PRAWN. 171 



PRAWN. 



Cancer Suratus, Pennant. 



The prawn is semi-transparent when caught, 

 but is quite red after boiling. This delicate fish 

 is taken in vast quantities on almost all the coasts 

 of this country where there is a rocky bottom with 

 sea-weed. They are caught in myriads in wicker- 

 work pots, just like those used for capturing the 

 lobster, crab, &c., with the exception of being 

 smaller. Sometimes the demand is so much greater 

 than the supply that 18s. per hundred has been 

 given for them. The greatest quantity sent to 

 London is taken from the sea round the Isle of 

 Wight ; but quantities are also taken in every har- 

 bour at low water by using the shrimp-net. They 

 are, when fine, about the size of a finger, covered 

 with a horny skin, and armed with long sharp 

 spines on the head, which cut like a lancet. 



