236 Transactions. 



66c. Eptatretus cirrhatus Forster. {Heptatrema cirrata Forster, Index 

 Faunae Nov.-Zeal., p. 55.) 

 The blind-eel, or hag, is common in the sea outside Otago Heads, and is 

 greatly abhorred both by trawlers and line fishermen. It is described and 

 figured by Waite {I.e., p. 132, pi. 13). 



Ceustacea. 

 Br achy lira. 



None of the crabs found in New Zealand have any marketable value, 

 and one of the achievements of the Portobello Marine Fish-hatchery has 

 been the introduction of the edible crab of Britain — Cancer fagurus. Over 

 twenty million fry of this species have been liberated in the waters of the 

 harbour during the last few years, but no specimens have yet been met 

 with. I do not know how long the zoaea stage of this crab lasts, but it 

 is probably several weeks in duration, and, as the northerly current outside 

 the Heads has already been referred to, it is probable that this has dis- 

 tributed the fry along the coast, and they may be found round Banks 

 Peninsula quite as soon as in Otago Harbour. 



Although the local species of crabs have no present commercial value, 

 their zoaeae are enormously abundant during the summer months, and 

 form no inconsiderable proportion of the fish-food during that season of 

 the year. These zoaeae have not been worked out yet, and cannot, there- 

 fore, be recognized. 



1. Trichoplatus huttoni A. Milne-Edwards. {Halimus hectori Miers, 



Cat. N.Z. Crust., p. 4.) 

 Occasionally met with in Otago Harbour and on the coast, especially 

 after heavy north-easterly weather. 



2. Paramithrax peronii Milne-Edwards. 



Occasionally met with along the coast. It appears to be not uncommon 

 from the Bluff to Cape Campbell. 



All the species of Paramithrax are somewhat feebly provided with offensive 

 or defensive weapons, and they therefore cover the carapace with sponges, 

 sertularians, seaweeds, and other marine growths, so that when not 

 moving about they readily escape recognition. 



3. Paramithrax latreilli Miers. (P. harhicornis Miers.) 



This is a very common crab along the coast, and is found at low water 

 between tide-marks, where it usually hides among stones. 



4. Paramithrax longipes G. M. Thomson. 



Large numbers of this crab were taken by the trawlers in April, 1900, 

 and they have since been met with along the coast at moderate depths. 

 The carapace is usually more or less protected by " sponges, compound 

 ascidians, serpulae, Spirorhis, and particularly with Balanus decorus," but 

 owing to the length of the legs the animal is not nearly so fully protected 

 as the preceding species, which has short limbs, which it is able to tuck 

 completely in under the carapace. 



