LONG-TAILED MOLUCCA CRAB.W/iwului; longiapinus. 



Strange as are these habits, there is still a kind of analogy with other modes of animal 

 life. On page 625 is mentioned the curious little crustacean which resides within the 

 body of a beroe, and in the present instance there is an evident analogy with the various 

 galls and their inhabitants, the cells of the Phoxichilidium being in fact the galls of 

 the coryne. 



THE Crustacea abound in strange forms. The LONG-TAILED MOLUCCA CKAB belongs to 

 a separate order, called by the name of Xiphosiira, or Sword-tailed Crustacea, in allusion 

 to the long and sharp spine which projects from the shell These creatures, of which 

 several species are known, can easily be recognised by their general shape. The body 

 and limbs are covered by a curious shield composed of two parts, the junction taking 

 place across the centre of the body, as may be seen by reference to the engraving. 

 Though perfectly harmless, these creatures can be made very offensive, for the natives of 

 Molucca are accustomed to use the long sharp tail spine as the head for an arrow or lance, 

 and thus make a most formidable weapon. Many of these Crustacea attain the length of 

 two feet, so that the spike is nearly a foot in length, and is capable of inflicting a 

 deadly wound. 



The edges of the hinder portion of the shield are deeply toothed, and the space 

 between each tooth is occupied by a rather long and sharply pointed spine, which is 

 not fixed, but is moveable on its basis. The feet are mostly furnished with tolerably 

 strong claws. 



The Molucca Crabs often leave the sea and crawl upon the sand, where they may be 

 taken without much difficulty. They cannot endure the heat of the sun's rays, and are 





