MELITA PALMATA. 
339 
represented in our figure at the head of this description, 
but which are shown in the vignette at page 340) are 
very long ; the branches are unequal, the smaller being 
almost obsolete and the larger fringed with short 
stout hairs, or pointed spines, subapically tipped with 
a solitary cilium. The terminal or central tail-piece is 
double. 
This description is taken from a typical specimen, 
whilst the figure represents the Gammarus inaequimanus 
of Mr. Spence Bate’s Synopsis, hut which he is now 
satisfied is evidently this species, with one of the second 
pair of legs imperfectly developed, (whence the specific 
name,) after having been lost through some probable 
injury. 
Melita palmata was first taken by Col. Montagu, and 
described and figured in the Linnsean Transactions ; but 
Dr. Leach separated it, very properly, from the genus 
Gammarus , to which Montagu assigned it, and proposed 
the present one for it. Montagu’s figure was drawn 
from a very imperfect specimen, and hence this species 
has been mistaken by authors, although he exactly 
represents the peculiar manner in which the finger folds 
upon the inside of the hand of the second pair of feet. 
We have through the kindness of Professor Milne 
Edwards examined the type of his Gammarus Bugesii , 
and have no doubt of its identity with the present 
species. 
This species appears to be by no means plentiful, 
even in the localities in which it is found. Montagu 
took it on the southern coast of Devon, probably at 
Salcombe ; Dr. Leach records it from Plymouth; and 
we have received it from Poole, taken by Mr. Salter ; 
from Polperro, by Mr. Loughrin ; and from Cultrea, 
co. Down, and Dublin Bay, Ireland, by Prof. Kinahan. 
z 2 
