32 CRAB, SHRIMP, AND LOBSTER LORE. 



Cast but a stone, or strike tliem with an oar, 

 And you shall flames within the deep explore ; 

 Or scoop the stream phosphoric as you stand, 

 And the cold flames shall flash along your hand. 

 When lost in Avonder, you shall walk and gaze 

 On weeds that sparkle, and on waves that blaze." 



Ceabbe. 



Spider Crabs are there, too, both here and in the 

 seas, washing our own island, with limbs so long and 

 attenuated, and bodies so small, that they look more 

 like overgrown daddy longlegs going through a 

 course of sea-bathing than aught else, and we almost 

 begin to think they must be marine spiders after all, 

 and wonder where the sea-flies are, and what sort of 

 webs they would spin to catch them in. The Indian 

 seas have inhabitants of the serpent order, which are 

 by no means safe to meddle with. They, too, desport 

 after their own manner : — 



*' Beyond the shadow of the ship 

 I watched the water snakes ; 

 They moved in tracks of shining white, 

 And when they reared, the elfish light 

 Fell off in hoary flakes. 



" AYithin the shadow of the ship 

 I watched their rich attire, 

 Blue, glossy green, and velvet black. 

 They coiled and swam ; and every track 

 Was a flash of golden fire." 



'^ Ancient Mariner, 



