242 Transactions, —Zoology. 
Art. XIII.—On the New Zealand Pyenogonida, with Descriptions of new Species. 
By Gro. M. Tuomson, F.L.S. 
[Read before the Otago Institute, 7th May and 13th November, 1883.] 
` Plates XIV-XVI. 
Tue Pycnogonida form one of the many groups of animals in the New 
Zealand fauna of which very little is yet known. This is not however to 
be wondered at, when we consider of how fragmentary a nature the litera- 
ture of the subject is, and how imperfect our knowledge of the whole group 
is. Two noteworthy works have however recently appeared, which bring 
pretty fully together all that is yet known, and at the same time add greatly 
to the general fund of information. These are “ The Report on the Pyeno- 
gonida dredged by H.M.S. Challenger,” by Dr. P. P. C. Hoek of Leiden, 
and “ Die Pantopoden des Golfes von Neapel," by Dr. Auton Dohrn, both 
beautifully illustrated. Both works appeared in 1881, but quite indepen- 
dently of one another; and while Dr. Dohrn’s work is much the most 
complete in anatomical detail, it does not help us much in the systematic 
portion, as the species described are only those new to science which came 
under the author’s observation while working at Naples. 
In Dr. Hoek’s report a catalogue of all the known species of Pyenogonida 
is given, and from it we learn that the following species only have been 
found in the New Zealand seas. 
1. Nymphon compactum, Hoek.* 
à » longicoxa, Hoek.* 
both dredged from a depth of 1,100 fathoms at a station east of Auckland. 
8. Oorhynchus aucklandia, Hoek,* dredged from a depth of 700 fathoms 
east of Auckland. 
In the New Zealand Journal of Science, vol. i., p. 28, I recorded the 
occurrence of Ammothea pycnogonides, Nob., as common along the Kast 
Coast of Otago, but the description of that species is so unsatisfactory, and 
would apply to so many species of Ammothea, that I have re-described it 
provisionally as A. dohrni, and figured it. 
I am convinced that a close examination of our seas at moderate 
depths would reveal a considerable number of new forms, and that 
the apparent absence of them is chiefly due to their having been over- 
looked. 
In describing the accompanying new species, I need make no apology 
for giving the characters of the genera, and placing in order all the species 
now known. 
* See N.Z. Journal of Science, vol. i., p- 170-172, 
