[Pboc. Roy. Soc. Victoria, 19 (N.S.), Pt. II., 1906.] 



AiiT. V. — Descri'ption of a New Species of Cypridina 

 from Hohsons Bay, Melbourne. 



By F. chapman, A.L.S., &c. 



(With Plate IX). 

 [Read 13th December, 1906.] 



Preliminary Remarks. 



The species now described, although hitherto not specifically 

 determined, is one of the most abundant of the Ostracoda 

 inhabiting Hobson's Bay and the adjacent waters of Port Phillip. 

 In the "Victorian Naturalist" for 1894,^ Mr. J. Shepherd gave 

 an interesting account of the phosphorescence caused by an 

 ostracod, in all probability the present species, off Brighton 

 Beach, Port Phillip. In this notice it was stated that the light 

 emitted, when the water was agitated, "flashed out from distinct 

 points, each about the size of a threepenny piece." The Ostracoda 

 washed up on the sandy beach also showed phosphorescence when 

 "the ground was trodden near to them." Mr. Shepherd further 

 mentions that " a dozen or so in a little water, when shaken, 

 emitted sufficient light to read a watch-dial." 



It was this phosphorescent property which led Mr. A. O. 

 Thiele to gather the specimens I am now describing. In order to 

 ascertain whether this form was similarly phosphorescent, and 

 being aware of the phosphorescence of the Cypridinads generally, 

 as well as to endeavour to establish the identity of Mr. 

 Shepherd's ostracod I wrote to Mr. Thiele, who replied as 

 follows : — " In reply to your query I may mention that it was 

 their extraordinary phosphorescence that attracted my attention. 

 While fishing in the Bay about one mile from the shore in about 

 four fathoms of water, I noticed in pulling up the line that the 

 bait was so luminous that I was able to note the time on my 

 watch. I drew the bait through the partially closed hand and 



1 Vol. xi., p. 131. 



