The second foot has a dense tuft of dorsal bristles which, though shorter than the
typical forms, already show the chief characters in regard to the rows of spines. They
have a more distinct curvature and less tapered tips than the succeeding forms. One or
two at the inner side (next the body) have the finer rows and aspect of those at the base
of the tentacular cirri. The ventral bristles have elongated spinous regions, the upper
and middle with slender bifid tips, the lower with simple tips.
The foregoing, therefore, requires little change to assume the typical form (Plate
XXX, fig. 7), which has dorsally a fan-like group of translucent bristles, springing from
a prominent process, with rather acutely pointed tips, the bare portion being short. The
smooth tip is formed like a knife, the dorsal edge being bevelled to the ventral (next
the spines), and this shows in some a differentiation as in the figure. In lateral
views the somewhat wide spinous rows pass nearly at right angles across the
long axis and stand out prominently at the edge (Plate XXXIX, fig. 20), a condition
probably due to the nearly opposite condition of the rows: The aspect is thus different
from the more powerful bristles of Harmotho'e antilopis with the curved and oblique
spinous rows, which project very little at the edge. Such groups of bristles (dorsal) form
a gradational series under pressure, those next the body being proportionally thicker
and shorter—with more closely arranged spinous rows, the series rising to the much
longer and more tapered central, and then declining to the more slender forms adjoining
the ventral. Some of the latter are very slender—with finely tapered tips. Occasionally
these bristles are more curved and less tapered than usual.
The ventral bristles are moderately elongate, and superiorly have a long, slender,
tapering spinous region—the rows appearing as oblique bars—and a minutely bifid tip
(Plate XXXIX, fig. 21). The spinous region becomes shorter and stouter, and the rows
of spines more delicate, while the tip is more distinctly hooked, and the secondary
process, which passes nearly straight out or with a very slight angle, is more evident
(Plate XXXIX, fig. 22, representing one of the lower median). Interiorly the bristles
diminish in length, have a well-marked hook at the tip, and delicate oblique lines from
the fine spinous rows. The bristles throughout are pale, with a faint straw-colour. The
shape of the fleshy part of the foot is characterised by the length of both dorsal and
ventral processes for the spines.
Posteriorly the bristles become shorter and more slender, the dorsal being proportionally
long and nearly straight, with well-marked rows of spines which are nearly
opposite, so as to differentiate these bristles from others. The ventral are also very slender,
and the tips in the terminal feet are so attenuate that it is difficult to make out the bifid
condition. Thecate infusoria are common on the dorsal bristles.
The dorsal cirri are finely tapered, and present a slight enlargement towards the
filiform tip in life, whilst in spirit-preparations this is very evident, and more opaque than
the rest; and they are densely covered with long cilia with bulbous extremities* visible
under a lens. The ventral cirri are subulate, and also have a filiform tip which reaches
the bases of the ventral bristles. They have numerous short clavate cilia on the
surface.
A curious appearance occurs in both dorsal and ventral bristles of a specimen procured
by Canon Norman in 1879 in Norway (Lervig Bay, three to twenty-five fathoms),
and is probably due to imperfect or peculiar preservation. Crystalline masses are present
in the centre of the bristles, and in the case of the ventral distend in some the bases of
the spinous region.
Reproduction.—Specimens procured in Norway in summer (Canon Norman states)
bear large ova. Small examples (about 6 mm.) from Loch Portan, Lochmaddy, had
advanced ova in August. A little larger example had advanced ova in Whalsay on
July 17th. A ripe male again occurred at ninety fathoms off North Uist in July.
No ripe forms have been seen at St. Andrews, though numerous small ova are present
in the middle of May.
Habits.—The haunts of this species are similar to those of other Polynoidæ. I t
occurs under stones between tide-marks, in the crevices of tangle-roots, and in the
cavities of shells—both bivalve and univalve. I t was also included in the annelids procured
from holes in the telegraph cables in 1876, and which were thought by Dr.
Carpenter to be borers in the gutta-percha. I t is of course free from suspicion on this
head.
I t presents a rougher aspect than Harmotho'e imbricata, from which it likewise
differs in colour, and it is much more tapered posteriorly. I t is also more lively, being
active and irritable, as well as frequently breaking in pieces if molested. The movements
are more graceful than usual in the group, and the long caudal styles are generally
carried nearly in contact. I t is likewise brilliantly phosphorescent. Like others of the
family, it bears confinement well, and can be transmitted inland and kept for months in a
small vessel of sea water.
In this, as in other forms, palpi and other appendages as well as the posterior part
of the body are readily reproduced.
ParasiiesS-Levinsen mentions Herphyllobius crassirostris, Sars, as a Crustacean
parasite fixed to the body of Evarne impar in Norway.
Dr. Johnston’s Lepidonotus pellucidus may be a young example of Evarne.
Claparède (1863) drew special attention to the palpocils on the cilia of the cirri, and
showed how general these organs were in the annelids.
De Quatrefages (1865) followed Johnston in assigning only thirteen pairs of scales
to this species. Prof. Giard (1886) does not think that the P. articulata of Claparède
is identical with this form, as I did in the {Zoological Transactions.’ He also* says
P. spinifera, Ehlers, is an allied but not identical form, since the position of the eyes is
different, and the elytra are not fringed as in E. impar. Remarks on these forms are
made elsewhere.
Hornell (1891) records examples from Southport of 33 mm. in length, and thirty-
seven segments, whereas Malmgren gives only thirty-five and De St.-Joseph thirty-
eight.
Varieties.—A variety from 358 fathoms in the ‘Porcupine’ of 1870 shows some
shorter ventral bristles, the dorsal being pointed. I t is a female.
In young specimens procured in the ‘ Triton’ in 1883 by Dr. Gwyn Jeffreys only
the intermediate horny papillaa occurred on the scales along with the cilia. The eyes
were invisible in the preparations.
Dr. Michaelsen describes a variety from Heligoland, Harmothoë impar, var.
Pagenstecheri, of which he gives a special description. By his courtesy a careful