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segment are slightly acute, and in the third segment nearly a right
angle ; the terminal segment or telson is subtriangulate, entire,
longer than broad, with the apex suhacute. Tho eyes are black,
somewhat ovate in shape. The antennules scarcely equal in length
the head and first two segments of the pereion ; they have three
joints of the peduncle exposed, the first and second subequal in
length, but the first somewhat thicker ; the third joint slenderer
than the second aud about half its length ; flagellum 13- or 14-
jointed. The antennæ have the first joint (which is only partially
visible in a lateral view) short, subspherical, the second very short
and not more dilated than the third and fourth, which are elongated
; the fourth a little shorter than the. second ; fiagellnm about
b-jointed. The first pair of legs (gnathopoda) have their basus-
joints moderately dilated, with the posterior margins thin-edged
and hairy ; ischium and merus very short ; carpus considerably dilated,
and produced at its posterior and distal angle into a spine,
which extends along the posterior margin of the propus and reaches
to its distal extremity. The propus or penultimate joint is ovate,
the dactyl minute and articulated with it at its distal extremity.
In the second legs the carpus is very short, and produced along
the posterior margin of the propus for less than half its length :
the propus is suhovate and large ; its posterior margin is armed
in its distal half with a series of small granuliform teeth, against
which the well-developed dactyl impinges. The third and fourth
legs are small and present nothing remarkable ; the fifth to seventh
have the coxæ small, the basus-joint moderately enlarged and
rounded posteriorly ; tho following joints slender and nearly naked;
the fourth and fifth slightly produced at the posterior and distal
angles. The three posterior pairs of tail-appendages are biramose,
the rami lanceolate and acute ; in the posterior pair the outer is a
little shorter than the inner ramus. Colour (in spirit) whitish.
Length about 7 \ lines (16 millim.).
A single specimen was obtained at Thursday Island, 4 -5 fms.
(No. 165).
This species is distinguished from L. spinicarpa, var. commensalis,
Haswell, and the closely allied species or varieties L. diemenensis
and L. gracilis, Haswell, by the broader, more ovate propus or palm
and shorter dactyl of the first legs, and the more regularly and
evenly toothed palm of the legs of the second pair. The terminal
segment is shorter, less acute, and hroader-triangulate than in the
specimen I refer to L. commensalis.
L. novoe-Tiollandiæ, Haswell, from Port Jackson, is at once distinguished
by the broad truncated palm and the absence of a dactyl
to the anterior legs, by the shorter carpal process of the second legs,
and by other characters. Our species may be regarded as in some
sense intermediate between the first three and the last-mentioned
species.
There are mutilated specimens both of L. novoe-lwllandiæ and
L. hrevidigitata in the Aluseum collection from Vaucluse Point,
Port Jackson (J. Brazier).
4. Melita australis, Haswell.
A male is in the collection from Port Jackson, 0 -5 fms., a
locality where, according to Air. Haswell, it is very common.
In this specimen the three anterior postahdominal segments have
their posterior dorsal margin armed with six spines ; the fourth with
two spines, outside of which ou each side is a small spinule; the
fifth is armed as the fourth, but the median spines are smaUer; the
telson is divided nearly to its base, with the lobes acute.
The species is very nearly allied to the Melita setipes, Dana, from
Singapore; but in the absence of specimens for comparison, I do
not venture to unite the two forms. M. setipes has, according to
Dana, but two teeth or lobes on the distal margin of the larger hand
of the second legs ; M. australis has three, but the one nearest the
dactylus is very small in the specimen I have examined.
5. Mcera ramsayi, Haswell.
A male specimen is referred to this species from Port Jackson,
0 -5 fms., whence also Air. Haswell records i t ; and also one from
Prince of Wales Channel, 7 fms. (No. 169). The minute teeth or
spines on the posterior margins of the first and second segments of
the postahdomen do not extend to the postero-lateral lobes ; in the
third segment the posterior margins are armed with spinules to or
even beyond the postero-lateral angles. There are several small
spinules on each side of the median dorsal spine on the posterior
margin of the fourth and fifth segments. There is a small notch
in the anterior margin of the palm of the smaller leg of the second
pair, besides the small defining tooth at the postero-distal angle.
These points, which are uot mentioned in Mr. Haswell’s description,
render it possible th at this specimen should be regarded as belonging
to a distinct variety or species.
6. Mcera rubromaculata {Stimpson).
To this species are referred two imperfect specimens ohtained at
Port Molle, 5 -12 fms. (No. 118), and one from Dundas Straits,
17 fms. Mr. Haswell also records it from Ports Denison, Stephens,
and Jackson. As in these specimens the superior antennæ are imperfect
and the posterior uropoda are wanting, their identification
with Stimpson’s species must remain somewhat uncertain. Accordingly
it may he useful to append a description of the specimens,
with special reference to some points which are not mentioned in
the descriptions alreadjj given of this species.
The body is slender ; the head not produced at its antero-lateral
angles ; tho coxæ of the first segment of the body have their anterolateral
angles acute and produced somewhat beneath the head. The
posterior margins of the five anterior postahdominal segments are
armed with a series of minute spinules, which in the first and second
i l i t e ,
1(1-!