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Show 1896.1 BRITISH HYDROIDS AND MEDUSJE. 483 The second set of synonyms of the Atlantic form refers to Thaumantias pilosella, Forbes. This medusa I have taken and have been able to clearly establish its identity. The history of this species is given under Euchilota pilosella in these Notes. It possesses marginal vesicles and belongs to the Eucopidae, and has no connection whatever with the genus Laodice. Agassiz (1862) first placed Thaumantias pilosella in the genus Laodice as a synonym of Laodice stauroglypha. The synonyms of the Mediterranean form of Laodice cruciata may be divided into three sets. The first set belongs to the synonyms of Medusa cruciata, Forskal (1775); the second to Oceania lineolata, Peron and Lesueur (1809); and the third set to Thaumantias mediterranea, Gegenbaur (1856). Medusa cruciata, Forskal (1775). ? Aurelia rufescens, Peron and Lesueur (1809). Aurelia crucigera, Bisso (1826). Medusa crucigera, Eschscholtz (1829). Oceania cruciata, Wagner (1841). ? Medusa cacuminata, Modeer (1791). ? Oceania cacuminata, Eschscholtz (1829). Laodice crucigera, Lesson (1843). Thaumantias corollata, Leuckart (1856). Forskal's description and figures of Medusa cruciata do not possess any characteristic features by which they may be identified with any medusa described by recent writers. Peron gives a vague description of Aurelia rufescens, and believes it may be identical with Medusa cruciata, Forskal. Eschscholtz believes that Medusa cacuminata, Modeer, may be identical with Forskal's medusa. Lesson unites all the above synonyms (except Thaumantias corollata) under the name of Laodice crucigera. It appears that all the early observers were either describing one species, or if two existed they were not able to distinguish clearly one from the other. Leuckart describes Thaumantias corollata as a new species, and from the description and figure given it seems to be closely related to Forskal's medusa. The second set of synonyms refers to Aurelia lineolata, Peron (1809) and Diancea lineolata, Lamarck (1817). Peron refers to a " variety of medusa," Borlase (1758). 1 have looked up Borlase's description and figures : he clearly had under observation a specimen of Aurelia aurita. The third set of synonyms refers to a species called Thaumantias mediterranea, described by Gegenbaur in 1856. This species was again described by Haeckel in 1864 under the name of Cosmetira punctata. It is quite distinct from Thaumantias pilosella, Forbes. It is without marginal vesicles, and possesses both filiform and club-shaped cirri between tbe tentacles. I have taken at Valencia three specimens of a medusa which 31* |