30 



CRAB; SHRIMP, AND LOBSTER LORE. 



in a tramel net, is often used by fishermen as a standard 

 with whicli to compare cases of the most utter be- 

 wilderment. The annexed cut represents one of these, 

 the Velvet Swimming Crab {Portunus pube?-). 



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,' The still, deep, lagunes, within the coral reefs, in the 

 southern and eastern seas, contain creatures of this 

 class most exquisite in form and colour, and we have 

 often looked down into some clear, well-like gulf be- 

 tween the branching coralines, clustering sponges, and 

 actinea of countless hues, and watched the marvellous 

 episodes of deep-sea life there passing beneath ; fringes 

 of crystal arms, disc-like mouths, and far-stretching 

 tendril-shaped legs, wave from every point and ledge. 



