the horns of certain antelopes, such as Hippotragus oryx. One of the larger bristles is
represented in Plate XXXVIII, fig. 24. The ventral series again forms a dense tuft of
fine and by no means long bristles, commencing superiorly with a group of about three,
with elongate spinous regions, tapering to an acutely pointed simple tip. The adjacent
series has also long, slender, spinous regions, but the tips are bifid, the part which is
usually hooked having scarcely a trace of a curve, and the secondary process being
closely applied (Plate XXXVIII, fig. 25). The tips become shorter and Stouter
inferiorly, and the secondary process more apparent. Though a slight curve is present
the tip is scarcely hooked (Plate XXXVIII, fig. 26, representing one of the stoutest
forms). The upper third of the spinous region is even narrower than the bifid part
behind the hook at the tip, a peculiarity seldom seen. Inferiorly the simple tips as well
as the bristles themselves become shorter.
Posteriorly (in the last feet) both dorsal and ventral bristles become much more
slender as well as smaller. The dorsal, however, show even in the least developed the
well-marked spinous rows. The ventral bristles have long' and finely tapered spinous
regions and simple tips.
The dorsal bristles are often loaded with parasitic growths, one of the most
beautiful being a handsome stalked infusorian.
The dorsal cirri stretch beyond the bristles, and have a similar structure to the
median tentacle. The ventral cirri are rather slender and elongate, with a filiform tip.
Reproduction.—All that can be said about the reproduction of the species is that in
an example procured in early autumn (August) numerous ripe-eggs occurred between
the feet and on the dorsum under the scales. Though the body was ruptured it is
probable these escaped, at least in some cases, naturally. A ripe form also was dredged
in the Minch in July.
This species approaches Evarne, but a glance at the head and the arrangement of
the eyes at once differentiates it, while the structure of the scales and the characters of
the dorsal and ventral bristles still further emphasise the distinctions. The Polynoe
spinifera of Ehlers is a closely allied form, but the anterior pair of eyes, if the figure is to
be trusted, quite differ, since they are visible from the dorsum. The details of the bristles
are not given. In the same way, while admitting the relationship between the species
and Evarne as above mentioned, I do not think with my esteemed colleague, Prof.
Marion, for the reasons indicated, that it should be placed in that genus. I t is true that
in the French naturalist’s figure the anterior pair of eyes are dorsal, but such was not
the case in the examples observed here. The character of the spinous rows of the
dorsal bristles differs from that of either Evarne impar or E. Johnstoni.
6. Harmothoe Haliaeti, McIntosh, 1876.
Specific Characters.—No complete example has yet been found. The dorsal bristles
are rather long, slender, and slightly curved, with conspicuous rows of spines, and a very
short, bare portion at the tip. The ventral bristles have slightly hooked tips, and the
secondary process, is either straight or bends outward a little at the tip. The ventral
cirrus is somewhat enlarged at the base, filiform at the tip, and with rather long papillae
sparsely distributed.
S ynonyms.
1876. Harmothoe Haliaeti, McIntosh. Trans. Zool. Soc., ix, p. 384, pi. lxix, f. 7__10.
1885. „ „ idem (partim). ‘ Challenger ’ Annel., p. 96. ■
1886. ,, ,, Harvey-G-ibson. Verm. Liverp., 149.
1891. Polynoe (Harmothoe) Haliaeti, Hornell. Op. cit., 282, pi. xiii, f. 5.
Habitat.—The first specimen was procured in the Minch in July by Dr. G-wyn
Jeffreys, who did so much in dredging examples of the British Annelids.
In a posterior foot the dorsal branch bears a series of rather long, slender, slightly
curved bristles with conspicuous rows of spines (Plate XXXVIII, fig. 27). Such
bristles, when viewed antero-posteriorly, present a much narrower aspect than when
seen in profile. The arrangement of the spinous rows is alternate, as in the ventral
bristles. Only a very small portion of the tip is smooth—a feature of moment when it
is contrasted with the larger and longer tip of H. Fraser- Thomsoni. The dorsal bristles
are often coated with a brownish granular substance and algoid growths. The superior
ventral bristles have elongate spinous portions and slender tips (Plate XXXIX, fig. 1).
At first the bifid tips are almost straight or very slightly curved, but they soon become
more characteristic .(Plate XXXIX, fig. 2). The facies of the tip is even more
diagnostic in the inferior series (Plate XXXIX, fig. 3), where the spinous region is
distinctly curved. In the superior group the secondary process is nearly straight, but
in the others it bends outwards at the tip, which has a distinct hook.
The inferior cirrus is enlarged at the base, slender and filiform distally, and
furnished with rather long papillae sparsely distributed.
Hornell found an allied form at Port Erin, Isle of Man, in fifteen fathoms. He
describes the scales as densely fimbriated round the border after the manner of
Lepidonotus squamatus, so that there is need for further investigation as to the condition
in this respect. Unfortunately this specimen could not be found in the collection at
Liverpool, and the others are incomplete.
7. Harmothoe Fraser-Thomsoni,1 McIntosh, 1896.
Specific Characters.—Head somewhat resembles that of Lagisca, having a pair of
widely separated eyes posteriorly, and a larger pair on the lateral eminence. Median
tentacle absent. Palpi of moderate length, with rows of minute papilla). Body of
considerable length and breadth; bristled segments thirty-nine to forty. Dorsum has
touches of brown pigment posteriorly as in Lagisca. The lateral segmental eminences
are prominent, but there, is no process. Scales mottled brown, fifteen pairs, covering
the dorsum; first small and rounded, rest more or less ovoid; border smooth, anterior
1 Named after my early and valued friend, the late Dr. Fraser Thomson, of Perth.