12 THE VOYAGE OF H.M.S. CHALLENGER. 



Genus Dromidia, Stimpson. 

 , Dromidia, Stimpson, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philad., p. 63, 1858. 



Carapace convex, pilose. Palate furnished with a slight elevation on each side. The 

 sternal sulci in the female produced as far as the segment bearing the chelipedes, approxi- 

 mated towards their termination, and passing into a single tubercle. Appendages of the 

 penultimate abdominal segment minute, concealed. Legs similar to those of Dromia. 



The characters which distinguish this genus from Cryptodromia are few in number, 

 and the most important of these, viz., the arrangement of the sternal sulci in the female, 

 is liable to variation in different species. It is thus a matter of opinion whether the two 

 should not be united; the Challenger material is not, however, sufficient to determine 

 the point. Haswell has united Dromidia with Dromia. 



Dromidia antillensis, Stimpson (PL I. fig. 5). 



Dromidia antillensis, Stimpsoij, Notes on North American Crust., Ann. Lye. Nat. Hist., vol. vii. 

 p. 71, 1859. 

 „ „ A. Milne-Edwards, Bull. Mus. Comp. Zool., vol. viii. No. 1, p. 31, 1880. 



Habitat. — Off Bahia ; 7 to 20 fathoms. 



I refer to this species, not without some hesitation, several specimens from the above 

 locality. These agree well mth the original description, but the following points are to 

 be noted in addition to those enumerated by Stimpson. The carapace presents a few 

 slight inequalities on the posterior branchial and cardiac areas, and the outer angle of the 

 orbit is fissured. The specimens are, with a single exception, females, and of small size, 

 the carapace of the largest measuring 13'5 mm. in length by 13'8 mm. in breadth, 

 whereas Stimpson gives the same measurements as 1*30 inch by 1'28 inch, .so it is possible 

 that some of these apparent differences may be due to immaturity. 



In many of its characters this species resembles Cryjitodromia incisa. Five pairs of 

 abdominal appendages are present in the female, the penultimate segment apparently 

 showing no trace of these ; the fir.st pair are rudimentary, the second long and slender. 

 The sternal tubercle is placed far forwards so as to lie immediately behind the basal joints 

 of the external maxilUpedes, it projects considerably from the segment, and shows a 

 slight trace of bifurcation in front. 



^o^ 



Dromidia s^wngiosa, Stimpson (PL I. fig. 6). 



Dromidia spongiosa, Stimpson, Proo. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philad., p. 76, 1858. 

 1 „ „ HeUer, Reise der Novara, Crust., p. 72, 1865. 



Habitat. — Simon's Bay, Cape of Good Hope ; 10 to 20 fathoms. 



