KEPOET ON THE ANNELIDA. 
305 
one by Marenzeller. It is noteworthy that all the representatives of the family in the 
collection have cirriform branchiae. 
The remarkable tubes formed by Notliria somhreriana and Notliria willemoesii 
are most interesting, the former utilizing the long glassy spicules of vitreous sponges, 
the latter forming a . finely rounded tube bristled with long spines secreted by 
the Annelid. Even where this power of forming special spines is absent, certain 
species obtain the necessary protection by attaching spines of Echinoderms to their 
tubes. 
The general structure of the dental apparatus approaches Eunice, but its special 
features rightly point to a decided distinction both from the latter and Lumhriconereis, 
even on this ground alone. The large size of the anterior fang of the left great dental 
plate, in those pertaining to the type of Notliria soinbreriana, is a striking feature. 
Those of the same genus without this structure approach Hyalinoecia or Onuphis. 
The right and left anterior “ lateral ” plates are more nearly in symmetry, and the 
unpaired left has become more or less a duplicate of the great left plate, having, 
however, a character of its own, and not extending beyond the front of the latter. 
Only a single accessory plate exists. 
The occurrence of several instances of soft dental plates makes it probable that 
ecdysis takes place, or at least renewal in some form, unless the changes are pathological 
or post-mortem. Sometimes the entire apparatus, including the mandibles, is soft ; 
in a few, only the upper teeth. 
The Onuphidicte are distinguished from the foregoing family (Eunicidse) by one 
very evident feature, viz., their bathymetrical distribution, for while the latter are often 
found between tide-marks, the Onuphididse are characteristic of deep water, many of 
them ranging to very great depths. Even in our own seas they frequent the deeper 
waters of the coralline ground ; while none in the present series occurs under 
100 fathoms, indeed only one {Nothria willemoesii) was found at this depth. Two, 
again [Nothria pycnohrancliiata and Nothria ehlersi), come from the great depth of 
2225 fathoms. 
The geographical range of the common species, viz., Nothria conchylega and 
Hyalinoecia tuhicola, is considerable, the latter especially passing from the extreme 
north to the warmer seas, and again to the borders of the extreme south. 
Nothria, Johnston. 
Nothria conchylega, Sars. 
Habitat. — Dredged at Station III. (off Cape St. Vincent), January 15, 1873; lat. 
37° 2' N., long. 9° 14' W.; depth, 900 fathoms; surface temperature, 60°'0 ; sea-bottom, 
(ZOOL. CHAI.L. EXP. — PART XXXIV. — 1885.) LI 39 
