546 



Crustacea. 



1. THE SHRIMP. (Crangon vulgaris., 



THE SHRIMP is a well-known small crustaceous animal, 

 nearly allied to the lobster, which it resembles in shape. 

 Its length is rather more than two inches ; in colour it 

 is greenish-grey, dotted with brown. It has long slender 

 feelers, between which are two projecting laminae; ten 

 feet and five fins, but no claws. This animal breeds 

 on all the sandy shores of Great Britain: it is fre- 

 quently found in harbours, and even in the ditches and 

 ponds of salt marshes; it is also very common on the 

 French coast. During life the body is semi-transparent, 

 and so much resembles sea- water that the animal is 

 distinguished with difficulty. Its ordinary motion con- 

 sists of leaps. Its flavour is very delicate. 



2. THE PRAWN. (Palcemon sermtus.) 



THE PRAWN is not unlike the shrimp, but exceeds 

 it considerably in size, its length being between three 

 and four inches. It has a projecting ridge down the 

 back, furnished with sharp teeth. Its natural colour 

 is greyish, with small red and brown spots, but when 

 boiled it assumes a most beautiful pink tint. The flesh 

 is very delicate, although perhaps inferior in flavour to 

 that of the shrimp. 



Prawns are very common on the coasts of France and 

 England; they are chiefly found among sea-weed, and in 

 the vicinity of rocks, at a little distance from the shore. 



