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Ascidians collected by "Albatross
coast of Calif, during summer of 1904

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UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA PUBLICATIONS

IN

ZOOLOGY

Vol. 4, No. 1, pp. 1-52, Pis. 1-3 October 26, 1907

f?

THE ASCIDIANS COLLECTED BY THE

UNITED STATES FISHERIES BUREAU

STEAMER ALBATROSS ON THE

COAST OF CALIFORNIA DURING

THE SUMMER OF 1904

*

BY

WM. E. EITTEE.

LIBRARY

jg
MASS.

The work of the Albatross from March 1 to June 11, 1904, fur-
nished material for the only bit of information we have concern-
ing the off-shore ascidians of the California region. No shore col-
lections are included in this report. It should be stated, however,
that many of the dredging stations, probably more than half, and
particularly those in and about Monterey Bay, were in depths of
only a few fathoms— 100 or less.

The following systematic table of the fourteen species in the
collection shows the depths and also the geographic position with
reference to Point Conception, from which the species come. Full
data as to habitat, so far as the field records furnish them, are
given under each species.

Family Molgulidae—

DEPTH.

LOCALITY.

Halomolgula n. gen.

1. Halomolgula ovoidia n. sp 1000 fath.

2. Molgula regularis n. sp 71-67 fath.

South of Point Conception.
South of Point Conception.

* This paper is published with the permission of Honorable G. M. Bowers,
United States Commissioner of Fish and Fisheries.

.

2

University of California Publications in Zoology. [VOL. 4

Fain iltj Cynthiidiae-

3. Halocynthia okai n. sp._ 10-80 fath. North of Point Conception.

4. Boltenia echinata n. sp 21-48 fath. North of Point Conception.

5. Culeolus pyramidalis n. sp. 2259 fath. South of Point Conception.

6. Microcosmus transversus u. sp.. 33 fath. South of Point Conception.

7. Styela milleri n. sp. 2228 fath. South of Point Conception.

8. Styela gibbsii Stimp.... ..... 40 fath. North of Point Conception.

Family Ascidiidae—

Benthascidia n. gen.

9. Benthascidia michaelseni n. sp.. 2182 fath. South of Point Conception.

10. Ascidia clementea n. sp.... .. 654-111 fath. South of Point Conception.

11. Ciona mollis u. sp.... 1100 fath. South of Point Conception.

Family Distomidae—

12. Cystodites cretaceous v. Dr.... 43-111 fath. North of Point Conception.

Fa m ily Polyclinidae—

13. Psammaplidium spauldingi n. sp. 33 fath. South of Point Conception.

Fam ily Didemnidae—

14. Didemmun opacum n. sp. 33 fath. South of Point Conception.

For about 50 miles to the north of Point Conception, or more
exactly Point Arguello, the California coast runs almost due north
and south, then for about 70 miles south of the Point the course is
nearly east and west. The broad, mountainous triangle thus stand-
ing out from the general northwest and southeast trend of the
const constitutes apparently as important a geographical barrier
for the littoral life of the coast as do the Tehachapi Mountains, of
which it is really a part, for the life of the land.

It will be seen that ten of the fourteen species were taken
s;>uth of the Point. This seeming greater wealth of off-shore
species southward is the more striking when it is considered that
the stations occupied on each side of the Point were practically
the same, there having been 133 to the south and 130 to the
north.

Some interesting results are revealed by an examination of the
liathymetric distribution of the species. The following table pre-
sents the facts :

1&07J Bitter. — California Coast Ascidians. 3

1. Depth, 2000 fathoms or more; number of stations, 7; number of spe-
cies, 3.

2. Depth, 2000 to 1000 fathoms; number of stations, 9; number of spe-
cies, 3.

3. Depth, 100 to 500 fathoms, 41; number of stations, 41; number of
species, 0.

4. Depth, 500 to 1 fathoms; number of stations, 206; number of spe-
cies, 8.

This gives — Depth 1 : 1 species to 2 1-3 stations.

Depth 2 : 1 species to 3 stations.

Depth 3: 0 species to 41 stations.

Depth 4: 1 species to 251-4 stations.

Of the 263 stations occupied only 16 produced ascidians. Two
of these, namely, 4420 and 4425, produced two species each ; 4420
was in a depth of 33 fathoms and 4425 in 1100 fathoms, both in
the vicinity of San Nicolas Island and both on sandy or muddy
bottom. Only three species were taken at more than one station,
Halocynthia okai coming from five stations, all in the Monterey
district, in less than 100 fathoms.

The data are too few to permit of much in the way of general-
ization, but indications in two directions are rather strong. In
the first place, the off-shore ascidian fauna is considerably richer
south than north of Point Conception, so far as concerns the areas
worked over at this time ; and, second, that the deep water along
and just beyond the continental shelf is more prolific of this form
of animal life than is the shallower in-shore water.

GENUS HALOMOLGULA.

Test beset with processes each containing calcareous
spicules. Branchial membrane with nine folds on each side.
Infuiidibula present, large. Branchial stigmata small, irregular
in form and distribution, rarely with any curvature. One gonad
on each side of the body, the left in the intestinal loop.

Halomolgula ovoida, n. sp.

PL 1, figs. 1 to 6.

Superficial Characters. — Form varying from almost perfectly
spherical to strongly depressed biscuit-shape with elliptical base.
Outline in general very regular and even ; surface, except on area

4 rnii'crsity of California Publications in Zoology. [VOL. 4

of attachment, wholly free from foreign substances. Siphons pro-
jecting scarcely at all above the general surface. Attached
usually by posterior end, the area of attachment being usually
broad and often extended by a flange, more or less regular, of
test. Color light grey ; in some regions, especially about the an-
terior end, approaching white. Size, longest diameter of largest
specimens, 4 cm. ; short diameter of same specimen, 3.5 cm. ; more
usual size, longer diameter about 2 cm., shorter about 1.5 cm.
Test thin and papery, entire surface beset with minute stellate
tubercles, each of which contains several short, rod-like cal-
careous spicnles (pi. 1, figs. 1, 2 and 3). Except for presence of
the opaque white tubercles just mentioned, test quite transparent.
Mantle. — Delicate, easily separating from the test, its muscle
bands delicate though numerous, especially in the anterior half
of the animal, where they are disposed both meridianally and cir-
cularly, with also some fibres running obliquely.

Branchial Apparatus. — Siphons very short or wholly absent.
Branchial orifice appearing on the surface usually as a longi-
tudinal slit. Branchial orifice probably with six lobes. Branchial
tentacles from twelve to fourteen, compound, rather large, with
several intervening ones much smaller (pi. 1, fig. 4). Hypo-
physis mouth simple, elliptical, situated slightly to the right side
and far removed from the tentacular circlet. Peripharyngeal
groove distant from the tentacular circlet and pursuing a mean-
dering course by bending in between the anterior ends of the
branchial folds, fig. 5.

Ganglion — Extremely long and narrow, extending from in
front of the hypophysis backward behind it to a distance three or
four times the length of the latter. Dorsal lamina a broad,
heavy, crenulated membrane beset with numerous conical pro-
cesses. Branchial sac, with nine folds on each side, eight of which
are large, the one on each side of the endostyle being small. In-
ternal longitudinal vessels on each side of each fold varying from
six on the smaller folds to nine or ten on the larger. Infundibula
large, quadrilateral, frequently notched at their inner borders,
i.e., the borders toward the inner margins of the folds. Stigmata
small and irregularly distributed, usually short elliptical, but in
some regions somewhat curved. Those of the infundibula gener-

1907] Hitter. — California Coast Axculians. 5

ally smaller than those between the folds. Transverse vessels lim-
ited to the folds, and to the intervals between the infundibula,
pi. 1, figs. 5 and 6.

Intestinal Tract. — Wide, simple open loop situated across the
posterior dorsal side of the animal, somewhat to the left. Stom-
ach not large, sharply set off from the esophagus but not from the
intestine, the wall irregularly folded. Anus bordered by five or
six petaloid lobes. Renal organs in the form of two or three dis-
tinct patches on the inner surface of the mantel in the vicinity of
the gonads, the largest patch being lateral to the right gonad.
Gonads one on each side of the body, the left in the intestinal loop,
each long and sausage-shaped.

The dull white, clean-surfaced, egg-shaped habitus of this fine
species gives an assemblage of the animals a striking appearance.
The coreaceous consistency of the test causes the specimens to
keep their form to an unusual degree, in spite of the action of pre-
serving fluids. Nearly all of the hundred and fifty individuals
examined were attached to a net-like hexactinellid sponge, and
considerable expanses of the sponge are still adhering- to the spec-
imens. The minute, close-set, rigid spicule-bearing processes of
the test give the surface considerably the nature of the chagrin of
some sharks. Examination of the processes with a hand lens dis-
covers them to be arranged about the orifices in quite regular
fashion (pi. 1, fig. 2). In perspective the processes are regularly
goblet-shaped, with the mouth of the goblet taking the form of the
Greek acanthus. Each secondary process, corresponding to the
petal of the acanthus flower, contains a rod-like calcareous spicule,
the distal end of which is pointed, and corresponds to the tip of
the process. The spicules do not occur in interior parts of the
animal, excepting on the inner surface of the siphons and over a
small, well-defined area on the inside of the branchial and atrial
chambers, immediately around the orifices. These areas in all
probability mark the inturned portion of the ectoderm. After the
spicules are destroyed with acid a considerable cluster of cells is
observable in the tubercles containing them. These probably
produce the spicules. The question of the lobulation of the
orifices in this species is unusually difficult. PI. 1, fig. 2, shows
the branchial orifice as seen in a surface view in a specimen with

6 University of California. Publications in Zoology. [VOL. 4

far more suggestions of lobes than can be recognized in the
majority of the large number of individuals examined. There
can be no doubt about the presence of six lobes here. Whether
they stand for realities in the living animal, or are merely results
of retraction, I am not quite sure, but assume the former. The
condition of the atrial orifice is still more dubious. Usually in
an ascidian, where the lobes can not be made out by surface
examination, separation of the test from the mantle brings out
the true state of things. Applying this method here does not
help. Indeed the edge of the orifice, when thus freed, is even
more lobeless than when viewed from the surface.

As will have been noticed from the diagnosis the branchial sac
is peculiar in several respects. The quadrilateral outline of the
infundibula is unusual in Molgulids. Frequently the infundi-
bula in this species are quite as broad at the inner end as at the
outer, and the notching or forking of many of them is quite a new
feature. The branchial folds, excepting the one nearest the endo-
style on each side, are broad and thin, and as a consequence the
infundibula are unusually flattened. The two folds adjacent to
the endostyle are so thin as to be easily overlooked. The small
size and irregularity of the stigmata is another peculiarity. One
may examine the whole area of a branchial membrane without
noticing more than the slightest inclination to curvature among
the orifices. In other individuals a pronounced tendency of this
sort is seen, some of the stigmata being curved to a quarter or
even a half circle. Again, the membrane itself is unusually thick
and heavy in the infundibula. and generally the stigmata are here
considerably smaller than in other parts of the sac.

AVhat I interpret as the "renal organs" are rather insignifi-
cant as compared with these structures in many other Molgulids.
As mentioned hi the diagnosis, they are situated on the inner sur-
face of the mantle in the vicinity of the gonads. The largest one
observed, in a large specimen, was not more than 2 mm. across.
It consisted of a peculiar meandered folding of the epithelial
layer of the mantle, the cells of which, though somewhat larger
than those of the adjacent parts, had seemingly little in common
with the tissue characteristic of the renal organ of the Molgu-
lidae. But little coloring matter has been observed in any of these
structures in this species, and no vesicles have been seen.

