The Limuli are found in deep ditches of fresh water, marshes, &c.; they
are frequently met with congregated together in great numbers; their
principal food in the Spring appears to be tadpoles.
[Illustration: _Limulus cancriformis._ (Natural size.)]
“This genus,” says Lamarck, “is almost isolated among the group in
which it is placed. Its body is covered with a great horny buckler,
very thin, and made of a single piece, of a roundish oval form. The
head is confounded with the trunk, and the antennæ are very short. They
possess three eyes, two in front, and one, very small, further back.
Their legs are very numerous,—the two in front, much the largest,
spread out in the form of oars, and furnished at their extremity with
silky articulated bristles.”