﻿398 PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 



some examples grow to even greater size, being 1.25 inches long. In 

 our snecinieus (see Trans. Conn. Acad., v, pi. 44, fig. 10 a) the rostrum 

 is usii ally longer and narrower than in the specimen figured by Sars, 

 approaching in this respect his figure of N. glaciaUs, but with the 

 cartilage-pit as large and broad as in his X. arctica. In fact, the ma- 

 jority of our specimens may be described as intermediate between the 

 two forms figured by Sars. 



NeEera obesa Lov^n (1846) = N. pellucida Stimpson (1852). 



x\sso?iated with the preceding, in most of the localities named, I have 

 found another form, often .5 of an inch or more in length, which I con- 

 sider identical with Xcwra obesa of Loven, and which often agrees well 

 with the figures of this species given by G. O. Sars, but with the ros- 

 trum more commonly somewhat shorter. The cartilage-pit has the same 

 form as the one figured by Sars. The young of this shell is the Xecvra 

 pellucida of Stimpson, without doubt. I have repeatedly dredged it in 

 his original locality. 



Xeo'ra obesa, as thus determined, is closely allied, in form and struct- 

 ure, to N. arctica and var. glacialis. Its texture is thinner, more deli- 

 cate, more translucent, and smoother, or with less conspicuous lines of 

 growth, and freer from adherent mud. These differences are not merely 

 due to age, for I have examined both forms, of various sizes, from .10 of 

 an inch or less, in length, up to the full-grown specimens. 



The largest specimens of X obesa are, however, rarely more than .50 

 of an inch in length. The shell is usually very swollen and ventricose, 

 rather at)ruptly contracted posteriorly at the base of the rostrum, which 

 is rather narrow and not very long, but varies considerably in length 

 and breadth. The cartilage plate is prominent, and projects inward so 

 as to form a distinct angle. 



Neaera jugosa 8. Wood. 



G. O. Sars, op. cit., p. 88, pi. 6, figs. 9 a-c. 



This species is easilj' distinguished from all others found on our coast 

 by its concentric raised lamella^. Station 894, 365 fathoms, oft' Newport, 

 E.L 



Neaera rostrata (Spengler) Lovt^ii. 



G. O. Sars. op. cit., p. 89, pi. 6, figs. 7 a, b. 



Several fine, large specimens of this species were dredged by us about 

 70 to 75 miles south of Martha's Vineyard, in 85 to 115 fathoms, and 1)0 

 to 100 miles south from Newport, R. I., in 120 to 500 fathoms. It is 

 easily distinguished from the forms above mentioned by its very long 

 and narrow posterior beak or rostrum, and by the oval form of the shell. 

 It has a nearly smooth surface. 



Neaera multicostata Verrill & Smith, sp. nov. 



TJiis is a large and very distinct species, easily distinguished from all 

 othars known on our coast by the strong radiating ribs which cover the 



