SHRIMP. 103 



and a half as the total length of the species, 1 and I do 

 not remember that I ever before saw one that exceeded 

 that size : but here, the great majority are upwards of 

 three inches ; and a very considerable number are full 

 three and a half. They are mostly females loaded with 

 spawn, which they carry entangled among the false 

 feet beneath the body. 



In general figure the shrimp resembles the prawn : 

 it, however, carries no sword-like rostrum ; and the 

 front pair of feet, instead of terminating each in a pair 

 of claws, have a strong hook which bends down upon 

 a short spine. The limbs too are very much shorter, 

 and the animal is less elegant. The colour is a pale 

 warm brown ; but when examined closely this is seen 

 to resolve itself into a freckling of black, grey, brown, 

 and orange specks, arranged so as to make a kaleido- 

 scopic sort of pattern. When highly magnified many 

 of the dots take star-like forms. 



It is amusing to see how rapidly and cleverly the 

 shrimp takes its place in the sand. If there be an 

 inch or two's depth of water, the animal quietly sinks 

 on the bottom ; then, in a moment, you see a little 

 cloud of dust (so it seems) rise up along each side, and 

 the body sinks till the surrounding surface is nearly 

 level with its back. Then you perceive the value of the 



i British Stalk-eyed Crustacea, p. 257. 



