SCENERY OF THE LINQA. 393 



Zodiacal constellation of Cancer ; in China the L. hete- 

 rodactylus is esteemed choice eating ; and I have seen 

 the Malays use the carapace as a drinking cup, at the 

 springs, the long straight tail forming a capital handle. 



The Thalassina scorpionoides is common both at Singa- 

 pore and Borneo ; living in vertical, cylindrical holes in 

 the ground, in marshy places, and on the banks of rivers. 

 During wet weather, and particularly after heavy rains, 

 it issues from its habitaculum and comes to the surface. 

 In its movements it is slow and feeble, and when taken, 

 is, apparently, defenceless, not making use of its chelae as 

 organs of aggression. In some parts of India it is said 

 to spoil the roads, and do considerable damage to the 

 plantations. It is exceedingly tenacious of life, one in my 

 possession existing upwards of an hour in proof spirits. 



On our return to Sarawak, in July, I had the pleasure 

 of accompanying a boat expedition up the Linga, for 

 the purpose of capturing, if possible, the noted Arab 

 pirate, Sheriff Sahib. On our passage up this river, the 

 scenery was very splendid, and, as in many parts, we 

 grazed the bushes, I had excellent opportunities of 

 gathering epiphytes, and observing the different insects 

 that fluttered around us. The spectral-looking Phasma, 

 like some withered stick, moved slowly and deliberately 

 among the branches ; while his more lively congeners, 

 the pink-winged Empusa, and emerald-green Mantis, as 

 closely simulated the foliage of the trees on which they 

 hung, ever greedy for prey and rapine. It is very 

 amusing to watch a large-sized Mantis saw off the head 

 of some dipterous insect that has just become its prey : 

 he does it in such a surgical and business-like manner ! 



