MACRURA. 73 



spines present between the bases of the feet of the second pair. These only appear 

 to be present in the female. The last four abdominal segments have a dorsal carina 

 which ends in a well-developed tooth at the posterior end of the 6th segment. 

 The sixth abdominal segment is about \^ times as long as the fifth and slightly 

 shorter than the telson. The telson is slightly shorter than the uropods and has the 

 usual number of spines, which is characteristic of the velutinus group. The anterior 

 pair of spines are much smaller than the posterior three pairs, and in some specimens 

 are only observed with difficulty. 



The general surface of the body is smooth. The dimensions are : 



millims. millims. millims. niillims. millims. millims. 

 Total length along mid-dorsal line from] . , ^ . . . 



tip of rostrum to end of telson . . J 

 Length of carapace and rostrum along lir 1C - ic -i a i~ i n. c 



mid-dorsal line I 



Side length of carapace to tip of] . i n i c, -, n i c q 



antennular tooth J 



Length of sixth segment of abdomen, 1 fi fi _ 



mid-dorsal line J 



Sex . . ? ? ? ? ? <? 



It would appear that this species is in an intermediate position between ParapencBus 

 akayebi and P. dalei. 



The characters of the rostrum and of the petasma and thelycum appear to be the 

 most reliable characters on which to base the identification of the various species of 

 this group. Of these characters the former is not altogether trustworthy, as it is 

 subject to some variation, and it is not impossible to obtain a series based upon the 

 length of the rostrum and the number of rostral teeth which will connect all the 

 species of this group. Still, in a broad manner, Miss Bathbun's method of separation 

 holds good. 



The form of the genital opercula appears to be much more constant, and each of 

 the species is quite distinct in this respect. 



The comparative length of the sixth abdominal segment does not seem to be 

 constant enough to be of value as a basis of identification. 



So that, as I have already suggested, it is, perhaps, placing too high a value upon 

 the distinguishing characters of the various forms of the velutinus group to give these 

 forms the rank of species. For the present, however, I follow Miss Bathbun. 



Philonicus, S pence Bate, 1888. 



Philonicus pectinatus, Sp. Bate. 



Philonicus pectinatus, Sp. Bate, ' " Challenger," Macrura,' p. 279, 1888. 

 Localities: Deep water off Galle (Station XL.), 1 specimen ?, 35 millims.; off 



L 



