REPORT ON THE PELAGIC HEMIPTERA. 7 



to by the S.E. trade sweeping over the surface and lianishing all traces of the Medusaj 

 and their companions. 



" This species obviously belongs to a section or sub-genus distinct from that in which 

 our linear European species are placed, and characterised by the contracted dimensions 

 of the body, and the dilatation of the head and prothorax and the shortness of the latter. 

 When examined minutely we find the whole body covered with minute hairs, those on 

 the legs predominating beneath, the upjaer curving downwards. The head is somewhat 

 triangular, with two cupped processes laterally, within which lie the bases of the antennae ; 

 two small rufous maculae are on the sides of the middle line closely adjoining the 

 prothorax. The eyes are large, rufous, semi-globular, and occupy the space between the 

 base of the head and the processes of the antennae, emarginating the corselet laterally. 

 The antennae are about two-thirds the entire length of the body ; the first joint slender 

 and curved outwards, the last thickest, attenuating towards the tip. 



" The prothorax is excessively short, collar-like, and gently channeled above into 

 three sub-equal divisions, which nearly disappear in the dried specimen. The first pair 

 of legs, arising closely to the mesothorax beneath, are moderately long, rather robust ; 

 the coxa short, obconic, and curved ; the femur slightly /-shaped, with four or five strong 

 black spines near its base exteriorly ; tibia basally attenuated, arising with a curve from the 

 preceding joint and with four or five strong black spines inferiarly, apically giving origin 

 to a strong obtuse process, which projects backwards and outwards from near the articu- 

 lation. Tarsus with the two joints sub-equal, the last diminishing in diameter beyond 

 its middle, after giving attachment to two strong claws and an anomalous horny process 

 on the under side, and also furnished with two long curved spines arising from the back 

 part on each side, and lying adpressed among the hairs. 



" The metathorax and mesothorax seem confounded together, presenting superiorly 

 an hexagonal figure, a little longer than broad, the anterior side being carried a little 

 forwards, so as to leave the lateral angles behind the centre. The posterior surface is 

 transversely striate from being impressed upon the abdominal rings. The sides in the 

 dried specimen become somewhat hoary from the light thrown back by the minute hairs. 

 Beneath it is somewhat similar in form, but excavated behind, exposing in the sinus the 

 abdominal rings. The sides posteriorly are rugose, with trochantines, from whence 

 proceed directly backwards the coxae of the last four legs, that of the posterior pair lying 

 beneath the other on each side. The legs are slender, the middle pair exceeding the 

 first, and the last pair the middle, by about one-third.' The last also has the apical half 

 of the tibia, and first joint of the tarsus, with a row of long hairs beneath. Above the 

 orio-ins of the legs we find rudimentary processes, which as the insect is apterous, must be 

 looked upon as those of the undeveloped wing." 



[This species has apparently not been taken again.— F. B. W.] 



' The middle legs here described are really the hind legs.— F. B. \V. 



