343 



Remarks. This new genus is closely allied to Fultonia, differing, how- 

 ever, rather materially in the structure of the anterior maxillipeds and the 1st 

 pair of legs. It contains as yet only a single species, to be described below. 



219. Argestes mollis, G. 0. Sars, n. sp. 



Specific Characters. Female. Body of a remarkably soft consistency and 

 in form rather like that in Fultonia Jiirsuta, the anterior division being conspicu- 

 ously wider than the posterior, and somewhat depressed. Cephalic segment 

 scarcely exceeding in length the 2 succeeding segments combined, and evenly 

 rounded in front; rostral projection extremely small, nearly obsolete. Urosome 

 about equalling in length the 4 preceding segments combined, and slightly tapering 

 distally, its segments edged behind with delicate spinules; last segment rather 

 large with the anal opercle semilunar in form and perfectly smooth. Caudal rami 

 extremely small and scarcely at all divergent, apical setse rather slender. Eye wholly 

 absent. Anterior antennae much shorter than the cephalic segment, and. as in 

 Fultonia, distinctly 7-articulate, with comparatively short and thick setse. Post- 

 erior antennae with the outer ramus very small, but well defined at the base, 

 and carrying one apical seta and a few small lateral bristles. Mandibular palp 

 with both rami well developed and setiferous, the inner one the larger. 1st pair 

 of legs with the inner ramus fully as large as the outer, its joints gradually 

 diminishing in size distally. Inner ramus of the 3 succeeding pairs exceeding 

 half the length of the outer. Last pair of legs rather small, distal joint narrow 

 oblong in form, with both edges densely hairy, tip provided with 4 comparatively 

 short seta? ; inner part of proximal joint very slightly expanded, and carrying 3 

 short setaB. 



Male unknown. 



Body of a whitish grey colour, with dark intestine. 



Length of adult female 1 .40 mm. 



Remarks. This form, as noted above, strongly resembles Fultonia hirsuta 

 in the general form of the body, but is very much (nearly 3 times) larger, and 

 exhibits moreover a peculiar softness of body, this character, indeed, having 

 given rise to the specific name here proposed. 



Occurrence. I have only met with this form in a single locality, viz., 

 at Bukken, south-west coast of Norway. It occurred here in a depth of about 60 

 fathoms on a soft muddy bottom, together with Cervinia and Eucanuella. Only 

 female specimens were found. 



