608 



THE BROAD-CLAW PORCELAIN-CHAR 



under stones or in narrow crevices. It may be found easily enough by going to the very 

 verge of low water-mark, and quickly turning over the loose stones which lie piled upon 

 each other by the wave. Under these stones lies the Broad-claw, flat and quite at its 

 ease, its great claws fitting beautifully into its shell, much like the same members in the 

 domed crabs. 



The food of the Broad-claw consists mostly of animalcules, which it catches by making 

 regular casts with its hair-covered jaw feet, and sweeping its prey into its mouth by the 

 action. The mode in which the hairs or bristles are set upon the foot is very beautiful, 

 and is exactly calculated to act as a net, which will sweep up every object that crosses its 

 path. Several of the terminal joints of these jaw-legs are edged with long and slightly 

 curved hairs set nearly at right angles with the joint. It follows, then, that when the 

 limb is flung out nearly in a straight line, these hairs diverge ; but that as the li-inb is 



BROAD-CLAW PORCELAIH-CRAB. Porcelldiia 



COMMON PLATED LOBSTER. GalatMa strigdsa. 



bent while being withdrawn, the hairs become nearly parallel to each other, some of them 

 cross, and form a very complete network of stiff bristles that sweep everything before it. 

 Moreover, each separate bristle has a double row of still smaller hairs, projecting from 

 each side, something like the vanes of a feather, and nearly touching those of the next 

 hair on either side. This structure is evidently intended to ensure the capture of the very 

 minute animalcules, which might be able to escape through the comparatively large 

 meshes formed by the bristles. 



Though the Broad-claw loves to hide in this manner, and remains so quiescent, it is 

 fully able to move about, and can dart through the water with astonishing celerity, flinging 

 out the abdomen, and giving a series of sharp flaps that urge it along just in the manner 

 adopted by the lobster and its kin. Still, it does not attempt to swim, but "merely darts 

 towards some spot where it can find a hiding-place, and whence it will not stir for weeks 

 together, finding in its narrow home all that it needs in the way of food. 



