556 



THE PRAWN AND -SHRIMP. 



Being in great request for the table, these are eagerly sought for by 

 fishermen, who catch them either in osier baskets, similar to those em- 

 ployed in catching Lobsters, or in a kind of nets, called putting nets. 

 These, which are well known to all frequenters of the sea-coasts, are 

 five or six feet in width, and flat at the bottom; and are pushed along 

 in the shallow water, upon the sandy shores, by a man who walks behind. 

 When fresh the color of the Prawn is somewhat cinereous ; but, when 

 boiled, it changes to a beautiful light red. The appearance of the Prawn 

 in full swimming action is very elegant. The body is transparent, and 

 the front feet are generally laid backward and tucked under the body 

 like the fore-legs of a stag in the act of leaping. 



At the side of the head there is frequently to be observed a la. ore 

 and apparently unnatural lump. This, if examined, will be found to 

 contain, under the thoracic plate, a species of crustaceous animal, 

 which occupies the whole cavity, and there feeds and perfects its 

 growth. 



