EEPORT ON THE ISOPODA. 71 



notched on either side at the commencement of the posterior third; just beyond the 

 notch is a slight transverse process, which covers over the articulation of the uropoda ; 

 these lateral processes are, however, much less distinct than in Eurycope fragilis ; the 

 termination of the caudal shield is 'not a blunt spiny process as in that species, but is 

 smooth and rounded off, and there is no spine upon the dorsal surface. The caudal 

 shield is divided by two furrows into a median T-shaped and two lateral convex areas, 

 which are distinctly separated from each other. 



The terminal area of the caudal shield is not bent downwards as it is in Eurycope 

 sarsii, and more particularly in Eurycope pellucida. 



The thoracic limbs appear to resemble those of Eurycope novse-zelandiae. 



The uropoda are biramose, with a more slender exopodite than endopodite ; their length 

 is considerable, they are, both actually and relatively, longer than those of Eurycope sarsii. 



I am bound to say that it is not unlikely that this species, as well as Eurycope 

 fragilis and Eurycope atlantica, may prove to be but variations of one species. In the 

 meantime, however, I prefer to regard them as distinct, since in a considerable number of 

 specimens of Eurycope fragilis from- different localities, I have not observed any 

 differences so great as those which separate these supposed species. 



Station 252, off the Sandwich Islands, July 12, 1875; lat. 37° 52' N., long. 160° 

 17' W. ; depth, 2740 fathoms ; bottom temperature, 35°'3 F. ; red clay. 



Eurycope pellucida, F. E. Beddard (PL XIV. figs. 1, 2). 



Eurycope pellucida, F. E. Beddard, Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond., 1885, pt. iv. p. 920. 



The present species is the largest known. A single specimen only, from Station 218 

 (1070 fathoms), was obtained by the Challenger, and measures 45 mm. in extreme length 

 by 10 to 12 mm. in breadth. 



The large size of the species is not, however, its only peculiarity. It is remarkable 

 for the fact that the integument is almost transparent, and appears to contain but little 

 calcareous matter ; the specimen is naturally very soft, and its texture and general 

 appearance is very like that of oiled tissue paper ; it is of course difficult to give an idea 

 of this in a figure. 



The extreme delicacy of the specimen has unfortunately brought about the loss of 

 the antennas and of all the thoracic limbs ; I find on reference to some MS. notes by 

 the late Dr. v. Willemoes-Suhm, that the specimen, even when first obtained, was broken 

 in this way. 



The thinness and transparency of the integument is rendered more striking by the 

 feeble development of the musculature. 



In other respects the species is not remarkable, and finds its nearest ally in Eurycope 

 sarsii. 



