214 



CRUSTACEA. 



ftueer-tailed Decapods {Aywmoura), we find that the 

 limbs above enumerated, although existing in pre- 

 cisely similar situations as in the lobster, are so far 

 modified in their construction and relative propor- 

 tions, as to become suited to a mode of life widely 

 different from that led by the members of the last 

 division. 



The Anomoura,* as their name imports, have limbs 

 of very anomalous conformation. Instead of being 

 cased in a hard coat of mail, the hinder part of the 



Fig. 163.— soldier crab, occoptikg an EurxT shell. 



body is soft and leathery, possessing only a few 

 detached shelly pieces, comparable, it is true, to 

 those found in the lobster, but strangely altered in 

 structure. 



These animals, usually known by the name of 

 Soldier Crabs^ or Hermit Crabs, frequent level 

 and sandy shores ; and from their defenceless con- 

 dition are obliged to resort to artificial protection. 

 This they do by selecting an empty shell, generally 



&yofxos, anomos, Imvless ; oupa, oura, a taU. 



