130 



the mandibles, in particular, is very different from that in the other Desmosomidce. 

 The genus comprises as yet but a single species, to be described below. 



Eehinopleura aculeata, G. 0. Sars. 



(PL LVI.) 



Desmosoma aculeatum, G. O. Sars, Om en anomal Gruppe af Isopoder. Ohr. Vid. Selsk. Porhl. 



1863. p. 13. 



Specific Characters. — Body slender, moniliform, about 4 times as long as 

 it is broad, anterior division much broader than the posterior, and oval in form. 

 Cephalon comparatively large, and very distinctly notched on each side, frontal 

 part in female broadly truncated, in male narrower and distinctly insinuated at 

 the tip, edges of the lateral notches strongly denticulate. Lateral parts of the 

 4 anterior segments of mesosome with about 6 strong serrations, anterior edge, 

 except in the 1st segment, with a dense row of minute denticles; 4th segment 

 abruptly narrowed behind, and. firmly connected with the 5th, both together form- 

 ing an hour-glass-shaped section, about as long as the 3 anterior segments com- 

 bined. The 2 posterior segments of mesosome deeply constricted at the base, and 

 gradually widening behind, lateral edges, as in the preceding segment, coarsely 

 and regularly serrated throughout. Caudal segment oval in form, deeply con- 

 stricted at the base, lateral edges coarsely denticulate, tij> narrowly rounded. 

 Superior antennae 4-articulate, and carrying a long apical sensory filament. In- 

 ferior antennae in female scarcely exceeding V 3 of the length of the body, flagel- 

 lum shorter than the peduncle, and composed of 8 articulations; those in male 

 transformed in a similar manner to that in the male of Desmosoma, though not 

 much tumefied, peduncle without any spines. 1st pair of legs rather slender, but 

 scarcely at all attenuated, basal joint long and narrow, and finely serrated in 

 front, ischial joint exhibiting outside a small spiniform projection, carpus with 4 

 slender spines inside, propodos about the same length, but much narrower, simple, 

 cylindric, dactylus rather strong. The 3 succeeding pairs of legs scarcely longer 

 than the 1st, and of a very similar structure, though having the dactylus narrower. 

 The 3 posterior pairs of legs extremely slender, with the outer joints but slightly 

 expanded, and only provided with a very restricted number of spines, dactylus 

 slender, styliform. Uropoda comparatively small, distal joint 3 times as long as 

 the proximal one, and carrying only 4 or 5 bristles. Colour greyish white. 

 Length of adult female 2 1 / 2 mm., of male l 1 / 2 mm. 



Remarks. — This form was described by the jn'esent author as early as in 

 the year 1863, as a species of the genus Desmosoma. Its outward appearance is 



