PRAWNS AND SHRIMPS. 249 



placed at the end of long foot-stalks, curving upwards and 

 thus raised above the mass, show the beautiful adapation of 

 its structure to its habits. 



Prawns in general form resemble lobsters, cray-fish, and 

 shrimps, but belong to a family remarkable for a long saw- 

 like beak projecting from the carapace or back. There are 

 many species, and some of those inhabiting the warm seas 

 attain a large size. Many of them are semi-transparent, and 

 have very fine colors. The common prawn is from three to 

 four inches in length, is generally taken in the vicinity of 

 rocks at a little distance from 'he shore, and osier baskets^- 

 similar to those employed for catching lobsters — are em- 

 plo3^ed for their capture, and nets. 



Shrimps are generally taken by nets in the form of a 

 wide-mouthed bag, stretched by means of a short cross-beam 

 at the end of a pole, and pushed along by the shrimper, wad- 

 ing to the knees in water. Sometimes a net of larger size is 

 dragged along by two boats. The common shrimp is about 

 two inches long, and the short beak readily distinguishes it 

 from the prawn. When alarmed, it buries itself in the sand 

 by a peculiar movement of its fan-like tail. 



Dr. Collingwood mentions a new species of shrimp, which 

 he discovered in the warm seas, of a deep violet color (those 

 on the Atlantic coast are of a greenish-gray color, dotted 

 with brown), and with the claw of remarkable construction. 



" I placed it," he says, *' in a basin of water with a small 

 crab, whose appearance appeared violently to offend it. 

 Whenever the crab came in contact with the shrimp, the lat- 

 ter produced a loud sound, the explanation of which is as 

 follows: the shrimp possessed two claws — one large and 

 stout, and the other long and slender. When irritated, it 

 opened the pincers of the large claw very wide, and then 

 suddenly closed them with a startling jerk. When the claw 

 was in contact with the bottom of the basin, a sound was 

 produced as if the basin were struck ; but when the claw 



