NEREIS LONGISSIMA. 329 



E. longissima, the only feature being the occurrence of a somewhat regular series of four 

 heterogomph bristles below the upper group in the inferior setigerous lobe. These 

 bristles have the same structure as in the Scotch examples. This appears to be a 

 southern deep-water variety of N. longissima. 



The segmental organ of Euneveis longissima has its trumpet furnished with rather 

 long, ciliated fimbriae, the latter thus contrasting with the lobes of N. cultrifera 

 (Goodrich). 



This species was first described by Dr. Johnston, of Berwick-on-Tweed, and he 

 noted its great length, absence of horny processes on the proboscis, and the structure of 

 the feet. It is true De Blainville mentions Nereis longissima, Savigny, but no reference 

 to this form occurs in Savigny's ' Systeme.' 



The Nereis pulsatoria? of H. Rathke 1 apparently comes very near this species, which 

 extends to the Mediterranean. This view is borne out by the structural features given 

 in his treatise, ' De Bopyro et Nereide.' 2 



Levinsen (1883) observes that the epitokous male has the first thirty-five segments 

 and the female the first forty-six rings unchanged. It is used as bait for pollack and 

 other fishes (Malm). 



Parfitt (1867) mentions that Mr. Hoarder observed millions of them swimming on 

 the surface of the water in May in Plymouth Sound. 



Ehlers (1868), as in many other cases, simplified the synonymy of this form by an 

 investigation of the original types. 



The Nereis (Cera toner eis) guttata of Claparede (1868) may be a southern variety of 

 this species which seems to vary considerably in regard to the development of the 

 paragnathi. 



Claparede describes two species closely allied to N. longissima, from Naples, viz., 

 Nereis (Cera toner eis) Ehlersiana, and N. (G.) Kinbevgiana, ?i both of which have paragnathi 

 on the maxillary division of the proboscis in extrusion, none in the basal, yet the first foot 

 of the latter is identical in outline with the British form, and that of the second is not very 

 divergent considering the variation in preparations. The variation in the paragnathi of 

 the British species and the similarity in the feet generally point to a very close relation- 

 ship between the three forms. Whether Claparede's Nereis {Lept oner eis) glauca, a small 

 form apparently approaching the heteronereid phase, has any connection with Eunereis 

 longissima, is an open question. The unarmed proboscis, the character of the feet, and 

 other features suggest it. 



An allied species (N. irritabilis) from the Virginian coast is described by Webster 4 

 (1879). The mature males and females, after assuming their nuptial dress, are caught 

 swimming at the surface of the sea, the former in much greater numbers. 



It is difficult to make out what the Typhlonereis gracilis of Hansen 5 (1882) can be 

 except this species. 



i < Fauna der Krym/ p. 412, Tab. vii, figs. 1, 4 and 8, 1837. 



2 ' Riga3 et Dorpati/ 1837. 



3 ' Aimel. Nap./ Suppl., pp. 88 and 89, pi. viii, figs. 2 and 3, 1870. 



4 < Trans. Albany Inst./ ix, p. 31, etc., 1879. 



5 'Norsk. Nordhav. Expect./ p. 31, Tab. iv, figs. 14—19, 1882. 



99 



