9.S Pioilibmi — American Species of Palicus. 



third witli longitudinal rows of spinules and a deep groove on tlie ante- 

 rior half; anterior distal angles subrectangular. 



The three forms of so-called sica, which maj' be designated as Nos. 1, 2, 

 and 3, differ mainly as follows: No. 2 is much narrower than Nos. 1 and 

 3; No. 3 is most depressed. Just above the posterior margin there is in 

 No. 3 a continuous ridge following the curve of the margin ; in Nos. 1 and 

 2 there is instead a sinuous line of tubercles, more uneven in No. 1 than 

 in No. 2. Inner suborbital fissure a broader sinus in No. 1 than in Nos. 

 2 and 3. The median portion of the second abdominal plate is most 

 prominent in No. 1 and least so in No. 3. Ischium of maxilliped much 

 wider in Nos. 2 and 3 than in No. 1 ; in No. 3 wiilening considerably to- 

 ward the merus. Merus of second ambulatory long and comparatively 

 narrow in No. 1 ; short and very broad in the middle in No. 2, with very 

 convex posterior outline ; in No. 3 the merus is of moderate width proxi- 

 mally, but at the distal end is verj^ narrow, with scarcely a trace of a 

 tooth. 



The description given Ijy Professor ^Milne Edwards is applicable to all 

 of the forms above described. Of the ambulatory legs he says, " Les 

 deux derniers articles sont tres aplatis et elargis." These articles are 

 widest in No. 2. Tiie dimensions given do not, however, apply to No. 2. 

 I have therefore restricted the name " sica^' to No. 1, the form taken in 

 greatest abundance by the U. S. Coast Survey steamers ' Bache ' and 

 'Blake.' Form No. 2 may be known as Fulicus arigustaa, form No. 3 as 

 Palicus depressus. 



Dimensions. — In P. sica the width of the carapace varies from 1.25 times 

 its length in smaller specimens to 1.39 times its length in larger speci- 

 mens. Length of largest specimen, adult 9) 9-8 nim. ; width, 13.5. 



A specimen of P. angusins measures 9 mm. long, 10.3 wide ; ratio, 1 : 1.14. 



A female of P. dejjressas is 7 x 9.4 nun. ; ratio, 1 : 1.34. Another speci- 

 men measures 6.5 x 8.2 mm. ; ratio, 1 : 1.2(i. 



Distribution. — P. sica is found from the Gulf of Mexico and Florida Keys 

 to Barbados and Grenada, in depths of from 60 to 117 fathoms. It was 

 dredged by the ' Bache ' on the west coast of Florida and at Sand Key ; 

 by the 'Blake' at stations 32, 36, 132, 149, 2:>3, 293; by the '.Albatross' 

 at stations 2403 and 2641. 



P. angustus is known only from off Santa Cruz, 117 fathoms, station 32, 

 ' Blake.' 



P. dcprc.ssKs was taken by the 'Blake' off Santa Cruz, Dominica, and 

 Barbados, in from 56 to 138 fathoms, at stations 132, 192 (type locality), 

 272, 292, and 293. 



Palicus bahamensis Rathbun, new species. 



This species, although po.ssessing abdominal and sternal laminte, as in 

 sica, dt'prcssns, and angustus, resembles in the characters of the carapace 

 dentatus and its allies. Carapace very rough, witli coarse granulation. 

 Front divided by a wide and deep V-shaped notch ; each lobe thus formed 

 is faintly emarginate. Two superior orbital lobes triangular and obtuse. 



