239 



153. Laophonte depressa, Scott. 



(PI. CLX). 



Laophonte depressa, Th. Scott, Additions to the Fauna of the Firth of Forth. 12th Ann. Rep. 

 of the Fishery Board for Scotland; Part III, p. 245, PL VI, figs. 2431, PI. VII, figs. 13. 



Specific Characters. Female. Body comparatively shorter and stouter 

 than in the 2 preceding species and pronouncedly depressed, with all the seg- 

 ments, also the cephalic one, finely ciliated laterally and minutely spinulose along 

 the hind edge. Cephalic segment rather large and broad, impressed dorsally, 

 and projecting in front to a lamellar rostrum of moderate size, terminating in an 

 obtuse point. ' Urosome considerably shorter than the anterior division of the 

 body, and having all the segments, except the last, lamellarly expanded laterally; 

 anal opercle finely ciliated. Caudal rami very short, quadrangular, being scarcely 

 longer than they are broad, and clothed, in addition to the setae, with small spinules, 

 some of which assume an hair-like appearance; apical setas of moderate length 

 and normal structure. Anterior antennas exceeding somewhat half the length of 

 the cephalic segment, and distinctly 7-articulate, 2nd joint simple, without any 

 projection behind. Posterior antenna rather robust, resembling in structure those 

 in the 2 preceding species. Posterior maxillipeds very powerfully developed, with 

 the terminal claw unusually strong and curved at the tip. 1st pair of legs like- 

 wise of very considerable size, with the inner ramus exceedingly strong and ter- 

 minating in a falciform claw, outer ramus distinctly 3-articulate, and about half 

 the length of the proximal joint of the inner, middle joint much the longest. 

 Natatory legs resembling in structure those in the 2 preceding species, though 

 having the setse of both rami somewhat reduced in number. Last pair of legs 

 with the distal joint rather large and subfusiform in outline, with 6 marginal 

 setse; inner expansion of proximal joint, on the other hand, very small and nar- 

 row, with only 3 marginal seta at the tip. 



Male with the inner ramus of the 3rd pair of legs transformed in a 

 similar manner to that in the male of L. serrata, process of the middle joint, 

 however, much narrower, not lamellar. Last pair of legs with the distal joint 

 shorter and broader than in the male of L. serrata. 



Colour not yet ascertained. 



Length of adult female 0.70 mm. 



Remarks. The present species, recently described by Th. Scott under the 

 above name, is easily distinguished from any of the 2 preceding species by the 

 pronouncedly depressed form of the body, the short caudal rami, and the want 

 of a spiniform process on the 2nd joint of the anterior antenna. Moreover the 

 unusually strong development of the posterior maxillipeds and of the 1st pair of 



