THE CRAYFISH AX.D IT* ALLIED 



10' 



the East Indian hermit-crabs, the so-called palm-crab, feeds 

 upon cocoanuts, Avhich it opens by inserting its claws into 

 the eyes and then breaking the shell upon the rocks. 



The Hippidae include certain oval animals, which bur- 

 row, like a mole, head first, in sandy beaches. The name 

 of our common eastern species, Hip pa J talpoides? indicates 

 this resemblance ('Fig. 100). 



FIG. 99. Eupayurus lonylcurpus removed 

 from shell, x' Ifc. Photo, by W. H. C. P. 



FIG. 100. Hippa 

 Nat. size. Photo, by 

 W. H. C. P. 



The Brachyura are represented on our shores by three 

 principal families, which may be designated as triangular 

 crabs, arched crabs, and square crabs. 



The spider-crabs, or sea-spiders, as they are sometimes 

 called, belong to the triangular crabs. As their name 

 implies, their legs are very long and slender. 3 These crabs 

 frequent oyster-beds and sea-bottoms in general. When 



1 From i'TTTTos, horse ; used by Aristotle as the name of a kind of crab. 



2 Like talpa, the mole. 



3 Fig. 101. 



