ME. .0. HODGE ON THE PYCNOGOXOIDEA. 



41 



Report on the Pycnogonoidea, by George Hodge. 



Seven species were obtained during the present year's dredging, 

 six of which had been taken on previous years, and one {Nym- 

 phon rubrum) is new to science. 



Ten species have been taken during the three years, mostly of 

 the larger forms — a small number, it must be confessed, but there 

 are perhaps few animals more difficult of detection : their limbs 

 closely resemble the stems of Sertularian Zoophytes, and unless 

 they move there is every chance of the smaller forms being passed 

 over whilst the dredged material is being searched. This, I 

 apprehend, has actually been the case ; for, owing to the pressure 

 of work during the second and third trips, in consequence of 

 there being so few dredgers, attention was chiefly directed to the 

 more readily noticed forms of life. This is much to be regretted 

 in the case of the Pycnogons, for it is amongst the smaller indi- 

 viduals that new and rare species may be expected. 



The result of each year's dredging may be thus stated :— 





1862. 



1863: 



1864. 





* 



* 

 * 

 * 



* 



* 



* 



grossipes, 0. Fabr , 



* 





* 

 * 

 * 





* 

 * 





9 



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\ 



7 



In my report on the Pycnogons, dredged in 1862, I included 

 Nymphon femoratum, Leach : subsequent examination, however, 

 has convinced me that the specimen in question is merely a 

 slightly modified form of N hirtum, 0. Fabr., and that Leach's 

 species is identical with it. 



Nymphon rubrum, Hodge, n. sp. PI. X, fig. 1. 



Body moderately stout. Lateral abdominal processes distant, 

 half as long again as broad. Rostrum short, stout, not equal to 

 length of first joint of foot-j-aws. Palpi equal in length to first 



