Octopus bandensis

Hab. Banda. One specimen, juv.

The Body is rounded and depressed (? from pressure), and with a slight ventral groove. The mantle-opening terminates immediately below and behind the eye. The siphon extends as far as the umbrella-margin, and is acutely pointed. The Head, is broader than the body and flattened by compression; the eyes are very prominent. The Arms are unequal, the third pair being much the longest and stoutest; on the average they are four times as long as the body; they taper gradually at first and then more rapidly. The umbrella is very small. The suckers are prominent, the first form being disposed in a single row, and none are enlarged on the lateral arms. The hectocotylus is not developed. The Surface is smooth in general, but there are about twelve warts on the back and sides of the body and a large cirrus over each eye, with several small ones near it. The Colour is deep black, apparently owing to treatment with osmic acid.