Miscellaneous. 399 



shorter than in the first stage, but broader. It grows from 5 to 7 lines 

 long, and is easily recognized by the black spots on the lower surface, 

 which consist of dense groups of black spines. Above, the larva is 

 quite naked, with the exception of the first three segments. Mouth 

 forming a V-shaped pit ; its margins bordered laterally and below 

 by rough, thick chitinous bands, which are firmly united below, and 

 iuternally spread out into the above-mentioned chitinous plates and 

 numerous filaments embracing the oesophagus. Spike and hooks 

 wanting. No anterior stigmata observed. Posterior stigmata reni- 

 from, forming a very coarsely cellular plate on each side. Form of 

 the larva very changeable ; the posterior end is very often much 

 attenuated, like a tail. 



Third stage (duration from February to April). — Mouth a funnel- 

 shaped pit with membranous margins ; in the pit a small horny ring, 

 immediately followed by the oesophagus, which directly afterwards 

 passes over a chitinous frame from which the chitinous shovel-like 

 plates issue. Above the buccal pit there are two horny rings, as 

 rudimentary antennae. Anterior stigmata very small, on the hinder 

 margin of the first segment. Posterior stigmata reniform, nearly 

 smooth, flat, radiately furrowed. 



From this it follows that the young larvae can bore their way into 

 the skin, and subsequently undergo a retrograde metamorphosis of 

 their buccal organs. The author remarks upon the fact that thus 

 organs of so much importance as the parts of the mouth may lose 

 their significance in a systematic point of view. A more detailed 

 account of his observations is promised in a forthcoming monograph 

 of the (Estridce. — WiegmanrCs Archiv, 1862, p. 210. 



The King Crab (Limulus Polyphemus) found on the English Coast. 

 By Dr. J. E. Gray, F.R.S. &c. 



The King Crab has lately been frequently imported into Liverpool, 

 and is shown alive at the Free Museum of that town, and also in the 

 Zoological Gardens in the Regent's Park. 



Mr. Walker, the Arctic traveller, lately took a living specimen with 

 him to Paris, with the idea of presenting it to the Jardin des Plantes; 

 but he failed in doing so through the absence of the Professors to 

 whom he had an introduction. Being tired of the charge of the 

 animal, and of providing it with fresh sea-water, &c, he threw it 

 overboard, between Boulogne and Dover, on his way back. 



The animal must have been washed ashore at Dover ; for I have 

 had more than one account of its having been found on that coast, 

 and one kind correspondent offered to secure it for the British Museum 

 at the price of five pounds. 



It is as well that this should be recorded ; for otherwise it may at 

 some future day, when the circumstance of its having been thrown 

 into the water is forgotten, be placed in the fauna as a rare or occa- 

 sional visitor, instead of being artificially introduced. 



