CRITBTACEA. 319 



notches, but the posterior and lateral margins of the third segment 

 of the postabdomen are armed with a series of small spinules which 

 do not extend over the dorsal surface, but reach downward to the 

 postero-lateral angles ; there are also one or two small spinules or 

 teeth at and near the postero-lateral angles of the first and second 

 postabdominal segments ; the eyes are much narrower and (trans- 

 versely) longer than in M. suensis, the first peduncular joint of the 

 inferior antennas is somewhat longer and slenderer ; the wrist and 

 palm of the first legs (gnathopoda) are much more hairy ; the spine 

 on the posterior surface of the merus-joint of the second legs is 

 much shorter, the wrist longer, and the palm perhaps rather more 

 slender and hairy, with a less distinctly defined distal notch, behind 

 as well as in front of which are one or two small teeth ; the three 

 posterior legs are slenderer, with the distal angles of the merus- 

 joints acute but not prolonged into spines ; the rami of the posterior 

 uropoda are subequaJ., but much longer than in Megammra suensis 

 and less acute. Colour (in spirit) light yellowish brown. Length 

 about 5 lines (11 millim.). 



A single specimen was obtained at Albany Island, 4-5 fms., with 

 the preceding species ; also two from Prince of Wales Channel, 

 7-9 fms. ; and one from Thursday Island, 4-5 fms. (No. 165). 



In the long rami of the posterior uropoda this species somewhat 

 resembles M. mastersii, Haswell, from Port Jackson ; from which, 

 however, it is distinguished by the larger narrow eyes and the 

 somewhat excavated and less distinctly toothed distal margins of 

 the palms of the second legs ; nor does Mr. Haswell mention the 

 spinules of the third postabdominal segment, &c. 

 " From Mcera rubromaculata, Stimpson, it is distinguished by the 

 entire non-pectinated postero-dorsal margins of the postabdominal 

 segments, the narrow eyes, and the non-defined distal margin of the 

 palms of the second legs. 



It is also apparently very nearly allied to the British Megammra 

 semiserrata and M. hrevieaudata, Spence Bate, and may be only a 

 variety of one of these species ; but in M. semiserrata the eyes are 

 represented as less narrow and elongated, and the dactyh. of the legs 

 of the second pair are serrated upon the inner distal half, and in 

 M. hrevieaudata the palm has the inferior margin less distinctly 

 defined and more convex in its distal portion *. 



I may note, in conclusion, that Kbssmann has described f two 

 species, Mcera erythraea and M. massavensis, from the Red Sea, 

 which appear to be distinguished from all the foregoing species of 

 Mcera and Megamoera by the form of the palms of the second legs. 



9. Podocerus australis, Haswell. 



Five male specimens were obtained at Port Jackson from weed 

 on the ship's bottom. 



* M. semiserrata ia one of several Amphipoda which it would seem are iuaccu 

 rately marked in Mr. Spenoe Bate's Catalogue as represented in the Museum. 



t Zool Ergebn. einer Eeise im roth. Meeres, pp. 132, 133, pi. xiv. 

 figs. l-ll'(1880). 



