and Habits of the Common Prawn. 251 



the wonderful wisdom of the Creative power that could have 

 called into existence so marvellous an adaptation. 



At the moment the prawn has been thus liberated from its 

 old envelope, it rolls on the surface of the ground perfectly help- 

 less, for it is at first, evidently, so soft, that it does not ])ossess 

 the power of supporting its own weight erect upon its feet, while 

 the beautifully delicate antennre 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 th(; large ])addles of 

 its swimming apparatus, and soon retreats into some dark and 

 sheltered corner, where it i-emains, continually exercising its 

 various organs, until such a period as the new investing mem- 

 brane 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 waj'. 

 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, particularly 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. 



It may be interesting to specify here the intenals of this 

 moulting as they were observed during the summer of 1853. 

 These periods were ascertained in the following manner. When 

 the observations first commenced there were eight healthy 

 prawns in the aquarium, and as each exuvium was cast off it 

 was removed from the water and the date noted down, and by 

 continuing this process the following results were obtained : — 



May 25th, two cast skins were removed. 



„ 29th, two „ 



„ 31st, one „ „ 



June 5th, one ,, „ 



„ 7th, two „ „ 



„ 9th, two „ „ 



„ 12th, two „ „ 



„ 14th, two „ „ 



„ Ifith, one „ „ 



„ 19th, one „ „ 



„ 21st, one „ „ 



„ 26th, one „ „ 



„ 27th, one „ ,, 



„ 28th, one 



