404 



.1. E. Yrrrill — Decapod Crustacea of Bermuda. 



Mithrax hispidus (Herbst) Edwards. Large Red Spider-crab ; Coral Crab. 



Cancer hisjjidus Herbst, op. cit., Band i, p. 247, tab. xviii, fig. 100, 1790. 

 Mithrax hispidus H. Milne-Edwards, Mag. de Zoologie, 3e an., 1832; Hist. 



nat. des Crust., i, p. 322, 1834. DeKay, Zoology of New York, Crust., p. 



4, 1844. Gibbes, op. cit., p. 172. Stiinpson, Amer. Jour. Sci., 2dser., x.\ix, 



1860, p. 132; Annals Lye. Nat. Hisi., New York, vol. vii, p. 18, 1860. 



Smith, these Trans., ii, pp. 2, 32, 1869 (descr. and measurements, Brazil). 



A. M.-Edw., Miss. Sci. Mex., v, i, p. 98, 1873, pi. xxi, fig. 1, 1875. M. J. 



Rathbim, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., xv, p. 26.'), 1892 (synon. and distribution); 



Brach. and Macr. Porto Eico, p. 67, 1901. 

 Maia spinicincta Lam., Hist., v, p. 241, 1818. 



Figure 40. Platk XXIII, Figures 3, 4. Plate XXIV, Figure 1. 



This species grows to large size. In life the larger specimens are 

 nearly uniform deep brownish red or terra-cotta color above, brighter 

 on the chelipeds and darker on the legs (due to brow^n haii-s). The 

 legs often have brighter red bands at the joints. Under parts of body 

 mostly white or bluish white ; legs red, specked with pale j'ellow. 



Figure 40. — Mithrax hisjjidus, young ?, from Bermuda, about f nat. size. 

 Phot. A. H. V. 



A 3'oung specimen (No. 4058, fig. 40) in life had bright colors: 

 the carapace was bright reddish brown, varied with paler patches ; 

 the 'spines and tubercles were light brown ; chelte pink with fine 

 black spots ; legs red, banded with pale yellow ; ventral parts pale 

 blue and bluish white. (C. S. V.) 



In large individuals the gastric area is prominent, wide, with 

 convex sides and defined by a wide and deej) groove ; the groove 

 bounding the cardiac area is wide, but shallower. 



Our larger Bermuda specimen has mau}^ unequal conical spines 

 and tubercles on the surface, but between them the surface is smooth 



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