HARRIS: CRAYFISHES GENUS CAMBARUS. 113 



The type of Orconectis inermis Cope was taken by Cope ('72 

 and '726) from a pool in a cool, "lively" stream in a subter- 

 ranean channel to which he had gained access by descending a 

 well about twenty feet deep, in the neighborhood of the cave. 



On May 5, several of the specimens of C. pellucidus taken in 

 the Mammoth cave in November by Putnam ('75), and taken 

 to Massachusetts, were still in good condition, although they 

 had eaten very little since their capture, taking "only a few 

 mouthfuls" of the bits of cooked meat, raw liver and bread 

 crumbs given them, Putnam ('75) says: "The specimens of 

 Cambarus bartonii, the eyed crayfish collected in the cave at the 

 same time, on the contrary, are quite ready to eat, and at once 

 seize any food offered to them. The difference in the action of 

 the two species at such times is quite striking. The moment 

 the water in the jar is disturbed, the eyed species rears itself 

 upon its tail, thrown out its large claws, seizes the piece of 

 meat or bread, and, hastily conveying it to its mouth, generally 

 holds onto the morsel until it is all eaten, though this species 

 will sometimes take but a bite or two and then drop the food, 

 and I do not think it will touch the same piece again." 



"The blind species, on the contrary, darts backward as soon 

 as the food is dropped into the water, and then extends its 

 antennae and stands as if on the alert for danger. After a long 

 while, sometimes from fifteen to thirty minutes, it will cau- 

 tiously crawl about the jar with its antenuEe extended, as if 

 using them for the purpose of ascertaining danger ahead. On 

 approaching the piece of meat, and before touching it, the ani- 

 mal gives a powerful backward jump and remains quiet for 

 awhile. It then approaches again, and sometimes will go 

 through this performance three or four times before it concludes 

 to touch the article, and when it does touch it the result is 

 another backward jump. After another quiet time, it again 

 approaches, perhaps only to jump back once more, but when it 

 finally concludes that it is safe to continue in the vicinity of the 

 meat, it feels with its antennae for awhile, and then takes the 

 morsel in its claws and conveys it to its mouth. I have twice 

 seen the meat dropped as it was passed along the base of the 

 antennae, as if the sense of smell, or more delicate organs of 

 touch seated at that point, were again the cause of alarming 

 the animal. When the jaws once begin to work, the piece of 



5-Bull., No. 3, 



