425 



Remarks. This is a rather anomalous genus, the systematic position of 

 which appears somewhat doubtful. Its supposed close affinity to the genus 

 Mesochra, as indicated by the name proposed by Th. Scott, I am unable to admit. 

 It is in my opinion very different from that genus, and seems to me to be much 

 more nearly related to the genus Leptopsyllus Scott. Indeed one of the species 

 of the latter genus, L. intermedius, ought in my opinion to be referred to the 

 present genus. Only the type species is known to me. 



Paramesochra dubia, Scott. 



(Suppl. PI. 45). 



Paramesochra dubia, Th. Scott, Additions to the Fauna of the Firth of Forth. Part IV. 10th 

 Ann. Eep. of the Fishery Board for Scotland, p. 252, PI. XII, figs. 1832. 



Specific Characters. Female. Body moderately slender, with the anterior 

 division oblong oval in outline and somewhat narrowed behind. Cephalic segment 

 comparatively large, broadly rounded anteriorly and having the postero-lateral 

 corners produced to spiniform appressed processes extending beyond the next 

 segment; 5th segment much narrower than the preceding one, and marked off 

 from it by a conspicuous constriction. Urosome fully as long as the anterior 

 division, but much narrower, and having the segments perfectly smooth, genital 

 segment rather large and tumid, last segment very small. Caudal rami about the 

 length of the last 2 segments combined, narrow linear in form and somewhat 

 dirergent, apical seta comparatively short, dorsal seta issuing close to the end. 

 Anterior antennae scarcely more than half as long as the cephalic segment and 

 angularly curved, being composed of 7 sharply defined joints clothed with rather 

 short setse, 1st joint much the largest, occupying more than half the length of 

 the antenna, and having the inner distal corner produced to a strong spiniform 

 projection slightly curved inwards, 2nd and 3rd joints of about equal size, 4th 

 rather smaller and carrying at the end the usual sensory filament, terminal part 

 scarcely longer than the 2 preceding joints combined. Posterior antennae with 

 the distal joint comparatively large and somewhat fusiform in shape, outer ramus 

 rather narrow, with 3 or 4 lateral setse and 2 apical, one of them spiniform. 

 Mandibular palp comparatively large, with the inner ramus very slender and 

 abruptly bent upon the basal part. Posterior maxillipeds with the propodos rather 

 narrow, tapered distally, dactylus terminating in 3 claw-shaped spines of about 

 equal length. 1st pair of legs comparatively small, though having the basal part 

 rather broad, outer ramus scarcely as long as the 1st joint of the inner, its distal 

 joint armed with 4 spines successively increasing in length; inner ramus with the 



