THE GRArSOID CRABS OF AMEKICA. 



343 



The seventh segment of the male abdomen is less than half the 

 length of the sixth, in old individuals much less than half. The 

 first pair of appendages are triquetral, straight and stout, their tips 

 rounded and slightly flattened laterally, and each is armed \vith a 

 very small, scale-like appendage directed obliquely outward ; and, on 

 the upper edge, just above this appendage, there is a small process 

 which is straight and does not reach beyond the rounded extremity 

 of the thickened portion. 



Color. Adults, bluish-tinged ashy gray, 

 occasionally dirty greenish or dirty white; 

 young, violet. 



Measurements. Male, Jamaica, length of 

 carapace 90, width of same 113, length of 

 larger propodus 155 mm. 



Habitat. Live in great numbers in open 

 fields, in forests, and on hills covered with 

 bushes; also make deep burrows in the 

 earth near the margin of swamps and 

 ponds in which they remain during a part 

 of the year throughout the greater part of 

 the day, seeking their food chiefly at night. 

 They are said to repair to the sea during 

 the breeding season. On account of their 

 swift movements it is almost impossible to 

 catch them. For more detailed accounts of 

 their habits, see Brooks, 1 Verrill, 2 and Hen- 

 derson. 8 



Range. Bahamas, Southern Florida, 



West Indies, Texas to Sao Paulo, Brazil, and Bermudas. Also 

 occurs in West Africa (Bouvier 4 ). 



The closely allied C. carnifex (Herbst) of the Indo-Pacific region 

 has the orbits tapering more rapidly to the outer end; the merus 

 and ischium of the outer maxillipeds broader; the chelipeds 

 smoother; the legs more bushy-haired; the seventh segment of the 

 abdomen longer. 



Material examined. 



Little River, Florida; C. T. Simpson; cheliped of male (45963). 

 " Very numerous." 



Miami, Florida ; G. M. Gray ; 1 female (42144) . 



Norris Cut, near Miami, Florida; April, 1901; J. E. Benedict; 

 1 female (25558). 



* Scrlbner's Magazine, vol. 14, July, 1893, p. 101. 



* Trans. Connecticut Acacl. Arts and Sci., vol. 13, 1908, p. 310. 

 The Cruise of the Toman Jtarrera, 1916, p. 179. 



*Bull. Mus. Hist. Nat. Paris, 1901, p. 13. G, guanhumi Stimpson from Cape Verde 

 Islands is a true C. armatum TIerklots. 



FIG. 155. CAHDISOMA GUAN- 

 IIDMIj ABDOMEN OP MALE 

 (179S7), NATUUAL SIZE. 



