JUL 5 1900 



CRUSTACEA. 



PART I. 



By Thomas Wiiitelegge, 



Zoologist, Australian Museum. 



(Plates xxxii.-xxxv.) 



The collection of Crustacea obtained during the cruise of the 

 ■" Thetis " proves to be exceptionally rich in forms either new to 

 science or to the fauna of New South Wales. 



Of the forty-five species herein dealt with, twenty ai-e additions 

 to the fauna ; nine of which are described as new. 



The above remarks apply to the higher Crustacea only • the 

 lower, when thoroughly worked out, will I believe yield a far 

 larger proportion of novelties. Although the " Thetis" collection 

 shows the coastal waters to be so rich, it probably includes but a 

 small portion of our Crustacean fauna. It must be remembered 

 that the "Thetis" Trawling Expedition was fitted out to test 

 the deeper waters off the coast for fish alone ; all other organisms 

 were considered of secondary importance. Still Mr. Waite on 

 several occasions contrived means to secure representatives of the 

 smaller forms of life, and succeeded in preserving a very large 

 quantity of material which will yield a rich harvest when fully 

 investigated. 



The extreme richness of the fauna of Port Jackson is now 

 generally acknowledged, but many still entertain the idea that the 

 waters off the coast are deficient in fish food, and that there is a 

 scarcity of minute living organisms such as abound in other parts 

 of the ocean. Considering our limited knowledge of the fauna 

 of the deeper waters of the coast, there seems to be some justifi- 

 cation for this idea ; but if the fauna as at present known is 

 taken into account it is evident that it is scarcely correct, and 

 when the coastal area has been thoroughly explored, there can- 

 not be the least doubt that its waters will be found as 

 richly endowed with life as in any part of the world. In support 

 ■of this view mention may be made of the vast streams of Pelagic 



