LEPTOPODIAD^. 



and there is a corresponding excavation in the other. In 

 the female these feet are altogether much smaller than in 

 the male. The remaining pairs are very slender and fili- 

 form ; the second pair is three times and a half the length 

 of the post-rostral part of the body, and they diminish 

 regularly to the last pair : the claws of the second and 

 third pairs are slender, and slightly curved towards the 

 extremity ; those of the fourth and fifth are shorter, and 

 somewhat falcate, being curved more abruptly near the 

 base. The abdomen in both sexes has six joints, the sixth 

 and seventh being united into one piece. That of the male 

 is broadest at the base, and again at the union of the third 

 and fourth joints, and terminates in an obtuse triangle : 

 each joint is furnished with a tubercle. The abdomen of 

 the female is very broad, and much curved : the tubercles 

 pass into a continuous obtuse carina on the three or four 

 last joints. 



These characters belong for the most part to both the 

 species, excepting where the contrary has been stated ; 

 the specific diiference with those exceptions being rather 

 in the degree of development than in the existence, or non- 

 existence of parts. 



This is one of the most common species of the Trian- 

 gular Crabs, being found in considerable numbers on most 

 parts of the coast. I have obtained it from Wales, the 

 coast of Cornwall, Devonshire, Dorsetshire, and Sussex, 

 from Scarborough, and from Orkney. It is also not un- 

 common on the coast of Ireland. Dr. Leach mentions its 

 being particularly common at the mouths of rivers, and in 

 estuaries ; but I have found it in very different localities, 

 having often dredged it in deep water, and taken it in 

 crab and lobster pots. Mr. Hailstone states that " it is 

 very common at Hastings, both among the rocks on the 



