658 COLLECTIONS FKOM THE WESTERN INDIAN OCEAN. 



spots of a similar colour, which are larger than those with which 

 the hand is covered. 



To this variety are referred specimens from the Philippines, Cor- 

 regidor {Cuming) ; the island of Ty-pin-san (H.M.S. ' Samarang '); 

 Keeling or Cocos Islands (Lt. Burnahy) ; and Fiiis, Ovalau (H.M.S. 

 'Herald'). 



1.1. Petrolisthes annulipes, White (ined.), Miers. 



Seychelles, 4-12 fms. (Ifo. 194); an adult female and small male. 



The occurrence of this species (described in the preceding part of 

 this Eeport) in the western limits of the Indo-Paoific region proves 

 its wide geographical range, and it may be that it will prove to be 

 not specifically distinguishable from its near allies P. scabricula, 

 Dana, from the Sooloo Sea, and P. militaris, Heller, from the Nico- 

 bars ; but even if it should be accessary to unite the three forms, 

 the distinctions referred to in my description of P. annulipes would 

 apparently suffice to constitute it a very distinct variety, and I do 

 not venture to unite them in the absence of types of the two first- 

 mentioned species for comparison. 



A small specimen obtained at He des Neufs, 15 fms. (So. 187), 

 more nearly resembles P. scahrioula in having the outer margin of 

 the palm of the chelipedes pubescent, and a series of spinules ex- 

 tending along the whole length of the posterior margin of the wrist, 

 but in this specimen the palms are pubescent, but not transversely 

 striated ; it is probably not fully grown, but I think belongs to a 

 distinct species. 



12. Petrolisthes maculatus, M.-Edw. 



Since I identify this species with the very short diagnosis of 

 P. maculatus with much uncertainty, I append the following de- 

 scription : — 



The carapace is rather convex, smooth, and polished, and very 

 much longer than broad ; the front is slightly deflexed, very pro- 

 minent, of a rounded triangulate form, with a slight lateral sinus 

 or dilatation above the inner orbital angle ; the outer orbital angle 

 is obtuse ; there is a spinule on the lateral margins of the carapace, 

 at some distance behind the outer orbital angle ; on the sides of the 

 carapace, below the lateral margins, is a longitudinal furrow. The 

 second joint of the peduncle of the antennse bears an acute lobe or 

 spine. The chelipedes are smooth and naked ; the merus-joint is 

 very short, with a tooth or lobe at its antero-iuternal angle ; the 

 anterior margin of the wrist is armed with a prominent acute sub- 

 basal tooth or lobe, followed by one or two very indistinct smaller 

 teeth ; the posterior margin is entire ; the pahn is flat and smooth 

 above, its anterior margin bordered by a raised line, its posterior 

 margin (and that of the immobile finger) cristiform and acute ; the 



