MODE OF EXUVIATION. 371 



consideration, these delicate playmates were in the 

 habit, on the summer evenings, of careering to and 

 fro close to the glass-front of the case, presenting a 

 most pleasing spectacle, and one which must be 

 observed in order to be appreciated, as no descrip- 

 tion can convey an adequate idea of the interesting 

 scene. 



It is also a curious and striking phenomenon to 

 observe these creatures, by the aid of a lighted candle 

 or lamp, in a dark room, during the night, in conse- 

 quence of the bright reflection of the luminous body 

 from their prominent pedunculated eyes ; for as the 

 prawn does not retain a stationary position, but slowly 

 roams about through the water and over the rock- 

 work, seeking for its food, it adds an increased in- 

 terest to its appearance to behold these small globes 

 of bright light, like the bulFs-eye signal-lamps of a 

 miniature railway-engine looming through the distance 

 in a dark night, moving slowly along, the body of the 

 creature being quite imperceptible, and nothing visible 

 but these pairs of globular balls of fire shining from 

 out the dark water. 



When the period arrives at which the prawn is 

 about to throw off its old external covering, it ceases 

 to feed, and seeks about from spot to spot in a restless 

 and fidgety manner until it has fixed upon a locality 

 sufficiently adapted for the purpose required, and 

 suited to its fancy; for this really appears to be some- 

 times the case. The third, fourth and fifth pairs of 

 legs are then stretched out wide apart, and the feet 

 hooked on so as to hold firmly upon the surrounding 

 substances in such a way that the body may be poised, 



