[No introduction. Work starts as:]
Family Palmyridae, Kinberg.
This family is essentially characterised by the possession of the broad dorsal setae known as paleae. The absence of modified dorsal cirri (elytra) has been remarked by most authors and held to separate these forms from the Aphroditids. The example of
Palmyra aurifera which was dredged by the 'Challenger' and described by McIntosh possesses elytra, and, since the notopodium in this genus bears capillary setae in addition to paleae, only the fact that these dorsal capillary setae are not developed to form a felted mass covering the back saves
Palmyra from being included in the Aphroditids. In no other species of the family have elytra been noticed; the genus
Palmyropsis here described presents strong resemblances to Aphroditid forms, but the absence of elytra, the sessile eyes, and the almost entire suppression of dorsal capillary setae separate it much more distinctly than
Palmyra. The other Palmyrids in general appearance as well as in structure are widely removed from the Aphroditidae, but we may quite reasonably suppose that the entire family of the Palmyridae are descended from such form or forms as
Pontogenia by modifications consequent on the excessive development of the dorsal setae.
