40 Animal Life by the Sea-shore. 



Pandalus cmniilicornis, almost equally abundant, is dis- 

 tinguished from the preceding by the conformation of the 

 walking-legs ; the pincers are minute and the second pair of 

 legs filiform and curiously asymmetrical, one being con- 

 siderably longer than the other. It is particularly common 

 iin the East Coast, rarely exceeding three inches in lengtli. 



FIG, 40. PRAWN (lEANDER SERRATUS). 



The coloration resembles that of Leander, but the markings 

 are of a rather more reddish tint. Closely allied to the edible 

 species is a little shrimp called Hippolyte varians. Too small 

 to be of any economic value, as it rarely exceeds three-quarters 

 I if an inch in length, it is one of the most common forms in 

 rock-pools on the South Coast, found chnging to weeds of 

 dilterent kinds. It is easily recognised by the shape of the 

 abdomen, abruptly bent downwards at the third segment, 

 producing the peculiar appearance which has given rise to the 

 name of hump-backed shrimp often applied to it. Special 

 interest attaches to this little creature, owing to its changes in 

 coloration. The name vanans is most appropriate, as this 

 hrimp harmonises most accurately with the weeds upon which 

 it rests, sometimes assuming the dark brown colour of a fucus, 

 sometimes the bright red or vivid green of other alga. The 

 coloration varies not only ui chfferent individuals, but each 

 one seems able to assimilate to almost any sliade offered by 

 its surroundings. 



No group of Crustaceans arouses more the mterest of the 

 seaside visitor than the different kinds of crabs. The Brachyura, 

 (.r " short tails," as the crabs are called, show a striking contrast 

 to the Macrura, or " long tails," like the lobster. The carapace 

 IS flattened and broad, the eyes are sunk in the orbits, the 



s. 