1907] Fitter. — California Coast Ascidians. 1

The gonads are practically of the same size on the two sides
of the body. Only in the larger individuals are they fully devel-
oped. In these the axial part of the sausage-shaped mass is read-
ily seen to be the ovary, and here many of the ova are relatively
large. Along this ovarian axis, for its entire length, the pear-
shaped testis lobes are disposed on both sides. These lobes are
uniform in size and shape, and are placed with their larger ends
directed away from the axis. Both gonads converge toward the
atrial chamber so that their orifices, as well as the esophageal open-
ing and the anus are near together, and all are near the atrial
siphon.

The character, which more than any other, has compelled me to
establish a new genus for this species is the calcareous spicules in
the test. Starting from this feature, and considering along with
it the slight extent to which the stigmata are curved, I have tried
to force the species into the genus Rliabdocyntliia, Herdman. But
even relying on the spicules alone, the fact that in our present
species they are confined to the test, whereas in Rhabdocynthia
they are present in other tissues, as the mantel, branchial vessels,
etc., makes a quite sharp contrast between the two types. There
is, however, an undoubted tendency toward a curvature of the
stigmata in H. ovoidia. When this is coupled with the well-
marked infundibula of the branchial sac it becomes obvious that
Rhabdocijntliia will not receive our species, indeed that it must be
associated with the Molgulas rather than with the Cynthias.

After the spicules the characters most seriously in the way of
assigning the species to any recognized genus are the two orifices,
the number of branchial folds, the position of the gonad of the
left side, and probably the structure of the renal organ.

No Molgulid, so far as I am aware, possesses more than seven
branchial folds on each side. Since, however, the genus Molgula
is allowed six and seven folds (and five if, as Hartmeyer '03 be-
lieves, Pera should not be separated off) , I should not be disposed
to permit even the nine folds of H. ovoidia to stand in the way of
assigning it to an old genus were there no other difficulties in the
way.

As regards the relation of the intestinal tract and gonads, H.
ovoidia has greater resemblance apparently to Eugyra molgul-

8 University of California Publications in Zoology. [VOL- 4

oides (Sluiter '04) than to any other species. But of course the
characters of the dorsal lamina and branchial membrane put
Eugijra out of consideration for our species.

Finally turning to the troublesome orifices, the recently estab-
lished Astropera (Pizon '98), possessing as it does a gonad on
each side of the body, holds out at first sight some promise of fur-
nishing a lodging place for our species. But the absence of the
peculiar petaloid lobes of Astropera, taken with differences in the
number of branchial folds, and in the position of the left gonad
relative to the intestine, to say nothing of the absence of the spic-
ules in Astropera, make it out of the question to seriously consider
uniting our species to Pizon 's genus.

I conclude, then, that Ilalomolgnla ovoidia is a representative
of a group of Molgulids that holds some such relation to Molgula
as that held by RJiabdocyntJiia to Cynthia. When, however, one
searches through the known species of the family Molgulidae for
a species that might have been the parent of H. ovoidia, not much
success is met with.

In view of the fact, noted by Sluiter '04, that the species of
Rhabdocyntliia are, most of them, inhabitants of seas in which
coral reefs abound, it is worth while to point out that such is not
the case with H. ovoidia. There are very few corals or other cal-
cium carbonate-producing species in the region to which this ani-
mal belongs. The collection contains about one hundred and fifty
specimens.

Station 4425, 21.8 miles S. 7°E. point of San Nicholas Island,
1000 to 1100 fathoms, bottom green mud and fine sand, and glob-
igcrina, associated with much hexactinelid sponge. April 13,
1904.

Molgula regularis, n. sp.

PI. 1, figs. 7 and 8.

Superficial diameters. — Ellipsoid, very regular in outline,
surface entirelv covered with foraminiferous shells and sand par-
ticles, which cling closely to the great number of filiform processes
of the test. No definite area of attachment, though a thin mem-
brane-like substance loosely adhering to one side of some of the
specimens may mark the place of contact with the substratum on

i!>07] Eittcr. — California Coast Ascidians. 9

which the body rests. No siphon nor orifices visible without re-
moving the covering of foreign particles. Length of longest spec-
imen, 4 cm. ; thickness of same, 2.3 cm. Other specimens of the
collection but little smaller.

Test. — Thin and leathery after adhering particles are re-
moved ; semi-transparent. Filamentous processes very numerous
and slender, but little branched, foreign particles clinging to them
throughout their length.

Mantle. — No definite muscle bands excepting around the ori-
fices. Here large and strong bands regularly disposed radially
around the orifices, uniform in length and terminating abruptly
at their distal ends; also a narrow zone of circular fibres around
each orifice. The rest of the mantle containing an open mesh-
work of fine fibres (pi. 1. fig. 7).

Branchial Apparatus. — Siphons entirely wanting. Orifices
not far apart, the branchial being well forward, the atrial near
the middle of the length of the body. On removal from the test
the orifices found to be slightly but unequivocally six-lobed
(branchial), and four-lobed (atrial). Branchial tentacles about
ten, of several sizes, the largest large and copiously branched.
Hypopliy sis-mouth a narrow ellipse directed somewhat obliquely
to the long axis of the animal. Peripharyngeal band running
close to the anterior ends of the branchial folds. Ganglion a little
more than twice as long as broad, less than its length behind the
hypophyseal mouth. Dorsal lamina a plain-edged rather broad
membrane (pi. 1, fig. 8). Branchial sac with six prominent folds.
Longitudinal vessels of the folds delicate and rather irregular in
number and course; about five on each side of each fold, nearly
equally spaced from one another. Infundibida large, extending
full size to the edge of the folds and leaving little space between
them along the transverse vessels. Stigmata large everywhere ;
little curved except as they extend around the infundibula.

Intestinal Tract. — Situated on the left side at the extreme pos-
terior end of the animal; loop a close one. Stomach not large,
nearly twice as long as broad, smooth-walled. Intestine very long
and thin, of uniform diameter throughout; rectal half forming a
wide semi-circle; anus without lobes. Renal organ consisting of a
large browTn, regular elongate central portion, surrounded by a

10 University of California Publications in Zoology. [VOL- 4

still larger clear part ; situated on the right side of the body, close
to the posterior end of the endostyle. Gonads, one on each side
of the body, that on the left in front of the intestinal loop (pi. 1,
fig. 7).

Tliis species, clear-cut in its generic characters and also
sharply set off from any other species of the genus, needs little of
comment beyond what is brought out by the diagnosis. While it
is one of those species so welcome to the systematist because of the
positiveness in both its generic traits and in its specific differenti-
ation from other known Molgulas, it is at the same time a good
example of those species which present such a combination of spe-
cific characters as to make the question of what its closest affinities
within the genus are, so difficult, but at the same time so interest-
ing. For example, as regards surface covering, form, hypophysis
mouth, number of folds in the branchial sac, and position of left
gonad, M. regularis has much in common with M. tenax Traustedt,
and on the whole one may conclude that it is more closely related
to this than to any other species. At the same time, as regards the
mantel muscles, the form of the gonads and the structure of the
so-called liver, the two differ sharply. M. tenax has no such de-
velopment and disposition of mantle muscles about the siphons
as M. regularis presents us with (pi. 1, fig. 7). The testis of tenax.
as shown by Hartmeyer '03, is a rounded single mass on each side
instead of a whole series of small elongate lobes as in our species ;
and is situated to one side of the ovary instead of being scattered
round it so as to give the latter a central position with reference
to it. The liver in tenax is, according to Hartmeyer, "very excep-
tional in its enormous development." Nothing of this sort is
found in M. regularis. But M. arctica Kiaer is a species in which
the mantle musculature is very similar to that of M. regularis.
Likewise the structure and relation of the male and female
gonads in this far northern species are much like those of
M. regularis. In the latter the relatively great elongation of the
combined male and female glands, with the testes divided up into
distinct and quite widely separated lobes, these being deployed
around the ovary and scattered along its whole length, is to be
regarded as an extreme expression of the same type as that repre-
sented by the glands of M. arctica. In this latter species, however,

1907] Hitler. — California Coast Ascidians. 11

we seem to have about the opposite extreme of the type, namely,
variation in the direction of shortening the axis and concomitant
crowding together of the testis lobes. Again, M. arctica would ap-
pear to conform to the usual Molgula type as regards the liver.
But M. arctica has seven folds in the branchial sac, and, according
to Kiaer, a narrow anus "with a faint indication of four lobes
on the margin/' Whether, consequently, M. rcgularis shall be
regarded as more closely related to tenax or arctica will depend on
the ever-recurring question of the value to be placed on different
characters. There appears to be no particular prospect of reach-
ing a generally recognized standard of reference for the question.
The collection contained half a dozen specimens. Station
4309, Point Loma Light N.44°, E. 8.6°, March 3, 1904, 67-73 fath-
oms, bottom fine sand and shells.

Halocynthia okai, n. sp.

PI. 1, figs. 9 to 16.

Superficial Characters. — Nearly spherical, though some speci-
mens distinctly elongated antero-posteriorly. Attached by pos-
terior end, area of attachment usually small. Except on area of
attachment, tJtickly covered with long straight spines, these bear-
ing numerous small secondary spines. Each spine bearing a radial
tuft of from four to six or eight spinelets at its tip. In addition to
the long spines, numerous sessile whorled spinelets on the test be-
tween the bases of the large spines (pi. 1, figs. 9, 11, 12 and 13).
Siphons short and often so hidden by spines as to be found with
difficulty. Color brown to light gray. Length of largest speci-
mens, 80 mm. ; thickness of same, 55 mm. Length, of spines of
full-grown individuals, 10 mm. and more. Test strong and leath-
ery, rarely more than 1 or 1.5 mm. thick. Mantle rather thick,
not separating readily from the test ; mantle musculature consist-
ing of evenly-spaced bands radiating from each siphon, the cross-
ing of the two series giving the mantle the appearance of closely
woven cloth. The muscles extending over the entire body, but
somewhat weaker in the intestinal regions.

12 University of California Publications in Zoology. [VOL. 4

Branchial Apparatus. — Siphons very short and broad, the
branchial somewhat larger. Both four-lobed, the lobes distinct
and tumid. Tentacles about sixteen in number, large and much
branched, the branches arranged rather constantly in pairs of
nearly uniform size, and bearing numerous secondary and ter-
tiary branchlets (pi. 1, fig. 14). Hypophysis mouth horseshoe-
shaped, somewhat broader than long, the ends turned in but not
produced into spirals, the two horns of equal length. Dorsal lan-
</'t(ts short, slender and numerous. Branchial membrane with ten
large folds on the left side and nine on the right, with suggestion
of an additional fold on each side next to the endostyle. Each of
the largest folds with ten prominent longitudinal vessels on each
side, making twenty in all (pi. 1, fig. 16). Transverse vessels dis-
tinctly of two sizes. Stigmata small, uniform in size, extending
lengthwise with reference to the folds. Endosti/lc, large and
tortorous. Ganglion long and narrow, in some specimens ex-
tending nearly the entire distance between the two siphons.

Digestive Tract. — Situated on the left side, the loop about one
and one-half times as long as broad, the rectal bend short ; stom-
ach small, not clearly set off from the intestine; anus with a dis-
tinct rim.

Gonads. — Consisting of about five cylindrical masses on the
left side and four on the right, those of the left within the intes-
tinal loop.

