206 NEOMENIA VERRILLI. 



position and presenting the customary appearance. Beyond this statement 

 there is little to be added that will aid in diagnosing the species. From its 

 opening into the pericardial cavity each duct, slender in outline pursues a course 

 anteriorly and at the same time assumes a position dorsal to the main or ventral 

 portion of the duct. In this situation, considerably enlarged and with three 

 or four slight folds springing from its inner surface, it extends anteriorly for a 

 considerable distance and becomes continuous with the ventral section. This 

 last named division, relatively large in diameter and likewise supplied with a 

 few folds, extends posteriorly until it has traversed approximately one third 

 the length of the cloacal chamber into which it then opens by a conspicuous 

 pore. 



As in several other species of this genus the walls of the cloacal cavity are 

 modified to form a well-defined area surrounding the external openings of the 

 coelomoducts. The component cells comprise slender supporting cells and 

 elongated gland cells sharply defined from the cubical elements that at other 

 points hne the chamber. 



The nervous and circulatory systems were studied in detail, but no espe- 

 cially noteworthy features were encountered. 



Neomenia verrilli, sp. nov. 



A single specimen of this species occurs in the present collection, bearing 

 the label "Gulf of St. Lawrence, 313 f'ms. J. F. Wliiteaves, 1872." The 

 animal has been decalcified and cut open along the mid dorsal line, an opera- 

 tion that has destroyed some of the organs though their general plan is still 

 discernible. The body is thick-set (Plate 3, fig. 6), bean-like in form and 

 measures approximately 25 mm. in length by 8 mm. greatest diameter. The 

 color in a preserved state is Ught yellow. 



The work of decalcification is complete, not a sign of a spicule being evi- 

 dent, yet it is certain that, as in other species of Neomeniidae, one layer of spines 

 was present originally. While the papillae differ in detail among themselves, 

 these variations appear to be due to growth and possibly to some extent to 

 fixation. Little if any pigment is present in the component cells, and no clearly 

 defined nerve supply has been traced to them. It may be added that these 

 organs are comparatively numerous (Plate 3, fig. 8). The remaining hypodermal 

 cells are comparatively small, without clearly defined boundaries and are devoid 

 of features of special interest. No dorsal keel exists. 



A well-defined spiculose, cuticular bridge separates the atrial cavity from 



