ANTHURA. 159 



extending beyond the front of the head ; the hand is 

 ovate, protected at the base of its inner margin by the 

 produced extremity of the preceding joint ; the finger is 

 strong, and terminated by a distinct unguis. The six 

 other pairs of legs are much more slender and simple, 

 terminated by a short, rather strong, curved finger, and a 

 distinct terminal unguis. 



The very elongate and slender form of the animals 

 of this genus gives them a certain amount of resem- 

 blance to the species of Arcturus, and has led to their 

 being placed in the family of which Idotea is the type ; but 

 Dr. Leach long ago had the tact to perceive their claims 

 to form a distinct family, and, although their general 

 form, short antennae, and strong fore legs, give them a 

 certain similarity to Tanais, yet we apprehend (now that 

 their real structure has, for the first time, been described 

 from a minute analytical examination of their oral 

 organs) that their true affinities will be admitted to be in 



o / 



the immediate neighbourhood of the ^Egida, one species 

 of which at least, Conilera cylindracea, approaches them 

 in its elongated cylindrical form ; indeed, Dr. Leach 

 suggested that this animal might possibly be referable 

 to the family Anthurida, and, accordingly, in Mr. White's 

 catalogue of British Crustacea, it is placed as a second 

 species under the name of Anthura cylindrica, appearing 

 again in a subsequent page, in its proper place and name, 

 as Conilera cylindracea. 





