136 CLASS CRUSTACEA. 



from the translucency of the valves of the pouch, and 

 the large size and blackness of their eyes. The males 

 of the Opossum Shrimp are not so numerous as the 

 females, and are without the singular pouch we have 

 described. 



;' We have already noticed the fact of these Shrimps 

 being the food of the Greenland whale, in the northern 

 seas, but in these climates they serve as ibod for 

 herrings. 



It is in looking closely into the structure of these little 

 animals that we see the perfection of the Divine Artist. 

 Nature's greater productions appear coarse indeed to 

 these elaborate and highly-finished master-pieces, and 

 in using more and more powerful magnifiers we still 

 continue to bring new parts and touches into view. If, 

 for instance, after observing one of their members with 

 the naked eye, which has informed us that the part we 

 have been examining is composed but of one piece, we 

 employ a magnifying-glass with a low power, the same 

 part appears jointed, or composed of several pieces 

 articulated together. Employing a higher magnifier, it 

 appears fringed with long hairs, which, on further 

 scrutiny, seem to be themselves fringed with hairs still 

 more minute ; many of these minute parts also, are 

 evidently jointed, and perform sensible motions. But 

 what idea can we form of the various muscles which put 

 these parts in movement, of the nerves which actuate 

 them, and the vessels which supply them with the 

 nourishment necessary for growth and support, and 

 which we know, from comparison with other creatures, 

 they must possess ! 



The Opossum Shrimps, we have seen, are the prey of 

 the larger inhabitants of the deep ; but they, in their 



