new Species of Corahi'n/esliufj Crab. 219 



ischial joint of the outer maxillipedes is narrower, and the 

 nienis, wliicli is almost double the length of the carpus, is 

 j)r()h)ngc'd at its antero-cxtcrnal angle into an almost spinose 

 j)oint ; the cxopod is a small leal-like lobe distinctly seen in 

 the usual position. In other respects the two species agree 

 more or less closely. It may be that some of the above 

 dift'erences, more particularly those in the external maxilli- 

 ])cdcs, relative knigth of the dittcrent pairs of legs, and male 

 abdomen, are of generic value, and that the new species 

 may eventually recpiirc a new genus for its reception. At 

 present, however, it seems safer to include it in Cri/plochirus. 



Locality. — Living in cylindrical holes in growing reef- 

 coral, at a depth of 12 fathoms, on Invisible Bank, 40 miles 

 off the east side of the southern extremity of the Andaman 

 islands. 



The following particulars were noted by ^Major Anderson 

 at the time of capture. The crabs were found living in a 

 large branching Madrepore, in cylindrical cavities, some- 

 what wider at the closed end than at the mouth, which 

 latter was too narrow to permit of the exit of the female. 

 The holes were most numerous near the extremity of the 

 coral branches, but also frequently occurred at the points 

 where the branches bifurcated. In the great majority of 

 the cavities the two sexes were found together, the male 

 generally sheltering under the female, attached to her 

 ventral surface, but m some cases free. In a very few cavities 

 careful searching revealed only the female, but as the crabs 

 were obtained by fracturing the coral with a hammer, it 

 was possible that some of the males disappeared during the 

 process. The colour of the female during life is a dull 

 yellow, while the male shows a mixture of dull brown and 

 yellow. 



In conclusion I would thank my friend Major Anderson 

 for the opportunity thus afibrded me of examining this 

 interesting species. 



EXPLANATION OF PLATE VIII. 



Cryptochirtis diviorphus, sp. n. 



Fig. 1. Dorsal view of female, x 9. 



Fig. 2. ^ eutral view of female showing male in situ. X 12. 



Fig. 3. Cephalic region of female from below. 



Fig. 4. Left external (third) maxiilipede of female. 



Fig. 5. Left chelipede of female. 



Fig. 6. Second left leg (first ambulatory leg) of female. 



Fig. 7. Sternum of female. 



Fig. S. Sternum of male. 



Fig. 9. Abdomen of male. 



