19G 



HAEDWICKE'S SCIENCE- GOSSIP. 



[Sept. 1, 1869. 



genera, we must refer the reader to the work from 

 which we have quoted : the numbers, price 2s. Gd. 

 each, can be purchased singly ; published by Van 

 Yoorst. We are told of curious instances in which 

 creatures of this order have been found in woods a 

 considerable distance inland. 



Fig. 138. Orchestia Dethuyesii, x 5. 



Next in abundance to the Sandhoppers come 

 the Shorehoppers (Orchestia littorea, fig. 139). 

 Specific character : — " Propodos of the second pair 

 of gnathopoda having the palm convex, slightly 

 oblique, with a small tooth at the inferior angle. 

 Posterior pair of pereiopoda having the carpus and 

 meros in the older males largely developed. Length 

 $% of an inch." We have searched up and down 

 for them in vain ; doubtless they are to be found in 

 the vicinity, but they are not under this particular 

 bunch of weed we have been turning over, and it is 

 no uncommon thing for them to be wanting in 

 localities where Talitri are plentiful. The following 

 figure is given for purposes of identification. 



stances. But even if one could conceive that they 

 consider it fun to be eaten up alive by their intimate 

 friends, we must opine that they would rather 

 not furnish meals for the carnivorous beetles, 

 Cillenitm laterale and Broscus ceplialotes, which 

 live with them and upon them. 



The first of these is described as 

 " coppery, shining ; antennae fuscous ; 

 their base and the legs testaceous ; 

 elytra ochraceous, with an aeneous 

 reflection " : the second as " atrous ; 

 head and thorax shining." A score or 

 two of flies, Orygma luctuosa, look- 

 ing very much like common house- 

 flies, but wet and shining, are found 

 amongst the weed, some of them 

 with parasitic acari adhering to 

 them, which look like little drops of 

 an orange-coloured fluid. But we 

 must hasten onwards. 



Fig. 140. 

 Cillenum laterule, x 4. 



Fig. 141. 

 Drmcus cephalotes, x 4. 



Fig. 139. The Shorehoppcr {Orchestia littorea), x 5. 



Palcy noticed the myriads of hoppers dancing in 

 the sun, and "the religious mind of the observer 

 saw in this the action of expressed gratitude for 

 existence." Another writer says, "They hopped 

 and leaped about, devouring each other as if for 

 very wantonness." If these active little skippers 

 literally "jump for joy," possessing the conscious- 

 ness that at any moment their nearest and dearest 

 relatives may seize "and inwardly digest them," 

 they should certainly receive credit, even from 

 Mark Tapley, for " being jolly" under such circuin- 



Leaving the beach, we come 

 to a little marshy pool of stag- 

 nant brackish water, — the 

 natural drainage of the soil 

 mixed with a certain modi- 

 cum of salt water, which filters 

 through the shingle oris dashed 

 over in tempestuous weather: 

 it is thick and muddy and ill- 

 smelling, and full of life. The 

 first dip of the little net of the 

 collecting-case brings up a 

 kicking, struggling thing, at 

 first sight very like the preced- 

 ing saltatory amphipods ; but this is a" truly aquatic 

 genus, a natatory amphipod (Gammarus locusta). 

 We are indebted to Mr. Spence Bate for our know- 

 ledge of the nest-building habits of certain Crus- 

 tacea; viz., Podocerus pulchella, Amphitoe rubri- 

 cate}, and others (vide " Eeport of Devon and 

 Cornwall Natural History Society, 1S57"), but our 

 present specimen (fig. 142) is remarkable for her 

 maternal solicitude for her young: swimming in the 

 still pool with her little ones about her, she reminds 

 us of a hen with her chicks. 



