116 



Gen. 4. DendrOtlOn, G. O. Sara, 1871. 



Generic Characters. Body resembling somewhat in shape that in Pleuro- 

 goninm, being much depressed, with the anterior part of the mesosome rather 

 broad, and flanked by strong spines, the posterior abruptly narrowed, with lingtii- 

 form produced lateral parts. Cephalon comparatively small, and produced on each 

 side to a remarkable ear-like projection carrying the antennae. Caudal segment 

 very narrow, lanceolate. Eyes absent. Antennae long and slender, especially the 

 inferior ones, the peduncle of which is 5-articulate. Mandibles normal, with well- 

 developed palp and molar expansion. Legs extremely slender, and rapidly in- 

 creasing in length posteriorly; 1st pair rather feeble in structure, though distinctly 

 subcheliform. Uropoda issuing from the dorsal face of the caudal segment, rather 

 elongated, biramous, outer ramus very small, inner long and narrow. 



Remarks. The present genus is founded upon a very peculiar deep-water 

 Isopod, which, though in some points differing rather markedly from the other Mttn- 

 nid(8, yet undoubtedly is referable to that family. The most striking feature is the 

 insertion of the antennae to ear-like processes of the head, which character indeed 

 has given rise to the generic name. Another very anomalous character, which 

 was not fully recognized at first, is the great development and peculiar origin 

 of the uropoda, in which respect this genus differs very materially from all other 

 known Munnidce. 



Dendrotion 1 ) spinosum, G. 0, Sars. 



(PL XLIX.) 



Dendrotion spinosum, G. O. Sars, Undersogelser over Hardangerfjordens Fauna. I. Crustacea, 



pag. 30. 



Specific Characters. Body oblong fusiform in outline, more than twice as 

 long as it is broad, with the segments very sharply marked off from each other. 

 Cephalon comparatively small, sub-quadrangular, slightly widening distally, frontal 

 edge evenly concave, antennal processes obliquely diverging and truncated at the 

 tip. Anterior division of mesosome ob-ovate, gradually widening posteriorly, lateral 

 parts of the segments angular, and each produced into a strong and very acute 

 spine, pointing straight outwards and clothed at the base with scattered hairs. 

 Posterior division of mesosome abruptly narrowed, with the lateral parts of 

 the segments linguiformly produced, and decreasing in size posteriorly, each 

 terminating in a sharp spiniform point, hairy at the base. Caudal segment 



l ) By a mistake, the generic name, in the plate, is spelt Pleurotion instead of Dendrotion. 



