BARNACLES FROM DEEP-SEA CABLES. 287 



as to the descent of any genus or group of species must be regarded 

 as little more than an expression of individual opinion. I do not 

 deny that a morphological classification would be the ideal one, 

 but when so many doubts exist as to the significance of different- 

 structures and organs, convenience is the safest course to follow. 

 It is not convenient to refer to a species as belonging to the genus 

 Scalpellum, the subgenus P rot o-scal pell um and the section Sub- 

 pseudoscal pell urn, and though this terminology may convey a de- 

 finite morphological meaning to its author and his followers, it is 

 merely confusing to the average earcinologist, as well as being 

 technically incorrect. 



Subgenus Smilium, Gray. 

 1910. Smilium, Annanclale, JRec. Ind. Mus., V, p. 150. 



Scalpellum nudipes, sp. nov. 



(PL IV, fig. 1; pi. V, figs. 1-6; pi. VI, figs. 1, 2). 



The species is a somewhat isolated one readily distinguished 

 by the vestigial nature and microscopic size of the calcareous valves 

 of its stalk. This character is combined with a fully calcified 

 capitular armature, great bulk and leaf-like anal appendages. 



Capitulum. 



The capitulum is large, ovoid and compressed. There are 

 thirteen large, fully calcified capitular valves in all of which the 

 umbo is apical. They are of a dead white colour and are covered 

 by a thin, smooth, transparent membrane and embedded in a brown 

 cartilaginous investment that separates them slightly. Together 

 they practically cover the surface of the capitulum; none of their 

 apices project strongly. Their surface is smooth, with widely 

 separated obsolescent angulate ridges and furrows. They are all 

 stout and brittle. There are no upper latera. 



Terga. The tergum is relatively large, triangular in outline 

 and with all its angles acute. The three angles are situated, one 

 (the umbo) at the apex of the capitulum, one underneath the apex 

 of the scutum on the orificial margin, and one close to the carina 

 and to the posterior angle of the upper latus. The posterior mar- 

 gin of the valve slopes backwards and downwards and is somewhat 

 sinuous but convex outwards as a whole ; the anterior margin is 

 straight and relatively short; it is directed downwards and only a 

 very little outwards; the lower margin resembles the upper but 

 with its convexity reversed. The apex is very slightly retroverted. 



Scuta. The outline of the scutum somewhat resembles that of 

 the tergum but is relatively shorter and more irregular; the valve 

 is also somewhat smaller. The upper posterior angle is situated 

 immediately above the apex of the upper latns. The apex of the 

 scutum is distinctly retroverted and overlaps the tergum. 



R. A. Soc, No. 74, 1916. 



