DECAPODA. CRUSTACEA. pagurus. 329 



that limit to the shores of South America. Mr. Say thought 

 there were characters belonging to those found on our coast which 

 would entitle them to be considered as a new species ; but I have 

 not found the differences he mentions to be conspicuous or con- 

 stant. They are of about the size and shape of the first joint of 

 the thumb ; and their numerous jointed, coiled antennae, and the 

 long, lance-shaped terminating piece of the tail are so remarkable 

 as to attract immediate notice. 



Genus PAGl^RUS, Fabr. 



P. Bernha'rdus. Surface rough and hairy; right hand 

 largest. 



Cancer Bernhardns, Lin.; Herbst ; Cancr., ii. 14, pi. 22, f. 6. 



Pagurus streblonyx, Leach ; Malacol. Podoph., S^c, pi. 26. 



Pagurus Bernhardus, Fabr.; Oliv. ; Latr. ; Milne-Edw. ; Lam.; Desm.; Con- 



sid., p]. 30, f. 2. 

 A'stacus Bernhardus, Degeer; Pennant; Brit. Zool., iv. pi. 17, f. 33. 



This and the two following species are known by the name of 

 Hermit- Crabs. The posterior portion of the body being unpro- 

 tected by a firm crust, the animal selects some empty shell which 

 will make him a good fit, and into it he retreats. This he drags 

 about with him, seldom venturing out of it, and retains possession 

 until either he outgrows it, or some of his kindred covet it and 

 claim it by right of the strongest, when he is obliged to go in 

 search of another. The crab is often supposed to be the real 

 architect and owner of the shell ; but is never so in fact. 



This species becomes larger than either of the others. It is of 

 a bright cherry-red color, rough and hairy ; the hand is well-pro- 

 portioned, and the fingers long, slender, and gracefully curved. 

 It occupies large specimens of Natica and Pyrula. 



P. pollica'ris. Finelxi granulated ; rio-ht hand longest : 

 thumb elevated into an angle above ; hand and finger crested and 

 finely toothed beneath. 



Pagurus pollicaris. Say ; Journ.Jcad.J\''at.Sc.,i.lG2. Milne-Edw.; Hist. Nat. 

 dcs Crust., ii. 237. .4kk. des Sc. JVat., 183G, vi. 269. 



This is also a large species, inhabiting the same shells as the 

 preceding. But its color is a pale brick-red, its surface finely 



42 



