2 



been able to identify it.f Let us now place a specimen of 

 Aramothea on an excavated slide with a few drops of sea 

 water, and after covering it with a disc of thin glass ex- 

 amine it under the microscope with a power of 30 or 40 

 diameters. We see the animal to consist of a central 

 thorax, composed of four segments, and presenting a some- 

 what octagonal figure. Into the first segment is fused, as 

 it were, a spindle-shaped head, which is prolonged nearly 

 to a point, the extremity being furnished with a very 

 small mouth, the orifice of which is triradiate, or trefoil 

 shaped, as shewn in the sketch. Dr. Carpenter states that 

 the orifice of the mouth is armed with cilia— these I have 

 not been able to make out, though no doubt they exist. 

 The head is also provided with a pair of jointed antennse, 

 and a pair of feet jaws ; these latter in the species under 

 consideration seem to be but rudimentary, without claws, 

 and in a position in which they can hardly be of much use 

 to the animal ; but in the second species we find that they 

 are very largely developed, so as quite to overhang the 

 head, and are armed with powerful pincers. From each 

 segment of the thorax springs a pair of legs, each com- 

 posed of nine joints, and terminated by a strong claw, with 

 a smaller one attached to the same joint on its upper side. 

 These claws do not appear to be used as weapons, but are 

 instruments of progression, giving the creature a firm hold 

 en the stems and branches of the seaweeds which it in- 

 habits. The abdomen is reduced to a mere rudiment, and 

 exists in the form of a minute tail terminating the body. 

 In the female there are two false feet, attached to the 

 undersurface of the thorax, and doubled back so as to form 

 a sort of loop ; these are used for carrying the spawn. The 

 legs are also armed with strong prominences, which, under 

 a high power, are seen to be continuations of the shell, and 

 from each of which rises a stiflF bristle* • * 



With respect to the early stages of the development of the 

 pycnogons, I have been able to obtain very little informa- 



t I believe this species to belong to the Genus Nymphon, 

 probably N. grossipes.— E.H. 



