BAHAMA MEDUSA. 29 



A number of specimens of this medusa, in various stages of growth, were 

 obtained at this time. They were all captured in a dredge at a depth of two 

 fathoms, about one quarter of a mile off Brown's Point, Great Peconic Bay, 

 where the bottom Avas covered with drifting sea-weed. None were seen upon 

 the surface. 



Adult Medusa, Tamoya Haplonema. 

 Figs. 61-64, Plate VII. 



Bell 90 mm. high, 55 mm. wide; with vertical sides and relatively flat top. 

 Exumbrella surface thickly covered with white wart-like clusters of nemato- 

 cysts. Four pedalia, 30 mm. long, wing-like and sharp-edged. Tentacles 90 

 mm. long, hollow, very flexible, and bearing regularly spaced rings of nema- 

 tocysts that axe capable of inflicting a severe sting to the hand. The sensory 

 clubs (Figs. 63, 64) have two large median, and four small lateral eyes, all 

 being upon the inner side of the bulb. The large eyes are provided with 

 prominent convex lenses and are ectodermal. There is a large terminal 

 entodermal otolith composed of a mass of concretions. 



The velarium is well developed, and there are ten dendritic velar canals 

 in each quadrant which terminate in numerous, non-anastomosing branches 

 (see Fig. 62). 



The nervous ring running from the base of each pedalium to the sensory 

 clubs is distinctly visible as a white colored cord. 



The stomach extends about one-third of the distance from the inner apex 

 to the level of the valarium, and there are four slightly recurved lips. The 

 gastric cirri are. short and numerous. 



The genital organs are curtain-like with frilled edges. They project from 

 the interradial septse into the gastro-vascular pouches of the bell on either 

 side. There are thus eight curtain-like sheets projecting into the four radial 

 pouches. In old specimens the gonads are so large that their free edges 

 overlap beyond the central line of each pouch. 



The gelatinous substance of the bell is transparent. The long, flexible 

 tentacles are a milky yellow, often with a faint purple-hue. There are large 

 white wart-like clusters of nematocysts over the pedalia and valarium. The 

 genital organs are milky-yellow, and tlie eyes dark brown. 



This medusa is exceedingly active, and the gelatinous substance of its bell 

 tough and rigid. 



