218 Transactions. — Zoology. 



pair similar, but with the palm transverse, and without the defining spine. 

 Third pereiopoda shorter than preceding pair ; posterior pair very long. 

 Ante-penultimate pleopoda reaching to extremity of ultimate pair ; base of 

 the rami with a stout spine. Telson (fig. 7c.) when seen from above, with 

 a broad apical notch, each side bearing a slender spinule. Lower part of 

 body and appendages abundantly furnished with black star-like markings. 

 Length -35 inch. 



Hab. Dunedin harbour, not uncommon in 4-5 fathoms. 

 (Though dissimilar in many respects from Aora typica, there is such a 

 strong resemblance in other points, that I should not be surprised if they 

 prove to be male and female of the same species, in which case the generic 

 character of Aora will require modification. Can it be a case of protective 

 resemblance ?) 



Melita. tenuicornis, Dana. 

 Mcera tenuicornis, Sp.Bate. 

 Par ameer a tenuicornis, Miers. 

 This species is not uncommon in the rock-pools along the coast. The 

 animals are dark slaty-grey in colour, very slender and compressed in form, 

 and swim very rapidly. The females are remarkable for possessing a hook- 

 like process on the coxal lamellsB of the fourth pair of pereiopoda, almost 

 exactly similar to that figured and described by Fr. Miiller (" Facts for 

 Darwin," p. 27) as occurring in M. insatiabilis, and which enables them to 

 be readily seized by the gnathopoda of the males. 



Genus Megamsera, Sp. Bate. 



(Brit. Mus. Cat., p. 224.) 



Dorsal segments of the pleon without fasciculi of spines. Eyes round. 



Superior antennae long ; inferior about half the length of the superior. 



Gnathopoda subchelate, the second pair being the larger. Posterior pair of 



pleopoda biramous. Telson double. 



1. M. fasciculata, G. M. Thomson (Ann. & Mag. of Nat. Hist., ser. V., 

 vol. VL, p. 5, pi. I. fig. 5). 

 Dorsal surface of the animal quite smooth. Eyes reniform. Superior 

 antennae nearly one-third as long as the animal ; first and second joints of 

 peduncle rather short, subequal, third joint very short; flagellum long, very- 

 many-jointed, joints transverse and setose ; secondary appendage very 

 minute, one-jointed, and terminated by two or three setae. Inferior antennae 

 shorter than superior, very similar in the form of the joints of the flagellum. 

 First pair of gnathopoda with carpus and propodos subequal, emdi fringed on 

 their lower margin with fascicles of serrated or barbed hairs ; propodos broader 

 at distal extremity than at the base, with a rounded projection at the 

 extremity of the lower margin ; palm quite transverse ; dactylos not quite as 



