56 HISTORY OF BRITISH CRUSTACEA. 



One room contains them, and the partners dwell 

 Beneath the convex of one sloping shell ; 

 Deep in the wat'ry vast the comrades rove, 

 And mutual interest binds their mutual love ; 

 That wiser friend the lucky juncture tells, 

 "When in the gaping circuit of his shells 

 Fish wandering enter ; then the bearded guide 

 Wins the dull mate, and pricks his tender side ; 

 He knows the hint, nor at the treatment grieves, 

 But hugs th' advantage and the pain forgives ; 

 His closing shells the Pinna sudden joins, 

 And 'twixt the pressing sides the prey confines. 

 Thus fed by mutual aid, the friendly pair 

 Divide their gains, and all the plunder share." 



Fam. GONOPLJCIDJS, M. Edw. 



Carapace rhomboidal, its front margin and sides forming 

 continuous lines. Front very wide, occupying generally a 

 third of the length of fore margin. Outer antennas hori- 

 zontal, and lodged beneath the front. Eye-stalks very long. 

 Abdomen of male with second joint narrower than corre- 

 sponding portion of sternal plate. 



The species of this family appear to be restricted to the 

 seas of the Old World ; but one species is found in our seas; 

 this however is a well-marked member of the family. 



