6i6 



MONTAGUE'S SHRIMP. 



this method of procedure great numbers of Shrimps are gathered into the net as they 

 dash along the sand, and together with them are various other inhabitants of the sea, 

 quite useless to the shrimper, but very valuable to the sea-side naturalist. Any one who 

 is studying the habits of the marine animals will do well to pay a shrimper for the right 

 of examining the net and retaining whatever is useful or interesting. The method of 

 burying itself in the sand is by using the hinder legs as scoops, settling into the small 

 hollow made by them, and then flinging the sand over its back with its antennae. 



There are several species of true Shrimps inhabiting our shores, all good for food, and, 

 although comparatively scarce, taken together with the common Shrimp. There is the 

 BANDED SHRIMP (Crangonfasddtus)^ known by the narrow and rounded abdomen and the 

 brown band that crosses the fourth ring. It is about an inch in length. It seems to be 

 rather a rare species. Another Shrimp is called the SPINY SHRIMP, on account of five 

 rows of teeth-like points upon the carapace. It is of a rather light brown color, banded 

 and striped above with grayish white, and spotted below with crimson. Another species, 

 BELL'S SHRIMP (Crdngon sculptus), is very small, being little more than three-quarters 

 of an inch in length. There are several raised lines on the carapace, each with a few 



COMMON SHRIMP.-Crafl^ofl vulgaris. 



SHORT-BEAKED RED SHRIMP. -Alpbeus brtvlrostntus. 



small teeth. In color it is extremely variable, but is mostly drab, with little black 

 spots and chestnut specks, and is adorned with patterns of pale brown edged here and 

 there with blue. 



THE second figure in the preceding illustration represents the SHORT-BEAKED RED 

 SHRIMP, a creature belonging to the family of the Alpheidae. This is a Japanese 

 species, but at least two species of the genus Alpheus are found on the English coasts. 

 Their carapace projects over the eyes in a hood-like shape, and the beak is very small, 

 sometimes indeed being altogether absent. The first pair of legs are always very stout 

 and strong, and one claw is much larger and more powerful than the other. The greater 

 number of the species belonging to the genus Alpheus live in the tropical seas, and 

 those that have been found within British waters have clearly resided at a considerable 

 distance from land. One species, for example, EDWARDS' RED SHRIMP (Alphius ruber) 

 has been found in the stomach of cod-fishes, mostly in fragments, but very rarely entire. 

 Another species, the SCARLET SHRIMP (Alphtus offinis), is of a deep scarlet except the 

 claws, which are marked with yellow. This Shrimp has been taken in the Channel 

 Islands. 



Another species, MONTAGUE'S SHRIMP (Athanas nitescens), inhabits the southern coasts 

 of England, and is popularly thought by the fishermen to be the young of the lobster, its 



