134? HISTOllY OF BRITISH CRUSTACEA. 



erect upon its feet, while the beautifully delicate antennas 

 float from its head like gossamer threads through the water. 

 In a short time, however, it plunges or springs, by a strong 

 muscular exertion of the abdomen, from place to place, 

 stretches its webbed tail and the large paddles of its 

 swimming apparatus, and soon retreats into some dark and 

 sheltered corner, where it remains, continually exercising 

 its various organs, until such a period as the new invest- 

 ing membrane shall have become sufficiently hardened to 

 allow of its venturing forth among its companions without 

 danger, for during all this interval it is liable to their 

 attacks whenever it comes near them, and is obliged, by a 

 series of forcible leaps, rapidly to evade their attempts, and 

 escape out of their way. When the newly-coated Palcemon 

 first makes its exit from its hiding-place, its appearance is 

 doubly beautiful ; the colours are so clear and bright, par- 

 ticularly the orange and rich brown bands which encircle 

 the pale blue prehensile feet, the various markings are so 

 defined, and the small spines and fringes of hair so clean 

 and well developed, and the deportment of the creature 

 itself is altogether so bold and vainglorious, as though 

 proud of its new vesture, that it cannot but command the 

 admiration it seems to seek/" 



