644 



THE LONG-TAILED MOLUCCA CRAB. 



animal life. On page 625 is mentioned the curious little crustacean which resides 

 within the body of a beroe, and in the present instance there is an evident analogy 

 with the various galls and their inhabitants, the cells of the Phoxichilidium being in 

 fact the galls of the coryne. 



THE Crustacea abound in strange forms. The LONG-TAILED MOLUCCA CRAB be- 

 longs to a separate order, called by the name of Xiphosiira, or Sword-tailed Crustacea, 

 in allusion to the long and sharp spine which projects from the shell. These creatures, 

 of which several species are known, can easily be recognized by their general shape. 

 The body and limbs are covered by a curious shield composed of two parts, the junc- 

 tion taking place across the centre of the body, as may be seen by reference to the 



LONG-TAILED MOLUCCA CRAB. Llmulus longlsplaus. 



engraving. Though perfectly harmless, these creatures can be made very offensive, 

 for the natives of Molucca are accustomed to use the long sharp tail spine as the head 

 for an arrow or lance, and thus make a most formidable weapon. Many of these 

 Crustacea attain the length of two feet, so that the spike is nearly a foot in length, and 

 is capable of inflicting a deadly wound. 



The edges of the hinder portion of the shield are deeply toothed, and the space 

 between each tooth is occupied by a rather long and sharply pointed spine, which is 

 not fixed, but is movable on its basis. The feet are mostly furnished with tolerably 

 strong claws. 



The Molucca Crabs often leave the sea and crawl upon the sand, where they may be 

 taken without much difficulty. They cannot endure the heat of the sun's rays, and are 



