86 
F. ERNEST WEISS. 
patches, such as Pfeffer describes. On the ventral side of the 
head, close beneath the eyes, are two small organs, probably 
with sensory function. These organs agree most closely with 
those of Sepiola, which lie exactly in the same position, and are 
represented by a small elliptical ring, which probably protects 
the sensitive epithelium at its centre. An olfactory crest, homo- 
logous with that of Sepia, is absent in Sepiola and Trachelo- 
teuthis. A fine nerve seems to pass over the ocular region to 
this sense organ (PI. X, fig. 2, n.). 
The neck of Tracheloteuthis is very long and thin, and the 
mantle edge seems therefore loose and wide. The cartilaginous 
fastening of the mantle at the base of the funnel is simple, and 
like what we find in Architeuthis and in Loligo. 
The interior of the funnel seems at first devoid of valve, 
though, according to Steeustrup (12), it possesses one (i. e. in 
Tracheloteuthis Riseii). But the funnel has what Ycrrill 
has described in Desmoteutliis, and what Hoyle has called 
V errilks organ. At the upper part of this organ, however, a 
distinct though small valve is present, partly overlapped by 
the median portion of Verrill’s organ (PI. X, fig. 4). 
Whatever may be, therefore, the exact nature and function of 
Verrill’s organ, whether mucoid or sensitive, though mechani- 
cally it aids in closing the funnel, it does not preclude the 
presence of a valve. 
Besides the median portion of Verrill’s organ, which seems 
composed of several parts, there are two lateral cushions on the 
anterior wall of the siphon (fig. 4, Ip.). 
These lateral pads, though not so strongly developed, are 
seen in Doratopsis (PI. IX, fig. 8), and in Ilistioteuthis (PI. X, 
fig. 10). Both lateral and median portions of YerrilPs organ 
are absent in Cliiroteuthis. 
On opening the mantle cavity we notice the characteristic 
position of the viscera at the extremity of the body, and the 
consequent development of the depressores infundibuli muscles, 
in the middle of which runs the vena cava. The gills, too, 
have been drawn out from back to front, and are thin and 
loosely branched. The viscera in general aspect resemble those 
