68 



Subfam. 4. Cyprinae. 



Characters of the subfamily. Shell oi very varying shape, and generally 

 thin, never calcareous. Antennae in some cases not serviceable for swimming, 

 but in the greater number of forms well adapted for this purpose; the anterior 

 ones with the first 2 segments of the basal part imperfectly defined and more 

 or less dilated, terminal part well marked off from the basal one, rather slender, 

 and generally 5-articulate. Posterior antennae with the terminal part, as a rule, 

 only composed of 3 joints, the 1st of which is much the largest and provided 

 behind with a comparatively small sensory appendage; apical claws 5 in number, 

 3 of them issuing from the penultimate joint. Mandibles and maxillae normally 

 developed. Maxillipeds with the masticatory lobe well defined and clothed 

 at the end with curved spines or setae, in most cases also provided at the base 

 behind with a more or less distinctly developed vibratory lamella; palp in 

 female poorly developed, not pediform, and forming, as a rule, a simple in- 

 articulate, and immobile lappet tipped with 3 unequal bristles, that in male, 

 as usual, transformed to a grasping organ. Anterior legs in some cases rather 

 slender, but more generally shorter and stouter than in the Cypridae treated of in the 

 preceding pages. Posterior legs more or less dissimilar, and generally upturned 

 within the shell. Caudal rami rarely rudimentary, being in most cases well 

 developed and very mobile, rod-like in shape, and armed at the tip with 2 

 more or less slender claws, dorsal edge generally provided with only a single 

 small bristle. Germinal part of ovaria and testicles, as also the coecal tubes 

 of the intestine, lodged between the lamellae of the valves. Ejaculatory tubes 

 always distinctly developed, and provided with numerous radiating chitinous 

 spikes arranged in well-defined whorls; eferent ducts simple, not convoluted, 

 as in the Macrocy prince. 



Remarks. 'This subfamily comprises the more typical Cypridae, nearly a 

 of which are confined to fresh waters, only 2 genera, Paracypris and Aglaia, 

 being as yet known as strictly marine. 



Owing to the great number of genera referable to this subfamily, a systematic 

 grouping of them would seem to be desirable, and has indeed been attempted 

 by several authors, thoug in a rather different manner. In any case these groups 

 cannot deserve the systematic rank of subfamilies, but only that of subordinate 

 sections. In way of distinction from the true subfamilies, they are here spelt 

 with the termination "ides" instead of "inae". 6 such groups will be recorded 

 in the sequel, and to each of them a few short remarks will be added; but 

 I have not found it necessary to give full diagnoses of them. 



