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IX. Descriptions of some New and Rare Cephalopoda. 



By Richard Owen, Esq., F.R.S., Sfc, Hunterian Professor of Anatomy at the Royal 



College of Surgeons in London. 



Communicated February 23rd, 1836. 



Amongst other contributions to natural history which have resulted from the la- 

 hours of our zealous Corresponding Member Mr. George Bennett, during his late voyage 

 to Australia, are several new or little known marine invertebrate animals, most of which 

 were taken by means of the towing-net in the open sea, or among the gulf-weed. The 

 value of these specimens, in a scientific point of view, is much increased, by the care with 

 which the circumstances attending the capture of each are registered ; and I now com- 

 mence the fulfilment of a promise to my friend, by bringing a portion of these speci- 

 mens before the notice of the Members of the Society, with such observations as seem 

 to be worthy their attention. 



The subjects at present under consideration belong to the class Cephalopoda : they are, 



1st. A specimen of the Cranchia scabra, Leach. 



2nd. Four specimens of a very small nondescript species of Loligo. 



3rd. The head and principal viscera of a Decapodous Dibranchiate Cephalopod, 

 from Port Jackson. 



4th. Three specimens of a small nondescript species of Octopus. 



5th. A very small specimen of the shell of Argonauta Mans, Solander, with its 

 inhabitant (Ocythoe Cranchii, Leach) and a large cluster of ova. 



With respect to the first of these specimens, Mr. Bennett, in his Journal, remarks, 

 " On the 1st of March, fine weather, with light and moderate trade breezes from the 

 south-east, thermometer Fahr. 77° to 80°, latitude 12° 15' S., longitude 10° 15' W., at 

 8 p.m., captured, M'ith the towing-net, several fine specimens of Hyalcsa dentata, and 

 two species of the Medusa genus ; the latter are preserved in spirits (bottle No. 4, D.). 

 One was very prettily marked with dark red spots." The specimen thus distinguished 

 is the Cranchia scabra, now on the table' ; and from the uncommon form which this very 

 remarkable Cephalopod presents, one cannot feel surprised that it should have been re- 

 ferred by its captor to a Radiate family, with which the Cephalopods bear, in more 

 than one respect, an analogical relation. 



The Cranchia scabra is the species on which the genus dedicated to the enterprising 

 naturalist by whom it was first taken, was founded : it belongs to that tribe of Dibran- 



' PI. XXI. figg. 1—5. 



VOL. II. PART II. P 



K(,9.P^' a UK^^J 



