CRABS 



275 



GENUS Callinectes 



C. sapidus (Mary J. Rathbun), C. liastatus (Stimpson), the blue crab. 

 This is the common edible crab of the Atlantic coast. It is known 

 at the North as the " blue crab," and at the South as the " sea-crab." It is 

 found from Cape Cod to Florida, and after the lobster is the crustacean 

 which has the greatest commercial value, being taken in immense quan- 



Callinectes sapidiis, the blue crab. 



titles for the markets, not only when the shell is hard, but immediately 

 after moulting, before the new shell has hardened, when it is known aa 

 the " soft-shelled crab." It inhabits muddy shores, and is common in 

 bays and at the mouths of estuaries. The carapace is about twice as 

 broad as it is long, and has a long, sharp spine on each side which pro- 

 jects outward. This is a distinguishing feature. There are eight short 

 spines on each side between the long spines and the eyes ; then come 

 recesses for the eyes, and between the eyes are four unequal teeth and a 

 small spine underneath. The chelae are large and somewhat unequal in 

 size ; then come three pairs of simple feet and a fifth pair, which are flat- 

 tened, forming swimming-organs. The margins of the carapace and 

 abdomen are fringed with fine hairs, as are also most of the joints of the 

 limbs. The upper surface of the body and claws is dark green in color, 

 the lower surface is dingy white, the feet blue, and the tips of the spines 

 reddish. The body is compressed, the carapace being moderately con- 

 vex above, and is covered with minute granulations, which are more nu- 

 merous over some portions than over others. The abdomen of the female is 

 very broad and fills the entire space between the bases of the posterior 

 pair of feet. During the spawning season it is so charged with eggs 

 that often it projects out almost at right angles with the carapace. The* 