In the collection are a number of young specimens that are no
larger than the largest specimens of H. I'illosa that I have seen,
yet the spines are nearly as long and closely crowded in these as in
the largest individuals. In no case are they scattered as they are
in L'illosa. This species adds another to the considerable number
of spiny Cynthias. It belongs to the hilgendorfi section of this
Limiip of species, i. c., to the section having the branchial stigmata
extending lengthwise with reference to the branchial folds instead
of crosswise, as they do in H. echinata and its congeners. Oka
(1906) has recently described two other species from the coast of
Japan which in all probability belong to the same group, though
the important point of the position of the stigmata he does not
mention. Oka's species are H. owstoni and //. rittcri. II. okai
appears to resemble //. oicstoni more closelv than any of the other

1907] Hitter. — California Coast Ascidians. 13

species, but fr,om this it differs in the absence of the spirally
inrolled horns of the hypophysis mouth: in the less number of
tentacles, owstoni having thirty; and in the larger number of lon-
gitudinal vessels on the branchial folds, owstoni having seventeen
or eighteen of these.

As our information now stands, the distribution of these Cyn-
thias presents an interesting problem. There can be no doubt, as
it appears, that H. hilgendorfi Traustedt, H. owstoni Oka, H.
ritteri Oka, of Japan, and H. o~kai, of the Pacific Coast of the
United States, are very close of kin. Furthermore, H. echinata
L., H. arctica Hartmr., H. villosa Stimp., and probably H. castan-
eiformis v. Dr., constitute another group of closely related forms
that is. however, sharply separated from the hilgendorfi group by
the difference in the stigmata already indicated. The echinata
group seems to be well represented in the Arctic regions, the Ber-
ing Sea and Alaskan waters, but thus far is unknown south of
Puget Sound on the American coast (H. villosa Stimp, Herdman
1898, Bitter 1901), or south of northern Japan (H. arctica
Hartmeyer 1906). On the other hand, none of the hilgendorfi
group are yet known from the region intervening between north-
ern Japan and northwestern United States. (On re-examining
certain specimens from Puget Sound which I (Ritter 1901) for-
merly assigned to //. villosa, I now find to be undoubtedly the
same as those from the coast of Southern California which I am
naming //. okai). In other words, the hilgendorfi group seems to
be replaced at the north on both east and west shores of the
Pacific by the rather distinct echinata group. Of course farther
collecting may bring to light members of the hilgendorfi group
in the Bering Sea and other Alaskan waters. It is desirable that
a closer study, both as to structure and as to distribution, should
be made of all these forms.

About twenty-five specimens were taken from five stations, as
follows: 4552 Point Pinos light, S. 73°E., 4 miles, June 9, 1904,
73 fathoms, green mud and rocks; 4554 Point Pinos light. S.
76°E., 3 miles, June 9, 1904, 60 to 80 fathoms, green mud and
rocks; 4555 (practically same as 4554) ; 4557 Point Pinos light,
S. 25°W., 3.1 miles, June 9, 1904, 53 fathoms, rock bottoms.

14 University of California Publications in Zoology. [VoL- 4

Boltenia echinata, n. sp.

PI. 2, figs. 17 to 19.

Superficial Characters. — Body ovate to elongate, surface beset.
with simple, slender, sharp, rather remote spines. Siphons dis-
tinct or not, at nearly opposite ends of body. Peduncle slender,
of nearly uniform diameter throughout, slightly thicker at junc-
tion with the body; attached to dorsal side somewhat nearer the
branchial orifice, starting off at a sharp angle with the long axis
of the body. Color brownish white, body and peduncle nearly
the same. Greatest length of body 1.75 cm. to 2 cm., greatest
thickness 1 cm. to 1.5 cm. Length of peduncle two to three times
that of body, greatest thickness of peduncle not more than 4 mm.
Test, very thin but firm and parchment-like, of uniform thick-
ness, semi-transparent; entire body spiny, the spines of several
lengths, slender, sharp, usually unbranched, but an occasional
long one with one or more secondary processes. Each spine situ-
ated on a raised, clearly delimited area of test, the larger ones
on larger areas, the smaller on smaller areas. No spines on prox-
imal half of peduncle.

Mantle, very thin and closely adherent to the test, muscula-
ture consisting of a set of small, moderately numerous, regularly
arranged and evenly spaced radial and circular bands, the radials
of both orifices distinctly stronger than the circulars; and in
addition a felt-work of much finer fibres.

Branch nil Apparatus. — Siphons so short as to be unrecogniz-
able in preserved specimens, or but little projecting from the
surface of body, both regularly four-lobed. Tentacles about
twenty, of unequal sizes, the largest long and copiously branched,
the few strong primary branches carrying a great number of
secondary branches. Hypopliyseal moutJi simple horse-shoe
shaped, about as long as broad. Branchial membrane with
twelve folds of very unequal size; internal longitudinal vessels,
five or six on each face of the largest folds with one or two be-
tween the folds, small and all nearly of same size. Stigmata
directed transit rx<-l\i to the longitudinal vessels, in general
regularly elongate but in some regions shorter and with

1907] Ritter.— California, Coast Ascidians. 15

axes in various directions (pi. 2, fig. 18). Dorsal languets rather
long, close together, no membrane.

Digestive Tract. — Situated on left side of body, loop regular,
rather wide ; stomach not large nor clearly set off from intestine ;
a short pedunculate pouch with shallow lobulated surface pro-
jecting from ventral edge of the stomach. Gonads two, one on
each side of body, the left within the intestinal loop, both elong-
ate and tortuous. The ovary constituting the main axial portion
of each mass; the tcstis consisting of a double row of somewhat
lighter colored elevations, along the outer side of each ovary.

There are two specimens of this species in the collection ; one
(fig. 17) from station 4558 Point Pinos Light, S. 79°, W. 2 miles,
June 9, 1904, 40 to 48 fathoms, rock bottom; the other from
station 4303 (fig. 18), Point Loma Light, N. 12°, W. 6.1 miles,
March 1, 1904, 21 fathoms, gray sand bottom.

Cursory comparison of figs. 17 and 19 suggests that the two
are quite different animals. This conjecture gains strength when
it is noted that the first station mentioned is near Monterey and
the other near San Diego. The diagnosis is given almost wholly
from the specimens shown in figs. 17 and 19. I am inclined to
believe the two to be distinct species ; nevertheless the differences
between them are not sufficiently great nor of a kind to warrant
the separation on the strength of the single specimen of each
available for examination. Although differences exist in some of
the internal features as well as in their superficial ones, these
differences are still more of a kind that may well be supposed to
be individual. Should it in the future be found necessary to
separate them, Boltenia echinata would be the name of the
Monterey form, and a new name would have to be given the
San Diego one.

Attention may be called to the apparently branched condition
of the peduncle of the San Diego specimen. This probably comes
from the peduncles of several individuals having fused together
during growth, as the parts are now inseparable.

The transverse direction of the branchial stigmata is an espe-
cially noteworthy characteristic of the species. This recalls the
same peculiarity in the echinata group of Halocynthias referred
to under H. okai of this paper. Of the other Boltenias that pos-

16 University of California Publications in Zoology. [VOL. 4

sess the same character, B. elegans Herdman, has more in com-
mon with B. eclnnata than has any other species, but elegans is
wholly devoid of surface spines. B. bouvetensis Michaelsen
(Michaelsen, 1904) is interesting in this connection as furnishing
a sort of intermediate condition between longitudinal and trans-
verse stigmata. According to Michaelsen the stigmata in this
species are very irregular, some being long, some short, some
curved, some longitudinal, and some transverse.

Culeolus pyramidalis, n. sp.

PI. 2, figs. 20 and 21.

Superficial CJtaracters, — Body rather regularly pyramidal,
slightly compressed, peduncle attached at apex of the pyramid
close to the branchial orifice and on its ventral side, fig. 20.
Base of the pyramid marked by the atrial orifice dorsally, the
papillary band laterally, and by a pronounced patch of longer
test papillae ventrally. Outline of base elliptical with long axes
of ellipse dorso-ventral ; base strongly convex, fig. 21. Siphons
none. Surface in general even, but a series of not well defined
grooves radiating from the atrial orifice. Entire surface thickly
beset with minute papillae, and a distinct, sinuous papillary band
marking off the base of the pyramid. Peduncle very long and
slender, of nearly uniform diameter throughout, terminating in a
disc provided with strong holdfasts. Color of body yellowish
gray; peduncle blue gray. Greatest length of body 2.5 cm., long
axis of elliptical base 2 cm., short axis of same 1.5 cm. Length
of peduncle 19 cm.

Test thin, scarcely 1 mm. thick, firm and leathery, bearing a
great number of low, conical papillae, each of which is situated
in a definite area of clear test : blood ampullae in the test sub-
stance, and extending into the longer test papillae of the band.

Mantle thin and transparent except for the muscle bands,
which are, especially on the atrial portion of the body, rather
strong though not close together, the circular and longitudinal
running at nearly a right angle to one another, producing a large-
meshed network.

BraiieJiial Apparatus. — No siphons nor lobes for either orifice.

190~] Bitter. — California Coast Ascidians. 17

branchial orifice close to the insertion of the peduncle and dorsal
to this, much smaller than atrial, slightly elliptical, elongate
crosswise of body, with a low but definite and even lip. Atrial
orifice very large and wide open, distinctly elliptical, elongation
crosswise of the body, the ventral border somewhat more arched
than the dorsal ; edge of the test bordering the opening so even
as to give the impression that the orifice has been cut with a die.
Tentacles of unequal sizes very long and strong, but branches
neither numerous nor large. Branchial membrane without stig-
mata, composed of very loose wide-meshed netting of blood ves-
sels, the whole so crumpled and distorted in specimens available
as to make the true structure impossible of determination. A
few spicules, mostly unbranched, in branchial vessels ; more
spicules, these irregularly branched, in tentacles. None of the
spicules calcareous, they giving no evolution of gas when treated
with acids.

Digestive Tract. — On left side, stomach not clearly set off
from intestine, thin walled, and not (1) provided with coeca.
Intestinal loop simple, narrow, irregular, the two limbs close to-
gether, the rectal being ventral to the stomach and running
nearly parallel with and close to the endostyle for some distance.
Gonads not determined.

There is not sufficient material in the collection to enable me
to adequately describe this species. Enough can, however, be
made out to warrant the conclusion that it is unidentifiable with
any Culcolus hitherto described. The external characters, upon
which I have chiefly to rely, which appear to differentiate the
species, are : the position of the papillary band with reference to
the atrial orifice. In most other species possessing the band it is
continuous around the orifice instead of, as here, being inter-
rupted by it (pi. 2, fig. 21). C. qitadrula Sluiter 1904 approxi-
mates C. pyramidalis in this particular more closely, perhaps,
than does any other species, but quadrula appears to be without
the tuft of larger papillae at the lateral ends of the atrial open-
ing, and the especially prominent patch at the ventro-posterior
angle or prominence of the body. Furthermore the surface of
the test of pyramidalis is not laid off into any such quadrangular
areas as is that of quadrula. The radiating plicae and shallow

18 University of California Publications in Zoology. [VOL- 4

grooves around the atrial opening appear to be without a counter-
part in any other species (fig. 21). It might be conjectured
that these are artifacts. Their regularity, however, and particu-
larly the sharpness of the grooves preclude, I believe, the possi-
bility of their being accounted for in this way when the firmness
of the test is considered. There is little doubt that they are
structural. Again C. pyramidalis seems to outdo all other species
in the great size and wide-openness of its atrial orifice.

