510 



15. Melita obtusata, (Mont). 



(PI. J 80, fig. 1). 



Cancer gammarus obtusattis, Montagu, Transact. Linn. Soc. Vol. IX, p. 6, PI. II, fig. 7. 



Syn. : Gammarus podager, M.-Edw. 

 > — maculatuB, Lilljeborg. 



» Melita proxima, Sp. Bate. 



» Megamsera Alderi, Sp. Bate $ . 



Body somewhat less slender than in the preceding species, and having 

 the penultimate segment of metasome (sometimes also the last one) produced 

 dorsaUy to a small dentiform pf ejection; 1st segment of urosome armed with 3 

 iuxtaposed dentiform projections, the lateral ones being much the larger, 

 2nd segment generally with only 2 such projections. Cephalon fully as long 

 as the first 2 segments of mesosome combined, lateral corners broadly rounded, 

 and having below them a very minute dentiform projection. Anterior pairs 

 of coxal plates nearly twice as deep as the corresponding segments, 1st pair 

 slightly expanded distally, and having, like the 2 succeeding pairs, a small 

 dentiform projection at the infero-posteal corner; 4th pair evenly emarginated 

 posteriorly, and slightly projecting below the emargination. Last pair of 

 epimeral plates of metasome considerably produced at the lateral corners, 

 terminating in an acuminate, somewhat upturned point. Eyes small, rounded, 

 pigment dark. Superior antennse considerabty exceeding half the leng-tli of 

 the body, 2nd joint of the peduncle the longest, ilagellum a little longer than 

 the peduncle, and composed of about 1(3 articulations, accessory appendage 

 equalling in length the last peduncular joint, and 3-articulate. Inferior 

 antennse, as usual, shorter than the superior, last joint of the peduncle not 

 quite attaining the length of the jienultimate one, fiagelhim nearly as long 

 as those joints combined. Mandibular paljj unusually narrow, and having 

 only a few slender bristles. Anterior gnathopoda with the propodos rather 

 broad, nearly triangular in outline, and fully as long as the carpus, palm 

 somewhat oblique, and imperfectly defined below. Posterior gnathopoda in 

 female somewhat larger than the anterior, propodos oblong oval in form, and 

 nearly equalling in length the 3 preceding joints combined, palm rather 

 oblique, and defined below by an obtuse angle; those in male ver}^ large, 

 with the propodos much tumefied, and occupying half the length of the leg, 

 its outer part slightly expanded, palm irregularly serrated, and somewhat 

 insinuated in the middle, being defined below by a triangular lobe, inside 

 which the dactylus impinges when closed, the latter scimitar-shaped, with 



