402 THE LONG-HORNED PORCELAIN-GRAB. 



.singular width and flatness of the claws, each of which is nearly as large as the whole body. 

 Altogether this is a flat crab, and, like all flattened beings, is formed for a life under stones or 



in narrow crevices. It may be found easily enough by going to the 

 very verge of low- water-mark, and quickly turning over the loose 

 stones which lie piled upon each other by the waves. Under these 

 stones li^s the Broad -claw, flat and quite at its ease, its great claws 

 fitting beautifully into its shell, much like the same members in the 

 domed crabs. 



The food of the Broad-claw consists mostly of animalcules, which 

 it catches by making regular casts with its hair-covered jaw feet, and 

 sweeping its'prey into its mouth by the action. The mode in which 

 the bail's or bristles are set upon the foot is very beautiful, and is 

 exactly calculated to act as a net. which will sweep up every object that crosses its path. 

 Several of the terminal joints of these jaw-legs are edged with long and slightly curved hairs 

 set nearly at right angles with the joint. It follows, then, that when the limb is flung out nearly 

 in a straight line, these hairs diverge ; but that as the limb is bent while being withdrawn, the 

 hairs become nearly parallel to each other, some of them cross, and form a very complete 

 net-work of stiff bristles that sweep everything before it. Moreover, each separate bristle has 

 a double row of still smaller hairs, projecting from each side, something like the vanes of a 

 feather, and nearly touching those of the next hair on either side. This structure is evidently 

 intended to ensure the capture of the very minute animalcules, which might be able to escape 

 through the comparatively large meshes formed by the bristles. 



Though the Broad-claw loves to hide in this manner, and remains so quiescent, it is fully 

 able to move about, and can dart through the water with astonishing celerity, flinging out the 

 abdomen, and giving a series of sharp flaps that urge it along just in the manner adopted by 

 the lobster and its kin. Still, it does not attempt to swim, but merely darts towards some 

 spot where it can find a hiding-place, and whence it will not stir for weeks together, finding in 

 its narrow home all that it needs in the way of food. 



Another European species is the Long-horned Porcelain-crab, a little creature that is 

 common in similar localities. It is much eaten by various fishes, and the codfish makes great 

 havoc among its ranks. Both these crabs can pinch smartly with their fiat but powerful claws, 

 and, in spite of their insignificant appearance, cannot be handled with impunity. In them the 

 last pair of legs undergo a curious modification, being very small, nearly hidden in the abdo- 

 men when not in use, and apparently objectless. They are, however, very useful limbs, being 

 employed as brushes, and used for the purpose of cleaning the abdomen and part of the 

 carapace from adhering substances. 



We now come to the second great division of the Crustacea, namely, those which have 

 long and powerful tails. The lobsters and shrimps are examples of these creatures. In swim- 

 ming rapidly through the water, the tail is the organ of propulsion which is employed, and a 

 glance at its form will soon explain its use. This powerful mass of solid muscle is first 

 stretched out to its utmost, and the fan-like appendage at the extremity is spread to its 

 wiliest ; the creature then closes its tail smartly under the body, so as to assume the attitude 

 in which lobsters and shrimps are mostly brought to table. 



The effect of this sudden contraction is, that the creature shoots swiftly through the 

 water. Of course, the animal darts backwards, but so sharp are its eyes, and so true is its 

 aim, that it can i 1 1 1 1 <_c itself into a crevice barely large enough to contain it. Any one who 

 wishes to see this manoeuvre practised in all its force, may do so by watching the little sea- 

 side pools wherein the shrimps and prawns are accustomed to disport themselves as long as 

 the water lasts, and where, when it dries up, they bury themselves in the sand to await the 

 coining tide. 



