70 



Occurrence. Two female specimens only of this peculiar form have as 

 yet come under my notice. They were taken at Riser from a depth of about 

 50 fathoms, muddy bottom. 



Fam. Laophontidae. 



Gen. Laophonte, Philippi. 

 57. Laophonte brevifurca, G. O. Sars, n. sp. 



(PI. XL VI). 



Specific Characters. Female. Body moderately slender and slightly 

 attenuated behind, with all the segments well marked off from each other. 

 Cephalic segment nearly half the length of the anterior division; rostral pro- 

 minence comparatively short, triangular, and obtusely pointed at the end. 

 Urosome shorter than the anterior division, and having the lateral expansions 

 of the anterior segments well marked and densely spinulose at the edge; last 

 segment about twice as broad as it is long, anal opercle rounded and distinctly 

 denticulate at the edge. Caudal rami very short, being scarcely longer than 

 they are broad at the base; apical setae of moderate length. Anterior antennae 

 comparatively short and only composed of 6 joints, the last 2 being con- 

 fluent; 2nd joint rather broad, of rounded form, and without any projection of 

 the outer edge. Posterior antennas and oral parts of normal structure. 1st 

 pair of legs less strongly developed than usual, with the outer ramus distinctly 

 3-articulate and extending beyond the middle of the proximal joint of the 

 inner. The 3 succeeding pairs of legs with the inner ramus scarcely half as 

 long as the outer, and only provided with 3 setae at the end. Last pair of 

 legs with the distal joint comparatively small, narrow sub-quadrangular in form, 

 and carrying 5 marginal setae, all issuing from the nearly transversely trun- 

 cated end, one of the setae (the innermost but one) much longer than the 

 others; inner expansion of proximal joint rather produced, extending almost 

 as far as the distal joint; marginal setae 4 in number. 



Colour whitish grey, with a faint yellow tinge. 



Length of adult female 0.70 mm. 



Remarks. The above-described form, though not exhibiting any more 

 prominent peculiarity in its structure, does not agree fully with any of the 



