174 THE ZOOLOGIST. 
rare genus from the Mediterranean or elsewhere. I believe that 
two species have been described as British, namely A. ruber and 
A. affinis or megacheles, but, for want of opportunity to compare 
such specimens as have from time to time been found, I am 
unable to express an opinion on their distinctive features. 
As three specimens in my possession do not differ materially 
from each other, or from Bell’s figure and description of Alpheus 
ruber, I am content to consider them of this species. 
With a rare form like this it is difficult to form a decided 
opinion when so few collections of Crustacea contain any repre- 
sentative of this genus; when the literature of the subject contains 
perhaps fewer references; and when such records as do exist 
are not collected in one book, but scattered through such publica- 
tions as ‘The Annals and Magazine of Natural History,’ the 
Reports of the British Association, the ‘ Natural History Review,’ 
and the various Reports of Scientific and Natural History 
Societies. 
As I have said, the only species of the genus described by 
Bell is Alpheus ruber. He says that the genus is chiefly 
confined to hot climates, one species only having been found in 
Britain, and gives the generic characters as follows :—External 
antenne placed beneath, and to the outer side of the inner; 
the lamellar palp of moderate size, somewhat slender and pointed. 
Internal antenne terminating in two filaments, of which the 
superior is rather thicker than the inferior; the basal articula- 
tion short, and furnished with a spiniform scale. External 
pedipalps more or less slender and elongated ; terminal joint 
broad, and somewhat foliaceous. First pair of legs didactyle, 
robust; one much larger than the other, and very differently 
formed; second pair also didactyle, very slender; the carpus 
multiarticulate; the remaining pairs slender, monodactyle. 
Carapace extending forwards so as to form an arched covering to 
the eyes. Rostrum small or wanting. Abdomen long and much 
developed. 
His description of the species is from two specimens 
obtained by Mr. Cocks, of Falmouth, who procured them from 
the stomachs of codfish, which resulted consequently in their 
being much damaged. He described the arm as being about 
three times as long as it is broad, and as having a small spine 
situated about one-third from the extremity, the wrist being 
