THE MICIPPA. 



567 



of this structure. The body is thorny, though not so wholly beset with spikes as in the 

 spider-crab, and the eyes are placed on moderately long footstalks. The specific term, 

 superciliosus, refers to a Latin word signifying an eyebrow, and is given to this crab on 

 account of the overhanging plates under which the eyes are hidden when the footstalks 

 are laid close to the head, as is the custom of the creature when alarmed. The present 

 species is found in the New Hebrides. 



ON the right hand and in the upper corner may be seen a curious-looking little crab, 

 especially notable for the large and boldly hooked extremities of the limbs. The name 

 of ACANTHONYX, or THORN-CLAWED, is given to the genus on account of this structure. 

 At first sight, the Acanthonyx hardly seems to belong to the same family as the preced- 

 ing species, the shape of the body being apparently the reverse to that which is char- 



HERALD-CRAB. Hueaia heraldic*. 

 LONG-SNOUTED CRAB. Hueaia elongate. 



MICIPPA. Mlclppa phllyra. 



acteristic of the Maiadse. But on a closer examination, it is found that this difference 

 is more apparent than real, and that though the body seems to be wider across the 

 head, or rather, the cephalo-thorax, to speak accurately, the width is owing to mere 

 projections and not to any increase of the actual body. The THORN-CLAW CRAB is 

 found in many European seas, and is tolerably common in the Mediterranean. 



OUR last examples of the Maiadae are the three crabs which are represented in the 

 accompanying illustration. 



In these three species the reader will not fail to observe the curious variation of form 

 that takes place in animals that belong to the same family and even to the same genus. 

 The body of the MICIPPA is very large in proportion to the limbs, rounded, and covered 

 with numerous protuberances of various sizes, mostly small tubercles, but sometimes 



