LARVAE OF DECAPOD CRUSTACEA 

 Axius plectorhynchus (Strahl) (Fig. 5) 



303 



Hale, 1927, p. 84. 



Hale writes : ' ' The eggs are very large ; the young do not pass through a metamorphosis, 

 but hatch in the form of the parent, and cling to the swimmerets of the mother for some 

 time. " Mr Hale was unable to send me specimens of the newly hatched young, but I 

 am indebted to him for a number of eggs from which the young could be extracted. 



Eggs: 3*0 X 2-5 mm. 



Rostrum broad, flattened, bent down under head. Telson deeply bilobed, with 

 seven cuticular processes on either lobe. Under the cuticle can be seen the setae of the 



Fig. 5. Axius plectorhynchus Trezoea. 

 a. Telson. b. Antenna. 



future telson. These seem to be distinguishable into an outer series of seven, corre- 

 sponding to the processes of the embryonic cuticle, and with the second reduced to a 

 small hair ; and ten more smaller setae along the inner margin of the lobe. 



Antennule unsegmented, without setae. Antennal scale with eight large feathered 

 setae, and a small unfeathered seta on inner margin, and one seta on outer margin 

 near base ; endopod with three large apical feathered setae. 



Mouth-parts apparently rudimentary. Mandible with large palp. There are three 

 pairs of biramous maxillipedes, the setae enclosed within the embryonic cuticle. 

 Behind these is a large swelling within which rudiments of legs can be faintly seen, but 



