183 



120. Stenhelia proxima, G. 0. Sars, n. sp. 



(PI. CXX, fig. 2). 



Specific Characters. female. Very like the preceding species, but of 

 somewhat smaller size and more robust form of body. Rostrum resembling in 

 shape that in 8. gibba, though having the tip slightly emarginated. Caudal rami 

 somewhat more divergent, otherwise of a very similar appearance. Antennae and 

 oral parts almost exactly as in 8. gibba. 1st pair of legs with the outer ramus 

 longer than the 1st joint of the inner, last joint somewhat longer than the middle 

 one; inner ramus, as in S. gibba, triarticulate and prehensile, the 2 outer joints 

 short and bent at an angle to the 1st, which is more than twice as long as those 

 joints combined. Natatory legs of much the same structure as in the typical 

 species, inner ramus, however, a little shorter. Last pair of legs with the distal 

 joint broader, sub-spatulate in form, innermost seta considerably longer than the 

 other, inner expansion of proximal joint less broad than in S. gibba, all the mar- 

 ginal setse much longer than in that species, the innermost but one stronger than 

 the others, and terminating in a slender ciliated lash. Ovisacs comparatively 

 smaller and less divergent, with a more limited number of ova. 



Male resembling that of 8. gibba. Inner ramus of 2nd pair of legs 

 transformed in a very similar manner, terminal appendage however comparatively 

 shorter, and having in the middle a whorl of a few rather coarse denticles. Last 

 pair of legs resembling those in the male of 8. gibba, the 2 spines attached to 

 the proximal joint inside, however, more elongated, the larger one terminating in 

 a slender lash. Genital lobes, as in the male of S. gibba, provided with 2 hair- 

 like bristles, and within them with a somewhat hooked spine. 



Colour pale reddish. 



Length of adult female 0.49 mm. 



Remarks. This form is closely allied to S. gibba, and may easily be 

 confounded with it. It is however of far inferior size, and moreover differs some- 

 what in the structure of the 1st and last pairs of legs. 



Occurrence. I have met with this form not unfrequently off the south 

 coast of Norway, at Flekkero and Farsund, in depths ranging from 10 to 30 fathoms. 



