Podocerus and jassa, of Leach. 395 



iihd supposing him to be right in uniting Gyrtoplnani Dar- 

 wi'nii, Bate, with that species, we were not satisfied with the 

 identity of the specimen. It seems, however, that Sars was in 

 error in uniting tlicse two species ; and when, on reaching 

 home a few days Later, I had an opportunity of examining 

 specimens of C. Darivinii from the Devonshire coast, I had 

 no longer any doubt of tlieir identity witli the British Museum 

 specimen. It is therefore clear tl)at Milne-Edwards's P. varie- 

 gatus is Platophiuin Danoinii (Bate) ; and as it agrees in its 

 prominent eyes and the apparently nearly straight side of the 

 hand of the second gnathopods with Leach's description much 

 more closely than does P.falcatus (Mont.) ? , the conclusion 

 arrived at by Mr. Stebbing seems irresistible. 



As regards the question Mr. Stebbing raises, whether Jaisa 

 falcata (Mont.) should be superseded by Jassa jndchella^ 

 Leach, on the ground that the former species " remains .... 

 indeterminate," I am " bold " enougli to say that I have no 

 doubt that Montagu's species is the immature male of Leach's 

 Jassa i^ulcliella. As the author of Podocerus Ilerdmani 

 (P. odontonyx, G. O. Sars), I can hai-dly be suspected of a 

 bias in the direction of destroying that species ; yet the expe- 

 rience gained since it was established has satisfied me that 

 neither size nor the depth of water at which a species may 

 have been taken are characters of any value. For instance, 

 the largest specimen of Jassa falcata (Mont.) in my collec- 

 tion (an adult male measuring 10 millim. in length) was 

 taken in 50 fathoms off Holyhead, while I have specimens of 

 the so-called P. Herdmani from quite shallow water. The 

 above large specimen has a distinct tooth on the dactylus, and 

 I have specimens with the tooth of various degrees of promi- 

 nence. The length of Montagu's specimen is given as 5 lines 

 (say 10 millim.), but as he gives the length of Gammarus 

 locusta, Linn., in the same paper as 1 inch (25 millim.), which 

 is not only longer than the largest specimen I have from these 

 coasts, but also than the maximum size given by Sars 

 (20 millim.) for specimens from the Norway coast, it is quite 

 possible that he may have included the antennte in his measure- 

 ment. 1 will therefore conclude by expressing a hope that 

 the time-honoured specific name oi falcata (Montagu) may 

 be spared to us in the general wreck of the Podoceridte. 



Colwyn Bay, 

 April 6, 18yu. 



