Browne — Fauna and Flora of Valencia Sarhour, Ireland. 725 



stages of other species. Another point, which may often help 

 to determine the species (especially when the specimens are m 

 alcohol or formalin and the sense organs are not visible), is the 

 presence of four interradial black pigment spots at the base of 

 the stomach, visible when looking down npon the top of the 

 iimbrella. These black spots are occasionally not present, and 

 sometimes very faint, so that they cannot be relied upon as a 

 specific character, 



Phialidium temporarium, Erowne. 



Phialidium temporarium, Browne, 1896, P. Z. S., p. 489, pi. xvii. 



In 1895, during April and May this species was present in 

 nearly every tow-netting, especially the young stages ; but it 

 never became really abundant. The adult form was taken in 

 May ; the largest specimen measured 20 mm. in width and 

 11mm. in height, with 38 tentacles and 1-3 marginal sense- 

 organs between every two tentacles. The average size of the 

 adult is 10-15 mm. in width, with about 32 tentacles and 1-2 

 sense-organs between the tentacles. In this species there is 

 one otolith in each sense-organ ; two otoliths sometimes occur 

 as a variation, but are never present in all the sense-organs. 



In 1896, it was a common object in the tow-net during my 

 visit in the summer. Most of the specimens were adults ; the 

 early stages were not taken. The specimens of P. temporaritmi 

 taken in 1895 were of the usual yellowish brown colour, and a 

 few were reddish brown. In 1896 I found brilliantly coloured 

 specimens more numerous than those of the normal colour. 

 The basal bulbs of the tentacles were of a bright orange colour ; 

 the gonads and the lips of the mouth faintly coloured with 

 purple, and the stomach of the usual yellowish brown colour. 

 A single specimen was taken with the basal bulbs of the tenta- 

 cles and the gonads of a brilliant reddish purple. 



In 1897, the Medusa first appeared in February and dis- 

 appeared in November. It was common throughout the summer 

 and abundant in September and October. Young stages were 

 plentiful in the spring, and the purplish-coloured specimens in 

 May. 



In 1 898, it first occurred in March and disappeared in October. 

 Common throughout the summer ; abundant in August. 



This is one of the commonest of the British Medusae, and is 

 probably liberated from the Hydroid Chjtia jolxnstoni. I have 



