DECAPODA. 51 



Sometimes(l) the shell is a transversal oval, and at others(2) forms 

 a short and very wide triangle laterally dilated and rounded. The 

 claws are but slightly elongated, and are tolerably thick; here they 

 are longer, angular, and remind us, as does also the form of the shell, 

 of the Parthenopes. These latter species might constitute a sepa- 

 rate subgenus. 



Finally, our last and seventh division, that of the Notopoda, con- 

 sists of Brachyura, whose last four or two feet are inserted above 

 the level of the others, or which appear to be dorsal and look up- 

 wards. In those where they terminate by a sharp hook, they are 

 usually employed by the animal in seizing various bodies, such as 

 shells, Alcyonii, &c, with which it covers itself. The tail consists 

 of seven segments in both sexes. 



The tail of some of them, as in other Brachyura, is folded under, 

 and their feet terminate in a sharp hook and are not fitted for nata- 

 tion. 



Here the shell is nearly square, and terminates anteriorly in an 

 advancing and dentated point, or it is sub-ovoid or truncated before. 

 In the 



Homola, Leach, 



The eyes are supported by long pedicles closely approximated at 

 base, and inserted under the middle of the front. The two posterior 

 feet are alone turned up. The claws are larger in the males than in 

 the females. 



The shell is extremely spinous, with a dentated projection on the 

 middle of the front. The superior foot-jaws are elongated and sa- 

 lient. 



These Crustacea inhabit the Mediterranean, and were designated 

 by Aldrovandus under the name of Hippo car cini; they are the Thel- 

 xiopes of Rafinesque. Some of the species attain a great size(3). 



Dorippe, Fab. 



The eyes widely separated and placed at the anterior and lateral 

 angles of the shell; the four posterior feet turned up; the claws short 



(1) JEihra depressa, Lam., Hist, des Anim. sans Verteb.; Cancer scruposus, L.; 

 Cancer polynome, Herbst, liii, 4, 5; Desmar., Consid., X, 2. 



(2) Partlienope fornicata, Fab. 



(3) Homola spimfrons,l.<z*c\\, Zool. Misc., lxxxviii; Cancer spinifrons, Fab. See 

 the article Homole, Nouv. Diet. d'Hist. Nat. Ed. II, and Desmar., Consider., 

 XVII, 1. The Dorippe Cuvieri, Risso, belongs to this subgenus. 



