214 



CRUSTACEA. 



Queer-tailed Decapods ( Anomoura), we find that the 

 limbs above enumerated, although existing in pre- 

 cisely similar situations as in the lobster, are so far 

 modified in their construction and relative propor- 

 tions, as to become suited to a mode of life widely 

 different from that led by the members of the last 

 division. 



The Anomonra,* as their name imports, have limbs 

 of very anomalous conformation. Instead of being 

 cased in a hard coat of mail, the hinder part of the 



FlG. 163. SOLDIER CRAB, OCCUPYING AN EMPTY SHELL. 



body is soft and leathery, possessing only a few 

 detached shelly pieces, comparable, it is true, to 

 those found in the lobster, but strangely altered in 

 structure. 



These animals, usually known by the name of 

 Soldier Crabs, or Hermit Crabs, frequent level 

 and sandy shores ; and from their defenceless con- 

 dition are obliged to resort to artificial protection. 

 This they do by selecting an empty shell, generally 



&yoyuos, anomos, lawless ; ovpa, oura, a tail. 



