CRUSTACEA. 



The Shrimps are small fishes of the Lobster 

 kind, having long, slender feelers, and between 

 them two projecting laminae, with three pairs 

 of legs and a seven jointed tail. They are found 

 on the sandy shores of the sea, ascend the 

 rivers, and abound in the waters of salt 

 marshes. The epicures pronounce them " de- 

 licious." 



The mode of taking Shrimps for food is with 

 a net, used either by a man, woman, or child, 

 who wades up to the knees, or by fishermen, 

 who go out in 'a boat. The mouth of the net is 

 stretched out by a cross-piece of wood, having 

 attached to it a pole, the end of which is placed 

 against the chest; and in walking forward, 

 the edge of the part, to which the net is fas- 

 tened, is pushed along the bottom of the water, 

 and the Shrimps, striving to escape, are caught 

 in the bag of the net. 



The boats, used by the fishermen, are some- 

 times of several tons' burden, and they go 

 farther from the shore, perhaps to the edge 

 of some sand bank, which is the favorite resort 

 of Shrimps. They throw out three or four 

 nets, which are made to drag on the bottom by 

 leaden weights : so that the principal of both 

 methods is the same. 



Shrimps are not eatable till after boiling, and 

 the fishermen often boil them on board. They 

 are allowed to boil only ten miutes, or even less, 

 as they grow hard and lose their best flavor, if 

 remaining longer in the boiler. 

 For a distant market, Shrimps must be boiled somewhat longer, than for immediate consumption. Hence 

 they are always most relished at or nigh the place of their capture. The chief supply for London is pro- 

 cured from Gravesend, Lynn, Boston, the Isle of Wight, and other parts of the coast not very distant from 

 London. The Shrimps of Pegwell Bay are in highest repute for flavor. 



Spring is the busiest Shrimp catching time, though they are in season through the year, because the de- 

 mand is then greatest. The largest quantity of this fish is consumed by the least wealthy of the popula- 

 tion, the more opulent usuing them chiefly for sauces or in a potted state. 



The Atya Scabra is a peculiar sub-division of the Shrimp family, and one species only is known. 



The Lobster has a cylindrical body; a short, serrated snout, with two long antennae, and between these, 

 two shorter ones ; two large claws, terminated by pincers, which enable him to seize his prey, to fix him- 

 self to rocks in the sea, to resist the motion of the waves, and to fight his enemies. These animals breed 

 in summer and are extremely prolific. They are also favorites of the gourmand. 



The Apus Productus inhabits fresh water ditches, pools, and stagnant waters. The tribe are gregarious 

 and often occur in measureless quantities. They are most commonly found in spring and early summer, 

 and often appear suddenly in accidental rain water puddles, where they had not been seen befere. They 

 grow rapidly, feed largely on tadpoles, and are all provided with eggs, though the sexes have not, as yet, 

 been distinguished. They arrive gradually at the full developement of their organs by a scries of moults. 

 The genus occurs in England, France and Europe generally. 



A Shrimper. 



