; girdle width, 4/*; antapical spines, 3 to 4//,. 



Variation : Varies in size, fin development, and degree to 

 which the linear type of markings is realized. 



Comparisons : Belongs to the subgenus Steiniella. The char- 

 acters in which it resembles Steiniella fragilis are (1) the surface 

 markings which are slightly of the linear-vermiculate type so well 

 developed in that species, (2) the overrun of the apex upon the 

 dorsal side, and the elongation of the closing platelet and (3) the 

 fragility of the theca. In none of these characters, however, 

 does it attain the degree realized in other species of the sub- 

 genus Steiniella. It may be distinguished from other members 

 of the G. fragilis group by its two antapical spines. 



It is a very well defined species easily recognizable by reason 

 of its elongated anterior plate of the ventral area ; its wide post- 

 cingular 1'", its widely separated antapical spines, and by its 

 characteristic surface markings. 



Distribution : Taken thus far but twice at San Diego, first on 

 June 9, 1904 (No. 65) in a haul from 75 fathoms several miles 

 off San Diego, and a second time in a vertical haul from 170 

 fathoms, about ten miles off San Diego on June 23, 1904 (No. 

 120). A number of specimens have been observed in a surface 

 collection made in the evening (7 p.m.) at Loring, Alaska, Sep- 

 tember 15, 1905, by Mr. F. M. Chamberlain of the U. S. Bureau 

 of Fisheries, S.S. "Albatross." Permission to use this material 

 has been kindly granted by Hon. Geo. M. Bowers, Commissioner, 

 U. S. Bureau of Fisheries. 



E. GENERAL DISCUSSION OP GENERIC AND SPECIFIC 

 CHARACTERS IN GO NY AU LAX 



The oft repeated and long continued close scrutiny of 

 numerous groups of individuals of related species such as has been 



