MACROURI. MB 



It is not easy to determine the difference* of small specimens, be- 

 cause such animals alter greatly, and gain accessions with agv. Sum- ..!' 

 tlif younger are represented in the relative plate, and among tlu-m |H- 

 il'ly figs. 5, G, shew the earlier stages of the Galathea ruansa. 



This animal's breeding season commences whil<- it is v.-rv little ad- 

 vanced, as shewn by its dinn-n-ions. Among several smaller sin-eimciiK 

 <il>t:iiiif<l in the beginning of October, was one whose limbs expanded 

 scarcely three quarters of an inch. It died, when the tail unfolding, 

 exposed a cake of spawn, adhering within, of an oval form, two lim-s m 

 length, and half a line in breadth. 



The propagation of the Galathea bears a general coiresiKimlrnce to 

 that of both the Crab and the Lobster. 



The spawn of both these animals occupies the inner portion of tin- 

 tail, which, in the former, becomes the thorax or apron protecting it. 

 The roe of the Lobster is affixed across the upper interior of the articu- 

 lations ; but in none of the Lobster tribe is it disposed in such distinct, 

 beautiful, regular, and symmetrical fruit-like branches or cluster*, an in 

 some of the Grabs. 



The spawn of the Galathea is not nearly in equal profusion to that 

 of any of the Crabs that I have seen : it is either of a rich florid red, or 

 a fine yellowish-orange colour. The season of its maturity comprehends 

 May and June ; and, in common with those already described, the youn^ 

 escape from it while still affixed to the parent. 



A small specimen, one scarcely extending two inches from the 

 tips of its almost invisible antenna;, was taken about the first of May. 

 The curvature of the tail protected a quantity of the finest red roe. 



On the morning of the eighteenth, between two and three hundred 

 young appeared in its vessel, without any of the capsules having Un-n 

 detached. 



In transparency, these young animals much resemble the young of 

 the Crangon or Shrimp ; but the body had a reddish-yellow stain, which 

 I at first conjectured to be the residue of the yolk of the ovum ; ho\\ . 

 some external stains rather proved it the original colour of tin- shell. 

 This young animal is minute like the rest, about half a line in length. 



2D 



