PRAWNS. 



617 



deep green colour and large pincers giving it a great resemblance to that crustacean. 

 It is a sociable little being, congregating in some favoured spot, and assembling in con- 

 siderable numbers. In fact, it is seldom found alone ; and in clearing out a little sand- 

 pool, six or seven may often be found in close companionship. 



SWORD-SHRJMP. Penccus easts. 



RING-HORNED PRAWN. PdniLilM annullcornU. 



WE now arrive at the PRAWNS, a family which is easily known by the long and 

 saw-edged beak that projects from the carapace. This family is very rich in species, 

 many of which are most lovely creatures, resplendent in scarlet, azure, green, purple, and 

 orange, and of a beautiful transparency, which gives double effect to the colours with 

 which they are adorned. 



The smaller figure represents the RING-HORNED PRAWN, in which the beak is 

 extremely long, and slightly turned upwards. It is taken in large quantities on many 

 parts of our coasts, but as it lives at some distance from the shore, it cannot be captured 

 in the ordinary shrimp nets. The fishermen call it the Red Shrimp. The spines, or teeth 

 in the upper edge of the long beak, do not spring at once from the substance of the beak, 

 but are simply jointed to it, so that they can be moved slightly by pressure. A large 

 number of species belonging to the genus Hippolyte are also found in England. In 

 these creatures the beak is very large and strong. Several of the JSsop Prawns belong 

 to this genus. They derive their popular name from the hump-like manner in which the 

 abdomen is raised towards the centre and then bent downwards. COUCH'S ^Esop 

 (Hippolyte Couchii) is perhaps the most common of these beautiful little creatures, and 

 has the characteristic hump strongly defined. It may be found plentifully in the shore- 

 pools, flitting about the water with a movement much like the flirting and fluttering of a 

 robin in a garden, and displaying its beautiful colours to the best advantage. It is a lovely 

 little being, very variable in colour, but always marked with bright and peculiarly pure 

 hues, mostly white, purple, and scarlet. Many of these ^Esop Prawns are charming 

 inhabitants of an aquarium, their pellucid bodies and beautiful colours making them fit 



