MAEIXE ZOOLOGY OF AREAS. - " 



for an instant, you will observe as modi bustle, enterprise, 

 and activity, with the usual accompaniments of snceem and 

 misfortune, as are characteristic of an opulent city. The 

 water at this moment is perfectly stilL There is not a, 

 breath of air to disturb its surface. Bat do yon notice that 

 ripple 1 Depend upon it there is some mischief not far off 

 See ! there is a prawn, or something like a prawn, swimming 

 with the greatest eagerness towards a piece of rock almost 

 concealed by marine vegetation. Nay, there is a whole fleet 

 of these creatures, trying to outvie each other la speed, and 

 all shaping their course in the same direction. With 40 

 help of our gauze or muslin landing-net we will endeavour to 

 catch a specimen. Skill and patience are required, for they 

 are uncommonly agile they leap with the suddenness and 

 rapidity of a grasshopper, and they are too "knowing" to 

 enter a bag, however fine may be its fabric, unless they are 

 enticed or surprised by stratagem. Look how carefully that 

 individual is keeping his fact towards your not see how 

 deliberately he "backs astern," with an occasional jump, 

 when you think that he cannot possibly escape : but now, 

 keep your hand steady ; lie win approach - he will inspect 

 your net with aU imaginable "q*BB*y Observe how skil- 

 fully he uses his "horns," or antennae exquisitely finjamd 

 instruments, half as long again as his entire body, and which, 

 as with the insect tribes, are delicate organs of inquiry. He 

 wffl creep round the net and touch every part within his 

 reach. But stop here is a chance of catching him -run him 

 gently back into that nook in his JmmMKfa rear, dip your 

 net under him, and then, if you are smart in raising your 

 hand, he will be your prisoner. Bring him on shore, and, 

 inverting the net into a glass vessel of sea water, we wffl be 

 able to examine him at leisure. But what has become of 

 his companions I Whither were they bound! And on 

 what errand were they so swift 1 It is a case of piracy. 

 These crustaceans, which we saw swimming in such baste, 

 are a fleet of sea-robbers ; they are at this moment plunder- 



