152 NATURAL HISTORY OF OUR SHORES 



like the tips of fingers from mittens, and the sharp nail on 

 each leg being bare. 



The last pair of legs is smaller than the others, but 

 not altered in form, as those of all the preceding, and these 

 are carried turned up over the back of the carapace. Its 

 colour is an even shade of grey or " mouse colour." 



When the crab is at rest, and it usually is, all the limbs 



Fig. 62. Dromia milgaris. \ Natural size 



are packed close to the body, and they are so shaped that 

 they fit each other closely, giving the crab the appearance 

 of a large potato wrapped in velvet. It usually holds some 

 object, generally a sponge, upon its back by means of the 

 sharp, hooked nails of the short pair of legs (none of the 

 preceding have a nail on the abortive legs). Frequently 

 the sponge so held becomes attached to the carapace and 

 grows there. 



