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Show 1875.] MR. G. S. BRADY ON BRITISH MARINE MITES. 305 sided, with sinuations at the origin of the limbs; it is hyaline and colourless at the margins; but the interior is almost filled with a flesh of deep blue-black hue, perfectly opaque, and of defined, sub-regularly sinuous outline. In the centre of the back, just behind the head, is a bright ruby-like round eye, placed in front of the opacity and between the first legs. " The head, formed by a great lip, projects in front and carries two small palpi, thick at the base, conical and pointed. Below, the lip is divided longitudinally, each half being slightly incurved and pointed, the two divisions approaching in a pincer-like manner. Under slight pressure there were projected between the palpi two slender styles, which doubtless represent the mandibles ; and hence I a m not sure whether the species should not range under the genus Raphignathus of Duges. " The legs are about equal and alike ; the fourth and sixth joints are large and swollen; the seventh is the largest and tapers abruptly at the middle like a claret-bottle ; the tip forms a little round disk, whence diverge a pair of curved hooks, with plain edges, but two-toothed at the tip, or rather having a prominent tooth over the tip. "All the joints are well furnished with straight bristles, the sixth having one much longer and stouter than the rest. The limbs are set in two series, the first and second originating close together, but remote from the third and fourth, which are also contiguous to each other." Not having seen any undoubted specimen of this species, I have transferred Mr. Gosse's description, which was drawn from specimens taken at Ufracombe. Mr. Norman notes it as being " abundant on weeds in rock-pools, Balta Sound, Shetland." PACHYGNATHUS SEAHAMI, Hodge, Trans. Tyneside Nat. F. C. vol. iv. p. 319, pl. xvi. figs. I a, b, c. This species agrees in every respect with the foregoing, except in the structure of the claws, which are angularly bent and finely cilio-pectinate on the inner margin. It may perhaps be doubted whether it ought to rank as a distinct species, though M r . Gosse appears to have been disposed to think so, after having seen Mr. Hodge's specimens. The type specimens were taken on the Durham coast; and I have myself found it plentifully on weeds between tide-marks at Sunderland, in the Scilly Islands, and on the west coast of Ireland. PACHYGNATHUS MINUTUS, Hodge, Trans. Tyneside Nat. F. C. vol. iv. p. 301, pl. xvi. figs. 10, 11. Length -fa of an inch : colour reddish brown ; shield truncate at insertion of first legs. Rostrum a stout bulb, tapering abruptly, and terminated by two lip-like organs ; legs short and stout, the third and fifth joints swollen, sixth tapering abruptly and terminating in two falcate claws, which have a small tooth on the outer edge ; between the claws a small hook. Eye single, situated behind the rostrum. Body minutely corrugated and pitted. Legs three pairs. PROC. ZOOL. Soc-1875, No. XX. 20 |
