563 



Gen. 7. MegamphopUS, Norman , 1868. 

 Syn: Protomedeia, Boeck (part). 



Body slender, with comparatively small coxal plates, the 2 anterior 

 pairs of which are conspicuously modified in the male ; 5th pair with the 

 anterior lobe somewhat deeper than the posterior. Cephalon having the 

 frontal part rather produced and attenuated. Eyes well developed. Antennae 

 not very much elongated, but extremely slender, the superior ones shorter than 

 the inferior, and provided with a very small accessory appendage. Mandi- 

 bular palps rather large, with the terminal joint comparatively short, but 

 lamellarly expanded and densely setous. Oral parts otherwise normal. 

 Gnathopoda in female rather feeble and subequal, being imperfectly subcheli- 

 form; in male both pairs, but especially the posterior one, greatly developed, 

 with the carpus and propodos very large. The 2 anterior pairs of 

 pereiopoda not very slender ; the 3 posterior pairs rather elongated, with 

 the basal joint moderately expanded. Last pair of uropoda with the rami 

 somewhat unequal. Telson small, and of an appearance similar to that in 

 the preceding genera. 



Remarks. The present genus was established in 1868 by the Rev. 

 Mr. Norman, to include a peculiar Amphipode, of which only a single male 

 specimen was procured. The same form was subsequently described by 

 Boeck from the Norwegian coast as a species of the genus Protomedeia 

 of Kroyer. Norman's genus ought, however, in my opinion, to be 

 supported, as it can be pretty well defined from that of Protomede'ni. 

 apparently exhibiting in some points a closer affinity to the genus 

 Gammaropsis. The longitudinal relation of the 2 pairs of antennse, as 

 also the structure of the gnathopoda in the two sexes, may especially 

 serve for recognizing this genus. It comprises as yet but a single species, 

 to be described below. 