The one character of internal structure that seems to be
unique is the spicules. In other species these are spoken of as-
being calcareous. If they are actually of this nature in all other
cases, then pyramidalis stands alone in possessing spicules of
some other substance. What they are I do not know, but they
are unaffected by hydrochloric acid.

There are three specimens of Cttlcolus in the collection, from
two stations, viz., 4394 and 4396, only a few miles apart. I am
not sure that all belong to the same species. Two of the speci-
mens, much smaller than the one here figured and described,
have some important peculiarities of their own. One has a sac-
culated stomach wall and in this particular resembles C. inurrayi
Herdman and C. thysonatus Sluiter. The number of specimens
is not sufficient to enable me to decide what the significance of
these diversities may be. I consequently prefer to leave the
matter for the present without an attempt to more definitely
assign the smaller individuals to their species. Since the animals
come from a great depth, over 2,000 fathoms, the question here
raised is of special interest, and it is greatly to be hoped that
more material may be secured before long.

Station 4394, 32° 54' N., 121° 15' W. (just at the foot of the
continental slope west of San Diego), March 30, 1904, 2.259
fathoms, soft gray mud. Station 4396, 33° 01' N., 121° 32' W.,
March 31, 1904, 2,228 fathoms, red mud.

Microcosmus trans versus, n. sp.

PI. 2, figs. 22 and 23.

Superficial Characters. — Cylindrical, axis transverse making
the orifices at nearly opposite ends; attached by less than middle
half of ventral side, the branchial end turning up somewhat more

Bitter. — California Coast Ascidians. 19

than the atrial, and considerably narrower at the end. making
an ill-defined branchial siphon. Surface very uniform and en-
tirely free of foreign bodies. Color milk-white, uniform through-
out. Test semi-cartilaginous, opaque, from one to two or more
mm. thick ; from its inner surface a filmy, half gelatinous, irreg-
ularly areolated layer readily separates. Mantle rather thick
and heavy, its musculature consisting of especially large, regular,
slightly separated muscle bands, the circular bands being largest.
Both mantle proper and its muscles much reduced on the ventral
side making the viscera, the gonads in particular, distinctly
visible through the mantle.

Branchial Apparatus. — Branchial orifice distinctly four-lobed,
atrial situated at the large posterior end of the cylindrical body,
making a siphon scarcely recognizable. The test duplicature
turned into the branchial siphon of considerable thickness and
remaining with the test when the latter is removed from the
animal. Tentacles unequal in size, sparsely and irregularly
branched, few in number, about ten or twelve. Periphery ngeal
band strong, very close to the tentacular circle. Hypophysis
horse-shoe shaped, longer than broad, opening turned outward
for about one-fourth of a circle; horns not spirally coiled but
bent slightly inward. Dorsal lamina a broad area scarcely
projecting into the branchial chamber though its two edges are
raised into slight folds. Branchial membrane with six folds on
each side, the second to fourth incluse very large ; about five or
six longitudinal vessels on each face of each of the prominent
folds. Stigmata rather narrow, regular, longitudinal.

Digestive Tract. — Intestinal loop long, narrow, simple, situ-
ated on left side of body, both esophagus and anus near the atrial
siphon, and the axis of the loop placed nearly parallel to the
endostyle. Esophagus short and narrow, forming nearly a semi-
circle. Stomach but little thicker than intestine and not clearly
set off from latter (less so than figure indicates). Wall with
many inconspicuous longitudinal folds. A peculiar bulb-like
inflation in the rectum near the anus.

Gonads two, one on each side, the left within the intestinal
loop. Ovary cylindrical, regular, constituting an axial part,
around which the uniformly sized, crowded testis lobes are dis-

20 University of California Publications in Zoology. [VoL- 4

posed. Eight gonad close to the endostyle and extending parallel

with it.

A single specimen from station 4420, east point of San Nic-
olas Island, S. 77°, W. 5.7 miles, April 12, 1904. 33 fathoms,
bottom fine gray sand.

Judging from certain other species of simple ascidians that
present considerable variability in the distance apart of the ori-
fices, we may suppose that acquaintance with more specimens of
.17. transversus will find the unusual form of this particular indi-
vidual not to be wholly constant for the species. We may be
quite sure, however, that an exceptionally wide separation of the
siphons is characteristic of the species.

As to general form M. transversits is approached in the re-
moteness of its siphons by M. arenaceous Sluiter (Sluiter 1904),
but this latter species lacks considerable of being so nearly a
cylinder with orifices at opposite ends, as is the particular speci-
men of M. transversus under observation. Furthermore M. are-
naceous has a thin leathery test bearing numerous processes, and
is covered more or less completely with sand. M. transvcrsus is
peculiarly smooth surfaced and free from sand. When note is
taken of the fact that the animal comes from a sandy bottom,
this trait as distinguishing it from M. arenaceous becomes of
special weight. Another equally important distinction between
the two species is found in the hypophysis mouth. This in M.
arenaceous is broken up into a number of wholly distinct parts.

On the whole M. transversus appears to be a specially well
defined species. It should be said, however, that in a few par-
ticulars of internal structure a more careful examination of more
specimens may somewhat modify the diagnosis. For example, I
;im considerably in doubt about the number of tentacles. It is
not impossible that a minute branchial fold may be present on
each side next to the endostyle. The dorsal lamina should also
receive more study. Again attention ought to be called to the
fact that the stomach is not in reality so positively folded as
fig. 23 gives the impression that it is. The folds are very small
and may be easily overlooked.

1907] Ritter. — California Coast Asciilians. 21

Styela milleri, n. sp.

Superficial Characters. — Cylindric-ovoid, attached by a small
area at posterior end ; orifices both branchial the atrial somewhat
toward the dorsal side. No siphons, but orifices distinct, both
regularly four-lobed. Surface broken by a few irregular low
wrinkles anteriorly, by large patches of indurated or warty thick-
enings posteriorly; the area of attachment bearing many short
filamentous processes. Color yellowish brown, the warty areas
darker. Length 22 cm., thickness 1.2 cm. Test very thin but
parchment-like, readily detachable from the mantle; dull white
on inner surface. Mantle thin, muscle fibers uniformly distrib-
uted, longitudinal and circular, not disposed in definite bands, the
longitudinal generally somewhat stronger.

Branchial Apparatus. — Siphons entirely wanting, both ori-
fices with clear-cut lobes. Tentacles of several lengths, about
thirty long and slender ones of nearly equal length, and probably
as many more shorter, but of unequal lengths. Dorsal tubercle
prominent, bearing the broad simple horse-shoe shaped hypo-
physis mouth. Branchial membrane with four folds on each side,
all broad except the one next the endostyle on the right side, two
of the folds on each side next the endostyle drawn out anteriorly
into long processes. Internal longitudinal vessels numerous and
large, the largest folds having eighteen or twenty on each face.
Transverse vessels consisting of a series of large and strong ones
of nearly but not quite equal size, and between many of these,
others very delicate, usually crossing the stigmata. Stigmata
long and slender, with the intervening vessels also very narrow.
Dorsal lamina a broad thin membrane not thin nor toothed, but
closely crimped. Endostyle heavy, irregularly tortuous through-
out.

Intestinal Tract. — On the left side of the animal. Stomach
regular, elongate-melon shaped, the wall thrown into numerous
close, regular ridges or folds. A short duodenal section of the
intestine bent closely back upon the stomach, and from this a
much longer rectal section having at about the middle of its
length a short flexure extending forward along the dorsal side of
the body almost to the atrial orifice.

22 r>iir< t'xity of California Publications in Zoology. [VOL. 4

Gonadx. — Ovaries consisting of a single, much elongated cyl-
indrical mass on each side, extending from antero-dorsal to
postero-ventral. Testcs consisting of closely crowded nodular
masses grouped around the posterior ends of the ovaries.

Although this species is a typical Styela quite devoid of strik-
ing specific characters. I still find it impossible to assign it to
any hitherto described species. On the whole it seems to have
more in common with a Straits of Magellan form described by
Michaelsen, and regarded by him as a variety of S. canopus
(Sav.), which he names magalhaensis, than with any other
known form. This variety, however, usually has distinct siphons,
and two ovaries on each side, though according to Michaelsen,
1900, the siphons are occasionally wanting, and in a few instances
but a single ovary on each side is present. Were both these
variations to occur in the same specimen, the resemblance to our
species would be close indeed. However, it seems that the long
free ends of the branchial folds in N. niill< /•> are without a coun-
terpart in S. canopus var. uiagalJiacusis. Probably also the test
of this latter form is thicker and more uneven than it is in S.
in ill < ii.

It is interesting to note that this Styela shares with other
deep-sea species the trait of possessing nothing distinctive of its
remarkable habitat as contrasted with shallow water or even
littoral species of the genus. Going upon the testimony of
CnIi nl as in particular, but of other deep-sea genera as well, the
generalization mi.uht lie reached that deep-sea life causes degen-
eration of the branchial membrane. The abyssal Styelas exhibit
no evidence of such effects. In the present species, for example,
the membrane is if anything rather stronger than usual. It
mi.L'ht lie conjectured, I suppose, that these particular deep-sea
species have not been subjected to this unusual environment
long enough to produce the change. But what is the evidence
<»f th<ir being new arrivals in the great depths? There are now
eight species, namely, bolJii/bia Bonnevie, bi/tln'a Herd., /Java
Herd., puxilht Herd., sqnamosa Herd., yl<ins Herd., oblonga
Herd., and niiUrri Ritter, known from great depths, and it seems
as though some of them should show the beginning of reduction
of the sac if it is true that an effect of this sort is an inevitable

1907] Bitter. — California Coast Ascidians. 23

consequence of such an environment. This does not always seem
to be the case. In fact the sacs of two of the species coming from
the greatest depths of all are if anything rather stronger than
the average. Concerning 8. bythiu, which was dredged by the
Challenger in 2,600 fathoms, Herdman remarks that the branch-
ial sac "looks rather thick and opaque," and that this is due to
the "large number of internal longitudinal bars present," Herd-
man '82, p. 152. The sac of S. milleri may likewise be said to be
rather thick and opaque for a Styela, and from the same cir-
cumstance.

A single specimen, station 4396, Long. 33° 01' N., Lat. 121°
32' W., March 31, 1904, 2,228 fathoms, bottom red mud.

Styela gibbsii Stimp.

Two specimens of this species were obtained at station 4558,
and four at station 4431. The largest of these is 16 mm. long,
and all the others, excepting one which is obviously young, are
but little smaller. Since these come from two localities and are
so nearly uniform in size they may be taken as fully grown. The
average length of a hundred or more specimens from Puget
Sound, now before me, is 35 or 40 mm., these likewise being quite
uniform in size.

As the species has not been found in Alaskan waters, nor in
any abundance on the Southern California coast, it is justifiable
to assume that Puget Sound is near its metropolis, and that
Southern California is near the southern limit of its range. At
Puget Sound it lives in abundance on shore rocks above low-
water mark.

Station 4431, Brockway Point, Santa Ptosa Island, S. 43° W.,
5.2 miles, April 15, 1904, 41 fathoms, yellow mud bottom. Sta-
tion 4558, Point Lobos Light, S. 79° W., 2 miles, June 9, 1904,
40 fathoms, rock bottom.

Benthascidia, n. gen.

Long pedunculate ; no siphons and no lobes to the apertures ;
the branchial orifice very large and not closable. Tentacles
simple, short, very numerous, and many short papillae on the
inner surface of the intratentacular circlet. Branchial membrane
very delicate and without true stigmata.

