THE RING-HORNED PRAWN. 
467 
however, be easily distinguished from each other, the beak of the prawn being long, and deeply 
saw-edged, while that of the Shrimp is quite short. 
While living, the Shrimp wears tints so exactly like those of the sand, that when it is 
lying motionless, it harmonizes exactly with the tawny bed of the sea, and cannot be discerned 
except by a practised eye. When boiled, it does not change to so bright a red as is usually 
the case with eatable Crustacea, but assumes a duller and more opaque hue. During life the 
Shrimp is a most beautiful creature, nearly translucent in many points, and when seen against 
the light seeming to possess some inward illumination. Its habits are interesting, and can be 
successfully watched by means of an aquarium, though it is necessary to bestow some care 
on the creature, and keep it properly supplied with food, as it is, though so delicate, a very 
voracious animal and requires much feeding. 
Shrimps are caught for sale in a peculiar wide and purse-like net set crosswise upon a pole, 
and pushed along the sand at the depth of about two feet or a little more. By this method of 
procedure great numbers of Shrimps are gathered into the net as they dash along the sand, 
and together with them are various other inhabitants of the sea, quite useless to the shrimper, 
but very valuable to the seaside naturalist. Any one who is studying the habits of the marine 
animals will do well to pay a shrimper for the right of examining the net and retaining what- 
ever is useful or interesting. The method of burying itself in the sand is by using the hinder 
legs as scoops, settling into the small hollow made by them, and then flinging the sand over 
its back with its antennae. 
There are several species of true Shrimps, all good for food, and, although comparatively 
scarce, taken together with the common Shrimp. There is the Banded Shrimp ( Ordngon 
fasciatus), known by the narrow and rounded abdomen and the brown band that crosses the 
fourth ring. It is about an inch in length. It seems to be rather a rare species. Another 
Shrimp is called the Spiny Shrimp, on account of five rows of teeth-like points upon the 
carapace. It is of a rather light brown color, banded and striped above with grayish white, 
and spotted below with crimson. Another species, Bell’s Shrimp ( Crangon sculptus ),) is 
very small, being little more than three-quarters of an inch in length. There are several raised 
lines on the carapace, each with a few small teeth. In color it is extremely variable, but is 
mostly drab, with little black spots and chestnut specks, and is adorned with patterns of pale 
brown edged here and there with blue. 
The Short-beaked Red Shrimp belongs to the family of the Alpheidse. This is a Japanese 
species. Its carapace projects over the eyes in a hood-like shape, and the beak is very small, 
sometimes indeed being altogether absent. The first pair of legs are always very stout and 
strong, and one claw is much larger and more powerful than the other. The greater number 
of the species belonging to the genus Alpheus live in the tropical seas, and those that have 
been found within the waters of moderate climates have clearly resided at a considerable dis- 
tance from land. One species, for example, Edwards’ Red Shrimp {Alpheus ruber), has been 
found in the stomach of cod-fishes, mostly in fragments, but very rarely entire. Another 
species, the Scarlet Shrimp {Alpheus affinis), is of a deep scarlet except the claws, which are 
marked with yellow. This Shrimp has been taken in the Channel Islands. 
Another species, Montague’s Shrimp ( Athanas nitescens ), is popularly thought by the 
fishermen to be the young of the lobster, its deep green color and large pincers giving it a 
great resemblance to that crustacean. It is a sociable little being, congregating in some favored 
spot and assembling in considerable numbers. In fact, it is seldom found alone ; and in clear- 
ing out a little sand pool, six or seven may often be found in close companionship. 
We now arrive at the Prawns, a family which is easily known by the long and saw- 
edged beak that projects from the carapace. This family is very rich in species, many of 
which are most lovely creatures, resplendent in scarlet, azure, green, purple, and orange, and 
of a beautiful transparency, which gives double effect to the colors with which they are 
adorned. 
In the Ring-horned Prawn the beak is extremely long, and slightly turned upwards. 
