BRACHYURI. 165 



When somewhat advanced, the roe of all the crabs that I have seen 

 consists of a dense mass of ova, or a compact thick cake, generally vivid 

 red, which gradually loses its soUdity along with its colour. The parts 

 of the one are relaxed, the intensity of the other fades. In detail the roe 

 is discovered to consist of clusters resembling bunches of grapes or cur- 

 rants, as illustrated liy various examjiles in this volume. Here it was 

 composed of minute spherical ova or capsules, attached by short pedicles 

 to a stalk, fig. 6, and many such stalks affixed to one of larger dimensions 

 constituted a cluster. The gradual increment of the whole is so great as 

 to augment the mass, which protrudes from below the edges of the apron, 

 and raises it above the rest of the shell. 



Myriads of ova were dropping from the mass on the eighth and 

 ninth of January, as the Cancer mcenas does not deposit its spawn, like 

 many animals, on extraneous substances. While still adhering in its 

 place, the skin of the capsule grows thinner and thinner, it partially ex- 

 poses the contents, and finally bursts, fig. 7, to discharge the foetus, 

 figs. 8, 9, 10, 11. 



Many of the young were hatched on the 12th of January ; their 

 fiirther multiplication followed for some time. At this early stage they 

 are extremely minute, nor bearing the slightest resemblance to the form 

 of the parent, neither, unless having watched their progress incessantly, 

 could I have credited their origin. All are of light grey colour ; the 

 body rather globular, with a flattened tail, somewhat resembling that of 

 a lobster, consisting of six or seven evident articulations, and a forked 

 extremity. The feet are indistinctly discernible. A long spine, wanting 

 in some, rises from the back of others. 



Unfortunately these young animals are too delicate to remain the sub- 

 ject of permanent observation. Similar facts to those above specified have 

 been repeatedly witnessed on other occasions ; but I have been always 

 disappointed in the occurrence of those metamorphoses which would 

 have shewn then- advances to perfection. 



Such remarks, howevei-, are not to discourage other naturalists, 

 who will ever find the Cancer mcenas a convenient and suitable subject 

 for elucidating the properties of its genus. 