24 University of California Publications in Zoology. [VOL. 4
Benthascidia michaelseni, n- sp.

PI. 2, figs. 24 to 30.

The two specimens secured were both too much mutilated to
permit clear recognition of what the general form of the body
was. Unfortunately too a number of important anatomical points
could not be made out with certainty. The description must
consequently be understood to be incomplete. The specimens
were curiously broken in almost exactly the same way.

External diameters. — Long pedunculate, the peduncle being
smooth and column-like, thickest at base, gradually diminishing
in diair.tttr for about a third of its entire length, then as grad-
ually increasing again to pass insensibly into the body (pi. 2,
tig. 24). Length of the peduncle to where body thickening begins
about 220 mm. Base of peduncle rising abruptly from a mass
of fine short roots, or hold-fasts by which the animal was un-
doubtedly anchored to the bottom. Thickness of the peduncle
immediately above the roots about 30 mm.

Form of the body undetermined, but quite certainly no pro-
jecting siphons. Whole animal, both body and peduncle hyaline
to transparent, without pigment, the visceral mass showing
through distinctly. Test for the most part very thin and soft,
though thickened to 3 or 4 mm. on portions of the body, this
thickening not uniform but producing low nodulations in nearly
circular areas of sizes varying from a few mm. to 15 or 20 mm.

Man/ 1 1 very thin and delicate, separating readily from the
test. Muscle fibers of the mantle arranged in delicate though
definite bands running generally in the same direction, hence
parallel with one another (fig. 26). These considerably stronger
and closer together in some portions of the animal than others,
though distribution of the heavier portions not determined.

Branchial Apparatus. — Branchial orifice (without siphon)
very large, 35 mm. in diameter, circular and without lobes or
markings of any sort so far as ascertained. Atrial orifice not
found (apparently far remote from the branchial orifice).
Branchial tcitludex minute and very numerous, three or four
hundred, simple but irregular in shape, many larger at the free
end and somewhat flattened. A great number of minute pro-

1907] Hitter.— California Coast Ascidianx. 25

cesses projecting from the inner surface of the tentacular area
(fig. 29). Branchial Sac exceedingly delicate, so much so as to
be found with considerable difficulty in the mutilated specimens.
No stigmata present but the sac composed of an irregular net-
work of delicate vessels all in the same plane, through which at
intervals run larger vessels of more regular course, p.r. (pi. 2, fig.
30). The direction of these large vessels with reference to the
sac as a whole not determined since no part of the sac in situ has
been seen. From the larger vessels other vessels of considerable
size and length pass off to the mantle, b.tn.v. No folds or internal
papillae present.

Digestive Tract. — As a whole consisting of a single loop, the
esophageal opening and anus being near together (pi. 2, fig. 29).
Length of entire loop 5 cm., width of loop in broadest part 4 cm.
Esophagus rather thick, more than half as long as stomach.
Stomach somewhat cask shaped though slightly curved, about
two-thirds as broad as long; wall thrown into a large number of
fine folds running lengthwise of the organ, those most pronounced
at the anterior end where the wall is of a brownish color. Intes-
tine from stomach on diminishing slightly and uniformly in
diameter to the anus which is somewhat inconspicuously four-
lob ed.

Reproductive Organs. — Male and female, situated alongside
of and within the intestinal loop. The ovary a large curved sac,
containing ova of about 2 mm. in diameter, — giant size for tuni-
cate eggs. Testes irregular band shape, situated within the loop
of the ovary and somewhat beneath it (pi. 2, fig. 27). Sperm
duct consisting of half a dozen or more vasa efferentia, as they
might be called, running together at a common center. From
this center the sperm duct proper arises and takes a nearly direct
course parallel with the rectal portion of the intestine, but ex-
tending some distance beyond the anus. The sperm duct pro-
nouncedly club-shaped, the narrow end being proximal. (Prob-
able that the expansion of the distal part pertains only to the
period of sexual activity.)

I am considerably puzzled over my inability to find a second,
presumably atrial orifice. In view of the dilapidated condition
of the specimens it would be unwarranted to suppose the creature

2<i University of California Publications in Zoology. [VOL. 4

possesses but a single orifice. Nevertheless, unless the size of the
body is enormous, no considerable portion of the test can be
actually lacking, and it is surprising, to say the least, that the
same orifice should have been lost in both specimens. A large
expanse of test surrounds the orifice present, the branchial in
each case, and this it is that leads to the conclusion that the two
orifices are widely separated. If this be true, there would be a
distinct similarity here between the present species and Cory-
nascidia.

The structure of the peduncle deserves more attention than
it gets in the diagnosis. I have labeled the core (pi. 2, fig. 24)
b.c., "body portion of the column." This I do not from evidence
furnished by its structure, that it is an extension of the body
wall. I have failed to discover either epithelium or muscle fibers
anywhere in the column. The whole core is a firm, gelatinous,
transparent material with spherical cells scattered uniformly, but
by no means numerously, through it. My chief reason for sup-
posing it to be in reality a portion of the body is that it is from
this that the roots, or hold-fasts take their origin (see figure).
Assuming these structures to be essentially the same as the
hold-fasts occurring in other rooted ascidians, e.g., Rhizomolgula
and Octacnemus, the mantle must have been implicated in their
production. There is no lumen, nor yet an axial strand of any
sort discoverable in the core.

The outer sheath, fig. 24 tst.. is with little doubt entirely tes-
ticular. Its matrix does not differ perceptibly from that of the
body, but it contains a far greater number and variety of cells
than does the body test. Many of these cells are spherical, but
many are long and narrow, almost to the extent of deserving to
be called fibrous. These extend in all directions and are without
r egu 1 a r a r ra n gem en t .

One might expect to find stiffening or supporting elements
of some sort in a stalk of the length of this, but none such exist
so f;n- as I have observed. It may perhaps be supposed that the
nrnau serves as an anchor chain rather than as a supporting
column.

The test of the body is noteworthy for its extreme transpar-
ency and the spareness of the cells contained in it. It is so

1907] Fitter. — California Coast Ascidians. 27

transparent that fragments, even after having been in preserving-
fluids for many months, can be seen in a glass of water only with
considerable difficulty. I do not recall having examined the test
of any other ascidian in which so few cells are present, Further-
more their regularity of form and size is exceptional. They pre-
sent almost none of the elongations, stellations, and other irregu-
larities common in most ascidiaus.

In addition to the general statement about the course of the
muscle bundles of the mantle, it should be mentioned that in
limited areas, probably though not certainly, in the vicinity of
the orifices, bundles at right angles or nearly so, to those already
described, are present.

In the diagnosis I have neglected to mention the tuft of
tentacles situated within the branchial sac between the esophageal
and anal orifices (pi. 2, fig. 28). My reason for this was my
doubt about the nature of the organs. The most probable sug-
gestion that can be made is that they are dorsal languets. Their
closely grouped condition, their restriction to the small area near
the esophageal orifice, and their slenderness, make, however, their
interpretation by no means certain. But a still greater difficulty
in the way of the suggestion is their position between the esopha-
geal and anal appertures. Assuming them to be dorsal languets
would involve the supposition that the median dorsal line of the
animal passes between these orifices. This assumption I make
on the evidence furnished by Corynascidia in this particular. I
recognize, however, that the evidence is far from sufficient to
establish finally the truth of such an assumption. In the one
known species of Coryanascidia, C. Suhmi Herdman, the "esoph-
agus opens." according to Herdman 's description, "on- the dorsal
edge," and the rectum "runs anteriorly in close contact with the
stomach and intestine." Thus the dorsal line in this species is
near enough to the two orifices to warrant the assumption I have
made. The tentacles are not only very slender but they are also
very thin walled and delicate.

Of the several other remarkable features about this ascidian,
1 may next speak of the dorsal tubercle and hypothesis. PL 2,
fig. 29, shows the region where these structures seem quite cer-
tainly to have been situated. As a matter of fact, however, I

28 University of California Publications in Zoology. [VOL- 4

have been unable to find anything that can be identified as these
parts. A peculiar knot, with no definiteness of organization, was
present at the apex of the cone-shaped muscular body shown in
the figure with its apex truncated. This was connected by tat-
tered portions of tissue with the branchial membrane ; but I have
tried in vain to find anything in it that I could call gland, nerve
ganglion, or duct, I must therefore leave the question of these
parts almost as vague as that of the endostyle. The difference
is that I have not even found where the endostyle ouyJtt to be.

The muscle bands in the figure are considerably stronger here
than elsewhere in the vicinity, and I have not been able to trace
the circular ones entirely around the circle of which they appear
to be a segment. As little have I been able to follow out the
entire course of the circular groove, g.i.f., beyond the tentacles
shown in the figure. No doubt can be entertained, however, that
this is a piece of the peripharyngeal band. It is laid off as the
figure shows into quite regular nodes by radiating cross grooves.
Whether these exist in nature or not, I do not know, but am in-
clined to believe they do. The complete circle of tentacles I have
not been able to find, the total number being calculated from the
segment of the circle present. The great number of minute pro-
cesses on the inner surface within the pharyngeal area, seen in
the figure, p.i.f., will not escape the notice of the reader, nor will
they fail to excite curiosity as to their significance. I know of
nothing comparable to them in any other ascidian.

I have spoken of the branchial sac as being without stigmata,
but as consisting of a network of delicate vessels. The criteria
applied in affirming that the irregular network of vessels con-
stituting the branchial sac (pi. 2, fig. 30) contains no true stig-
mata, are two. First, the absence of cilia which are held to be
characteristic of all true stigmata in Ascidians; and second, the
absence of vessels situated on the inner surface of the web. This
last criterion would be valid only on the assumption that the web
should really be of the type presented by the genera related to
Corynascidia, namely. Hypobythius, Abyssasc'dia, Corclla, etc.;
that is, that the vascular network present represents the "in-
ternal vessels" of the genera mentioned, the true stigmatic
membrane being unrepresented in the present species. The possi-

l Bitter.— California Coast Ascidians. 29

hility, however, that we have to do here with a membrane of the
Clavelina type, should not be forgotten, namely, one in which
the true membrane is without internal vessels. Were this the
truth the cilia criterion would be the only one by which the iden-
tification could be made. The view that cilia are absent may, I
think, be accepted with confidence since were they present there
should be no difficulty in observing them, for the specimens were
preserved in formalin while still in a fresh condition. It can
hardly be supposed that they were lost by post-mortem changes.

Not knowing the orientation of the visceral mass within the
animal, I have said nothing in the diagnosis about the direction
of the major vessels of the branchial network. From the frag-
ment figured as 'connected with the visceral mass (pi. 2, fig. 28)
it is seen that they run lengthwise of the intestinal loop. As the
netwrork is bound to the mantle of the vessels, there is no doubt
that the fragment is in its natural position as regards the intes-
tine. It would follow, if my assumption be true that the intra-
branchial tentacles are dorsal languets, that these major branchial
vessels run lengthwise of the body.

The irregularity in both size and shape of the meshes is most
unusual. In this particular the species in hand appears to re-
semble Batlrypera splcndens Michaelson, more than any other
ascidian. This species, however, Michaelson regards, seemingly
with full justification, as related to Molgula. In other respects
there is little in common between our species and Bathypera.

