THE FLAT OR BROAD LOBSTER. GOD 



ANOTHER British species is the LONG-HORNED PORCELAIN-CRAB, a little creature that 

 is common in similar localities. It is much eaten by various fishes, and the codfish makes 

 great havoc among its ranks. Both these crabs can pinch smartly with their flat but 

 powerful claws, and, in spite of their insignificant appearance, cannot be handled with 

 impunity. In them the last pair of legs undergo a curious modification, being very small, 

 nearly hidden in the abdomen when not in use, and apparently objectless. They are, 

 however, very useful limbs, being employed as brushes, and used for the purpose of 

 cleaning the abdomen and part of the carapace from adhering substances, 



WE now come to the second great division of the Crustacea, namely, those which have 

 long and powerful tails. The lobsters and shrimps are examples of these creatures. In 

 swimming rapidly through the water, the tail is the organ of propulsion which is 

 employed, and a glance at its form will soon explain its use. This powerful mass of solid 

 muscle is first stretched out to its utmost, and the fan-like appendage at the extremity is 

 spread to its widest ; the creature then closes its tail smartly under the body, so as to 

 assume the attitude in which lobsters and shrimps are mostly brought to table. 



The effect of this sudden contraction is, that the creature shoots swiftly through the 

 water. Of course, the animal darts backwards, but so sharp are its eyes, and so true is 

 its aim, that it can fling itself into a crevice barely large enough to contain it. Any one 

 who wishes to see this manoeuvre practised in all its force, may do so by watching the 

 little sea-side pools wherein the shrimps and prawns are accustomed to disport themselves 

 as long as the water lasts, and where, when it dries up, they bury themselves in the sand 

 to await the coming tide. 



This shooting mode of progression is not their only means of movement. By the 

 ordinary use of their legs, nearly all the species can crawl among the sea-weed, or upon 

 the rocks and bed of the sea, just as an insect crawls on the ground. And, when they 

 are balancing themselves in mid-water, and are only desirous of moving gently about, 

 they can do so by means of the numerous false legs under the body, which may be seen 

 moving with great rapidity. Those who are fortunate enough to possess a marine 

 aquarium, and can keep a prawn or a shrimp in the miniature ocean, will have many 

 opportunities of watching the easy and graceful movements of these elegant crustaceans. 



IN the preceding illustration is seen an example of the first family, called the 

 Galatheidse, in honour of the beautiful and unfortunate nymph vainly beloved by 

 Polyphemus. Several species of this family are found on the British coasts, one of which 

 is the common PLATED LOBSTER. This is a handsome little creature, the general ground 

 colour being red, upon which are drawn a number of blue spots and streaks. Its activity 

 does not correspond with its beauty, for, according to all accounts, it is a dull, sluggish 

 creature, and from Mr. Couch's observations, is " incapable of any motion but backward, and 

 rarely rises above the bottom ; where, by a laborious motion of its tail, it contrives to retreat 

 from its enemies ; but its usual progress is by creeping, and by the legs only." Yet, 

 although it is thus tardy while crawling, it can dart backward with all the agility of its 

 race ; and if alarmed, flashes through the water with arrowy speed, and can hardly be 

 captured or its exact direction ascertained. 



The beak of this species is triangular, and armed with seven strong teeth. By these 

 characteristics it is distinguished from another species, MONTAGUE'S PLATED LOBSTER 

 (Galathea squamifera). which has a short and wide beak, cut into nine spine-like teeth. 

 The colour of this creature is greenish brown, tinged with red. It is to be found on 

 most of our coasts, under stones at low-water mark. Several other species are found in 

 England. 



THE small but important family of the Scyllaridas is easily recognised by the wide, flat 

 carapace, the large and leaf-like outer antennae, and the partly flexible tail-fan, by which 

 the creatures drive themselves through the water. In consequence of their shape, they go by 

 the popular name of FLAT or BROAD LOBSTERS. The habits of these crustaceans seem to be 

 much alike. They live in moderately shallow water, where the bed of the sea is soft and 

 3. R it 



