Page:The Zoologist, 4th series, vol 2 (1898).djvu/242

210 (as stated elsewhere) I have kept specimens of Leander intermedius, an allied form, for a week in the same bottle. At present the only way I can account for it, is, that the light, coming as it does through the sides of the bottle, is too strong for them, or that they require a constant stream of water. It could not be a question of difference of pressure, as they are procured in shallow water. Though darting away at the slightest movement, a person may attract them by keeping his hand in the water for some time, when they will presently be seen issuing in numbers from all the cracks and crannies, though before not one was visible. They must be attracted by their sense of smell, as I have often seen them advancing steadily towards my hand when there was no possible chance of them seeing it. A good deal of reconnoitring is done before they make up their minds to come close, and then the smallest specimens always come first. Altogether this species forms one of the most interesting and amusing of the Crustacea. Port Jackson; New Zealand; Chilé.

38. Alpheus Edwardsii (White).—These crustaceans are rather common in Port Jackson, and are familiarly known as "Nippers." They may be caught in tiny rock-pools under stones at low tide, and are also procured in nets, in company with Penceus esculentus. They are very remarkable for their habit of making a sharp clicking noise with the large chela when caught or irritated. The sound resembles that made by cocking a pistol very quickly, and, if the animals happen to be in a bottle, you really have to look every now and again to make sure that it is not being cracked to pieces, so sharp is the sound. Colour, light green on carapace, and traces of red on abdominal somites.

39. Leander intermedius (Stimp.).—Common all along our coast in small rock-pools (left by the tide as it recedes), in which, if disturbed, they seek the shelter of any small stones which are lying about. They are very hardy, as I have well proved. I kept a few of them alive in a bottleful of sea-water for a week without once changing it, while some specimens of Rhynchocinetes typus which were put in at the same time died within three or four hours. This difference, which I have noticed repeatedly, is hard to account for. The integument is translucent, and covered with small red spots, which are noticeable even upon the embryo within the ovum.