ETSCLADUS. 411 



AMPHIPODA. GAMMARIDES. 



NATJTORIA. 



Genus EISCLADUS.* 



Generic character. Slightly compressed. Eyes on a pro- 

 minently-advanced lobe between the superior and inferior 

 antennae. Superior antennae without a secondary appendage. 

 Gnathopoda subchelate. Coxae of the third pair of pereiopoda 

 having the anterior lobe as deep as the coxae of the second. 

 Posterior pair of pleopoda biramous, rami unequal. Telson 

 squamiform, single. 



This genus appears to approximate somewhat closely 

 to the description given of Melita by Dana, differing only 

 in the important feature of size of the coxae of the fifth 

 pair of legs which Dana says are " much shorter than 

 those of the fourth." 



The genus, moreover, has a close affinity with that of 

 Amphithoe, from w T hich it differs only in the form of the 

 last pair of caudal appendages w T hich in this genus 

 resemble those of Melita, 



The eyes are situated on a lobe prominently advanced 

 between the superior and inferior antennae. The su- 

 perior antennae have not a secondary appendage, and 

 are a little longer than the inferior. The hands are 

 subequal and subchelate. The coxae of the fifth pair 

 of legs are as deep as those of the fourth. The last 

 pair of caudal appendages are unequally biramous, one 

 branch being very minute ; and the middle tail-piece is 

 squamiform, and consists of a single plate. 



* Et$ one, xkaSo; branch, in allusion to the structure of the posterior pair 

 of pleopoda. 



