513 



17. Melita dentata, (Kroyer), 



(PI. 181, %. 1.) 



Oammarits dentatus, Kroyev, Naturli. Tidsskr. 1 R. Vol. IV. p. 159. 



Syn. ; Gammarus purpuratus. Stimpson. 

 » — Kroyeri, Bell. 



» Megamsera dentata, Sp. Bate. 



Body very slender and compre.ssed, with the posterior edge of the 

 segments of metasome and urosome produced dorsally to a nvimber of denti- 

 form projections, the middle of which is much the largest. Cephalon fully 

 as long as the first 2 segments of mesosome combined, lateral corners some- 

 what projecting, and evenly rounded, having below them a small dentiform 

 process. Anterior pairs of coxal plates not very large, and but little deeper 

 than the corresponding segments; 1st pair scarcely expanded distally, and 

 like the 2 succeeding pairs, having a small dentiform projection at the infero- 

 posteal corner; 4th pair but slightly emarginated posteriorly. Last pair of 

 epimeral plates of metasome produced at the lateral corners to an acuminate 

 projection. Eyes small, rounded oval in form, pigment black. Superior 

 antennae very slender, and nearly attaining the length of the whole body, 

 1st joint of the peduncle shorter than the 2nd, and armed on the inner edge 

 with a number of small spines, the outermost of which is the largest, 3rd 

 joint rather small, scarcely exceeding *A of the length of the 2nd, flagellum 

 somewhat longer than the peduncle, and composed of about 40 articulations; 

 accessory appendage very .slender, exceeding in length the last peduncular joint, 

 and fj-articulate. Inferior antennae much shorter than the superior, last 

 joint of the peduncle scarcely as long as the penultimate one, flagellum some- 

 what longer than the former joint. Mandibular palp rather slender, with 

 the 1st joint produced to a dentiform projection, last joint longer than the 

 middle one. Anterior gnathopoda of moderate size and densely setous, 

 propodos about the length of the carpus, and oblong oval in form, palm 

 rather oblique, and defined below by an obtuse angle. Posterior gnathopoda 

 much stronger than the anterior, with the propodos rather large, especially 

 in the male, and oblong quadrangular in form, palm somewhat oblique and 

 slightly dentated, being defined below by a projecting acute corner, that of 

 male angularly produced above the middle. Pereiopoda very slender and 

 elongated, the 3 posterior pairs successively increasing in length, and having 

 the basal joint very large, oblong oval in form, and distinctly serrated on 

 the hind edge. Last pair of uropoda rather slender, attaining the length of 



