i ^ 



RAM'S-HORN CRAB. Criocdrcinus 



THORN-CLAW CUAU.Acdnthonyx zebrida. 



examples of the care with which every creature is fed and every atom is utilised, that 

 some twenty or thirty thousand tiny mouths should always accompany the crab for the 

 purpose of feeding on the little morsels that are dispersed vaguely into the water as the 

 crab tugs and pulls at the abundant feast. 



There is something inexpressibly ludicrous in the action of this animal as it feeds 

 itself. Although every one who is acquainted with the anatomy of the crustaceans knows 

 \vell the position of the mouth, it is impossible to get over the feelings of ridicule which 

 are raised by the sight of the animal feeding itself by pushing food into its chest. The 

 steady business-like manner of its proceeding adds to the absurdity, and the gravest 

 observer cannot repress a hearty laugh when he sees a Spider-crab busy at its meal. The 

 ancients were well acquainted with the form of this crab, and held it in great respect, 

 though from erroneous ideas, supposing it to be a peculiarly wise creature, and susceptible 

 of the charms of music. 



THE curious creature which is represented at the lower right-hand corner of the illus- 

 tration is the THREE-SPINED SPIDER-CRAB, so called from the peculiar shape of the body, . 

 which, on account of the projecting beak and the strange modification of the carapace, has 

 a kind of three-cornered aspect. Several specie? of this genus are known, and are found 

 in the West Indian seas and off the Philippines The present species is one of the most 

 common, and is found in the West Indies. 



SOME remarkable examples of this family are to be found in the two species which are 

 figured in the illustration. The larger specimen is the CRIOCARCINUS, a species which can 

 be easily distinguished by the two long horn-like projections from the snout. The generic 

 name, which is of Greek origin, and signifies Ram-crab, is given to the animal on account 



