270 A MONOGRAPH OF THE AUSTKALIAN APHRODITEA, 



careful investigation will reveal their presence in most, if not all, 

 members of the family. 



B. Classification.-'' 

 Fam. APHEODITACEA. 

 Genus ApniioDixA, Linn. 

 Aphrodita australis. 



Aphrodita australis, Baircl, P.L.S., vol. viii., p. 17G. 



Body ovate, oLlong, 3^ to 4 inches long-, and from 1^-to 2 inches 

 broad, narrower posteriori}^, convex on the back, which is covered 

 with a thick felty substance, consisting of a thinnish membrane 

 and numerous fine hairs matted together, concealing the elytra ; 

 head-lobe small ; tentacle very short ; palpi of considerable 

 length, yellowish. Eeet-bearing segments of body 42, feet 42 

 pairs, biramous, ventral branch strong and much corrugated, 

 obtusely rounded at extremity, inferior cirrus rather strong and 

 of considerable size, Bristles of this branch strong, of a bronzed 

 colour, simple, disposed in two fascicles, of which the inferior 

 are short and lighter coloured, the superior much stronger and 

 not numerous. Upper or dorsal branch of feet furnished with 

 two fascicles of bristles : the lower consisting of very numerous, 

 simple and slender hairs, presenting, as in A. aculeata, an 

 iridescent fringe along the sides, but not nearly so beautiful as 

 in the European species, being more of a bronzed metallic hue. 

 The upper fascicle of bristles penetrate the felty covering, and 

 lie down on the back. They are very long, each being at least 

 14 lines in length. They are of a pale colour with a slightly 

 metallic hue, become slender at the extremity and are simple. 

 The dorsal cirri are stout, setaceous and white. The ventral 

 surface of the animal is brownish and rough, with very numerous, 

 small points or projections. \_Baird.\ 



Port Lincoln ; Port Stephens ; Port Jackson ; Tasmania. 



* The cirranLfemcnt followed is that of Kinber«r. 



