More Friends in Armor 



251 



eminent naturalists "refused to believe in the possi- 

 bility of their occurrence." 



The next and last larval stage, which is also peculiar 

 to the crabs, takes place in our animal about a month 

 later. In this stage the larva, known as a megalopa, 

 spends most of its time swimming about at the surface 



y 



ZOEA OF THE FIDDLER CRAB. (gREATLY ENLARGED.) 



of the water. From the evidence of its behavior in the 

 tanks, it is plain that during this period of its life it 

 roams far and wide. Then it is that the necessary dis- 

 persal takes place to prevent overcrowding in one 

 locality. It has shed its zoeal skin, and now appears 

 with all its appendages. The spme on its back is miss- 

 ing, the one in front much shortened, and its eyes are 

 stalked and movable; except that the hind body is 



