PARTHENOPTD.E. 29 



were beautifully represented in the exuviae ; the teeth on 

 the edges of the claws closed accurately on each other in the 

 renewed crab, although there was scarcely a trace of them 

 distinguishable in the slough, the teeth having been pro- 

 bably worn smooth by use. Mr. Gosse did not observe 

 "any of the struggling that is sometimes spoken of; it 

 seemed to be a very easy and simple matter. The new 

 integuments were perfected, though soft, before the old 

 were thrown off, and the immediate cause of the separation 

 of the crust appears to be the sudden growth of the animal 

 within, forcing asunder the upper and lower crusts at the 

 posterior margin ; then the pulling out of the limbs pre- 

 sents no more difficulty than what depends on the enfeebled 

 condition of the muscular energy."" 



Fam. PJRTHENOPIDjE, M. Edic. 



Pour hind pairs of legs much shorter than the fore legs. 

 First pair large ; in the male, and sometimes in both sexes, 

 very much longer than the others. Basilar joint of the 

 outer antennae almost always slightly developed, not united 

 to the front. Carapace more or less triangular. 



A family very feebly represented in the British seas. In 

 the seas of warmer climates there are many fine species. 



