abdominalis. The female is most commonly found, and has much resemblance to a minute octopod.
Palæmon serratus. Prawn. R.—Locally is extremely rare; the news of the capture of one by a shrimper becomes quite an item of conversation amongst the fraternity. Only comparatively small examples are taken.
P. squilla. White Prawn. F.—This fine sturdy species is not an infrequent take in the trawls occasionally used on Breydon.[1] This Prawn appears to prefer a muddy habitat. It is seldom taken offshore. Local, "Breydon Shrimp."
P. varians. Ditch Prawn. A.—Known locally as the "Freshwater Shrimp," which is erroneous, Gammarus pulex being a sessile-eyed crustacean, equally abundant. Abounds in all the ditches which traverse the marshes abutting on the valleys of the Waveney and Bure. This species is exceedingly interesting to watch both in its native haunts and in captivity. It is impossible to secure one by hand, even when a number are "skirring" over the fingers held under water. I have been much amused watching Sticklebacks endeavouring to dislodge these Prawns from favourite corners in an aquarium. This species makes a killing perch-bait.
Mysis chamæleon. Opossum Shrimp. A.—The salt water in the warmer months teems with myriads of this species. The margins of the rivers, if examined very closely, will be seen to be simply full of them. They are the favourite food of many round fishes; I have examined young Herrings running from three to six inches in length, finding them well filled with Mysis. On one occasion I dissected a stranded six-inch Herring, whose maw contained 143 Opossum Shrimps. It is amusing to observe Flounders gliding along the shallows into the midst of a shoal of these, and to see the latter spring out from the water at their pursuers' rushes, like a swarm of Lilliputian flying fishes. Around piles these Shrimps may be seen swimming and darting in a perpendicular attitude.
M. vulgaris. "Opossum Shrimp." A.—This also occurs.
- ↑ Only two or three worn-out shrimp-boats are used for this purpose; eel-pouts are sought for to be sent away to the crabbers for bait. Flounders and other fish are occasionally taken, and also some numbers of this species of Crustacea.
