CRUSTACEA. 



315 





4. Melita australis, Harwell. 



A male is in the collection from Port Jackson, 0-5 fms., a 

 locality where, according to Mr. Easwell, it is very common. 



In this specimen the three anterior postabdominal segments have 

 their posterior dorsal margin armed with Bis spines : the fourth with 

 two spines, outside of which on each side is a small spinule ; the 

 fifth is armed as the fourth, but the median spines are smaller ; the 

 telson is divided nearly to its base, with the lulus acute. 



The species is very nearly allied to the Melita setipes, Dana, from 

 Singapore ; but in the absence of specimens for comparison, I do 

 not venture to unite the two forms. .1/. setipes has, according to 

 Dana, but two teeth or lobes on the distal margin of the larger hand 

 of the second legs ; M. australis has three, but the one nearest the 

 daetylus is very small in the specimen I have examined. 



5. Moera ramsayi, Haswell. 



A male specimen is referred to this species from Port Jackson, 

 0-5 fms., whence also Mr. Haswell records it; and also one from 

 Prince of Wales Channel, 7 fms. (No. 169). The minute teeth or 

 spines on the posterior margins of the first and second segments of 

 the postabdomen do not extend to the postero-lateral lobes ; in the 

 third segment the posterior margins are armed with spinules to or 

 even beyond the postero-lateral angles. There are several small 

 spinules on each side of the median dorsal spine on the posterior 

 margin of the fourth and fifth segments. There is a small notch 

 in the anterior margin of the palm of the smaller leg of the second 

 pair, besides the small defining tooth at the postero-distal angle. 

 These points, which are not mentioned in Mr. Haswell's description, 

 render it possible that this specimen should be regarded as belong- 

 ing to a distinct variety or species. 



6. Mcera rubromaculata (Stimpson). 



To this species are referred two imperfect specimens obtained at 

 Port Molle, 5-12 fms. (No. 118), and one from Dundas Straits, 

 17 fms. Mr. Haswell also records it from Ports Denison, Stephens, 

 and Jackson. As in these specimens the superior antenna? are im- 

 perfect and the posterior uropoda are wanting, their identification 

 with Stimpson's species must remain somewhat uncertain. Accord- 

 ingly it may be useful to append a description of the specimens, 

 with special reference to some points which are not mentioned in 

 the descriptions already given of this species. 



The body is slender ; the head not produced at its antero-lateral 

 angles ; the coxse of the first segment of the body have their antero- 

 lateral angles acute and produced somewhat beneath the head. The 

 posterior margins of the five anterior postabdominal segments are 

 armed with a series of minute spinules, which in the first and second 



