496 



PROF. J. E. DUERDEN OK CRABS 



[Dec. 12, 



the part of the ciab, for the actinian is not attached, but held 

 between the fingers of the Melicc, and, if it be taken away, will 

 be again seized. Usually there is an anemone in each hand, but 

 sometimes one or both hands are empty. The actinians, which 







a. Melia fesseJlata from the Maldive and Laccadive Archipelagoes, bearing in each 

 claw a sea-anemone ; the crab is represented holding on to a living coral stock. 

 6. The " hand " holding an anemone. Both enlarged. (After Borradaile.) ^ 



are grasped firmly round the middle below the tentacles, may be 

 useful, by means of their stinging-cells, either for defence or to 

 ' fish ' for food with, or perhaps for both purposes. The chelipeds 



