268 BULLETIN OF THE 



The axis (b) of Ag. fragile is very flexible, while the nectocalyces and scales 

 admit of more motion on each other than is commonly the case among Phy- 

 sophores. These appendages also are very transparent and small in size as 

 compared to the length of the colony. The whole animal is more slender than 

 an Agalma, and the appendages, in respect to their size, less conspicuous. The 

 float («) does not differ from that of other Physophores. It is relatively large, 

 and bears apical pigment-spots of crimson color. Similar colored spots are 

 likewise found at intervals along the length of the axis, especially on that 

 portion of it which bears the swimming-bells and is known as the nectostem. 

 This peculiar distribution of pigment on the stem is confined to the two species 

 Ag. picta and Ag. fragile. In other genera colored spots are found on the 

 axis, but they are not so prominent as in these two species of Agaimopsis* 



One of the main differences between the nectocalyces of Agaimopsis and those 

 of Agalma is the existence of three or four bright orange ocelli (o) on the bell 

 margin near the terminus of the radial tubes. The course of these vessels in 

 the walls of the bell is almost identical in the two genera. 



The portion of the axis upon which the bracts are borne is very long and 

 highly flexible. The covering-scales (c) are small, inconspicuous, and trans- 

 parent. They have a rectangular shape, and are fastened to the axis by means 

 of a short peduncle. A blindly ending, medially placed tube penetrates their 

 whole length on the inner concave surface. It opens into the stem cavity by 

 an elbow-joint. 



The polypites (p) are long, slender, flask-shaped bodies, which are very 

 prominent on account of the network of bright crimson pigment on their 

 sides and bases. The tentacles carry tentacular knobs (PI. VI. fig. 17), which 

 have a bell-shaped involucrum and a single terminal filament without a vesicle, 

 The sacculus is tightly coiled, and has a dark red color. It bears near the 

 attachment of the involucrum a double row of prominent thread-cells. The 

 male and female bells hang in clusters from the base of the tasteni (fig. 16, s), 

 and are not separated from each other on different regions of the axis. The 

 male bells (fig. 25) are smaller than the female (fig. 24) and have a crimson 

 color. The female bells are colorless. As is true of most Physophores, the 

 colony is moncccious.t 



* The tentacular knobs of Agaimopsis tdricuhiria, Claus, are so different from 

 those of other Physophorids that 1 have considered it a new genua (Bull. Mus. 

 Coinp. Zoiil., VI. 7). It may be known as Calliagalma utrictUaria. 



1 In Nanomia according to Mr. Agassiz the two Bezes are net combined in the 

 same colony. (X. Amer. Acal., p. 208 ; Seaside Studies, &c., p. 80.) Again 

 Afj'ilmn, Physophora, Athorybia, Hdlistemma, Stephartomia, and Praya have l«>th 

 male ami female bells on tie- same stem. The .-aim- is said t>> be trueof Hippopodnu. 

 Abyla, Apolemia, and Diphyaan probably dioecious. Sexual organs of but one kind 

 are known in Rhiaophysa, They resemble those of Phyaalia. 



Nanomia will also 1"- found \>< bear male as will as female sexual bells mi the same 

 axis, as it La probably the young of Agalmopris, My reason for regarding Nanomia 

 as the young of AgaJnuptia and not of Agalma will be found in Bull. Mus. Comp. 

 Zool, VI. 7. p. 141. 



