2^o Southern Cross. 



o 



Family PERICERIDAE. 

 Prionoehynchus Edwardsi. 



Prionorhynehus Edwardsii, Jacquinot and Lucas, Voyage au Pule Siif], 

 Zoology, vol. iii. (1853), Crustacea, p. 8 ; Eathbun (25, p. 243). 



A single specimen of this species was taken at the Auckhuul 

 Islands on Dumont d'Urville's voyage to the South Pole, and upon 

 this the genus was established. The genus is characterised by the 

 depressed lamellate and emarginate rostrum. In describing the species, 

 MM. Jacquinot and Lucas allude to a second specimen, a female, in the 

 possession of the British Museum, and it would appear that their figure 

 was drawn from this sjjecimen. The figure in question is admittedly 

 defective ; the tubercles on the carapace are much too prominent, 

 while the rounded elevations with which they are associated are not 

 indicated, neither is the granular nature of the appendages shown. 



Two specimens, $ and ? , occur in the National collection, but 

 nothing is stated as to the locality from which they were obtained. 

 The ' Sotithern Cross ' specimens, three in number, were taken at the 

 Campbell Islands in 1898, and are all much larger than the 

 specimens alluded to above. The carapace and the greater part of 

 the appendages are concealed by a dense incrustation of Polyzoa, 

 and in addition to this, on the two smaller specimens, there is an 

 interesting growth of a stout foliaceous green alga. These growths 

 very largely conceal many details of structure, but there can be no 

 doubt as to the identity of the species. The granular character of 

 the limbs, which has been made a specific character, is practically 

 absent, but enough remains on the female specimen to show that 

 this feature is doubtless dependent on age. Another point to M'hich 

 it is desirable to call attention is the abdomen of the ? . In the 

 specimen in the National collection the abdomen is narrow, and 

 scarcely covers more than half of the sternal area, whereas in the 

 ' Southern Cross ' specimen the abdomen is much broader, and entirely 

 occupies the sternal area. This latter specimen bears ova, the 

 condition of which indicates they were not far from hatching. 



1 $. Size of carapace, 160 X 135 mm. 



2 $ . Size of carapace, 133 X 114 mm. Two legs and a cheliped 

 missing. 



3 9 . Size of carapace, 114 x 102 mm. Both chelipeds missing. 

 Bearing ova. 



Distribution. — This species is only known from the Campbell 

 and Auckland Islands. 



