DECAPODA. 207 



Sometimes the superior antennae have three threads. 

 They have four didactyle claws, the smallest of which are folded 

 up, ui ill an elongated rostrum. 



PALJEMON, Fab. 



Prawns are distinguished from the two following suhgenera by 

 their inarticulated carpus ; the second feet are larger than the first ; 

 the latter an- doubled up. A remarkably large species is found in 

 the East Indies, the second claws of which are very long. Tolerably 

 large ones are also found at the Antilles, some of which frequent the 

 mouth* of rivers. Those on the coast of France are much smaller, 

 and are known there by the vulgar names of Crevettes and Salicoques. 

 Their flesh is more highly esteemed than that of the Shrimp. Ac- 

 cording to M. de Brebisson Catal. Method, des Crust, terrest. et 

 fluviat.,du Depart, du Calvados, they are taken in the same manner 

 a* the latter Crustacea, but in the summer only. Prawns swim well, 

 particularly when escaping from pursuit, and in various directions. 

 They are always found about the shore. The lithographic stone of 

 Papponlieim and Sollmofen frequently exhibits the debris of a fossil 

 erustaceous animal, referred by Desmarest to the Prawns, under 

 tin- specific appellation of spinipes Hist. Nat.-des Crust. Foss. XI, 4. 

 It does in fact resemble it, but the claws are wanting. A second 

 fossil species, but much larger, has been discovered in England. 



Pal.serratus, Leach, Malac. Brit. XLIII, 1, 10; Herbst,, 

 XXVII, 1, is from four to five inches long, of a pale red colour, 

 which becomes more vivid on the antennae, the posterior margin 

 of the segments of the tail, and particularly on the terminal fin. 

 The rostrum extends beyond the peduncle of the intermediate 

 antennae, is recurved at its extremity, and has five teeth above, 

 exclusive of the point, and five beneath. The fingers are as long 

 as the penultimate joint. It is found on the coast of France and 

 England, and is the species of this subgenus that is more particu- 

 larly sold at Paris. A sort of wen is frequently, and at all sea- 

 sons, observed on one side of the shell, which covers a parasite 

 Bopyrus, which fastens upon its branchiae. 



Pal. squilla, Leach, Malac. Brit., XLIII, 1113; Cancer 

 ."/ui//a, L. ; Squilla fusca. Bast., Opusc. subs., lib. 2, 111, 5, is 

 but half the size of the serratus. Its rostrum scarcely extends 

 beyond the peduncle of the superior antenna*, is almost straight, 

 or but slightly recurved, is emarginatcd at the extremity, and 

 has seven or eight teeth above, and three below. The fingers of 

 claws are somewhat longer than the hand. Common on the 

 coast of France and England *. 



The carpus is articulated, or presents annular divisions in the two 

 following genera, vi/. 



* See the article Paltmom, Encyclop. Mrthod., and of the second edition of the 

 i <t. Nat, and Desmar., Consid., p. 236238. See also in relation 

 to the nervous system, the Mem. Cit. of Messrs. Audouin and Milne Edwards. 



