THE MUSEUM. 



A Trip After GelasmiusMinax. 



Early one fine morning in July I set 

 out to procure specimens of the fiddler 

 crab, G. viinax. On a former walk I 

 had noticed burrows belonging to this 

 species on the bank of a very brackish 

 river and thither I directed my steps. 



After a walk of two miles I arrived 

 at the desired spot, a point on the 

 bank where there were many burrows 

 in a small area. None of the crabs 

 were out of their holes but a glance 

 into some of these assured me that 

 they were inhabited. 



The burrows, in general, e.xtended 

 in a diagonal direction from the sur- 

 face for a short distance and then 

 curved in such a way that it was im- 

 possible to trace the direction with a 

 stick. 



Although most of the burrows were 

 occupied, not one out of nearly seven- 

 ty examined, contained more than one 

 crab, the two se.xes, it wonld seem, 

 living apart. 



The female crabs were carrying 

 around their eggs, only in part con- 

 cealed under the "purse" and odd 

 enough they looked with such a bur- 

 den. Several other crustaceans which 

 I noticed at this same time (July 8th) 

 were spawning. 



The specimens varied in size, the 

 average width of the body in the wid- 

 est part being one and one-fourth in- 

 ches. The legs of course make them 

 look larger. In color they resembled 

 the mud in which they burrowed, the 

 legs and especialiy the large claw of 

 the male being lighter. 



The crabs would retreat quickly to 

 the depths of their burrows on the 

 least provocation and I found it ueces- 

 sary to use the following method to 

 capture them. 



Upon locating a burrow with a crab 

 in it near the surface, a position which 

 they seem to take most of the time, I 

 drove a broad-bladed case knife 

 through the moist earth in such a way 

 that it would cross the burrow just in 

 the rear of the crab and prevent his 



retreat. Then it was an easy matter, 

 by a little upward pressure to eject 

 from the hole and secure him. 



Although a dangerous looking in- 

 strument (always reminding me of a 

 dentist's pincers) the large claw of the 

 male is no protection to him against 

 human beings as far as my experience 

 goes. 



About forty specimens were secured 

 from the seventy burrows, this num- 

 ber being almost equally divided be- 

 tween the two sexes. 



Probably sixty out of the seventy 

 burrows contained crabs and the piece 

 of ground occupied by them was not 

 more than eight feet square. 



F. P. Drowne. 



WANTED:— Al skins of Woodpeckers and 

 Hummers. All kinds but especially the rarer 

 sorts. Will give good exchange in skins, 

 eggs, shells, supplies. &c. W. F. WEBB 

 Mgi-., Albion, N. if. 



JU.ST OUT.— Written and illustrated by 

 Reginald Heber Howe, Jr. A Guide to the 

 Identification of the Birds of Woodland Beach 

 and Ocean. A most valuable field book for 

 everyone who has any interest iu the study of 

 birds. Very carefully illustrated l)y the au- 

 thor with 124 new cuts showing head and 

 foot of every genus. Also giving a coniplete 

 list of all the rarer birds. A perfect pocket 

 manual by which one can readily name a bird 

 on sight, or in the collection. "l6 mo.; cloth, 

 prepaid $1.10. W. F. WEBB, Mgr., Albion 



N. y. 



nWANTED-Vol. II of U. S Geological 

 Survey, 1877 Will give, go^ I e.xchaugc 

 What text books on G3.)lagi' or liiology havo 

 von to exchange? W. F. WEBB", Mgr., Al- 

 bion, N. Y. 



KEY to the WATER-BIRDS of Florida by 

 Charles B. Cory. An entirely new book which 

 must prove of great value to those who study 

 our shore and water-birds. With new key to 

 the species, and illustrated most superbly 

 with about 200 entirely new cuts. Square oc- 

 tavo; paper, $1 50; cloth. $1.75. W. F. WEBB, 

 Mgr., Albion, N. Y. 



INSECT PINS.— Any style or size of bright 

 pins at 12c per hundred, $1 00 per thousand, 

 5000 for $4 50, 10000 for 8 90. Special rates 

 on 25000 or over at one time. These rates 

 good to Feb. I5th only. Fine forceps and 

 cork, etc , in any quantity. W. F. WEBB, 

 Mgr, Albion, N. Y. 



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