143 

 Pseudarachna hirsuta, G-. 0. Sars. 



(PI. LXIII.) 



Ttyarachna hirsuta, G. 0. Sars, 0m en anomal Gruppe af Isopoder. Clir. Vid. Selsk. Forhandl. 



1863, p. 9. 



Specific Characters. — Body more than twice as long as it is broad, with 

 the greatest width across the 2nd segment of mesosome, surface everywhere clothed 

 with stiff bristles. Cephalon very broad and highly convex above, front obtusely 

 rounded, lateral parts obliquely expanded. Each of the 4 anterior segments of 

 mesosome armed dorsally with 2 juxtaposed denticles, and laterally with an up- 

 turned spine. The 3 posterior segments of mesosome combined scarcely exceeding 

 half the length of the anterior division, the anterior segment the largest, and but 

 slightly emarginated behind ; last segment rather small. Caudal segment some- 

 what longer than it is broad at the base, tip obtusely pointed. Superior antenna? 

 with the basal joint produced outside to a linguiform lamellar expansion carrying 

 at the tip 2 auditory setse ; flagellum scarcely longer than the 2nd peduncular joint, 

 and composed of only 3 articulations. Inferior antenna; about one and a half times 

 as long as the body, the 2 outer joints of the peduncle rather strongly built, and clothed 

 with scattered spiniform bristles, flagellum very slender and composed of 14 narrow 

 and elongated articulations. 1st pair of legs extremely slender, with the propodos 

 long and narrow ; 2nd pair very robust, with the ischial joint much expanded 

 distally, and clothed inside with strong setae. The 2 succeeding pairs shorter and 

 much narrower than the 2nd pair, with the dactylar joint not unguiform, tipped 

 with diverging bristles. 1st pair of natatory legs considerably larger than the other 

 2, though having the outer joints but slightly expanded and fringed with a very 

 restricted number of ciliated setse; last pair extremely slender, with the propodal 

 joint very narrow, linear. Uropoda with the basal joint rather large, oblong oval, 

 and edged with numerous short plumose setse, terminal joint extremely minute, 

 nodiform. Colour whitish grey. Length of adult female 2 1 /? mm. 



Remarks. — This form was described by the present author as early as in 

 the year 1863, and at that time referred to the genus Ilyarachna. It is easily 

 recognizable by the densely hirsute body and the peculiar structure of the legs. 

 More frequently, however, it is so closely obtected with muddy particles adhering 

 to the stiff bristles, that its true form is rather difficult to observe. 



Occurrence. — The only place where I have hitherto met with this peculiar 

 form, is in the innermost part of the Christiania Fjord, where a few specimens 

 were taken from a depth of about 30 fathoms, muddy bottom. Out of Norway, 

 it has not yet been recorded. 



