[Footnote 1:  Ocypode ceratophthalmus, Pall.]

[Footnote 2:  Ann.  Nat.  Hist. April, 1852.  Paper by Mr. EDGAR L. LAYARD.]

Painted Crabs.—­On the reefs which lie to the south of the harbour at Colombo, the beautiful little painted crabs,[1] distinguished by dark red markings on a yellow ground, may be seen all day long running nimbly in the spray, and ascending and descending in security the almost perpendicular sides of the rocks which are washed by the waves. Paddling Crabs,[2] with the hind pair of legs terminated by flattened plates to assist them in swimming, are brought up in the fishermen’s nets. Hermit Crabs take possession of the deserted shells of the univalves, and crawl in pursuit of garbage along the moist beach.  Prawns and shrimps furnish delicacies for the breakfast table; and the delicate little pea crab, Pontonia inflata,[3] recalls its Mediterranean congener,[4] which attracted the attention of Aristotle, from taking up its habitation in the shell of the living pinna.

[Footnote 1:  Grapsus strigosus, Herbst.]

[Footnote 2:  Neptunus pelagicus, Linn,; N. sanguinolentus, Herbst, &c. &c.]

[Footnote 3:  MILNE EDW. Hist.  Nat.  Crust. vol. ii. p. 360.]

[Footnote 4:  Pinnotheres veterum.]

ANNELIDAE.—­The marine Annelides of the island have not as yet been investigated; a cursory glance, however, amongst the stones on the beach at Trincomalie and in the pools, which afford convenient basins for examining them, would lead to the belief that the marine species are not numerous; tubicole genera, as well as some nereids, are found, but there seems to be little diversity; though it is not impossible that a closer scrutiny might be repaid by the discovery of some interesting forms.

Leeches.—­Of all the plagues which beset the traveller in the rising grounds of Ceylon, the most detested are the land leeches.[1] They are not frequent in the plains, which are too hot and dry for them; but amongst the rank vegetation in the lower ranges of the hill country, which is kept damp by frequent showers, they are found in tormenting profusion.  They are terrestrial, never visiting ponds or streams.  In size they are about an inch in length, and as fine as a common knitting needle; but capable of distension till they equal a quill in thickness, and attain a length of nearly two inches.  Their structure is so flexible that they can insinuate themselves through the meshes of the finest stocking, not only seizing on the feet and ankles, but ascending to the back and throat and fastening on the tenderest parts of the body.  The coffee planters, who live amongst these pests, are obliged, in order to exclude them, to envelope their legs in “leech gaiters” made of closely woven cloth.  The natives smear their bodies with oil, tobacco ashes, or lemon juice;[2] the latter serving not only to stop the flow of blood,