Page:Transactions NZ Institute Volume 15.djvu/129

(P.S.—The generic name Boeckia was, I find, originally proposed by Dr. Brady for a species of Lichomolgus (L. arenicolus), but as it has lapsed for that species, it may stand for the above. In suggesting it, I was quite unaware that it had been already employed).

Body expanded in front, tapering posteriorly. Anterior antennæ many-jointed, much shorter than cephalothorax; posterior pair 4-jointed, without a secondary branch. Mandibles dilated at the extremity; palp tubercular, bearing two filaments. Maxillæ bearing several strong apical teeth and marginal setæ. First pair of footjaws 4-jointed, slender, armed with long marginal spines and setæ. Second pair 4-jointed, prehensile, terminating in two hooked claws. First four pairs of feet 2-branched, each branch 3-jointed. Fifth pair rudimentary, reduced to a single branch.

1. Thorellia brunnea, Boeck, var. antarctica. Pl. V., figs. 15–19.

Cephalothorax as broad as long, rounded in front; rostrum short, obtuse. Segments of thorax rounded at the sides, much broader than long; abdomen very long and narrow. Anterior antennæ about two-thirds as long as cephalothorax, 21-jointed, first joint the largest, as broad as long, next 8 much broader than long, 11th to 19th about as broad as long, 20th longer, and last about twice as long as broad; the first about three times as broad as the last; setæ numerous on the first nine joints. Posterior antennæ 4-jointed, about half as long as the anterior pair. Mandible with numerous teeth on the dilated apex. Anterior footjaws 4-jointed, bearing numerous curved spines and setæ; 3rd joint with a branched appendage. First four pairs of feet furnished with peculiar lancet-shaped spines on the outer margins and extremities; fifth pair with a minute basal joint; second joint elongated, with one lateral and two terminal spines. Caudal setæ densely plumose; middle one as long as the abdomen; outer about three-fourths as long.

Colour—semi-transparent, except the caudal segments which are tinged with dark red. Length (including caudal setæ) ¹⁄₁₇ inch.

Hab. Dredged in Otago Harbour in 7 fathoms.

This differs from the figure of Thorellia brunnea in Brady's Monograph (vol. i., pl. 16) in a few immaterial points. The anterior antenna is not so continnously setose throughout its length, and the fifth pair of feet has three long simple spines, in place of the lancet-shaped spines figured by Brady. In all other respects, except colour (which is a varying feature of no value in this species), our form agrees with the common European one.