's RIJKS MUSEUM VAN NATUURLIJKE HISTORIE — LEIDEN. 187 



an extremely minute spine at the fore margin of the meropodites in the 

 middle pairs of legs, near the distal end of the meropodite, but this spine 

 is wanting in the anterior and posterior legs (though Milne-Edwards 

 figures a spine in the hinder pair), and further in the granulation of the 

 hinder margin of these meropodites. The legs differ however in several 

 particulars : firstly the meropodites are much more slender and cylindrical 

 in dorsal view (though three-faced in transverse section as in all other 

 species) ; secondly the legs are much less hairy and nowhere show thick 

 patches of hair ; and finally the carpo- and propodite of the middle pairs 

 of walking legs are much shorter than in M. erato, as is shown in the 

 figures and in the dimensions given below of M. quadratus and those of 

 M. erato on 'p.- 181. 



This rare species, which has been found nowhere else than at New 

 Caledonia, is represented in the Museum by a single male specimen, 

 received from Milne-Edwards himself, and likewise originating from 

 the said locality. 



Its presents the following dimensions: 



Distance between external orbital angles . 11. — 



Length of carapace 8. — 



Breadth of front. . 2.25 



Length of palm (index included) 8. — 



Greatest height of palm at insertion of dactylus 4.75 



Length of carpo- and propodite of the penultimate pair of legs 5.25 



M. punctulatus Miers. 



1884. M. punctulatus Miers. Zool. Yoy. „Alert" 1881—82, p. 237, pi. 25 

 f. a (Port Jackson). 



The species is most closely related to M. quadratus as may be inferred 

 from the following description of Miers 1 ): „the carapace is nearly qua- 

 drate and relatively narrow, being but little broader than long; the cer- 

 vical suture is in its posterior part very distinctly defined; the surface 

 is uneven, punctulated, without spines or tubercles, but clothed with a 

 few scattered hairs, which are more numerous, though not dense, on the 

 postero-lateral parts of the branchial regions; the front is about one-third 

 of the total width of the anterior part of the carapace, with its anterior 

 margin nearly straight; the anterolateral margins are nearly straight and 

 3-toothed (the tooth at the external orbital angle included); the posterior 



1) I am much indebted to Dr. de Man for a full transcription of Miers' diagnosis, together 

 with a caique of the original figure, as I myself had no opportunity to consult the paper quoted. 



