EIRENE VIRIDULA. 163 



sented in PI. 37, fig. 8. Seventeen out of the twenty-three specimens show 

 various stages in budding. The process takes place in the usual fashion, 

 both germ layers being concerned in the formation of the buds. When set 

 free, the young medusa has a well-developed manubrium (PI. 37, fig. 7) but 

 no peduncle, and four primary tentacles with stout basal bulbs. Even at 

 this early stage the tentacles are flanked by lateral cirri. 



Color. — The gonads and manubrium are of a pale yellowish tint ; other- 

 wise this species is colorless. 



Eirene medusifcra is separated from all other species of this genus by the 

 structure of the marginal organs. The method of reproduction by budding 

 which it exhibits likewise distinguishes it from all its near relatives. In the 

 latter respect it is one of the most interesting medusan finds of the 

 Expedition. 



Eirene viridula Eschscholtz. 



For synonymy of this species, see Haeckel, '79, pp. 201, 202. 

 Plate 36, Figs. 1-1,. 



Station 4708 ; surface ; 1 specimen, 15 mm. in diameter. 



Fortunately the single specimen was in good condition. The bell is 

 rather low, only about 3-4 mm. high ; the jelly thin. The peduncle is short, 

 hanging only about to the bell opening, but very broad basally (PI. 36, 

 fig. 1). The manubrium is extremely short, indeed rudimentary; the mouth 

 is surrounded by four slightly crenulated lips. 



Bell margin. — In addition to otocysts, the margin bears tentacles, ten- 

 tacular knobs, and cirri (PI. 36, fig. 4). There are twenty-two developed 

 tentacles, which have stout conical basal bulbs, and are very short, 

 perhaps the result of contraction. The tentacular knobs are triangular, 

 of about the same shape as the basal bulbs of the tentacles, and about three 

 times as numerous as the tentacles. Having only a single specimen, I am 

 unable to determine whether they represent, in their present state, the 

 final stage in their development, or whether some or all of them are merely 

 tentacles in early stages in growth ; but as I have found no intermediate 

 stages, and since the specimen is sexually mature, it is probable that the 

 first surmise is the correct one. The cirri (PI. 36, figs. 2, b) are irregularly 

 scattered along the margin, and are about as numerous as the tentacles. 

 There are no cirri flanking the tentacles. 



