582 THE FIDDLER-CRAB. 



lower crustaceans were nothing more than the undeveloped young of the Green Crab. 

 When first hatched from the eggs the little crabs are hardly larger than the comma em- 

 ployed in the present pages, and are much more like shrimps than crabs. They have 

 a large rounded shield by way of carapace, from which projects a large and long horn ; 

 and the tail is long, slender, and jointed, something like that of a scorpion, and with a 

 large and forked tip beset with bristly hairs. The eyes are not set upon footstalks as 

 in the perfect state, but are placed directly upon the shell, just like those of the lower 

 order of these creatures, called Sessile-eyed Crustaceans. The color of the animal, 

 which goes by the name of Zoea, is very light green, and the whole shell is semi-trans- 

 parent. Altogether, the Zoea, in general shape, and in its manner of progression, has 

 no small resemblance to the well-known larvae of the gnats which are so common in our 

 water-butts throughout the summer. 



After it has passed some time in this form it casts its shell, and is transformed into 

 a being of a much higher nature, with a well marked crab-like aspect. The long horn 

 on the carapace disappears, the claw-legs become boldly developed and are armed with 

 stout pincers, the eyes are set on short and stout footstalks, and the tail is not unlike 

 that of the lobster. While in this state its size is about equal to the capital letter T. 

 Sometimes the crab-like shape is rendered more conspicuous by the bending of the 

 tail under the body. 



Another transformation now takes place, and the little creature emerges from the 

 shell an unmistakeable crab, though yet not in the least resembling the form which it 

 afterwards assumes. This perfect form is only attained after a considerable interval 

 and through several more changes of skin ; the base of the carapace becoming narrower 

 at each change, the tail pressed more firmly against the body, the claw-legs attaining 

 more strength and solidity, and the hinder legs developing into the flattened oar-like 

 shape which is characteristic of the family. 



It may here be observed that the cast skins of the developing Zoea afford most 

 beautiful objects for the microscope, more especially in the horny coverings of the eyes, 

 which exhibit all the facets in a most admirable manner, and are ready to be mounted 

 on a glass slide without the trouble of preparing them. These cast skins are, however, 

 so delicate in their structure, and so transparent, that they are not easily perceived, 

 except by a practised eye, while their filmy substance and the minuteness of their 

 dimensions render them so fragile, that they are not removable without much care on 

 the part of the operator. The cast skins of the prawn or shrimp are equally useful for 

 the microscope, and are beautifully delicate objects as they float about in the water. 



THE little crustacean which is called by the name of the VELVET FIDDLER-CRAB, 

 derives its popular and appropriate title from the movements which it makes while 

 swimming through the water. 



As may be seen by reference to the illustration, the last joints of the hinder feet are \ 

 extremely flat, and it is by their movements that the crab is enabled to swim. Their 

 motions are very like those of an oar when used in " sculling " a boat, and are popularly 

 thought to resemble the movements of a fiddler's arm while playing a lively tune. The 

 word " velvet " is affixed to the name, because the entire shell of a perfect specimen 

 is thickly covered with shining hairs, short, silken, and soft, something like the pile of j 

 velvet or fine plush. It is seldom, however, that a really perfect specimen is seen, as 

 the soft velvety pile is easily rubbed off, and in almost every instance has sustained some 

 damage, so that the blackish shell is seen, with its polished surface. The edges are 

 very seldom clothed with their normal coating of hair. When tolerably perfect, a full- 

 grown specimen is a really handsome creature, with its coat of velvet pile, its striped 

 feet and legs, its scarlet and blue claws, and its vermilion eyes set in their jetty 

 sockets. 



This species is not one whit less voracious or cruel than the edible or the green j 

 crab, and as it enjoys all their activity, with the additional privilege of swimming through j 

 the water, it is even a more formidable animal, chasing and killing every creature that i 

 it can overcome. Even the hermit-crab, that lies so snugly in its shelly cell, with the i 

 large fighting-claw guarding the entrance, and its body withdrawn into the inmost 



