388 



Occurrence. I have met with this interesting form in 3 widely 



distant localities on the Norwegian coast, viz., at Hvaloer in the outer part 

 of the Christianiafjord, in the Trondhjemsfjord, and at Selsovig on the 

 Nordland coast. In all 3 localities it was taken by the dredge, together with 

 other deep-water animals, from a very considerable depth, ranging from 100 

 to 400 fathoms. Thus whether in reality it leads, like Laplnjstius, a semi- 

 parasitic life, or not, still remains an open question. 



Fam. 15. Syrrhoidae. 



Body of rather various shape, now comparatively slender, now robust, 

 but always having the metasome and urosome well developed. Cephalon pro- 

 duced in front to a deflexed rostrum of various shape, and denned from the 

 lateral edges by a deep sinus. Coxal plates small, or of moderate size, 4th 

 pair, as a rule, smaller than the preceding ones. Eyes, when present, coales- 

 cent as in the CEdiceridoe. Antennse more or less slender, with elongated 

 peduncles, the superior ones being, as a rule, shorter than the inferior and 

 provided with a distinct accessory appendage ; both pairs in male peculiarly 

 modified. Oral parts well developed, the mandibles being particularly strong. 

 Both pairs of gnathopoda, as a rule, very feeble and subequal in structure, 

 having the carpus elongated, and the propodos very small, now subcheliform, 

 now simple. Pereiopoda normal. Last pair of uropoda more or less differing 

 from the preceding pairs. Telson greatly elongated, entire or cleft. 



Remarks. - - This family, corresponding with the subfamily Syrrlioina of 

 Boeck, is a very natural one, differing, as it does, in several respects rather 

 markedly, from the other Amphipodous families. In a few points, especially 

 as regards the structure of the eyes, it exhibits a remote resemblance to the 

 (Ediceridtf, but is otherwise very different. As justly pointed out by Boeck, 

 its affinity to another apparently very different family, viz., that of the Par- 

 drdlxf-idte, is in fact much greater, and it is therefore placed here immediately 

 in front of that family. Perhaps however it comes still nearer to another 

 family, not represented in the fauna of Norway, viz., the Sijuopiidce. The 

 family comprises as yet but 4 genera, all of which are represented in the 

 fauna of Norway. One of these genera, Syrrhoites, is now for the first time 

 established. 



