510 



15. Melita obtusata, (Mont). 



(PI. 180, fig. 1). 

 Cancer gammarus obtusatus, Montagu, Transact. Linn. Soc. Vol. IX, p. 5, PI. II, fig. 7. 



Syn.: Gammarus podager, M.-Edw. 

 > maculatus, Lilljeborg. 



Melita proxirna, Sp. Bate. 

 Megamsera Alderi, Sp. Bate $ . 



Body somewhat less slender than in the preceding species, and having 



the penultimate segment of metasome (sometimes also the last one) produced 



dorsally to a small dentiform projection; 1st segment of urosome armed with 3 



juxtaposed dentiform projections, the lateral ones being much the larger, 



2nd segment generally with only 2 such projections. Cephalon fully as long 



as the first 2 segments of mesosome combined, lateral corners broadly rounded, 



and having below them a very minute dentiform projection. Anterior pairs 



of coxal plates nearly twice as deep as the corresponding segments, 1st pair 



slightly expanded distally, and having, like the 2 succeeding pairs, a small 



dentiform projection at the infero-posteal corner; 4th pair evenly emarginated 



posteriorly, and slightly projecting below the emargination. Last pair of 



epimeral plates of metasome considerably produced at the lateral corners, 



terminating in an acuminate, somewhat upturned point. Eyes small, rounded, 



pigment dark. Superior antennae considerably exceeding half the length of 



the body, 2nd joint of the peduncle the longest, flagellum a little longer than 



the peduncle, and composed of about 1(3 articulations, accessory appendage 



equalling in length the last peduncular joint, and 3-articulate. Inferior 



antennas, as usual, shorter than the superior, last joint of the peduncle not 



quite attaining the length of the penultimate one, flagellum nearly as long 



as those joints combined. Mandibular palp unusually narrow, and having 



only a few slender bristles. Anterior gnathopoda with the propodos rather 



broad, nearly triangular in outline, and fully as long as the carpus, palm 



somewhat oblique, and imperfectly defined below. Posterior gnathopoda in 



female somewhat larger than the anterior, propodos oblong oval in form, and 



nearly equalling in length the 3 preceding joints combined, palm rather 



oblique, and defined below by an obtuse angle; those in male very large, 



with the propodos much tumefied, and occupying half the length of the leg, 



its outer part slightly expanded, palm irregularly serrated, and somewhat 



insinuated in the middle, being defined below by a triangular lobe, inside 



\\hich the dactylus impinges when closed, the latter scimitar-shaped, with 



