376 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



It is found boring in submerged wood along our coast from Florida! to 

 Halifax!, 1ST. S., and the Gulf of St. Lawrence. It occurs above low- 

 water mark, but does not usually live far below that line; it has, however, 

 been found by Professor Verrill at a depth of 10 fathoms in Casco Bay, 

 and was dredged by the II. S. Fish Commission in a depth of 7|- fathoms, 

 Cape Cod Bay!, Mass., in the summer of 1879. It is abundant, according 

 to European authors, in many localities on the coast of Great Britain 

 and in the North Sea. L. uncinata Heller, from Verbosca, in the Island 

 of Lesiua, Adriatic Sea, appears to be the same species, as the differences 

 pointed out by Heller do not really exist, but were doubtless suggested 

 by the incorrect figures that have been published representing' the uro- 

 pods with rami composed of two or more segments. The form of these 

 appendages, as shown on plate IX, fig. 57 &, corresponds well with Hel 

 ler's description. It was found by Heller associated with Clielura tere- 

 brans. Limnoria is said also to occur in the Pacific Ocean, and from its 

 habits might be expected to have a wide distribution. 



Specimens examined. 



IX. CIEOLANID^B. 



Front formed of the approximate basal segments of the antennuloe, 

 which are not covered by an anterior projection of the head ; antennuhe 

 and antennae presenting an evident distinction into peduncular and 

 flagellar segments; maxillipeds with a five-jointed palpus; mandibles 

 formed for biting, palpigerous; legs all terminated by nearly straight 

 dactyli ; epimera distinct behind the first thoracic segment ; pleopods 

 at least the anterior pairs, ciliated; uropods biramous, the rami flattened 

 and ciliated. 



This family is represented on our coast by two closely allied species 

 apparently belonging to the typical genus Cirolana, although approach- 

 ing the allied genus Conilera, to which I formerly referred them. They 

 have been hitherto usually referred to the following family, but the dif- 

 ferences in the structure of the mouth parts, first pointed out by Schiodte, 

 seem to warrant their separation as a distinct family. The mandibles 

 are formed for biting, being armed with long and powerful teeth, which, 

 closing together like the blades of scissors, are well adapted for lacerat- 

 ing the flesh of fishes on which they feed. The first three pairs of legs 

 are fitted for prehension, but they are destitute of the strongly curved 



