BOPYRIDA. 21k 
male also of a pair of mandibles deferentiated into a 
pointed siphon-like organ, the two appendages meeting 
together in a slight twist, and so strengthening each other 
as a penetrating organ, which is protected by one or two 
pairs of broad fleshy scale-like maxilla, of which the 
first pair is generally bi- or tri-articulate, and the others 
almost without trace of articulation, and united for the 
most part to the under surface of the head by a small 
joint. 
The legs are very short, having a broad hand strongly 
hooked at the tip for prehension; in some of the species 
the full-grown females lose the greater portion of these 
limbs. They are furnished with large incubatory plates 
on the underside of the body: in some species, however, 
they have the appearance of being recurved, and of 
covering the upper side of the animal. (See Hesse, Ann. 
Sci. Nat. ser. 5, t. 111. p. 237, where this, and t. iv. p. 226, 
where the reverse is stated to be the case.) 
The tail (pleon) generally forms a distinct portion of 
the animal, and is composed ofa series of short segments, 
which are often furnished with elongated lamellz, or other 
analogous appendages, most conspicuous in the female. 
The male is always very small, and much narrower 
than the female, with the head and seven segments of 
the body distinct, and each segment is furnished with a 
pair of short legs formed like those of the female, but 
more slender ; the tail (pleon) is also more elongated, with 
the joints often distinct; the eyes are also distinct in 
the males, although only rudimental or wanting in the 
females. 
The young of these animals are of an oval form, not 
unlike that of a wood-louse, having the segments of the 
tail of a comparatively larger size than in the adult state ; 
in the typical genera they are furnished with two pairs of 
antennz, of which the anterior are short, but the posterior 
Pez 
