45 



to the rules of priority, the specific name proposed by Boeck ought to be preferred 

 to that subsequently given to this form by Messrs. Brady and Robertson. It 

 differs from the 2nd species, M. rosea, in its much inferior size, and in the less 

 elongated caudal setae. 



Occurrence. Unlike what is generally the case with the Harpacticoida, 

 this form is a true pelagic animal, scarcely ever to be found at the bottom. [ 

 have observed it in several places off the Norwegian coast, and always near the 

 surface of the sea and generally at a considerable distance from the shore. In 

 some plankton-samples examined by me, it occurred in great abundance. 



Distribution. British Isles, Atlantic Ocean, widely distributed. Arctic 

 Ocean, Mediterranean, Pacific, Red Sea, Indian Ocean. 



Gren. 12. Brady a, Boeck, 1872. 



Generic Characters. General form of body not unlike that of Ectinosoma, 

 anterior division, however, somewhat broader and slightly depressed. Rostral plate 

 comparatively short and blunt at the tip. Urosome conspicuously narrower than 

 the anterior division of the body; caudal rami not much elongated, and wide 

 apart. Anterior antennse short and stout, densely setiferous, and composed of 

 6 or 7 articulations. Posterior antennse with the outer ramus more fully developed 

 than in the other genera of this family, being scarcely shorter than the inner, 

 subfusiform, and distinctly 3-articulate. Anterior lip not produced in front. Man- 

 dibles with the cutting edge divided into numerous teeth, palp rather large, with 

 the outer ramus more fully developed than in the other genera. Maxillae normally 

 developed, the palp having outside 2 setiferous lamellae. Anterior maxillipeds 

 rather powerful, with the 2 basal joints bent at nearly a right angle, terminal 

 part short, but distinctly 3-articulate, and clothed with several short setae, one of 

 which is much stronger than the others and claw-shaped. Posterior maxillipeds 

 likewise rather fully developed, 1st joint carrying at the end inside a strong de- 

 flexed seta, and another smaller one at the outer corner, middle joint lamellarly 

 expanded and provided with an oblique row of delicate spinules, last joint im- 

 perfectly defined at the base, and carrying 4 ciliated seta3. Natatory legs with 

 the rami comparatively broad. Last pair of legs poorly developed, with the distal 

 joint rather small or wholly absent. 



