Fauna Associated with Crinoids of Tropical Coral Reef, etc. 85 



Measurements of Torres Straits specimens (a female with eggs) : Length of 

 carapace 11 mm.; maximum breadth 6 mm.; length of rostrum 4.5 mm.; 

 length of chela 15 mm. (of propodite 7 mm., carpopodite 2.5 mm., meropodite 

 5 mm.) 



Another small male: Length of carapace 6 mm.; breadth 3.5 mm.; length 

 of rostrum 2.5 mm.; of chela, 9.5 mm. (propodite 4, carpopodite 1.5, meropo- 

 dite 4). 



So far as I can find, there is no description of Galathea elegans White, 

 but only the figure. From this, however, I think it is possible to assert 

 its community with the other forms under discussion. Balss queries 

 his Japanese individual because its chelae are more slender and longer 

 than those in White's drawing and because the width of the colour 

 bands is different. In my Torres Straits collection, as I have repeatedly 

 observed, the width of the bands is a variable feature, so the latter 

 point need not trouble us. The discrepancy of the chelae is likewise to 

 be explained by variation and possibly, to a certain extent, by the 

 draughtsman's error. 



I have taken the opportunity of comparing my series with a specimen 

 obtained by Dr. Willey in New Britain and identified by Mr. L. A. 

 Borradaile as G. elegans. This certainly differs distinctly from the 

 commensal of Comanthus in the following particulars: It has a broader 

 but rather shorter rostrum with more (9) lateral denticles. The eyes 

 are larger, the transverse furrows on the dorsum not so well developed, 

 hairs are almost absent on the greater part of the carapace but present 

 on the rostrum. Here they are arranged in just the manner charac- 

 teristic of the animals from the Torres Straits. This individual seems 

 to come nearer to that described by Balss from Japan. 



Galathea inffata sp. n. (Plate 1, Fig. 7.) 



A small galatheid with rather broad and swollen carapace narrowing con- 

 siderably anteriorly; rostrum of medium length with 3 sharp spines on each 

 side; carapace with very few hairs, gastric region Avithout spines, anterior 

 transverse ridges broken up and surface covered with scales. Merus of third 

 maxilliped with 3 spines internally, 2 externally. Merus of ambulatory limbs 

 with about 9 spines on upper border. 



Commensal with crinoids, Murray Island, Torres Straits. 



With eggs, length of carapace to tip of middle spine on rostrum, 7 mm.; 

 breadth 5 mm. ; length of rostrum 2.5 mm. 



The carapace is traversed by only 7 or 8 traverse grooves, but posteriorly 

 incipient grooves make their appearance between the complete ones at the 

 lateral extremities of the segments. The cervical groove is deep and con- 

 tinuous; on each side of it the traverse ridges are broken up into prominent 

 scales. The external border of the cephalothorax has about 7 strong spines 

 on each side. 



The rostrum is broad and of medium length. The central spine is long and 

 stout; on each side are two others, almost as well developed, and a third at 

 the level of the eye which is shorter and weaker. The surface is covered with 

 small scales. 



