NARRATIVE OF THE CRUISE. 
677 
comes off. The anterior region of the body curves somewhat suddenly downward so as 
to form a flattened surface on which the great buccal disk rests. On the ventral surface 
are two large pigment spots, or eyes, which are covered by the disk. The latter forms 
a thin plate of a definite shape and marked by pigment, free all round the edge, but 
fixed by a central pedicle in front of the mouth. Attached to the posterior part of the 
disk is the basal tissue of the plumes, twelve of which arise from the dorsal edge. Each 
plume consists of a central stem ornamented by a series of long, slender pinnae on the 
ventral surface and sides, the tips in both cases being slightly bulbous. No special 
organs occur in connection with the mouth, which leads by a canal with frilled walls into 
the ventrally situated stomach. At the posterior end of the latter the intestine turns 
upward and advances along the dorsum to open on the anterior projection of the body 
behind the plumes. The body wall is composed from without inwards of hypodermic, 
elastic and longitudinal muscular layers. There is no trace of a nervous system nor any 
evidence of perigastric fluid. The ovary lies anteriorly and is generally distended 
with one or two large and several smaller whitish ova. Posteriorly the ventral surface 
of the body is continued into a cylindrical pedicle, which in almost every adult bears one 
or more buds.” 
