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Show 1904.] POLYCH.ETA OF THE MALDIVE ARCHIPELAGO. 271 teeth borne by the uncini differ slightly, but are also variable. Uncini from the hind body of C. variopedatus which Marenzeller-examined bore 11 or 12 teeth, whereas in m y specimens of the same species the corresponding uncini, though larger, bear but 8 or 9, variation thus affecting not only the uncini of different parapodia but those of entire individuals. Slight differences in the form of the long setae are not a certain distinction between species. Their broad ends ax-e more properly compared to leaves than to speax--heads, for they are thin and flexible and would yield to, not pierce, the surface of the wall of the tube. Their appearance may therefore be altered during examination by pressure and bending. Only well-marked differences in the setas are admissible therefore as a specific distinction, and Max-enzeller's G. cautus would be regarded, so far as the descxiption given is concerned, as a variety of C. variopedatus but for its peculiar tube, which has three ox-four narrow openings at either end, instead of the simple ending of the tube of C. variopedatits. As this peculiarity was found in the half-dozen or so specimens examined, I conclude that we have here a true species whose tube only is as yet described. Joyeux-Laffuie x-ecognises the following exotic species :- 1. C. afer Quatref. ] ^ ., , e , , , n rt * i- r\s r Described from tubes alone. A. C. austral is Org- J 3. C. capensis Stimpson. 4. C. hctmatus Schmax-da. 5. C. macropus Schm. 6. C. pergamentaceus Cuv. Marenzeller adds to these :- 7. C. appendiculatus Grube, 8. C. luteus Stimpson, 9. C. antarcticus Kbg., and remax-ks that 1, 3, and 4, and 2, 5, and 8 are evidently the same species, and that C. antarcticus = C. variojjedatus, a fact lately verified by Elders in the ' Magalhaensischen Sammelreise.' l)e St. Joseph gives C. pergamentaceus as a synonym of C. variopedatus*. Amex-ican authors, however, continue to use the former name. W e obtain thus a much shox-tened list as follows:- 1. C. afer-capensis-hamatus. 2. (7. austrcdis-luteus-macropus. 3. C. appendiculatus. 4. C. cautus. 5. C. variopedatus. Apparently, in former clays, zoologists considered a remote locality a complete justification for describing a specimen as new without any comparison of its structure with that of already known species. For instance, Schmarda describes together * A recent examination of a specimen from Woods Roll, Mass., U.S.A., gives indications that this may be a distinct variety or species. See note on p. 276. |