464 



TA KU KOMM : 



but may fall under 1/3» of the latter. The length of tentacular axis 

 measures generally about half the pharyngeal axis. Viewed at on the 

 pharyngeal plane, the body is broadest at some distance below the 

 aboral pole and gently narrows towards the oral end which is about 

 half as broad as the greatest width of body. The ribs are all roughly 

 of the same length, although the subtentaculars are really slightly 

 shorter than the subpharyngeals ; they occupy the aboral 3/4-5/6 of the 

 entire length of meridional canals. The comb-plates are very numerous 

 and closely set ; in larg'e individuals as many as 300 of them occur in 

 each rib. The distance between subtentacular ribs measures usually 

 about twice that between subpharyngeal ribs. The sabre-shaped cilia 

 on the wall of pharynx are rather short and inconspicuous (length about 

 25 p., breadth about 2.5 fi). The meridional canals send out on either 

 side several branches, which in large examples, show some anastomoses 

 among them. These branches do not join with the pharyngeal canal, 

 except in large specimens which may exhibit such communication at a 

 few places. This communication usually numbers only one or two to 

 each pharyngeal canal, though in a single case there existed eight 

 communications to one of the canals and nine to the other. In small 

 specimens the branches of meridional canals anastomose neither among 

 themselves nor with pharyngeal canals. The sexual products develop 

 in the wall of meridional canals alone. 



Colour. — Small specimens are transparent and dotted with dark 

 reddish spots ; the larger ones are translucent and faintly rosy, covered 

 all over with minute pinkish dots. 



Specimens examined. — This is one of the commonest ctenophores 

 in the vicinity of Misaki. The following specimens were studied either 

 in the living state or after preservation : — One (1. 75 mm.), Dec. 26, 

 1916 ; one (1. 50 mm.), Feb. 24, 1917 ; four (1. 45 — 88 mm.), between 

 Dec. 30, 19 1 7 and Jan. 9, 1918; five (1. 78-127 mm.), April 1, 1918; 

 one (1. 142 mm.). 



Remarks. — Most of the recent authors have accepted CHUN'S view 



