CIRCE ROSEA. 35 



appear like so many clubs or spokes round a central axle. The body is of various shades of 

 pink, and the ovaries yellow ; consequently, although the creature is so transparent, and 

 unfurnished with brilliantly coloured ocelli to mark its position in the water, it is not uncon- 

 spicuous nor diflScult to see. 



The first specimen observed of this species was taken by Mr. M'Andrew and myself in 

 the Zetland seas, in August, 1845, off Vella, seven miles from land. We afterwards met with 

 several in Brassay Sound, on the opposite coast of the mainland. 



Compared with Brandt's species, it differs in the form of the ovaries, in general aspect 

 and colour, and in the absence of conspicuous ocelli, eight of which, apparently colourless, 

 are represented in the beautiful drawing by Mertens (Petersbijrgh Memoirs, Sixth Series, 

 Sc. Nat., t. ii, 1838, pi. 1, f. 1-5). The simple series of tentacula distinguish it from Circe 

 anais, also roseTColoure.d. (Lesson,, loc. cit. pi. 5, f. 1.) It is more nearly allied to 

 C. elongata, but differs in form. (Lesson, loc. cit. pi. 5, f. 2.) 



The genus Circe is evidently closely allied to Thaumantias, Dianaa, and Geryonia, 

 differing mainly in the number of ovaries and of gastro-vascular canals. The generative 

 glands may be said to be those of Thaumantias, the peduncle to be that of Biancea. Brandt 

 placed it among the Oceanidce, and Lesson strangely introduces it between his genus Turris, 

 and Brandt's genus Conis, genera belonging to a very different group, and, as I have shown, 

 scarcely deserving of separation, both being close allies of Oceania. With the Oceanidce, 

 however, Circe has evidently no affinity. 



Plate I, f. 2, Circe rosea, natural size ; 2, a, greatly enlarged ; 2, h, as seen from 

 above, showing the relative arrangement of the vessels and ovaries ; 2, c, tentaculated 

 margin and denticulated veil ; 2, d, an ovary ; 2, e, portion of the margin, between two of 

 the radiating vessels ; 2, f, peduncle, and small stoma-ch at its extremity, with the oral 

 orifice ; 2, g, lips of the oral orifice. 



