298 BULLETIN OF THE 



silicious spicules, dead Pteropod shells, and from their strange associa- 

 tions with Corals, Gorgonise, Sponges, and even Mollusks. A species 

 of Phonis 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. AYe 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 Terebratulse 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 gi-own 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 favma 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 Siphonophorse 

 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. 



