398 



CRUSTACEA 



flattened at the end, and except in Carcinides m&nas not pointed, forming 

 effective paddles: 7 American species. 



1. CALLINECTES* Stimpson. Carapace about twice as broad as long, 

 the anterior margin forming a serrated arch, at each end of which is a 

 long, sharp spine: about 4 species on the coast of the southern states. 



C. sapidns Rathbun (C. hasta- 

 tus Say). Blue or edible crab 

 (Fig. 634). Length of carapace 7 

 cm.; breadth 13 cm.; color dark 

 green ; feet blue : Cape Cod to Lou- 

 isiana, common on muddy bottoms 

 in shallow, brackish or even fresh 

 water, often swimming among sea- 

 weed or near the surface; next to 

 Fig. 634 Caliinectes sapidus (Rathbun). the lobster our most important 



food crustacean. 



2. OVALIPES Rathbun (Platyonichus Latreille). Carapace not very 

 broad, being almost round, with 5 acute teeth on each side of the 

 anterior margin; 1 species. 



O. ocellatus (Herbst). Lady crab (Fig. 635). Length of carapace 

 5 cm.; breadth 6 cm.; color light with red spots: Cape Cod to the Gulf 

 of Mexico, on sand beaches; is used for food in the South. 



Fig. 635 Fig. 636 



Fig. 635 Ovalipes ocellatus (Rathbun). Fig. 636 Carcinides mcenas (Rathbun). 



3. CARCINIDES Rathbun (Carcinus Leach). Carapace slightly 

 broader than long ; chelipeds rather short ; last pair of thoracic feet flat- 

 tened but with pointed tips: 1 species. 



C. maenas (L.). Green crab (Fig. 636). Carapace with 5 large, 

 acute teeth on the forward margin on each side; length 4 cm.; breadth 

 5 cm.; color green, mottled with yellow: Cape Cod to New Jersey; 

 Europe, where it is used for food; among the rocks in shallow water; 

 breeding season in spring. 



* See "The Genus Callinectes," by Mary J. Rathbun, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., Vol. 

 18, p. 349, 1895. 



