yo 



PINNOTHERES, OR PEA-CRABS. 



habitat " Lohajae intra Pinnas nigras ; in saccate rare," it is 

 probable that some Macrourous decapoda, of an unknown 

 genus, participates in the singular manners and habitudes of 

 the pea-crabs. 



It does not appear that the Pinnotheres are used as food any 

 where except in the United States of America, where the 

 species described by Mr. Say, under the specific name of Pin- 

 notheres ostreum, and found in the common oysters of that 

 country, is said to be " excellent food, and those who eat 

 oysters seldom reject it. When the fresh oyster is opened in 

 considerable numbers, the crabs are often collected and served 

 apart for the palates of the luxurious." — Journ. Acad. Nat. S. 

 Phil. Vol. I. p. 68. From this it may be presumed, that the 

 bad consequences often arising from eating muscles, &c., and 

 attributed to the presence of these animals, must be owing to 

 other causes. 



Fig. 1. 



Fig. 2. 



Fig. 3. 



Fig. 1. Zoe of Pinvotheres pisum magnified. — Fig. 2. Tlie same in a front view. — 

 Fig ?,. Male oi Pinnotheres pisvm, or Pea-Crab, magnified. 



