47 44 Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy. 



It is common on the shore at Blacksod Bay, living under stones and in 

 Laminaria roots. 



Habitat. — Blacksod Bay — Found on the shore on 11 occasions. Dredged 

 in 1 fathom. Clew Bay — East shore of Clare Island. 

 Dredged on two occasions in 13-19 fms. Ballynakill 

 Harbour— Dredged on 6 occasions in 1-8 fms. Bofin 

 Harbour — Dredged twice, in 1-2 fms. Dredged off Cleggan 

 Head in 15 fathoms. 

 Distribution. — Great Britain : France ; Mediterranean. 



Myrianida pinnigera (Montagu). 



1908. Myrianida pinnigera. Mcintosh, p. 229. 



Specimens with chains of huds were found in January and March. 



Habitat. — Ballynakill Harbour— Found once on the shore. Dredged 



twice in 4-8 fathoms. 

 Distribution. — British Isles ; France ; Madeira ; Naples. 



Family HESIONIDAE. 

 Microphthalmus Mecznikow 1865. 



This genus was created by Mecznikow (1865, p. 334) for a small Hesionid 

 found at Helgoland, and named M. Sczclkowii. It is closely related to the 

 genus Bodarke through the possession of three pairs of tentacular cirri on 

 each side, five unjointed tentacles, and a rudimentary dorsal branch to the 

 parapodia. It is distinguished from that genus by having only a single pair 

 of rudimentary eyes, without lenses, and by the remarkable flattened 

 posterior extension of the anal segment. The tentacles and cirri are smooth, 

 and show no trace of articulation. The shape of the setae and the papillae 

 on the proboscis are not characteristic of this genus, as Mecznikow thought. 



Webster and Benedict (1887, p. 713) described a species from Eastport, 

 Maine, and from Provincetown, Mass., under the name Podarke aberra?is, 

 which appears to belong to the genus Microphthalmus. It has the character- 

 istic anal plate, and the small rudimentary single pair of eyes. Its distinctive 

 characters will be considered below (vide p. 46). Bobretzky (1880, p. 139) 

 mentions two hermaphrodite species belonging to this genus, M.fragilis and 

 M. similis, from the Black Sea ; but except for his account of the reproductive 

 organs, I have been unable to find any particulars of these species. 



In reviewing the family Hesionidae, neither Grube, Mcintosh, nor 

 Gravier mentions the genus Microphthalmus. 



