164 



NATURAL HISTORY OF OUR SHORES 



The colour in Channel Island specimens is dark slate-blue, 

 with iridescent reflections, very like what is termed 

 " smoked mother-of-pearl." I have not seen specimens 

 from more northern districts, but am told that they are 

 pink or pinkish brown. 



Museum specimens do not retain the colour properly, 

 so I have not been able to compare rightly. 



Fig. 70. Polybiiis Henslowii. f Natural size 



This one has the two posterior pairs of legs flattened out 

 into oval-bladed paddles. The preceding species have only 

 the last pair so modified, and in much less degree. 



This species is often taken in mackerel nets, and is fre- 

 quently found stranded on the shore. 



There is a beautiful little crab which is often classed 

 with the PortunidcB, but which is without their most char- 

 acteristic feature the flattened feet and whose general 

 outline is more nearly that of the common shore crab, 



