Ctniiiposcia retusu, 



and watery, and can thus be drawn through the comparatively small openings through 

 which the tendons pass from one joint to another. The sharp and knife-like edges of the 

 plates cut deeply through the muscle, which, however, is little injured, on account of its 

 soft consistency, and heals with great rapidity as soon as the animal recovers its strength, 

 and is gifted with a new shell. In the common edible crab, the flesh is quite unfit for 

 consumption during this process, as any one can attest who has attempted to dress and 

 eat a " watery" crab. Yet, in some of the exotic crustaceans, these conditions are exactly 

 reversed, and the crabs are never so fit for the table as while they are soft and shell-less, 

 after the old suit of armour has been thrown off, and before the new integument has 

 received its hardening. It may here be observed, that the basis of the crustaceous 

 armour is composed of chitine, the remarkable substance of which the elytra and other 

 portions of the insect skeleton are composed. 



The name of Leptopodia signifies slender feet, and is appropriately given to the long, 

 slight-limbed creature which is represented in the illustration. When full grown, this 

 species will mostly attain twice the dimensions of the figure. The Stenorhynchus is 

 shown of its natural size. 



THE two figures on the illustration, however dissimilar they appear to be, represent 

 the same species ; the upper figure showing the Camposcia as it appears when its exterior 

 is free from extraneous substances, and the lower figure being a faithful image of the 

 same individual as it appears while burdened with sponges and other marine growths. 



As will be seen by reference to the engraving, the hairy limbs, as well as the whole of 

 the body, are encrusted so thickly that their true shape is quite undistinguishable, and 

 the animal seems to masquerade under a domino of living disguises. Even the joints 

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