The problem of the affinities of this species would be difficult
even were our information about its adult structure not so im-
perfect. That on the whole it has more in common with
Corynascidia than with any other known genus may be gathered
from the descriptions and discussions already presented. The
several genera which it resembles to some extent are Abyssascidia,
Agnesia, Bathypera, Batliynoncus, Clavelina, Corynascidia,
Enpera, and HypobytJiius. The following tabulation of char-
acters of these genera will display most conveniently how BentJi-
ascidia michaelseni stands with reference to each genus:

30

l'itir< I'xiti/ of California Publications in Zoology. [VOL. 4

• <H CO

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1907] Ritter. — California Coast Ascidians. 31

From this it appears that Bcnthasddia micliaelseni is nearer
akin to Corynascidia than to any other genus. But even so the
differences in the branchial sac ol the two are too great to permit
them to be placed in the same genus. Even were we to imagine
the retrogressive modification of the interstigmatic vessels of
Corynascidia already so far advanced, continued to their com-
plete obliteration, the internal vessels with their long triangular
processes (see Herdmau '82, pi. XXV, fig. 6) would still have
no counterpart in the sac of BentJiascidia micliaelseni. I am not
disposed to attach as much importance to the internal vessels and
papillae of the sac as some writers have done, yet considering all
the groups of Ascidians in which they occur, they certainly pre-
sent a high degree of constancy, and to place together in the same
genus two species one of which possesses true stigmata, internal
vessels, and papillae, while the other has the vessels alone, would
be to grossly violate the most reasonable view we have been able
thus far to attain relative to Ascidiau morphology and classifi-
cation. But it is probable that more knowledge will find other
good generic differences between Corynascidia and BentJiascidia.
The minute processes on the inner surface of the pharyngeal area
of the latter are likely to be such. And in this connection atten-
tion may be again called to the irregular club form of the branch-
ial tentacles. I have thought that the enlargements and irregu-
larities might possibly be either the beginnings or the remnants of
branches of compound tentacles. The conjecture rests however
on meagre evidence. BentJ'ascidia micliaelseni I place then,
pending more light on its structure, near Corynascidia, and with-
out taking a definite stand on the merits of the somewhat diverg-
ent views recently expressed by Michaelsen and Sluiter relative
to just how this and the several related genera should be grouped
into families, should hold it to belong to the order Ascidiidae as
recognized by Herdman. However, before dropping the question
of the relationship of our species, I deem it worth while to call
attention to the particulars in which it inclines toward Clavelina,
or perhaps better the Clavelinidae. The large open, lobeless
branchial orifice may first be noted ; but should my interpretation
of the branchial web as being without true stigmata (which I
do not believe will happen) prove to be at fault, then we should

32 University of California Publications in Zoology. [VOL. 4

have to look to Clavelina for the sac most resembling that of our
species.

Station 4390, Lat. 33° 02' N., Long. 120° 42' W.. at the foot of
the continental shelf, off San Diego ; depth 2,182 fathoms, bottom
gray mud.

It gives me pleasure to dedicate this new and in several re-
spects specially interesting addition to the ascidian deep-sea
fauna to Dr. W. Michaelsen, in recognition of his efficient studies
on both littoral and abyssal tunicate life.

Ascidia clementea, n. sp.

PI. 3, figs. 31 to 34.

General Characters. — Somewhat pear-shaped, the small end
bearing the branchial orifice, turned to the dorsal side. Outline
rather regular, and surface even. Area of attachment at poste-
rior end, and to some extent on left side. Siphons distinct even
in contracted state; probably prominent in life. Branchial
turned to the dorsal side: atrial on the dorsal side about mid-
way the length of the body. The lobes of both orifices large, the
ventral ones (uppermost from the bent-over position of the
siphon) of the branchial orifice, larger. Eight lobes to the
branchial orifice, and six to the atrial (pi. 3, fig. 31). Test semi-
transparent, thickness moderate and nearly uniform in all parts
of the body, rather soft. Length of largest specimen 11 cm.,
greatest thickness 6 cm., distance between orifices 5.5 cm.
M.usculature of mantle nowhere highly developed, wholly wanting
on most of the left side : the constituent fibers without regular
arrangement.

Branchial Apparatus. — Branchial tentacles 75 or more,
simple, filiform, and situated on the edge of a broad, rather thick
UK nibrane or velum (pi. 3, fig. 33) t.c. Hypophysis moivth
horse-shoe shaped, the open end directed forward. The right
horn turned in slightly in the specimen examined. Gland rather
large, situated behind the hypophysis mouth a little more than
its own length. Ganglion long and narrow, the anterior end im-
mediately over the gland. The peribrancJiial groove narrow, out-
side the tentacular corona a distance about equal to the width of
the membrane that carries the tentacles. Dorsal lamina a broad

190~] Hitter. — California Coast Ascidians. 33

membrane with numerous ribs on its sides, and short processes
on its edge. Anteriorly the edge of the lamina is grooved for a
distance about equal to the length of the combined ganglion and
hypophysis gland (pi. 3, fig. 33). At its posterior end the lamina
passes to the right of the mouth of the esophagus, and extends a
full centimeter behind this point, and from its extremity a shal-
low groove turns back on the lamina and extends forward to the
esophagus mouth.

Internal longitudinal vessels of branchial sac all of one size,
and uniformly distant from one another, armed with .strong
papillae at the crossings of the transverse vessels, and also with
smaller intermediate papillae. Spaces between the internal long-
itudinal vessels about equal to the distance between the transverse
vessels, so that the meshes are nearly square. A rather pro-
nounced horizontal membrane on the transverse vessels. Besides
the ordinary transverse vessels, a system of very large vessels,
or pipes (pi. 3. fig. 34), t.b.p., on the external surfaces of the
branchial membrane. These mostly running around the sac, but
with occasional anastomosing longitudinal pieces. Typically
about a dozen series of stigmata between twTo of these transverse
pipes, but sometimes fewer. The diameter of a pipe equal to the
space between two transverse vessels.

The branchial membrane with deep, narrow plications, these
however not regular, and not involving the entire area of the
membrane. Where the plicae are not present, about seven stig-
mata between two internal longitudinal vessels.

Digestive Apparatus. — Situated on the left side. The intes-
tinal loop wide and simple, there being a slight curve only in
the rectal part of the intestine. Stomach but little larger in
diameter than the intestine, which is of very uniform calibre
throughout its length. Wall of stomach with numerous, regular
well defined folds. Esophagus very small. Renal organ vol-
uminous, situated in the mantle, and covering over the entire
digestive tract, extending considerably beyond it all around.
Composed of a conglomerate of large clear vesicles, in the center
of each of which is a yellow green body (pi. 3, fig. 32, r.)

Reproductive Organs. — Situated in the intestinal loop chiefly,
but the ovary extending behind it somewhat. The ovary a retic-

34 University of California Publications i,i Zoology. LVoL- 4

illation. Testis branched, situated on and immediately behind
the stomach. Both oviduct and vas deferens following the course
of the intestine to open into the atrial chamber near the atrial
orifice (fig. 32, ov. and t.)

t

Several rather important variations from the type here diag-
nosed have been observed.

In some individuals the ribbing of the dorsal lamina, and the
corresponding toothing of its edge, pertain to only the posterior
half, or even less, of the membrane.

The great transverse pipes, or vessels of the branchial sac, are
far less conspicuous in some specimens than in the one here
figured. Again the plications of the branchial membrane are but
feebly developed in some specimens. Finally, the renal vesicles
are much less in volume in some than in others.

As the specimens in which I have observed these less pro-
nounced expression of characters, as set forth in the diagnosis,
were both considerably smaller than that from which the figures
and diagnosis were made, it is possible that the differences are
age or growth differences. This however, judging from our
knowledge of life stages in some other ascidians, is hardly prob-
able. It is more likely that we have to do with true individual
variations.

It is probable that a genus will ultimately have to be formed
to receive the species represented by the animal here described,
but until more material can be examined it has seemed the wiser
course to place it provisionally in the central genus of the ascidia
group. The presence of a voluminous renal organ in the mantle
is, of cours*e, a violent shock to the best established character-
ization of the genus Ascidia. This, however, is the only character
that favors an alliance with AscidieUa, the other recognized
genus that calls for consideration in connection with it. In the
distance of the ganglion and gland from the hypophysis mouth;
the presence of a post esophageal extension of the dorsal lamina ;
and of intermediate papillae on the internal longitudinal vessels,
the Ascidia as opposed to the AscidieUa affinities are clear enough,
particularly if the count is to be on a numerical basis alone. As
a matter of fact I am of the opinion that considerably more
weight should be given to the position of the renal organ than to

3907] Kilter. — California Coast Ascidians. 35

any single one of the other characters above mentioned. It can
hardly be regarded as weighty enough, though, to offset all the
others.

The two particulars which, in connection with those that tend
to break down the distinction between Ascidia and Ascidiclla,
will probably entitle the form to independent generic rank, are
the broad muscular velum, or valve, that carries the tentacles;
and the great external transverse vessels, or pipes, of the
branchial sac.

Even in the genera like Cijntlna and Microcosmus, where the
"Tentakeltrager" reaches its greatest development, I know of
no other instance of its having a width and strength at all com-
parable with what we have here. Not only is it distinctly broader
than the tentacles are long, but it is well provided with muscle
fibers.

Although the large transverse vessels are not so unique as
the tentacle carrier, corresponding as they undoubtedly do to
the "vessels of the first order" in numerous other Ascidians,
there appears to be no instance in which they are so large rela-
tively to the other transverse vessels, and particularly where their
position is so largely on the external surface of the branchial
membrane.

In the wide, simple intestinal loop this species resembles A.
arcliaia, Sluiter, but this is about the only character common to
the two. Relative to the Ascidiella character of the renal organ,
it may be recalled that Kiaer ( '93 and '96) has pointed out that
the disposition of these organs cannot be relied upon altogether
for separating the two genera, since in Ascidiella obliqua of the
Norwegian seas, they are restricted to the intestinal wall. Kaier
consequently excludes this point from his definition of Ascidiella.
One specimen was taken at station 4405, near San Clemente Isl-
and, 654-704 fathoms, April 9, 1905 ; and seven from station 4425
(see data under Ciona mollis).

Ciona mollis, n. sp.

PI. 3, figs. 35 to 38.

External Characters. — Very soft and flabby, preserved speci-
mens all in a collapsed and more or less shriveled condition.
Form variable, usually somewhat longer than broad, but never

36 University of California, Publications in Zoology. [VOL- 4

greatly so. Semi-transparent, the strong muscle bands of the
mantle, and the digestive tract distinctly visible through the test.
Siphons distinct though not long. Some of the specimens clinging
to fragments of hexactinelid sponge by the posterior end and left
side; others adhering to a compound ascidian, and still others to
an anemone. Largest specimens about 2.5 to 3 cm. in length.
Test, soft, transparent, rather thin, containing great numbers of
cells, many of which are of peculiar granular character. Mantle
muscle bands strong, usually six on each side, scarcely stronger
on one side than the other, those running lengthwise of the body
converging to a point at the posterior end of the animal (pi. 3,
fig. 35) ; circular fibers in the siphons only.

BrancJiial Apparatus. — Siphons both at anterior end and not
far apart, rather prominent, the atrial a little longer. Branchial
with eight lobes (normally) and the atrial with six (normally).

