CRUSTACEA OF THE MERGTJI AECHIPELAGO. 199 



it seems extremely probable to me tliat P. pitbescens, Miers, 

 from "Western Australia, is identical with this species. Miers 

 describes the thoracic sinus of P. puhescens as having "its 

 anterior margin smooth, not beaded and not defined at either 

 extremity, aud having its cavity above the base of the anterior 

 legs filled with a short close pubescence," a description which 

 is applicable to Pseiidopldlyra Hoedtii. 



Leucosia vittata, Stimps., from Hong Kong, aud Leucosia 

 rhomhoidalis, de Haan, are also closely allied forms. A thorough 

 revision of the Leucosiidse, based on a study of all the described 

 type specimens in Museums, is much needed. 



The young Mergui specimen is 9^ mm. long and 8 mm. broad. 



110. PSEUDOPHILTEA MeLITA*, U. Sp. 



Two male specimens were collected. This species is most 

 closely allied to FseudopTiilyra orbicularis, ^e[l = Z/eucosia orbi- 

 cularis, Bell (Bell, Hor?e Carcinologicse, Trans. Linn. Soc. vol. 

 xxi. 1855, p. 284, tab. xxx. fig. 1), in which the cephalothorax 

 is almost orbicular in form, and the front does not extend 

 as far forwards as the anterior margin of the buccal cavity. 

 This species differs from the foregoing in the front being 

 tridentate, in the palms of the hands being granulated on their 

 inner' (anterior or lower) margins, and in the shape of the male 

 abdomen. 



Both species closely resemble one another in their outer 

 appearance, not only in their carapaces, which are scarcely longer 

 than broad, but also in their legs, which are slender. The broad 

 front does not extend as far forwards as the anterior margin of 

 the buccal cavity ; it is tridentate, the frontal margin having a 

 small acute triangular tooth in the middle, but not projecting 

 beyond the anterior margin of the buccal cavity, whereas the 

 lateral angles are rather obtuse, the front being a little concave 

 between them. The eyes are small. The upper surface is a 

 little convex ; each hepatic region rises into a small rounded 

 tubercle, aud these regions are thus separated from the front 

 by a concavity. 



Although the upper surface appears smooth and shining to 



the naked eye, with the aid of a lens it is seen to be covered on 



the middle of the cardiac, intestinal, and branchial regions 



with a few sparsely scattered, very small granules ; anterioi'Iy 



* Meliia, one of the Nereids.. 



