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posterior pedigerous segments coalesced. Cephalosome obtusely produced in front,
being fully as long as it is broad at the base. Pleopoda, as in male, natatory.
Body whitish, mottled all over with reddish brown specks. Length of male 5 mm.,
of female about the same.
Remarks. The identification of this form with Montagu's species is some-
what doubtful; but as, at least off the coasts of Norway, it is by far the most
common species, I am much inclined to believe, that it is the form originally de-
scribed as Cancer maxillaris. The form recorded by Sp. Bate & Westwood under
this name is a very different species, showing in some respects a closer relation-
ship to the following species, though apparently specifically distinct. The pre-
sent species may be easily distinguished in both sexes from the 3 other Norwegian
species, the male especially being readily recognized by the very large lanceolate
mandibles, and by the very pronounced areolation of the dorsal face of the head,
the female, by the form of the cephalosome.
Occurrence. I have met with this form rather abundantly along the whole
south and west coasts of Norway, from the Christiania Fjord up
to the Lofoten
Islands, in depths varying from 20 to 100 fathoms, and generally on muddy bottom,
Male specimens are much more frequent than female ones, both being always
found slowly creeping on the bottom. The larvae (Praniza) are much more agile,
and are often seen swimming about with great speed. Occasionally I have found
them clinging to the skin of living fishes of various kinds, when just brought up
by the fishing-line. Tn such cases, the posterior part of the mesosome generally forms
a greatly swollen, unse