PALiEMON. 
131 
which are shorter and more slender than the second, are used 
by the Prawn to keep his polished coat of mail scrupulously 
clean. These front feet “ are beset with hairs, which stand 
out at right angles to the length of the limb, radiating in 
all directions like the bristles of a bottle-brush. These 
are the Prawn’s washing brushes, especially applied to the 
cleansing of the under surface of the thorax and abdomen. 
When engaged in this operation, the animal commonly 
throws in the tail under the body, in that manner which we 
see assumed in the pink specimens that are brought to 
table, which is not however the ordinary posture of life, 
the body being nearly straight. Then he brings his fore 
feet to bear on the belly, thrusting the bottle-brushes to 
and fro and into every angle and hollow with zealous 
industry, withdrawing them now and then, and clearing 
them of dirt by passing them between the foot-jaws. The 
| reason of the inbending of the tail is manifest ; the brushes 
j could not else reach the hinder joints of the body, and still 
| less the swimming-plates ; but by this means every part is 
brought within easy reach. Sometimes the brushes are 
i| inserted between the edge of the carapace and the body, 
and are thrust to and fro, penetrating to an astonishing 
distance, as may be distinctly seen through the transparent 
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