64 
NOTES ON THE MADRAS 
British. Museum before him, published a " Eevision of the 
genus Matuta " in the Transactions of the Linnean Society, 
which constitutes by far the most important contribution 
that has yet appeared towards our knowledge of this difficult 
group. In this valuable paper no less than nine species 
are described and figured, four previously known forms are 
restored to specific rank, including M. victrix (as it is now 
spelt) and 31. hinaris, and, in addition, five new species are 
characterized for the first time. The chief value of Mr. Miers' 
work lies in the fact that reliable characters are pointed 
out, whereby a separation between closely allied species can 
be effected. 
The genus Matuta is exceptional amongst the higher 
Crustacea in the fact that colour-markings afford trustworthy 
specific characters, the spots or lines on the carapace having 
a tolerably definite form and arrangement in each species. 
Further points of distinction are to be looked for in the 
relative proportion of the elevations on the surface of the 
carapace, and on its antero- and postero-lateral borders, the 
form of the front, but above all in the armatiu'e of the 
propodal joint of the chelipedes. In addition to the ordi- 
nary sexual differences, the males in several of the species 
possess a well-marked ribbed or beaded elevation on the 
outer surface of the dactylus of the chelipedes, which is either 
wanting or but slightly marked in the females. In all the 
species of Matuta, two striated areas, regarded by many 
authorities as stiidulating organs, exist on the inner sui'face 
of the hand. These do not appear however to afford good 
distinguishing characters, contrary to what might be ex- 
pected from a knowledge of their value in separating the 
species of Oci/2)oda. 
As a result of my own necessarily limited investigations, 
I am enabled to record three weU-mai"ked species from 
Madras, viz., M. victrix, Fabr., M. /laiaris, Herbst., and a 
third which is apparently new to science ; doubtless increased 
