365 



Cephalon very broad and evenly vaulted above, rostrum curved downwards 

 and reaching somewhat beyond the basal joint of the superior antennae. The 

 3 anterior pairs of coxal plates successively increasing in size, and acuminate 

 at the tip; 4th pair much deeper than the corresponding segment, with the 

 outer part evenly curved, and terminating in a sharp point; 5th pair scarcely 

 more than half as deep as the former, and having the mucroniform projection 

 rather produced. Epimeral plates of metasome each having the posterior 

 edge triangular, those of last segment scarcely differing from the preceding 

 pairs. Eyes of moderate size, rounded, and very convex, pigment bright 

 carmine red. Superior antennae about equalling l /s of the length of the body, 

 1st joint of the peduncle longer than the other 2 combined, flagellum nearly 

 3 times as long as the peduncle, and composed of about 40 short articu- 

 lations. Inferior antennae but little longer than the superior, the 2 outer 

 joints of the peduncle nearly equal-sized, flagellum about twice the length 

 of the peduncle. Gnathopoda with the propodos rather narrow and shorter 

 than the carpus, having below several transverse rows of short bristles, palm 

 joining the hind margin by an even curve. Last pair of pereiopoda with the 

 basal joint about the length of the 3 succeeding joints combined, and more than 

 half as broad as it is long, posterior edge strongly curved in its upper part 

 and sinuated below, infero-posteal corner forming an acute triangular lobe. 

 Last pair of uropoda with the rami rather broad, and about 3 times as long- 

 as the basal part. Telson scarcely longer than it is broad at the base, outer 

 part somewhat tapering, apical sinus rather small. Body whitish, with a 

 slightly reddish tinge, each segment bordered at the posterior edge with pink ; 

 urosome, peduncle of the superior antennae, oral area, and tips of the 4th 

 and 5th pairs of coxal plates likewise pinkish in colour. Length of adult 

 female reaching 16 mm. 



Remarks. The present species, the type of the genus, was first 

 described by Fabricius as Gammarus corniger, and was subsequently recorded 

 by White and Sp. Bate under several other names, mentioned above. Boeck 

 confounded this and the next species, but his figures and description unquestion- 

 ably apply to the present form. "Whether the Epimeria fricristata is in 

 reality identical with this or the next species, I am unable to decide with 

 certainty, as both species are very nearly related. 



Occurrence. The species is rather frequently met with along the 

 whole west coast of Norway, at least up to the Trondhjemsfjord, in greater 

 depths, ranging from 50 to 150 fathoms. In the region of the deep sea corals, 

 it is often found even in great abundance. 



Distribution. British Tsles (Sp. Bate); coast of France (Chevreux), 

 Mediterranean (Costa). 



47 Crustacea. 



