MACROURI. 209 



It is not easy to determine the differences of small specimens, be- 

 cause such animals alter greatly, and gain accessions with age. Some of 

 the younger are represented in the relative plate, and among them pos- 

 sibly figs. 5, 6, shew the earlier stages of the Galathea r/igosn. 



This animal's breeding season commences while it is very little ad- 

 vanced, as shewn by its dimensions. Among several smaller specimens 

 obtained in the beginning of October, was one whose limbs expanded 

 scarcely three quarters of an inch. It died, when the tail unfolding, 

 exposed a cake of spawn, adhering within, of an oval form, two lines in 

 length, and half a line in breadth. 



The propagation of the Galathea bears a general correspondence to 

 that of both the Crab and the Lobster. 



The spawn of both these animals occupies the inner portion of the 

 tail, which, in the former, becomes the thorax or apron protecting it. 

 The roe of the Lobster is affixed across the upper interior of the articu- 

 lations ; but in none of the Lobster tribe is it disposed in such distinct, 

 beautiful, regular, and symmetrical fruit-like branches or clusters, as in 

 some of the Oraljs. 



The spawn of the Galathea is not nearly in equal profusion to that 

 of any of the Crabs that I have seen : it is either of a rich florid red, or 

 a fine yellowish-orange colour. The season of its maturity comprehends 

 May and June ; and, in common with those already described, the young 

 escape from it while still affixed to the parent. 



A small specimen, — one scarcely extending two inches from the 

 tips of its almost invisible antennae, was taken about the first of May. 

 The curvature of the tail protected a quantity of the finest red roe. 



On the morning of the eighteenth, between two and three hundred 

 young appeared in its vessel, without any of the capsules having been 

 detached. 



In transparency, these young animals much resemble the young of 

 the Crangon or Shrimp ; but the body had a reddish-yellow stain, which 

 I at first conjectured to be the residue of the yolk of the ovum ; however, 

 some external stains rather proved it the original colour of the sheU. 

 This young animal is minute like the rest, about half a line in length, or 



2d 



