64 THE LIFE OF CRUSTACEA 



The tribe is divided into two subtribes, which may 

 be recognized by the general shape of the carapace. 

 In the Brachyrhyncha this is generally rounded or 

 square-cut in front, without a projecting rostrum. 

 In this subtribe are included the great majority 

 of Crabs. The Edible Crab and the Shore Crab 

 (Plate IX.) are familiar examples. In the Oxy- 

 rhyncha, on the other hand, the carapace is generally 

 narrowed in front, with a projecting rostrum, either 

 simple or forked, and is often armed with spines. 

 In this subtribe are included the long-legged Spider 

 Crabs, several species of which are common on our 

 coasts. The Giant Spider Crab of Japan (Plate XI.) 

 is the largest of living Crustacea. 



The last division of the Eumalacostraca, the 

 HOPLOCARIDA (Plate XII.), is one of very small 

 extent, comprising only a single order (Stomatopoda) 

 of very remarkable Crustacea which are common 

 in tropical seas, and of which at least one species, 

 Squilla desmarestii, is occasionally captured on the 

 south coast of England. The Stomatopoda are 

 prawn-like Crustaceans, usually with a flattened 

 body, and are easily recognized by the form of the 

 large claws (the second pair of thoracic limbs), in 

 which the last segment shuts down, like the blade 

 of a pocket-knife, on the preceding segment, and 

 forms a very efficient weapon, so that the larger 

 species are not to be handled without caution. The 

 resemblance of these claws to those of the mantis- 



