47 120 Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy. 



Macrochaeta clavicornis (Sars) t 



1835. Ndis clavicornis. Sars, p. 64. 1880. Macrochaeta clavicornis. 

 Langerhans, p. 95. 1898. Macrochaeta clavicornis Caullery and Mesnil, 

 p. 130. 



This species was originally found by Sars near Bergen, and many years 

 afterwards by Laugerhans at Madeira. These are the only records of its 

 occurrence. It is very common throughout Clew Bay and Black sod Bay; 

 but I have not found it elsewhere in Ireland. In Blacksod Bay it occurs in 

 corallines on the shore, in Laminaria roots, and is very common in weeds 

 dredged in a few fathoms. 



The systematic affinities of this species are at present not clearly recog- 

 nized. It is regarded by Levinsen and de St.-Joseph as belonging to the 

 Syllidae ; by Langerhans and by Caullery and Mesnil, as undoubtedly a 

 Cirratulid. I hope at some future date to give an adequate description of 

 this species and its allies. For the present it may be stated that the relation 

 to the Syllidae is very slight, whilst that to the Cinatulidae is not so 

 ] announced as Caullery and Mesnil maintain. 



Mature specimens are found in May. 



This species is phosphorescent on irritation, showing a bright blue light. 



Habitat. — Blacksod Bay — Obtained on 7 occasions, in weeds from rock- 

 pools, in Laminaria roots, and with weeds in 1-4 fathoms. 

 Clew Bay — Obtained in the dredge or tow-net on 4 occasions, 

 in 4-21 fans. Ballyxakill Haeboue — Dredged on 6 

 occasions, in 2-8 fans. 



Distribution. — Norway (Floroen) ; Madeira. 



Family TEREBELLIDAE. 

 Proclea Graffi (Langerhans). 



1884. Leacna Graffii. Langerhans, p. 262. 1894. Troclca Grnfpi. 



de St. Joseph, p. 180. 1899. Solowetia Malmgrcni. Ssolowiew, p. 195. 



A single specimen of this very interesting Terebellid was dredged in 

 Clew Bay in 11-19 fins., on a sandy bottom. It was a mature female full of 

 eggs, and was taken in August. 



The description and figures given by Langerhans are very meagre and 

 unsatisfactory. The characters of the species are so remarkable, however, 

 and the agreement is so close between the two forms, that there can be little 

 doubt as to the identification of the Irish specimen. 



The chief characters distinguishing this species are (1) the absence of 

 branchiae; (2) the presence of capillary setae in 16 segments. These setae 



