42 CTENOPHORES OF THE ATLANTIC COAST OF NORTH AMERICA 
There are numerous excretory pores along the courses of the merid- 
ional vessels (fig. 59, plate 11). These alternate with and open between 
the combs of cilia, and also open along the lines of the 4 meridional 
subventral canals over the oral lobes below the oral ends of the rows 
of combs. These pores contain a brilliant rosin-red oily substance 
which is cast out if the animal be handled roughly or be suddenly 
disturbed, forming a fluorescent-looking, rosin-red cloud in the water 
surrounding the ctenophore. When maintained in an aquarium the ani- 
mal soon loses all of this red pigment and becomes quite transparent and 
inconspicuous, but in nature its 8 long rows of brilliant red dots render 
it most beautiful and conspicuous. We can only conjecture that this 
ted substance is of an excretory nature and may possibly serve as a 
means of protection. 
The lateral branches of the 2 paragastric canals are bordered by 
a row of tentacles, all of which are simple and short, except the median 
tentacle, which has many short, simple side branches. 
The muscular system in the oral lobes is well developed and the 
lobes commonly overlap. This ctenophore moves wholly by means of 
its ciliated combs. It is extremely soft in texture and a strong current 
in the water suffices to tear its tissues. Indeed, I have seen it only when 
the ocean has been unrippled for a day or more, after which it may be 
found swimming near the surface at sunrise. A slight ripple causes it 
to sink out of sight. It was fairly common during May, 1906, at Tor- 
tugas, Florida, but all of them were found more than 3 miles from land, 
and apparently it is a creature of the deep and open sea. 
Eurhamphea appears to be very rare in the Mediterranean. Gegen- 
baur found only two specimens, both in a single day in February at 
Messina, and Chun found it only once in March, 1875, during the course 
of his five years’ study of Mediterranean ctenophore at Naples. At 
Tortugas it is rare and occasional, but seems to occur in swarms when 
found. I have not seen it later in the year than May. Fol describes 
and figures it from the Canary Islands. 
Jonescu gives the latest description and figures of this ctenophore, 
having found it at Naples in March, 1907. 
According to Fol, 1869, the development is similar to that of other 
Lobate, the larva passing through a Mertensia stage. 
