70 REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES. 



Eighth Stage. 



In color markings the eighth stage is very similar to the seventh; 

 but one point can be noted where there lies a difference and this 

 only when many specimens are examined, for a single individual of 

 the eighth stage can not, by its color, be told from the seventh. In 

 the seventh stage the number of modifications of the characteristic 

 color, slate, were comparatively few, the greater number of specimens 

 examined remaining constant without merging into the blue-slate 

 cream-slate, or red-slate. In the eighth stage the comparison of 

 color statistics readily shows that the number of variations, or 

 modifications of the slate color is very great and that there is a marked 

 tendency to develop green-slate, brown-slate, and especially blue- 

 slate and cream-slate. A description of ten individuals of the eighth 

 stage, taken at random, shows the general characteristics of markings 

 for individuals, while the foregoing table for the eighth stage gives 

 an approximate notion of the general scheme of colorations for the 

 stage as a whole. 



Spec. No. 1. Color, deep bluish slate; claw tips, rust color; 

 also border of telson. Body spots not readily discernable. 



Spec. No. 2. Very dark slate color; claw tips, cream; body 

 spots, white; telson border, rusty cream color. 



Spec. No. 3. Color, cream-slate bordering upon bluish; claw 

 tips, cream color; with the very tips rusty; body spots very dis- 

 tinct; border of exopodite (last abdominal segment), very light. 



Spec. No. 4. Color, bluish slate; claw tips, rusty cream color: 

 margin of telson, rust color; no body spots evident. 



Spec. No. 5. Bluish slate showing a metallic luster; body spots, 

 light, but not white; lighter over stomach region. 



Spec. No. 6. Light bluish slate color; ti]^s of claws, cream; 

 body spots, faint; telson, homogeneous coloration. 



Spec. No. 7. Color, cream-slate; claw tips, cream color; border 

 of telson, rust color; body spots, light. 



