PODOCERUS. 435 



but consisting of three or four very long articuli ; some 

 of the hairs upon the distal extremity of each articulus 

 attaining a strong spine-like condition, and becoming 

 shorter and stronger towards the apex of the organ, 

 where also they become curved or hooked. The second 

 pair of legs have the hand much longer than that be- 

 longing to the first pair. The first two pairs of walking 

 legs are very short and robust, and the thighs are 

 generally broadly dilated. The third pair are also short, 

 and have the lobes of the coxa very large. The last 

 pair of caudal appendages are double branched, the 

 branches are very short, and one of them (the inner) 

 is furnished with two or three hook-like spines. 



This genus, as well as that of Jassa, was established 

 by Dr. Leach, but, after a careful consideration of the 

 meagre descriptions of these two genera, as well as an 

 examination of the specimens preserved in the British 

 Museum, we have not been able to discover any 

 character to distinguish the two groups. In this we 

 are the more confirmed from the fact that specimens of 

 each genus were mingled together, as also some totally 

 distinct from either. Dana's description of Cratophium 

 also appears to be identical with this genus, and we can 

 only account for that clear observer founding it as a 

 distinct genus from the fact that Dr. Leach's description 

 is not sufficient for identification without the assistance 

 of specimens. 



This genus appears to be more generally distributed 

 in the northern than in the southern hemisphere, although 

 one species was taken by Dana on the coast of Brazil, and 

 another in the Eastern Archipelago. 



F F 2 



