vol. 



XVI, -j PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM. 537 



forms of the appendages of the male abdomeu. Seven of the species 

 so defined are represented in the museum collection, and uidess inter- 

 mediate forms are found the value of this character is surely specific. 

 AVhatever may be the result of an exhaustive study of a large series 

 of sj^ecimens from the \videly- separated localities in which this genus 

 is found, it would seem that for the present its study would be best 

 advanced by regarding its principal subdivisions as distinct species. 



Callinectes larvatiis, var. africantis? (A. ^Nlilne Edwards). 



Callinecfcs lurvatun Ordwiiy, Boston Jour. Nat. Hist., vii, p. 573, 1803. 

 CaUinectes diafantlius var. africanits A. Milue Edwards, Crust, in Miss. Sci. an Mexique, 

 p. 229. 



A large male was taken in the Beyah Eiver, Elmina, Ashantee, Xovem- 

 ber 27, and two large males were also obtained at St. Paul de Loanda, 

 December 11, 1889. 



These specimens agree so well with a large series from Key West that 

 tliey can be separated only by the color, the African specimens being 

 puri)le above and the American a horn color which can not be accurately 

 described from specimens so long in alcohol. The hands agree in color, 

 both having dark fingers set with red teeth. 



A young female without chelipeds taken at Porto Grande, November 

 11, seems to belong to this variety, 



Callinectes tumidus Ordway, var. gladiator, iiov. 

 CaWnieclcfi iuinuhis Ordway, Boston Jour. Nat. Hist., VJi, p. 574, 1863. 



A small individual referable to this species was taken November 27 

 in the Beyah River. Although not more than one-half the size of C. 

 larvatus from the same place, the intromittent organs are much longer 

 and are curved and hooked, as in titiiiidus. The segments of the abdo- 

 men are the same. The last article of the fifth pair of legs is tipped 

 with black, as in tinnidus. The variety is made on account of the longer 

 lateral spines and the less convex carapace. 



Platyonychus bipustulatus Miluo Edwards. 

 Arcb.dn Mns., x, p. 413, and synonymy. 



Cape Town, February, 1890. 



Family GEOCAECINID^. 



Geocarcinus lagostoma Milne Kd%vard.s. 

 Hist. Nat. des Crnst., ii, p. 27; Miers, Challenger Ke])ort, Zool., ]>. 218, ])!. xviii, lig. 2. 



A fine male was taken at Ascension Island, March 21. Miers gives 

 a good figure of a female from the same locality and refers it to this 

 species ^vith a question as to its identity. The identity of our speci- 

 men depends on that of Miers. 



