328 ME. J. R. HENDEESON— A COMTEIBUTION 



morning- and evening-, wlien the sun's rays are less powerful, and on the slightest sii^n 

 of alarm they at once seek their burrows. One species of this genus (O. cordimana) is, 

 hoAvever, a strictly terrestrial crab, and occurs at some distance from the sea, often living 

 among the matted branches of a trailing convolvulus, which is frequently also the 

 shelter of a sand-lizard [Mabtiia Bibmnii, Gray), and it may be seen even further 

 inland, inhabiting the sandy soil of casuarina plantations. Hiding in the sand at low 

 water, the curious anomurous forms Rippa asiatica and Alhunea symnista are found, 

 the former in particular being very abundant. On the stonework of the harbour, and 

 in those few localities where rocks appear, species of Gmpsus and Plagusia are seen 

 clinging tenaciously to the surface by means of their sharp dactyli, which enable 

 them effectually to Avithstand the force of the breakers among which they live. Outside 

 the surf-zone is a belt of shallow water, with the bottom composed chiefly of broken 

 shells and sand, in which the Crustacean fauna is undoubtedly rich. I have obtained 

 considerably over one liundred species from it, and there are certainly many more yet 

 to be discovered. All my gleanings from this belt come from the heaps of material 

 thrown up on the beach by fishermen, who practise fishing by means of very Ion" nets 

 taken out through the surf in catamarans, and afterwards drawn in on the sliore. Here 

 are found species of Boclea, Egeria, Neptmius, Goniosoma, Matuta, Culappa, Philyra, 

 Borippe, Diogenes, Thenus, and Squilla, along with representatives of other ^enera in 

 smaller numbers. Indeed, it is scarcely possible to examine the shore-heaps without 

 finding the following species -.—Boclea htjbrkla, Goniosoma variegaiitm, 31atiUa victrix, 

 Philyra scabriusciila, Borippe facchiuo, Diogenes custos, and Squilla uepa, which are 

 certainly those found in greatest abundance. Grey and sombre hues prevail amono- 

 these species, which, doubtless, eifectually protect them on a more or less sand-tinted 



bottom, while the comparative absence of fragile forms— the fossorial ones excepted 



and the relative abundance of swimming species, e.g. Portunids, JIattUa, and the curious 

 hermit-crab, Sijiropagurus spiriger, indicate an exposed and turbulent habitat. In the 

 Madras fish bazaars numerous species of Penceus, Palcemon, Panulii'us, Neptmius, &c. 

 are exposed for sale, for among the lower orders of the community size is apparently the 

 sole criterion of edibility as regards Crustacea. The two edible species p)ar excellence 

 among Europeans are tlie large swinuning crab {Scylla serrata) and the prawn {Penceus 

 monodon), although some of the specimens sold under the latter designation belou" to 

 the genus Pfd«»^OM, and come from fresh water. The so-called •' river " Cooura, the 

 water of whicli is brackish only towards its temporary outlet, and everywhere much 

 contaminated by town sewage, affords shelter to species of Palcemon, Pencetis, and other 

 Macrura. On its lianks are seen the burrows of a large species of Sesarma {S. tetragona), 

 and the crab itself may frequently be observed near the openings of drains, while the 

 sand and mud-fiats are lioneycomljed l)y species of Gekmmns. The tanks or freshwater 

 ponds, and even the wells, are inhabited by species oi Palcemon, Telphusa, and Caridina, 

 t;he most conspicuous being the freshAvater prawn Palcemon carcinus, Avhich attains a 

 considerable size, and the freshwater cral), Telplmsa LeschenauUi. The burrows of 

 Telphusse may be seen almost everywhere, except in the most arid situations. Though 

 the Madras coast is, by its physical conditions, peculiarly unsuited I'or drcdgmg, 



