PELTIDIUM. 161 



setas short and stout. Eyes large and of a bright 

 ruby red, situated considerably behind the origin of 

 the first pair of antennae. Integument dense and 

 tough ; colour yellowish olive, except the second and 

 third segments, which are of a deep bluish purple, the 

 fourth and fifth segments also more lightly stained 

 with the same colour. Length yg-th of an inch 

 (1-33 mm.). 



This beautiful species haunts chiefly the fronds of 

 Laminarite, and will probably be found wherever 

 L. saccJiarina grows. Mr. Norman notes it as being 

 abundant at Hillswick, Shetland ; Mr. Spence Bate 

 has found it at Plymouth, and Dr. Baird in Berwick 

 Bay. I have found it at Sunderland and Oullercoats, 

 and in Clifden Bay, Ireland. It does not often occur 

 amongst dredged material, but I noticed it on one 

 occasion amongst coarse sand from a depth of four 

 fathoms at Sunderland. 



It is possible that Philippi's figure may be intended 

 to apply to this species, but if so it is unfortunate, 

 and must have been taken from a specimen distorted 

 by pressure. At any rate there can be no doubt that, 

 though the figures are poor, Dr. Baird's description 

 of Alteutha depressa is applicable to this and to no 

 other British species.* I have therefore adopted his 

 specific name, regretting the necessity of discarding 

 the more characteristic ones of Philippi and Norman. 



* Specimens wholly without colour are sometimes met with, and I 

 do not doubt that it was from such a one that Dr. Baird drew his 

 figures and descriptions. In any other case it would have been im- 

 possible for him to omit noting the very striking coloration of the 

 animal. 



VOL. II. L 



