PALiEMON. 131 



which are shorter and more slender than the second, are used 

 by the Prawn to keep his polished coat of mail scrupulously 

 clean. These front feet "are beset with hairs, which stand 

 out at right angles to the length of the limb, radiating in 

 all directions like the bristles of a bottle-brush. These 

 are the Prawn's washing brushes, especially applied to the 

 cleansing of the under surface of the thorax and abdomen. 

 When engaged in this operation, the animal commonly 

 throws in the tail under the body, in that manner which we 

 see assumed in the pink specimens that are brought to 

 table, which is not however the ordinary posture of life, 

 the body being nearly straight. Then he brings his fore 

 feet to bear on the belly, thrusting the bottle-brushes to 

 and fro and into every angle and hollow with zealous 

 industry, withdrawing them now and then, and clearing 

 them of dirt by passing them between the foot-jaws. The 

 reason of the inbending of the tail is manifest ; the brushes 

 could not else reach the hinder joints of the body, and still 

 less the swimming-plates ; but by this means every part is 

 brought within easy reach. Sometimes the brushes are 

 inserted between the edge of the carapace and the body, 

 and are thrust to and fro, penetrating to an astonishing 

 distance, as may be distinctly seen through the transparent 



