GENUS ALPHEUS, 



DEC APOD A. 

 MACROURA, 



271 



ALPHEAD/E. 



AlpJieus ruber. Edwards. 



Alpheus ruber, Enw. Hist. Crust. II. p. 351. 



Specific character. Rostrum very small. External antennae without a project- 

 ing spine at the base. Anns with a small spine on the upper edge, at a short 

 distance from the extremity. Larger hand with four carinae, two on the upper 

 surface, and two on the outer ; the moveable finger shorter than the other. 



THIS is the first instance of any species of Alpheus 

 occurring on our coast. The only two specimens hitherto 

 found were obtained by Mr. Cocks of Falmouth, who 

 procured them from the stomachs of cod fish. They are 

 unfortunately much damaged by this circumstance, but 

 enough remains for me to recognise, with scarcely a doubt, 

 its identity with Alpheus ruler of Edwards. 



The carapace in the specimens is so much injured, that 

 it is impossible to ascertain whether a rostrum existed 

 or not, but the Mediterranean species is stated to possess 

 a small pointed one. The arched processes which always 

 protect the eyes in this genus, and the peculiarities of 

 which form good specific characters, are also destroyed. 



