THE SCALLOP-CRAB. 



455 



small and short. Although this is one of the European species, it is not very commonly 

 found, probably on account of its habit of burying itself rather deeply in the sand, so that 

 the eye cannot perceive it, and the dredge passes over its sunken body without sweeping- 

 it into the net. It is rather a pretty little crab, though unfortunately its beauty is only 

 skin-deep, and perishes after death. "When living and in good health, the carapace is of a soft 

 rose color, and has a very pleasing appearance ; but when the shell is emptied of its contents, 

 or even after the death of the inhabitant, the pink hue rapidly fades into the dull grays so 

 prevalent among dead crustaceans. In the Mediterranean the Polished Crab is very plentiful. 



We now come to another family, of which the Woolly Crab is an excellent type. 

 This creature derives its name from the coating of thick short hair with which its body is 

 covered. All the species of this genus possess several peculiarities ; at each side of the shell. 



HAIRY CRAB.— Dromia Mot. (See page 456.) 



and just at the base of the claw-legs, is an aperture that looks as if it had been cut for a 

 button-hole, and partly closed with a membrane. These apertures are in fact the openings 

 through which the water passes for the purpose of supplying the gills with the needful 

 moisture, and allowing it to escape when it has performed that office. 



The limbs are very remarkable, both as to their shape and their disposition ; they are 

 unequal in size, and the two last pairs are elevated on the back in a very curious fashion. 

 At their extremities is a large hooked nail, which is jointed to the limb, and can be folded 

 back so as to take a firmer grasp. The Woolly Crab seldom approaches the shore, but prefers 

 the deeper waters, and is only to be caught by a dredge with a very long line. On account of 

 its locality very little is known of its habits, though much is conjectured. It is mostly found 

 in the Mediterranean. 



The Scallop-crab has derived its name from its habits. The general shapes of this crab 

 are not at all unlike those of the pea-crab, which has already been described ; and the curious 

 analogy that exists between form and habits, cannot but strike every one who lias an oppor- 

 tunity to see the two creatures. 



Ix the sub-order which now comes before our notice, is seen a modification of structure 

 which evidently forms one of the connecting links between the crabs and the lobsters, or, to 



