A. E. Verrill — JVorth American Cephalopods. 
317 
Loligo Pealei, var. pallida Yerrill. 
Plate XXXIY, figures 1-4. Plate XXX YII, figures 9-11, (suckers). 
Plate XL, figure 1, (anatomy). 
This geographical variety or sub-species is distinguished from the 
typical form chiefly by its shorter and stouter body, in both sexes, its 
broader and larger caudal fin, and the larger size of the suckers, 
especially those of the tentacular club. 
The caudal fin is broad-rhomboidal, often as broad as long, or even 
broader than long, in adult specimens. The ratio of the breadth of 
the fin to the mantle-length, in the larger specimens (Avith mantle 
150 miu to 225 mm long) is, in the males, from 1 : T75 to 1 : 2 - 00, while 
in L. Pealei , of corresponding size, the ratio is 1 : 2T5 to 1 : 2-30 ; 
in the females of ear. pallida, oi similar size, the ratio varies from 
1 : T45 to 1 : l'7o (see tables F, G). Tentacular arms long and 
slender, varying in length according to the amount of contraction, 
in extension longer than the body, the club or portion that bears 
suckers forming about one-third the Avhole length. In a feAV males 
the larger suckers on the middle of this portion are not so large as 
the largest on the other arms, but usually they are twice as large. In 
some females the principal suckers of the tentacular arms are A*ery 
much larger than in others, and considerably exceed those of the 
males of equal length ; they form two alternating rows, of eight to ten 
each, along the middle of the club ; external to them there is a row 
of smaller suckers alternating with them on each side; the suckers 
toward the tips are very numerous, small and crowded in four rows ; 
at the tip there is a group of about twenty minute, smooth-edged 
suckers, in four rows. Outside of the suckers, on each side, there 
is a broad marginal membrane, having the edges scalloped and 
strengthened between the scallops by strong, transverse, muscular 
ridges ; another membranous fold runs along the back side, expand- 
ing into a broad membranous keel or crest near the end. The arms 
of the ventral pair are intermediate in length between those of the 
second and third pairs. 
Ground-color of the body, head, arms and fins, pale, translucent 
yellowish white ; the upper surface is covered with pale brown, une- 
qual, circular spots, which are not crowded, having spaces of Avhitish 
betAveen them ; the spots are more sparse on the head and arms, but 
somewhat clustered above the eyes; entire ventral surface pale, Avith 
small, distant, brownish, circular spots, which are nearly obsolete on 
the siphon and arms. The general appearance of the animal, when 
fresh, is unusually pale and gelatinous. The pen is broad, quill- 
shaped, translucent and amber-colored. 
