n8 THE SCOTTISH NATURALIST 



The specimen during the fortnight it was kept alive, was often 

 to be seen swimming with agility, but its flattened limbs were more 

 frequently used as spades than as paddles. The mode of burrowing, 

 of which I can find no satisfactory description, was as follows : The 

 crab settled on the sand, then, tilting its body upwards in front, 

 spread its walking legs and brought them together under its body, 

 so collecting a median ridge of sand. This ridge was shovelled out 

 in front and in rear by the first and last pairs of walking legs, which 

 moved in a forwards and outwards and backwards and outwards 

 direction respectively. Thus a shallow excavation was formed into 

 which the crab sank, settling down and tucking its limbs underneath 

 its body. A wriggling motion sufficed to embed the margins of the 

 shell in the sand, and finally with the hind limbs a sprinkling of 

 sand was jerked upon the carapace. In this position the crab 

 merged almost indistinguishably with its surroundings ; the mottling 

 of the carapace resembled sand-grains, the fleur-de-lis blotch a small 

 shell, and all that was visible on close inspection was the front of the 

 carapace bearing the antenna? and eyes. James Ritchie, Edinburgh. 



BOOK NOTICES. 



The Marine Mammals in the Anatomical Museum of the 

 Universitv of Edinburgh (Cetacea, Sirenia, Pinnipedia). By 

 Sir William Turner, K.C.B., F.R.S., etc., etc. With 17 plates and 

 over 100 text-figures. London : Macmillan & Co., 1912. 



The collection of marine vertebrate animals, that of the cetaceans 

 in particular, in the anatomical museum of the Edinburgh University 

 is one of first importance. Thanks to Sir William Turner's long 

 association with the University, and to his equally long and keen interest 

 in these groups, the material in the museum is surpassed by few indeed 

 among European collections. Sir William has not only acquired a 

 remarkable series of specimens, but he has made the best use of 

 them, with the result that zoologists are deeply indebted to him for 

 numerous masterly contributions to the anatomy and history of these 

 groups, especially the cetacea. The results of these studies have been 

 gathered together and presented to us in the volume under con- 

 sideration. In addition, however, to being an important contribution 

 to scientific knowledge, the book appeals strongly to those who are 

 interested in the fauna of Scotland, since it is replete with records of 

 the occurrence in Scottish seas of practically all the species of whales 

 known to inhabit or visit European waters ; concerning these much 

 information and valuable details are afforded. 



