﻿2 SMITHSONIAN MISCELLANEOUS COLLECTIONS VOL. 59 



(Linn.), ranges, according to Miss Rathbun, 1 from Lower California 

 to Chili and is also found on the east coast of Brazil ; the other, with 

 which we have to do in the present paper, Emerita analoga (Stimp.), 

 is found on sandy beaches from Oregon to Chili. 2 Neither of these 

 differs widely from the well-known Emerita talpoida (Say), in fact 

 some authors include all three in a single species, and. it is probable 

 that their habits are essentially similar. 



The related family Albuneidse is represented by two species, Bleph- 

 aripoda occidentalis Randall, and Lepidopa myops Stimpson, both 

 from Southern and Lower California, but these are less abundant and 

 no opportunity has presented itself of observing their habits. 



Emerita anaioga, locally known as the " sand crab ", or sometimes 

 as the " sand flea ", appears to be present in California on all sandy 

 beaches exposed to the surf. We have had the opportunity of ex- 

 amining them in the vicinity of Swanton, Santa Cruz County, near 

 Pacific Grove, Monterey County, and at Alamitos Bay, Los Angeles 

 County, and have handled material from several other localities on 

 the California coast. 



In Southern California the " soft shelled ", or newly molted in- 

 dividuals, which are looked upon as a different kind, are extensively 

 used for bait in surf fishing. According to Miss Rathbun 3 they are 

 not only used for bait, but as an article of food on the coast of Peru, 

 where they are known as " Mui-muis ". 



Though the structure and development of Emerita are well known, 

 little work seems to have been done on their habits. S. I. Smith has 

 given the most complete account of the habits of Emerita talpoida, in 

 connection with a full study of the larval stages, 4 but even this is 

 rather meager, and, moreover, as he was unable to observe certain 

 points, he has incorrectly interpreted them. Benedict gives a few ob- 

 servations concerning Lepidopa* and Garstang 6 some features in the 

 respiration of a European species of Albunea. These views will be 

 considered in their appropriate connection. 



It will be convenient to consider the habits and the structural 

 features involved in the following order : habitat, burrowing, food- 

 getting, and respiration. 



^roc. U. S. Nat. Mus., Vol. 38, p. 554. 1910. 



2 Rathbun, loc. cit. ; Holmes, Occas. Papers Calif. Acad. Sci., Vol. 7, p. 

 103. 1900. 



3 Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., Vol. 38, p. 554. 1910. 



4 Trans. Conn. Acad., Vol. 3, p. 311. 1877. 



5 Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., Vol. 26, p. 889. 1903. 



6 Quart. Journ. Micr. Sci., Vol. 40, p. 224. 1897. 



