Page:Transactions NZ Institute Volume 15.djvu/123
has a tuft of setæ on the inner edge, the propodos is not very large; in the centre of the palm are a few short hairs set on the tip of small teeth-like projections. The other legs present nothing remarkable; the last three are abundantly covered with long stout setæ (see fig. 11); in all the dactylos is slender and the end forms a distinct claw having setæ arising at its base (fig. 11a).
In the pleon a somewhat remarkable feature is presented by the segments (except the first) having the integument produced downwards as in the first three segments of the pleon in Amphipoda, thus forming lateral shields protecting the pleopoda. The first pair of pleopoda differs from the others; it consists of a small basal joint bearing two oblong plates, the large one having a few setæ at the end (fig 12). It appears to form an imperfect operculum for the other pleopoda. In the others there is a basal joint as before; from this spring two lobes, the smaller oval with margin entire, the larger sub-oblong, inner edge fringed with simple setæ and bearing at the end another small joint fringed with plumose setæ (fig. 13).
The sixth segment of pleon is united to the telson, its inferior edge bears four strong slightly curved setæ. The sixth pleopod is more like one of the last three pairs of pleopoda in Amphipoda than anything I know of among the Isopoda; the upper surface of the peduncle is broad and slightly concave, the outer upper edge fringed with setæ, while the inner upper edge is straight. At the end of the peduncle there is one strong seta below and two or three above, the rami are sharply pointed and bear both stout setæ and longer fine hairs (fig. 14).
Throughout the whole of the body and the appendages the integument is covered with very short setæ arranged more or less regularly in interrupted rows. These setæ are very small and can scarcely be seen without a ¼-in. objective (fig. 15). Besides this along the dorsal surface are scattered a few long fine hairs.
The alimentary canal is generally full of black matter of some kind,—food, I suppose,—and hence can be readily seen through the transparent integument. It is shown in fig. 1.
The animal I have thus described is interesting and important, because it combines characters belonging to different groups. In the elongated form of the body, in the antennæ and in the plate at the base of the maxillipede, it resembles Idotea, it differs very much from this genus, however, in the form of the abdomen and in the fact that the mandible has an appendage. In this latter respect and in the cylindrical elongate body it resembles Anthura and Paranthura, and it thus to a certain extent serves to connect the Anthuridæ with the Idoteidæ. In the long abdomen composed of separate segments it differs both from the Anthuridæ and the