Branchial tentacles numerous, more than 200, filiform, of
several lengths, the longer and shorter not regularly alternating
(fig. 36). Hypophyseal month simple, narrow-elliptical, the
long axis extending radially with reference to the tentacular
circle; gland on ventral side of ganglion, smaller than the
ganglion. Dorsal languets finger-like with broad transversely
expanded bases, rather close together. Branchial sac with both
longitudinal and transverse internal vessels ; also with stout
papillae. Transverse vessels of two sizes, the larger crossing the
stigmata at their middle, the smaller in pairs one each side of
each larger vessel, both crossing the stigmata. Longitudinal
vessels slightly larger than the smaller transverse ones. Bran-
chial 'membrane proper, without folds, stigmata straight, long
and narrow, in regular series, the vessels separating the series
of two sizes, the larger and smaller alternating regularly. From
four to six stigmata between each two internal longitudinal
vessels (pi. 3, fig. 38).

Digestive Apparatus. — Situated on left side far toward the
dorsum, general form that of an elongated open S. Esophagus
short, stomach regular, elliptical in longitudinal section, the long
axis usually about twice the length that of the transverse; wall
regularly and closely plicated, the plicae about twenty in num-
ber; situated at the extreme posterior end of the body, the long

1907] l\ liter. — California Coast Ascidians. 37

axis directed transversely to the anterb-posterior axis of the
animal. Intestine quite as long as the animal and of nearly uni-
form diameter throughout its length; anal opening near the atrial
siphon, surrounded by about eight rounded lobes (pi. 3, fig. 35).
No "liver" present.

Reproductive Organs. — Ovary a compact mass situated in the
posterior loop of the intestinal S, near the stomach. Testis not
seen. Genital duct (oviduct?) running parallel with the intes-
tine to open near the anus.

The muscle bands of the mantle are of an unusual and striking
character in this species. Their course and arrangement are
indicated in the diagnosis and in pi. 3, fig. 35. The figure would
give the impression that they are confined to the right side of the
body, as they are, practically, in many of the Ascidiidae. This
is not the case. They are as strongly developed on one side as
on the other, and the number is in general the same on the two
sides. Although they converge toward the posterior end of the
animal in so pronounced a way, they do not fuse together at the
point of confluence, a small area being left there about which the
bands terminate abruptly. A feature about the bands not well
brought out by the figure is the fact that the constituent fibers
are disposed chiefly in two bundles or columns, so that each
muscle has the appearance of being double. The breaking up of
each muscle into several branches as it enters the siphon may be
noted, but this is not unusual.

The branchial tentacles (pi. 3, fig. 37) contain within the
lumen a series of narrowly pyramidal structures the bases of
which are directed toward the thickened, grooved, narrower side
of the triangular tentacle. These appear to be of a connective
tissue, or secretive nature, but what their office may be it is diffi-
cult to understand. I do not know definitely of anything quite
like these bodies in any other ascidian. Herdman '99 has shown
(pi. Cyn. XV, fig. 5) a condition of the tentacles of Sty da
persona that may be similar, but in the absence of a statement in
his text relative to the point, it is not possible to know how close
the similarity is. It will be seen from fig. 36 that the tentacles
are situated on a slight ridge. So far as I am able to determine
there are from 225 to 250 of these tentacles.

38 University of California Publications in Zoology. [VOL. 4

There is considerable variation from the typical structure of
the branchial sac as this is given in the diagnosis, and in the
figure (pi. 3, fig. 38). The secondary or smaller transverse ves-
sels are frequently absent. The primary transverse vessels while
undoubtedly to be regarded as " internal' :' since they usually
cross the stigmata, are as a rule less raised above the surface of
the membrane than the figure gives the impression that they are.
Furthermore there are considerable stretches on some of the
stigmatic series where the primary vessels are absent.

The distally lobulated, enlarged, curved papillae deserve
special notice. It will be seen that in general a single smaller
projection occurs on the side of the papilla underneath the larger
terminal lobe, or bent-over end of the papilla. In many cases
there are two or even three of these lateral processes. The
internal longitudinal vessels are distinctly more " internal " than
are any of the transverse ones. It is interesting to notice that
the longitudinal vessels are connected with the papillae some
distance from their bases, and quite independently of any of the
secondary lobes of the papillae. The interest in this fact lies in
its possible bearing- on the question of the secondary lobes at-
tached to the papillae of some other ascidians, notably Pcrophcra.
It has been suggested that the secondary lobes in that genus are
the remnants of internal longitudinal vessels. In the species
now under examination we have the longitudinal vessels in full
development, and secondary lobes on the papillae besides. I do
not mean to imply by this that I should regard the secondary
papillae in Pcropltcra and in the present species as homologous.
The condition now described does, however, show the possibility
of secondary lobes on the papillae quite independently of the
internal vessels.

The dorsal lan</n<lx, about fifteen in number, are as shown in
fig. 36 much broadened transversely and flattened antero-poste-
riorly at their bases. They are considerably farther apart toward
the posterior end of the row than at the anterior. They are not
situated on a membrane or other prominence.

From the posterior extremity of the long meandering endo-
style, a shallow but distinct gutter continues on, nearly or quite
to the esophageal opening.

1907] Kilter.— California Coast Aseidians. 39

In view of the fact that generally the viscera in Ciona extends
unequivocally behind the branchial sac, it is important to deter-
mine precisely the relation of these parts in the present species,
where apparently the viscera are alongside the sac. So far as
concerns the specimen represented in fig. 35, it would appear
that it actually falls short somewhat of reaching back to the
posterior limit of the body. In a majority of the specimens of
the collection the digestive tract was in quite a different relation
to the sac from that here shown. It was thrust out dorsally and
somewhat posteriorly as compared with its position in the speci-
men figured. This condition I have supposed to be unnatural,
probably due to pressure of some sort. As a consequence the
specimen figured was selected because it was believed to be more
nearly normal as regards artificial distortion than any of the
others. I am inclined to believe that some of these others, could
they have been examined before contraction and distortion, would
have been found to conform somewhat more closely to the usual
Ciona type of viscera than did the one figured.

Although the present species is very distinct from any Ciona
hitherto described, there can hardly be a question as to its generic
affinities. It is true that the viscera extend but slightly if at all
behind the branchial sac and that this character has usually been
regarded as a rather important one for the genus. In view, how-
ever, of the fact that in all other respects, unless possibly in the
number and structure of the branchial tentacles, its Ciona traits
are so positive ; and in view of the further fact that probably in
life the viscera do here extend somewhat behind the sac, and that
in at least one other species of the genus, viz., C. savignyi Herd-
man, the backward extension of the viscera is not great, I have
felt no hesitation in assigning mollfs to this genus.

About a dozen specimens were taken all at one haul at Station
4425, 21.8 miles S. 7°E. of the east point of San Nicolas Island,
1100 fathoms, on bottom of green mud, sand and globigerina.

Cystodites cretaceous? v. Dr.

A large quantity of a fine representative of this genus, closely
related to C. cretaceous v. Dr., comes from the vicinity of Mon-
terey Bay. Although there are a dozen colonies, or perhaps pieces

40 University of California Publications in Zoology. [VoL- 4

of the same colony, the largest of which is not less than 15 cm.
across, I am still unable to decide positively what to do with the
species systematically. From what evidence I can get I can not
differentiate it from Drasche's Mediterranean species. In color,
size and general characters of the colony it appears to agree al-
most perfectly with that species. I think, too, the spicules are
practically alike in the two. However, there is some doubt on this
point, since very few of what I suppose to be the natural spicules
are present in the specimens. The cellular portions of the spicule
cases, and also calcareous matter, are abundant enough, but the
calcium carbonate is in the form of minute, long, slender crystals,
instead of being the usual Cystodites discs, though a very few of
the latter have been found. My conclusion is that the original
spicules have been destroyed, probably by the formaldehyde in
which the specimens are preserved, and some of the calcium car-
bonate recrystallized in the form in which it now appears—
though why this recrystallization should have taken place is not
obvious.

As to the zooids, they are everywhere so excessively contracted
that, in spite of much effort, I am unable to get at anything more
than their general features. So far as these go, I can not distin-
guish the specimens from C. Dcllc Chiajae v. Dr., Neapolitan
specimens of which I have compared them with; and from Lahille
('90) I learn that, so far as the zooids are concerned, C. Delle
Chiajac does not differ in any essential way from C. cretaceus.
On the whole, the zooids of my colonies are somewhat larger than
are those of C. Dcllc Chiajae, but the difference may easily be due
to the fact that the specimens from Naples are preserved in alco-
hol, while the Californians are in formaldehyde. The milk-white
of the zooid capsules and the transparency of the remaining parts
of the test are the facts that make me associate these specimens
with C. cretaceous rather than with C. Dcllc Chiajae.

I think it is rather probable that when specimens of the Cali-
fornia species are obtained in such condition that all their charac-
ters can be made out, a. new species will have to be formed for
them. Under present conditions, however, I must leave the point
in doubt.

Station 4463, Point Finos Light S. 17 °W. 8 miles, May 13,
1904, 111 to 41 fathoms, rocky bottom.

Fitter. — California Coast Ascidians. 41

Psammaplidium spauldingi, n. sp.

PI. 3, fig. 39.

General Characters of tJie Colony. — Expanded, loosely adher-
ent by whole under surface, top smooth but undulating-, hard
from great quantity of sand, which is uniformly disseminated
through the whole test. Edge of the colony rolled up a little.
The small zooids numerous, evenly distributed, no systems (?),
each branchial orifice marked on surface of colony by a small
papilla-. Color uniform grey, due to the imbedded sand.

The single colony taken, 6 cm. by 5 cm. in its greatest dimen-
sions and 1.8 cm. thick in thickest part, though considerably thin-
ner in most places.

Zooids. — Abundant, long, slender and nearly straight, the
thorax but little thicker than the abdomen and long post-abdomen.
Thorax about 3 mm. long; abdomen, before contraction, probably
about 2 mm. ; post-abdomen variable, but several times as long as
thorax and abdomen combined. Mantle containing a few slender
longitudinal muscle bands which extend far down into the post-
abdomen.

Thorax. — Branchial orifice on prominent siphon, six-lobed,
atrial situated well back — a distance from the end of the bran-
chial siphon about equal to the thickness of the thorax. Atrial
orifice beset with a moderately long languet, this usually undi-
vided, but occasionally bifid at tip. The long cylindrical sac with
about eighteen series of short stigmata, muscle bands in inter-
stigmatic series well developed. Endostyle large and tortuous.
Branchial tentacles about ten, unequal in length, some of them
quite long.

Digestive Apparatus. — Loop narrow, esophagus about equal-
ing the stomach in length, and also about equal both in thickness
and length to the pyloric portion of the intestine. Stomach with
three or four large longitudinal folds or lobes. A distinctly set-
off enlarged section of the intestine following- the pyloric portion.
Ascending rectal limb of the intestine straight, uniform in
diameter and parallel with the descending limb.

Gonads. — Far behind the intestinal loop in the post-abdomen,

42 University of California Publications in Zoology. ITOL- 4

the testes further back and disposed in a number of spherical
lobes.

This species falls into the section of the genus in which the

zooids are long, slender and uniform in outline, and with P.
obcsiim (Sluiter 1898), from the South African coast, represents
about the extreme in this direction. In the character of the atrial
languet and stomach folds, however, these two species are dis-
tinctly differentiated from each other.

A single colony, Station 4420. (See data under Didemnum
opacum.

Didemnum opacum, n. sp.

PL 3, figs. 4(1 ami 41.

