476 
THE OCEAN WORLD. 
number of ciliated paddles, which it uses iu swimming to beat the 
water, and to confuse its enemies. 
The Crustaceans, so far as they are aquatic, respire by means of 
branchim, or gills. In the larger species these branchiae are lamcllous, 
or with filaments, whose supports are traversed by two canals, one of 
which leads the blood into the general economy, the other directs it 
towards the heart. These organs are enclosed in the body. In the 
smaller species the branchiae often appear exteriorly, hanging in the 
water like a fungus. Sometimes these are at once swimming and 
breathing organs ; in other cases the animal has no special organs of 
respiration. 
Nearly all the Crustaceans are strong, hardy, and destructive, 
forming a horde of nocturnal brigands— merciless marauders, who 
recoil from no trap in which they can lie in wait for their prey- 
They fight a V outrance not only with their enemies, but often among 
themselves, either for a prey or for a female, sometimes for the sake 
ol the fight. The miserable creatures struggle audaciously with their 
claws. The carapace generally resists the most formidable blows; 
but the feet, the tail, and, above all, the antenna;, suffer frightfnl 
mutilation. Happily for the vanquished, the mutilated members 
sprout again after a few weeks of repose. This is the reason for the 
many Crustaceans met with having the talons of very unequal size • 
the smaller are those lost in battle replaced. Nature has willed that 
the Crustacean should not long remain an invalid. They soon re- 
turn cured of their wounds. “ We have seen lobsters,” says Moquin- 
Tandon, “ which have in an unfortunate rencounter lost a limb, sick 
and debilitated, reappear at the end of a few months with a perfect 
limb, vigorous, and ready for service. 0 Nature, how thou fillest our 
souls with astonishment and wonder !” 
On the Spanish coast there is a species of crab, known, singularly 
enough, by the name of Boccaccio ; it is caught for its claw, which 
is considered excellent eating. This is cut off, and the mutilated 
animal is thrown into the sea, to be taken at some future time when 
the claw has reappeared. 
Crustaceans are nearly all carnivorous, and eat eagerly all other 
animals, whether living or dead, fresh or decomposed. Little think they 
of the quality or condition of their food. It is amusing to witness the 
address and gravity with which the common crab, when it has seized 
