S 68 



THE DOMED CRAB. 



being developed into bold spikes. The claw legs are remarkably small in proportion, and 

 the claws themselves are even more feeble than might be inferred from the dimensions 

 of the entire limb. Several species of Micippa are known, all of which are obtained 

 from one or other of the Philippine Islands. 



On the left hand of the engraving are seen two crabs very dissimilar in external 

 appearance, and yet belonging to the same genus. The upper figure represents the 

 HERALDIC CRAB, so called because the shape of its carapace presents a fanciful re- 

 semblance to the shield and mantle employed by heraldic painters in depicting coat 

 armor. The sides of the carapace are developed into four singular projections, flat, 

 and looking very much as if pinched out of the shell while its material was plastic. 

 The snout is tolerably long, and very sharply pointed, and the eyes only just project 

 from under the protecting shell. 



The lower figure represents the LONG-SNOUTED CRAB, a creature in which the cara- 

 pace, instead of being wide, flattened, and formed with ring-like projections at the side, 

 is drawn out to a wonderful length, and possesses two angular projections towards the 

 base. Both these crabs are natives of Japan. 



DOMED CRAB. Cryptopodla torn/cats, j 



IN the family of crabs which is known by the name of Parthenopidae, we have a very 

 different form, the carapace being more or less triangular, the beak or snout small and 

 not notched, and the eyes very retractile. The claw-legs are generally large in pro- 

 portion to the other limbs, which are often very short. 



The DOMED CRAB is a very remarkable example of this family, and in addition to 

 certain generic peculiarities, well displays the characteristics of the family. As may 

 be observed by reference to the illustration, the claw-legs are very large throughout their 

 entire structure, and are furnished at their extremities with short but powerful nippers. 

 The carapaces of this creature is extremely wide, but the width is due, not so much to 

 the body as to the shell, which is expanded in such a manner as to conceal the legs 

 under its shelter. 



