6o8 



THE BROAD-CLAW PORCELAIN-CRAB. 



life under stones or in narrow crevices. It may be found easily enough by going to 

 the very verge of low water-mark, and quickly turning over the loose stones which lie 

 piled upon each other by the wave. Under these stones lies the Broad-claw, flat and 

 quite at its ease, its great claws fitting beautifully into its shell, much like the same 

 members in the domed crabs. 



The food of the Broad-claw consists mostly of animalcules, which it catches by making 

 regular casts with its hair-covered jaw feet, and sweeping its prey into its mouth by the 

 action. The mode in which the hairs or bristles are set upon the foot is very beautiful, 

 and is exactly calculated to act as a net, which will sweep up every object that crosses its 

 path. Several of the terminal joints of these jaw-legs are edged with long and slightly 

 curved hairs set nearly at right angles with the joint. It follows, then, that when the 

 limb is flung out nearly in a straight line, these hairs diverge ; but that as the limb is 



BROAD-CLAW PORCELAIN-CRAB.- 

 Porcellana platycbeles. 



COMMON PLATED LOBSTER. 

 Qalathea strigosa. 



bent while being withdrawn, the hairs become nearly parallel to each other, some of 

 them cross, and form a very complete network of stiff bristles that sweep everything 

 before it. Moreover, each separate bristle has a double row of still smaller hairs, pro- 

 jecting from each side, something like the vanes of a feather, and nearly touching 

 those of the next hair on either side. This structure is evidently intended to ensure 

 the capture of the very minute animalcules, which might be able to escape through 

 the comparatively large meshes formed by the bristles. 



Though the Broad-claw loves to hide in this manner, and remains so quiescent, it is 

 fully able to move about, and can dart through the water with astonishing celerity, 

 flinging out the abdomen, and giving a series of sharp flaps that urge it along just in the 

 manner adopted by the lobster and its kin. Still, it does not attempt to swim, but 

 merely darts towards some spot where it can find a hiding-place, and whence it will not 

 stir for weeks together, finding in its narrow home all that it needs in the way of food. 



