1 68 



NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



Family capi^kllid^^e: 



Amphipoda with a cylindric, flexible body. The head is fused 

 with the first thoracic segment, though the line of fusion is indicated 

 by a suture. There are two pairs of antennae, the first pair the 

 larger. The gnathopoda are subchelate, the second pair much 

 larger than the first. The next two pairs of pereiopoda are wanting 

 in our forms, though present in some genera, but the segments bear 

 lamellar gills and in the female a brood pouch. The three following 

 are the walking legs. Abdomen very small and showing only rudi- 

 ments of limbs. 



The members of this family are usually found clinging to 

 branches of hydroids or seaweeds by their posterior limbs. In their 

 motions they somewhat resemble the larva of the geometrid moths, 

 climbing over the branches by stretching out the body, catching 



hold by the anterior hmbs and then draw- 

 ing up the body in a loop. They also 

 have the same habit of holding on by their 

 posterior limbs and stretching their body 

 out straight and stiff. They then resemble 

 very closely the branches of the hydroid, 

 and, as they are of a very similar color, it 

 is difficult to detect them. 



Caprella geometrica Say 



C a p r e 1 1 a g e o m e t r i c a Say, T. /. c. i8i8. 

 1 :390. DeKay. /. c. 1844. p.41. Verrill. /. c. 1874. 

 p. 567. pi. 5, flo-.20. 



Head with a horizontally projecting spine. 

 Mandibles without a palp. Body smooth 

 and with short thick segments. 



Length 8-10 mm. Color variable, usu- 

 ally resembling the object on which it is 

 found. 

 Taken at South Beach S. I. on hydroids and algae on under- 

 side of stones. 



Fig. 38 Caprella geo 

 letri ca 



