view three teeth above the main fang, which is long and sharp. The posterior border
is convex and a marked heel occurs as it joins the base. The curve below the main
fang has a median process, and beyond it is an abrupt bend, whilst the anterior process
or prow is rounded and blunt. Strise pass from the small teeth on the crown along the
posterior part of the neck.
The posterior hooks (Plate CXXV, fig. 6 b) are smaller and more compact.
This species further differs from A. cin'ata in the position of the papillae at the
anterior setigerous processes, and in the absence of the adjoining flap at the dorsal end of
the rows of hooks.
No tube accompanies it, but as the intestine is filled with whitish mud containing
a few sponge-spicules, minute Foraminifera and Radiolarians, many fragments of silex
and crustacean hairs, it is probable that the tube is likewise of the same nature.
Reproduction.—The coelom had numerous small ova, so that the example is a female.
The hook of this form has certain resemblances to Amphitrite Birulai, Ssolowiew,1
and if his drawing is faulty it might prove to be a variety.
Southern (1914) states that the hooks are in two rows in segments 11—-20, but
in the Others in a single row. He thinks it closely approaches A. variabilis of Risso.
An examination of an example kindly sent by Mr. Southern shows that it is a small one,
with the characters less boldly marked than in larger forms.
Wollebaek’s2 figure of the hook, whilst evidently pertaining to A. affinis, has
certain differences, such as the size of the process on the anterior outline (below the main
fang), and the depth of the blunt prow.
This species was also placed by Hessle under his genus Neocmphitrite.
4 . A m p h it r it e g ig a ntea , Montagu, 1818. Plate CXX, fig. 11—branchia; Plate CXXV a ,
figs. 10—:10 SWbristles and hook.
Specific Characters.—Cephalic region as in A. cii’rata, though the lateral processes
of the tentacular plate seem to be larger proportionally. Two statocysts near the
cephalic ganglia. Body more than a foot long, 15—18 mm. in diameter in the anterior
region, and tapered posteriorly to a crenate or papillose anus. The number of segments
ranges from 100 to 160. Seventeen pairs of bristle-tufts occur anteriorly, the tips
having wings and a translucent, serrated blade beyond them. The shaft dilates a little
about the commencement of the wings. The hooks have a longer base than in A. cirrata,
five or six teeth above the main fang, and the outlines on each side of the process on
the anterior border are more distinctly concave. Nine pairs of segmental organs
anteriorly (De St. Joseph). The body is of a uniform chamois (buff) colour, the setigerous
processes and hook-rows being paler. The branchiae are deep red and the tentacles
orange, whilst the dorsum is of a greyish blue anteriorly. Tube a gallery in the
sandy mud.
‘ Ann. Mus. St. Petersb./ t. iv, p. 198, Taf. xii, fig. 10, 1899.
Op. cit., pi. xxxiv, fig. 6.
Synonyms.
1808. Amphvro gigantea, Montagu. MS. Vol. Linn. Soc., pi. xx, fig. 2.
1818. Terebella „ idem. Trans. Linn. Soc., vol. xii, p. 341, Tab. xi.
1843-53. „ . Chenu. Illust. Conch., 11° livr., pi. iv, fig. 2.
1845. „ „ idem. Bibl. Conch., 2® ser., t. i, p. 265, pi, xxii.
1851. „ ,, Grube. Fam. Annel., p. 81.
1865. , >, Edivardsi, De Quatrefages. Annel., t. ii, p. 354, pi. xix, fig. 1.
,, ,, gigantea, idem. Ibid., p. 355.
,, ,, „ Johnston. Cat. Worms Brit. Mus., p. 237.
1867. „ ^ Parfitt'. Trans. Dev. Assoc. Sc., p. 32 (sep. c,).
1870. ,, ,, Grube. Archiv f. Naturges., p. 323.
1894. Amphitrite Edwardsi, De St. Joseph. Ann. Sc. nat., 7® ser., t. xvii, p. 186, pi. vii, figs. 207,208,
pi. viii, figs. 209—223.
1909. „ ‘ „ Fauvel. Ibid., 9® ser., t. x, p. 209.
1915. „ „ Allen. Journ. M. B. A., vol. x, p. 633.
1917. „ ,, Hessle. Zool. Bidr. Uppsala, Bd. v, p. 184.
Habitat.—In the Zostera banks near the mouth of Salcombe Harbour, with Lepidas-
thenia argus as a commensal (Allen).
Abroad it has been found on the shores of France by De Quatrefages at St. Vaast;
at and near Dinard (De St. Joseph), accompanied by Lepidonotus squamatus as a
commensal. It is curious that this Polynoid has not hitherto been found as a commensal
in Britain.
The cephalic region resembles that of A. cirrata though the dorsal lamella for the
tentacles appears to be fuller, especially the lateral fold on each side of the lower lip,
these being prominent in the large examples. The tentacles form a huge mass, coiling
and stretching in life in every direction.
The body is comparatively large, stretching from 6 to 15 inches or thereabout,
enlarged anteriorly and tapering gently posteriorly to the crenate or slightly papillose
anus. The skin of the rounded dorsum varies in the preparations, some being comparatively
smooth except for the longitudinal bands of the dorsal muscles, others being
tessellated like Scalibregma, and though modified, the same tendency is noticeable in
the smoother posterior extremity. The number of segments ranges from 100 to 160.
There are eleven ventral scutes, the first being the largest, the last scute being followed
by a narrower median glandular belt, which by-and-by diminishes as the ventral groove
becomes more pronounced, though toward the tip of the tail it again becomes indistinct.
The second, third and fourth segments have in each a free lamella laterally at the anterior
border, probably in connection with the functions of the branchiae. A diaphragm between
the fourth and fifth segments divides the thoracic region into two unequal portions,
and it presents two dorsal and two ventral sacs, which De St. Joseph associates with
the propulsion forward of the coelomic fluid. In the posterior region diaphragms occur
from the second backward to the tail. Nine pairs of segmental organs anteriorly are
described by De St. Joseph.
The branchiaa form three dense arbuscles on each side on the second, third and
fourth segments. Each has a stout pedicle, which by-and-by splits up into several