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



edges minutely dentate and in close contact ; the dactylus has a short curved apex, 

 which folds over a corresponding process on the immobile finger, and the latter has a 

 spine on its outer margin near the proximal end. The meri and carpi of the ambulatory 

 limbs are pubescent and spiny, the spines placed at the distal ends of these joints being 

 of considerable size ; the posterior margin of the propodi bears a row of horny spinules, 

 and the dactyli are but slightly curved, each terminating in a short, yellow, horny 

 claw. 



The second abdominal segment bears a transverse row of spinules (usually ten in 

 number) on its anterior margin, the two nearest the middle line being separated by a 

 considerable interval ; the remaining abdominal segments are comparatively smooth and 

 glabrous, with but few transverse impressions. 



Breadth of carapace (of an adult male) 12 mm., length of body 31 mm., of carapace 

 14 mm., of rostrum 6 mm., of chelipede 47*5 mm., of chela 21 mm., of first ambulatory 

 leg 32 mm. 



The close similarity of this species to Munida miles, A. Milne-Edwards, is at once 

 apparent. It is distinguished from the above-named Atlantic species by its smaller size 

 and the stronger development of the gastric row of spinules, though in Munida miles the 

 two spines situated behind the supraorbitals are of much larger size ; in the latter species 

 also the chelipedes are more elongated, and armed with a greater number of spines, whUe 

 spinules are present on the second and third abdominal segments, and in some cases even 

 on the fourth. In Munida spinulifera, Miers, a small species, which is also character- 

 ised by the presence of a gastric row of spiniiles, the supraorbitals are much shorter, the 

 striae on the carapace are more densely pubescent, and the second and third abdominal 

 segments are spinulose. A closer examination of the specimens, and a wider knowledge 

 of the individual variations to which certain species of Munida are subject, has shown 

 that the form which 1 designated Muyiida vitiensis must be united with the species in 

 question. I have also deemed it safer to rank Munida curvirostris as a variety rather 

 than as a distinct species. 



Habitat. — Station 173, ofi" Matuku, Fiji; depth, 315 fathoms; bottom, coral mud. 

 Five specimens, two of which are females with ova. 



Station 192, ofi^ Little Ki Island; depth, 140 fathoms; bottom, blue mud. A female 

 with ova and a young female ; in these the following somewhat abnormal characters are 

 noticeable : — The rostrum is longer than usual, the carapace is comparatively smooth and 

 glabrous (though the various spinules are present), the chelipedes are short and slim, and 

 the spinules on the second abdominal segment are almost obsolete. The specimens are, 

 I think, in spite of these differences, undoubtedly referable to this species. 

 Amboiua, 100 fathoms. An adult male. 



