410 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. [704] 
the conspicuous male organs, extending through the whole length on 
the ventral or branchial side, in the form of a slightly-convoluted duct. 
The posterior end terminates in a small, obtuse papilla. The atrium, or 
cloacal cavity, often coutain eggs in which the embryos are well devel- 
oped, and, in some cases, the free, tadpole-shaped larvie. The tunic is 
specked with numerous, minute, purplish brown pigment-cells. 
One of the zodids measured 7.5"" in length; thorax, 2"; abdomen, 
15°"; post-abdomen, 4™™; diameter of thorax, .8"" to .9™™; of abdomen, 
about the same; of post-abdomen, .375"" to .5™™. 
North Carolina to Vineyard Sound. Very abundant in Vineyard 
Sound, in 6 to 12 fathoms. 
AMARCGOCIUM STELLATUM Verrill. (p. 402.) 
Amouroucium stellalum Verrill, Amer. Journal of Science, ser. iii, vol. i, p. 291, 
1871. 
Masses large, variable in form, often in the form of thick vertical 
plates, or erect crest-like lobes, frequently irregular; surface nearly 
smooth, naked; tissue firm aud cartilage-like externally, somewhat 
. translucent, generally pale yellow or flesh-color by transmitted light. 
The fronds are often six inches or more in breadth and height, and from 
half an inch to an inch thick. The zodids are grouped in more or less 
regular, and generally simple, circular, stellate clusters, scattered over 
the whole surface, and usually containing from six to twenty individuals, 
arranged around a central, sub-circular cloacal orifice; in contraction 
the position of each individual is indicated by an oval spot, more trans- 
pareut than the common tissue, with a small flake-white spot around 
the branchial orifice. The individual zodids are elongated and slender ; 
the post-abdomen more slender, usually considerably exceeding in length 
the rest of the body, and but slightly constricted proximally; the thorax 
aud abdomen are shorter and stouter than in the preceding species; 
branchial sac with about twelve transverse vessels; stomach oblong- 
oval, with numerous longitudinal glandular folds, which are bright 
orange-red in life; intestine large, light orange or yellow. Branchial 
tube elongated, bright orange; the orifice with six prominent rounded 
lobes. Anal orifice suvterminal, with a prominent ligulate process 
above, and several small lobes below. 
North Carolina to Cape Cod. Very abundant in Vineyard Sound, in 
5 to 15 fathoms, on gravelly and shelly bottoms. Fort Macon, North 
Carolina (Dr. Yarrow). 
AMARCCIUM CONSTELLATUM Verrill. (pp. 388, 403.) 
American Journal of Science, ser. iii, vol. ii, p. 359, 1871 (Amouroucium). 
Masses thick, turbinate, often incrusting, surface usually convex, 
smooth; substauce firm, gelatinous, translucent, but softer than in A. 
stellatum. Groups stellate, circular, oval or elliptical, often narrow and 
elongated, orirregular aud complex; zodids much elongated, slender ; 
the branchial tube short, with six rounded lobes. Branchial sac elong- 
