go Memoirs of the Indian Museum. [Vor. IV, 
The last three thoracic somites (fig. 77) bear submedian and intermediate carinae ; 
the former are often obscure or quite obsolete, while the latter are more prominent 
and in large specimens of both sexes terminate posteriorly in spines. On either side 
of the inferio1 surface of the fifth somite there is a broad but thin downwardly-directed 
lobe, which is often anteriorly acute or spinous; from its base a deep and wide 
groove runs upwards dividing the somite transversely into two unequal portions. The 
lateral margins of the sixth somite are produced to an acute posterior point ; anteriorly 
a very short, broad and ill-defined process represents all that remains of the prominent 
lobe found in the species of the S. nepa group. ‘The margins of the seventh somite 
resemble those of the sixth, but the anterior process is never represented by more than 
a slight angulation. 
There are eight longitudinal carinae on the first five abdominal somites and six on 
the sixth. Those of the submedian pair are often very faintly marked except on the last 
somite where they appear as strong blunt ridges. The following carinae end in spines :— 
Carinae. Abdominal somites. 
Submedian ate - a 6.! 
Intermediate ra £ pat (th) Pl(2)F Sardova snr 
Lateral .. Be rf $e Bian aya rity iy (OF 
Marginal he +e a Tiga SA aoe 
The telson is thick and massive. The median carina has the form of a strong blunt 
ridge which, except in very large examples (where it appears to have been worn away}, 
terminates posteriorly in a spine. The ridge is continued beyond the spine and, as a 
rule, projects as a median tubercle on the distal margin. On either side of the median 
crest are a few oblique rows of pits. The six marginal teeth are sharp and prominent 
and in old specimens somewhat rugose, each forming the termination of a short rounded 
carina. ‘There is no praelateral denticle. In large specimens of both sexes the entire 
margin of the telson is strongly swollen and tends to obscure the denticles. Of the 
latter there are four to six submedian, seven to thirteen (usually nine or ten) inter- 
mediate and one lateral. ‘The post-anal carina is distinct and in old specimens more 
or less tuberculate. 
In the bifurcate process from the base of the uropod the inner spine is about twice 
the length of the outer and bears a small lobe on its outer margin near the end of its 
distal half. 
Among Indo-pacific species Squilla raphidea is peculiar in that the margins of the 
telson are inflated in large specimens of both sexes. The angled external edge of the 
raptorial dactylus, characteristic of the mature male, is, as a rule, well-marked in all 
examples of that sex measuring I90 mm. or more in length ; but one male of Ig0 mm. 
is remarkable for the entire absence of this feature. 
Balss has described a variety under the name, var. africana, distinguished by 
the form of the rostrum, the sharpness of the submedian carinae of the post-abdomen 
and the thickened teeth and denticles on the margin of the telson. The rostra of 
' Often worn down and obsolete in very large specimens. 
? In large specimens only. 
