134 HISTORY OF BRITISH CRUSTACEA. 
erect upon its feet, while the beautifully delicate antennae 
float from its head like gossamer threads through the water. 
In a short time, however, it plunges or springs, by a strong 
muscular exertion of the abdomen, from place to place, 
stretches its webbed tail and the large paddles of its 
swimming apparatus, and soon retreats into some dark and 
sheltered corner, where it remains, continually exercising 
its various organs, until such a period as the new invest- 
ing membrane shall have become sufficiently hardened to 
allow of its venturing forth among its companions without 
danger, for during all this interval it is liable to their 
attacks whenever it comes near them, and is obliged, by a 
series of forcible leaps* rapidly to evade their attempts, and 
escape out of their way. When the newly-coated Palcemon 
first makes its exit from its hiding-place, its appearance is 
doubly beautiful ; the colours are so clear and bright, par- 
ticularly the orange and rich brown bands which encircle 
the pale blue prehensile feet, the various markings are so 
defined, and the small spines and fringes of hair so clean 
and well developed, and the deportment of the creature 
itself is altogether so bold and vainglorious, as though 
proud of its new vesture, that it cannot but command the 
admiration it seems to seek. 1 ” 
