ANTHURA. 159 



extending beyond the front of the head ; the hand is 

 ovate, protected at the base of its inner margin by the 

 produced extremity of the preceding joint ; the finger is 

 strong, and terminated by a distinct unguis. The six 

 other pairs of legs are much more slender and simple, 

 terminated by a short, rather strong, curved finger, and a 

 distinct terminal unguis. 



The very elongate and slender form of the animals 

 of this genus gives them a certain amount of resem- 

 blance to the species of Arcturus, and has led to their 

 being placed in the family of which Idotea is the type ; but 

 Dr. Leach long ago had the tact to perceive their claims 

 to form a distinct family, and, although their general 

 form, short antennae, and strong fore legs, give them a 

 certain similarity to Tanais, yet we apprehend (now that 

 their real structure has, for the first time, been described 

 from a minute analytical examination of their oral 

 organs) that their true affinities will be admitted to be in 

 the immediate neighbourhood of the dEgida, one species 

 of which at least, Conilera cylindracea, approaches them 

 in its elongated cylindrical form ; indeed, Dr. Leach 

 suggested that this animal might possibly be referable 

 to the family Anthurida, and, accordingly, in Mr. White's 

 catalogue of British Crustacea, it is placed as a second 

 species under the name of Anthura cylindrica, appearing 

 again in a subsequent page, in its proper place and name, 

 as Conilera cylindracea. 



