REPORT ON THE ANNELIDA. 
IX 
in 1876^ led me to give a general support to this classification, and further experience 
has not as yet shown the necessity for any material change. It is true there are some 
forms, such as the genus Eulepis, which almost merit the distinction of a separate family, 
but they have only recently been discovered, and may properly be left for further 
investigation. 
Species. 
While perhaps some species might have been united, the difficulties surrounding 
the subject (arising chiefly from imperfect descriptions and figures of essential parts) 
have been considerable. It is hoped, however, that the present observations and drawings 
will enable subsequent observers to clear up the discrepancies. There can be no doubt, 
as A. S. CErsted observed, that a single accurate figure, for instance of a characteristic hook 
or bristle, is of greater cod sequence in certain cases than an elaborate Latin description ; 
moreover, experience does not altogether bear out the statement made by Hansen with 
regard to the Polynoidse, viz., that the scales are of greater importance in specific separa- 
tion than the bristles. A specimen certainly would be more easily and accurately 
determined with both scales and bristles present, but some, including myself, would 
consider a specimen of greater value with bristles and without scales, than with scales and 
without bristles. 
No less than about two hundred and twenty new species fall to be noticed. 
Food of Annelids. 
In many cases the food of the Annelids has been examined, and as there can be no 
question (excluding surface forms) that this was obtained on the bottom of the ocean, 
the condition of the various types in their alimentary canals has a direct bearing on 
their bathymetrical distribution. Thus the almost perfect state of some organisms, for 
example, Foraminifera and Radiolaria, with their contained protoplasm in the digestive 
tracts of Annelids from great depths, leads us to conclude that in all probability they 
live there, and do not in all cases fall to the bottom for the nourishment of the fauna 
of that region. The discrimination shown by the Annelids in regard to food may readily 
be observed by contrasting the muddy contents of the alimentary canal with that forming 
the tube. Most feed on mud containing minute organisms, but others devour their 
neighbours, small Crustaceans, zoophytes, and sponges, while a few, such as certain 
Nereids and Eunicidse, are partial to Fuci and other Algse. 
1 Proc. Roy. Soc. Edin., 1876-77, vol. ix. p. 372. This paper has escaped the notice of Dr. Pruvot in his Eecherches 
Anat. et Morphologiques sur les systeme Nerveux des Annelides Polychetes, Archives d. Zool. expe'r., 1885, No. 2, 
p. 210. 
(zool. chall. exp.— part XXXIV. — 1885.) LI h 