General ('li</r<icl< rs <>f the Colony. — Narrow elongate (in the
single specimen seen), thickness varying in different parts from
1 mm. to 3 or 4 or 5 mm. in places where well defined, rather
pointed pyramidal elevations are present. Prevailing color dull
brown with traces of green, but where the brown is absent the
test is made white by the closely crowded calcareous spicules.
Position of the zooids for the most part distinct by reason of
the absence of the spicules which are very abundant in all the
surrounding test. Zooids rather crowded, evenly distributed, no
common cloacal orifices on the colony at hand. Length 3.5 cm.,
width in broadest part 1.3 cm. Attached by whole under surface
to a fragment of silicious sponge. X picnics very abundant,
especially concentrated in a thin layer slightly beneath the
surface of the test, but scattered through the whole test, of the
stellate form characteristic of the genus, but irregular in both
size and conformation, the rays varying from pointed to truncate,
and presenting always a more or less positive striate appearance.
A massing of spicules into three distinct groups about the bran-
chial orifice of the zooids, clearly visible to surface inspection of
the colony as three white bodies equally spaced around the orifice.

Zooids. — Small, much contracted, probably not more than 2
mm. long when fully extended, thorax and abdomen seemingly of
about equal length and not very sharply set off from each other;
Mantle muscle-bands few, running obliquely backward from the
anterior end.

1907] R ittcr. — Cali font in Coast Ascidians. 43

Apparatus. — Siphons both distinct, the branchi;il
longer. its six lobes varying from long1 and pointed to low and
broad. Atrial very far back, obscurely six-lobed. Three rows of
stigmata, each row on each side containing about twelve long, nar-
row openings. No considerable area of unperforated branchial
membrane at either end of the sac. Endo style heavy, tortuous.
even in the least contracted specimens.

Digest in Apparatus. — Intestinal loop rather narrow, hardly
broader than the thorax; stomach elongate globular, smooth-
walled ; a distinct pyloric section of the intestine, whole intestinal
wall containing much brown pigment. Abdomen frequently but
by no means always severed from the thorax in the preserved
colony.

Reproductive Organs. — Only the ovary seen, this consisting
of apparently a few large ova situated alongside the posterior end
of the intestinal loop. Tadpoles very large, considerably exceed-
ing in bulk the adult zooids. The adhesive tubes, and so-called
"gemmiparous tubes" especially well developed; of the former
three, the seemingly usual number, being present ; of the latter
there are typically six. all large, trumpet-shaped and closely
crowded.

The zooids are so much contracted and so opaque in the single
colony of this species that, in spite of much effort, I have been

•

unable to make the examination as complete as desirable. Enough
has been determined, however, to forbid its being identified with
any species hitherto described. Its distinctness depends rather on
the combination of several characters than on the positiveness of
any. For example, the extremely far back position of the atrial
siphon would not in itself be a character of sufficient importance
to debar the species from several other members of the genus.
When, however, this trait is taken together with the length of the
siphon, its rather obvious lobing, it seems to become a good char-
acter. The absence of unperforated areas of branchial membrane
at either end of the sac is also distinctive when joined with other
trivial characters. The number of "gemmiparous tubes" of the
tadpole is greater than in the young of any other species of which
I have found figures of the larvae.

44 University of California Publications in Zoology. [VOL. 4

On the whole I should regard this species as more closely re-
lated to D. sargassicola Giard than any other, but Lahille ('90),
from later studies of this species, considers it as not specifically
distinct from D. cere ion Giard. and from this latter our animal
differs in several important respects.

Station 4420, east point of San Nicolas Island S. 77 °W., 3.8
miles, April 12, 1904, 33 fathoms, bottom fine gray sand.

190"J Ritter. — California Coast Ascidians. 45

LITERATURE CITED.

Bonnevie, Kristine.

1896. Ascidiae Simplices and Ascidiae Compositae from the North
Atlantic Expedition. The Norwegian North Atlantic Expedi-
tion, Zoology XXIII.

Giard, Alfred.

1872. Beeherches sur les Ascidies Composees ou Synascidies. These,
Paris.

Hartmeyer, Robert.

1903. Die Ascidien der Arktis. Fauna Arctiea, B., III. ,

1906. Ein Beitrag zur Kentniss der japanischen Ascidienfauna. Zool-
ogischer Anzeiger. Bd. XXXI, No. 1.

Herdman, W. A.

1882. Report on the Tunicata of the Challenger Expedition. Part I,
Aseidiae Simplices. Challenger Reports Zoology, Vol. VI.

1892. Description of Some Simple Ascidians Collected in Puget Sound,

Pacific Coast. Trans. Liverpool Biol. Soc., Vol. XII.

1899. Tunicata in the Australian Museum, Sydney, N. S. W. ; Austra-

lian Museum, Sydney, Catalogue No. XVII.

Kiaer, Johan.

1893. Oversight over Norges Aseidiae Simplices. Christiana Videnskabs-

Selskobs Forhandlings No. 9.

1896. A List of Norwegian Aseidiae Simplices. The Norwegian North-
Atlanta Expedition. Zoology, XXIII, 3.

Lahille, Fernand.

1890. Contributions a 1 'etude anatomique et taxonomique des Tuniciers.
Theses, Toulouse.

Michaelsen, W.

1900. Die Holosomen Ascidien des Magalhaeneisch-sudgeorgischen

Gebietes. Zoologica, Band XII (12).

1904 Die Stolidobranchiaten Ascidien der deutschen Tiefsee Expedi-
tion. Wiss. Ergeb. der deutschen Tiefsee Expedition.

Oka, Osajiro.

1906. Notizen iiber japanischen Ascidieu. Annotationes Zoologica Jap-
anenses, Vol. VI.

Pizon, Antoine

1898. Etude Anatomique et Systematique des Molguliees Appartenant
aux Collections du Museum de Paris. Annales des Sci. Natur-
elles, Zoologie, 8 serie, T. VII.

46

University of California Publications in Zoology. [VOL. 4

Ritter, Wm. E.

1901. The Aseidians. Papers from the Harriman Alaska Expedition.
Proc. Washington Acad. of Sciences, Vol. III.

Sluiter, C. Ph.

1898. Tunicaten von Siid-Afrika. Zoolog. Jahrb. Abth. fur Systematik,
etc.

1898. Tuniciers Recueillis en 1896 par la Chazalie dans la mer des An-
tilles. Mem. de la Soeiete Zoologique de France.

l!i()4. Die Tunicaten der Siboga Expedition. Siboga Expedition, Mono-
graplie, LVIa.

1007] Bitter. — California Coast Ascidians. 47

ABBREVIATIONS.

a. 7. — Atrial languet.

b. c. — Body portion of column.
b. f. — Branchial folds.

br. o. — Branchial orifice.

b. m. v. — Vessels from branchial sac to mantle.

br. s. — Branchial sac.

b. t. — Branchial tentacles.

(1. 1. — Dorsal lamina.

d. In. — Dorsal languets.

end. — Endostyle.

g. — Gland.

g. i. f. — Groove of intratentacular field.

gl. — Ganglion.

It. /'.—Holdfasts.

//c. m. — Hypophysis mouth.

('. L v. — Internal logitudinal vessels.

inf. — Infundibnlum of branchial sac.

i. i>. — Papilla of branchial membrane.

JH. — Mantle.

or. — Ovary.

p. b. — Papillary band of test.

p. g. — Peripharyngeal groove.

p. I. f. — Papillae of intratentacular field.

p. r. — Primary vessels of branchial sac.

r. — Benal organ.

s. d. — Sperm duct.

s. — Stomach.

t.— Testis.

t. b. p. — Transverse branchial pipes.

/. c. — Tentacle carrier.

t. ? — Tentacles of doubtful significance.

1st.— Test.

t. v.- — Internal transverse vessels of the first order.

t. v.1 — Internal transverse vessels of the second order.

EXPLANATION OF PLATES.

PLATE I.

Figs. 1 to 6. — Halomolgula ovoidia.

Fig. 1. Whole animal, natural size — a rather large specimen.

Fig. 2. Surface view of the test surrounding the branchial orifice, show-
ing the arrangement of the papillae.

Fig. 3. A few of the papillae, considerably enlarged.
Fig. 4. A tentacle of the first order.

Fig. 5. The ganglion, hypophysis, and meandering course of the periphar-
yngeal band, dorsal view.

Fig. 6. One side of a branchial fold. Some of the stigmata are more
elongate and curved than any shown in this figure.

Figs. 7 and 8. — Molgula re</iilurit<.

Fig. 7. Lateral view of the animal removed from the test. X-.
Fig. 8. Ganglion and surrounding parts seen from inside the branchial
sac.

Figs. 9 to 16. — Halocynthia olai.

Fig. 9. Whole animal, natural size.

Fig. 10. Branchial orifice, X 2.

Fig. 11. One of the large spines, X 3.

Fig. 12. A smaller spine without terminal whorl of spinelets, X 3.

Fig. 13. Two of the short whorled spines, X 42.

Fig. 14. A single tentacle.

Fig. 15. Small portion of the branchial membrane, inner surface.

Fig. 16. Scheme of a section of a branchial fold.

MS |

UNIV, CAL. PUBL ZOOL. VOL. 4

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PLATE 2.

Figs. 17 to 19. — Boltenia ecliinata.

Fig. 17. The whole animal from which the description is mostly drawn,
1.

Fig. 18. One side of a branchial fold of the specimen shown in figure 17.

Fig. 19. The whole animal, a specimen from near Point Loma, that shown
in 17 being from near Point Pinos. X 4.

Figs. 20 and 21. — C-ulcolus i>>/ni»ii<l«lis.
Fig. 20. Side view of the whole animal, X 1.
Fig. 21. Dorsal view same specimen, X 2.

Figs. 22 and 23. — Microcosmus tmnsvcrsus.

Fig. 22. Side view of the whole animal, X 1.

Fig. 23. The same specimen removed from the test and the mantle cut open
and laid back, X 1.

Figs. 24 to 29. — Benthastidia michaclsciii.

Fig. 24. The column with holdfasts, X 2.

Fig. 25. A small tuft of the holdfasts, 12.

Fig. 26. Some of the mantle musculature in the region of the supposed
branchial orifice.

Fig. 27. The digestive apparatus and sexual organs, X L

Fig. 28. Out lire of the digestive tract, showing the tuft of filiform appen-
dages near the esophageal orifice and a fragment of the
branchial membrane attached.

Fig. 29. A portion of the tentacular circlet and hypophyseal region seen
from within.

[50J

UNIV. CAL. PUBL. ZOOL. VOL. 4

[RITTER] PLATE 2

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PLATE 3.

Figs. 30 to 34. — Afse-iflia elemental.

Fig. 30. A fragment of the branchial network.
Fig. 31. The whole animal, X -.

Fig. 32. The animal removed from the test, showing intestinal tract, re-
productive organs and "kidney."

Fig. 33. Hypophyseal complex, dorsal lamina, and tentacular circlet seen
from within.

Fig. 34. Small piece of branchial membrane with two of the large trans-
verse vessels.

Figs. 35 to 38. — dona mollis.
Fig. 35. — The animal removed from the test, X "2.

Fig. 36. Hypophyseal region with dorsal languets and a portion of the
tentacular circlet.

Fig. 37. A single tentacle.

Fig. 38. Portion of the branchial membrane, inner surface.

Fig. 39. A zooid of Psammaplidium Spauldingi, X -0.

Figs. 40 and 41. — Dideiniunn opacum.

Fig. 40. The colony X 1.

Fig. 41. A branchial sac much enlarged.

[52]

UNIV. CAL PUBl. ZOOL. VOL. 4

[RITTER] PLATE 3

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Pamphlet

Binder
Gaylord Bros.

Makers
Syracuse, N. Y.

PaT. JAN 21, 1908