SPINY LObSTKR. 1'alinurus vui<j:ii 



in Greenland, where it forms the chief food of the Arctic auk (Alca arctica). The beak- 

 like projection of its carapace is very wide, but does not project. The carapace is covered 

 with little tubercles, and along the central line runs a series of spines. The outer antennae 

 are large and deeply toothed. The colour of this species is brownish, covered with red 

 marks, dispersed in a simple, but very pretty pattern, which would serve as a model for 

 embroidery, and would be particularly suitable for the heavy metallic ornamentation 

 upon uniform coats. It is but a small species, measuring only three inches in 

 length. 



Some species of this family are eatable, and in Japan are considered as delicacies. 



ONE species of these creatures, known by the name of the SPOTTED IBACUS, is a great 

 favourite with the Japanese. In this genus the carapace is extremely wide, and is 

 expanded in such a manner as to hide the feet, so as to remind the spectator of the domed 

 crab, already described on page 594. The colour of the Japanese Scyllarus is red, covered 

 with blue points. 



THE well-known SPINY LOBSTEK (Palinurus vulgdris) belongs to the next family of 

 crustaceans. In all this family the outer antennse are very long and stout, and their basal 

 joint is large. 



The Spiny Lobster is also called the SEA CRAY-FISH, or the EED CRAB. Its claws are 

 very small, and by no means formidable. It is mostly found on our western and southern- 

 coasts, and is caught in crab pots, like the common lobster. Its flesh is good and well 

 flavoured, though rather tougher and coarser than that of the lobster ; moreover, the want 

 of the claws is a drawback to its excellence ; so that it is not esteemed nearly so much as 



RR 2 



