94 THÉEL, NORTHERN AND ARCTIC INVERTEBRATES. I. SIPUNCULIDS. 
m., several sps taken by ÖSTERGREN and ÅRWIDSON '—''/; 1898 (Mus. U. and Mus. 
L.) — Skagerrack, 60, 192 and 330 fms, clay (Lindahl 1872), about 30 sps. — 58” 
17' 8' n.—9? 10' 7" e., elay, 350 fms. (Gunh. Exp. ”'/; 1877), I sp. — 58 14 5 n.— 
9 12 XY e., clay, 240 fms. (Gunh. Exp. "/; 1877, 1 sp. — 58” 21' n.—9? 11 e., fine 
brown clay, 200 fms. (Gunh. Exp. '”/; 1879), 1 sp. 58 8 n.—9? 21' e., fine brown 
clay, 430 fms. (Gunh. Exp. ''/; 1879), 1 sp. — 59 2 n.—9 4 e., fine brown clåy, 
335 fms. (Gunh. Exp. ''/, 1879), 1 sp. — 58” 16' n.—9? 33 e., fine brown clay, 370 
fms. (Gunh. Exp. "”/; 1879), 1 sp. 
Distribution in General: 
Judging from the localities above enumerated one would be tempted to think 
that the animal in question was confined to the northern seas, but supposing Lo 
BIANco " is right, it must have a much wider distribution, five specimens having 
been caught in the Mediterranean, near Capri. However, his Fig. 175 is of such a 
nature as not to preclude the possibility of his having been mistaken. PRrRUVOT” 
moreover reports it from the Gulf of Lyons. 
This form should properly have retained the species-name ”pyriforme'', given to 
it by DANIELSSEN. Considering, however, that this name ever since 1875 has been 
wrongly used to denote a quite different species, it had better be given up, in order 
to avoid confusion, a proposal already made by KOREN and DANIELSSEN. 
The general appearance of the body changes considerably according to the degree 
of contraction or extension (Figs. 157—159). In a fully extended state it resembles 
a pear, with the long stalk representing the narrow, long proboscis. and with its expan- 
sive posterior portion suddenly decreasing into a conically pointed tip. One of the 
largest specimens, and one of the most extended too, has the following dimensions. 
The length of the trunk from its posterior extremity to the opening of the segmental 
organ measures 5 mm. and the length of the remaining part of the body, including 
the proboscis, of course, amounts to 20 mm. In another, much smaller, individual 
from the Christiania Fjord the trunk reaches a length of only 2 mm., while the pro- 
boscis is about 16 mm. long. The great difference in the relation between the parts 
of the body of these two extreme forms may seem extraordinary, but it must de- 
pend upon different states of contraction. In the one case the proboscis is extended 
beyond its natural length from having been macerated, while the trunk in a better 
preserved condition has been contracted and shortened. In the other case the trunk 
has almost retained its natural shape and size, while the proboscis has been con- 
tracted and also partially retracted. 
The skin is fairly firm and, according to KOREN and DANIELSSEN of an al- 
most greenish colour, when in fresh condition. In alcohol the colour is whitish grey, 
sometimes with a tint of rust. Its surface presents different aspects at different 
1 Pelagische Tiefseefischerei der »Maja» in der Umgebung von Capri. Jena 1904. 
>? Archives Zool. expérimentale. 25. 1897. 
