Page:The Zoologist, 1st series, vol 1 (1843).djvu/223

Rh In Milne Edwards's arrangement the insect here described belongs to the—

a, Cythere inopinata, magnified. b, Animal lying on its back. c, Antenna. d, First pair of feet. e, Last pair of feet.

Cythere inopinata. The shell is oblong-ovate, nearly of equal size at each extremity; white, with a slightly orange- coloured mark on the upper edge; transparent, smooth and shining, perfectly free from hairs, but possessing a few short spinous projections on the lower margin of the posterior extremity. Each valve has a gibbous projection about the middle, which is best seen when the animal is lying upon its back (fig. b), and is sinuated on the anterior margin. The antennae (fig. c) are composed of five articulations, and are furnished with several shortish setæ. The anterior pair of feet (fig d, the pediform antennae of M. Edwards), are provided with the stout jointed setae which I have shown all the species of this genus to be possessed of, ('Mag. Zool. and Bot.' i.) The posterior legs (fig. e) are as in all the other species, each pair longer than the preceding one, the last pair being very long and slender. This species is very minute in size, and from this circumstance, and from its always creeping at the bottom, is easily overlooked.

Inhabits a pond between Hanwell and Southall, Middlesex.

The peculiar habit of the animals of this genus is to walk or creep amongst the plants, corallines &c. amongst which they live. I have