274 THE LIVING ANIMALS OF THE WORLD 



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serrated spine in front of the head. Shrimps and 

 prawns, of which several kinds are found off the 

 British coasts, generally prefer shallow water, with 

 a sandy bottom. In most of these the first two 

 pairs of feet are divided to form a pair of pincers 

 at the extremity; but in such small creatures this 

 is easily overlooked, unless special attention is 

 directed to it. It is different with the Lobsters 

 and Crayfish, which much resemble shrimps in 

 form, but are very much larger, and armed with a 

 pair of very large pinccr-like claws, in addition to 

 the other legs. Lobsters live in the sea, in holes 

 in the rocks, into which they dart backwards, and 

 there protect themselves with only the head and 

 claws projecting at the opening, ready to face any 

 intruder. Crayfish, which are smaller, live in holes 

 in the banks of brooks and rivers. There are many 

 species, some of large size and bright colours. The 

 Common Lobster is black when living, but other 

 species are red, blue, or variegated. 



Sometimes, if we pick up a whelk-shell on the 

 beach, we shall find it inhabited, not by a mollusc, 

 but by a crab, with its legs and claws wedged 

 together, so as to fill the aperture completely — 

 one claw, much larger than the other, resting in 

 front; and if \\c pull it out, we shall find that, 

 though the front of its body and the legs and claws 

 are hard, like those of an ordinary crab, it has a long, soft, flesh_\- tail, absolutely defenceless 

 and unprotected. Crabs belonging to this curious section are called Hermit-crabs, and protect 

 themselves b_\' taking possession of shells which the)- have either found empty or appropriated 

 by the easy and economical process of devouring the owners. The few species found on the 

 British coasts are all small, and more frequentl)' noticed in whclk-shells than in an)' others ; 

 but tropical species attain to , ■, 



Pholt by IV. p. D^ndt, F.Z S] 



SHRIMP 



iRtgent't Park 



4 speces ivbiih playi uri important part in the food-iupply 

 of London 



a considerable size, and may 

 sometimes be foimd in shells 

 measuring 3 or 4 inches across 

 at the opening. 



Crabs are distinguished 

 from the lobsters b)' their 

 compact form, and by having 

 the short tail turned in under 

 the body. There are a great 

 number of species, differing 

 much in size, shape, and 

 appearance. One of the best 

 known in England is the 

 large Edible Crab,, which may 

 often be seen in fishmongers' 

 shops, and, unlike the lobster, 

 does not change much in 

 colour when boiled. Every 

 visitor to tlie seaside must 



fhtu b, C. N. Mji'r«r<r,i] 



[Smyrna 



FRKSH-VVATER CRAB 



In general appearance "very amtlar to the CGmmon ihore-crab 



