A. E. Verrill — The Bermuda Islands. 707 



No mention is made of its being used as food, except in one instance, 

 by Capt. Smith (see under Whelk). This may, however, have been 

 common in times of scarcity, for the land crabs are much eaten in 

 the West Indies, by the natives. 



This smaller land crab is still common enough in certain barren 

 and sandy localities, as at Tucker's Town, and especially on the 

 smaller uninhabited islands, wherever there is sandy soil, but it is 

 evidently far less abundant than formerly. Probably the introduc- 

 tion of poultry was an important cause of this decrease, for turkeys, 

 chickens, and other species will greedily devour the young crabs. 

 The adult crabs often make a burrow three or four feet deep and six 

 to seven feet long. These are often situated among the matted 

 roots of cedars, or between and under large rocks, so that they are 

 very secure. The living specimens are reddish brown or chocolate- 

 brown above. 



The great Land Crab (Cardisoma Guanhumi Lat.) is compara- 

 tively rare. It is often 10 to 18 inches across its outstretched legs, 

 with the carapax three to four inches across. It makes very large 

 and deep holes. We saw a number of these holes at Hungry Bay, 

 among the roots of cedars, where they could not be dug out without 

 great labor. It also occurs on Cooper's Island, whence I have a 

 specimen sent by J. M. Jones, many years ago. Mi*. Moseley ob- 

 tained specimens by using torches at night, which we did not have 

 an opportunity to try. This species was probably much more abun- 

 dant formerly than at present. 



e. — The Devil Fish ■ Octopus; "Scuttle.' 1 '' {Octopus rugosus Bosc). 



Plate XCIV ; Figure 2. 



This large octopus is by no means uncommon, but the fishermen 

 claim that it was formerly more abundant. The decrease in the 

 large Rockfishes and Groupers that feed on the Octopus would seem 

 to have favored its increase, but on the other hand, it is taken by 

 the fishermen in considerable numbers for bait, by the use of grains. 

 It is sometimes eaten by the natives, but probably to no great extent, 

 owing to the abundance of excellent fishes. I am not aware that it 

 is ever brought to the market, as it is in many other countries. The 

 largest are said to have weighed 40 to 50 pounds, with arms 7 or 8 

 feet long. The largest that we caught by hand were only about five 

 feet across the outstretched arms.* 



* We captured about a dozen by baud, in shallow water, suddenly grabbing 

 tbem around tbe neck and hoi ding them firmly till their violent struggles were 

 subdued. They make a lively fight for a short time. 



