ORTMANN : THE CRAWFISHES OF THE STATE OF PENNSYLVANIA 493 



preferred by teachers generally, very likely in consequence of its use in one of the 

 standard works on these creatures (Huxley, "The Crayfish"). The third word, 

 " crawfish," is the proper American name. I found it commonly in use in the rural 

 communities where "crayfish " and " crab " were often entirely unknown. This is 

 chiefly the case in the southwestern section of the state and in West Virginia. In one 

 or two cases in Fayette and Somerset Counties I heard a distinction made between 

 "crab" and "crawfish." The former name was used for the river and brook 

 forms, C. obscunis and C. bartoni, the other for the chimney-buildei-s. All three 

 words go back to the same root. Old German krebia, from which is derived on the 

 one hand the modern German Krebs, and the English crab; on the other hand the 

 French icrevisse, the English crayfish, and the American crairfisli. The latter form, 

 being typically American, and Ijeing exclusively known to the natives of a large 

 part of the country (tlu' fanners), I have decided to use it in preference to the other 

 two forms. 



In literature "crawfisli" was used by Say (1817), Harlan (1835), Hagen (1870), 

 Abbott (1873), Hay (1896). "Crayfish" was used by Abbott (1S84 and 1885), 

 Faxon (1885, 1890, 1898), Hay (1893, 1899), Andrews (1895, 1904), Shufeldt (1896), 

 Osburn and Williamson (1898), Harris (1900), Williamson (1901, 1905). Thus 

 " crawfish " has the priority. 



Other names have been given incidentally, llafinesque (1817) calls C. Umosus 

 "mud lobster," (I heard this name once in Delaware County). Say (1817) and 

 Harlan (1835) call C. bartoni "freshwater lobster," and \A'illianison (1899) uses the 

 abbreviation "cray." 



2. The use of crau'fishes as jood and bait. 



Although well known, crawfishes are not much used as footl l)y the p<ipulation 

 of Pennsylvania; but this is generally the case in the United States. In some of 

 the larger cities of the United States they are found muri' or less regularly <>ii tiie 

 market (see Ortniann, 1900, p. 1260), C. linwsns being one of the species which is 

 principally used for food. I liavo, however, never heard that this is the case in our 

 own state, but it may be found in the markets of IMiiladelpiiia.*-' 



Nevertheless crawfishes are eaten in this state, but not regularly. 1 have heard 

 sometimes from boys that they had tried them, but only in "sport." and only excep- 

 tionally have 1 met pei*sons who had eaten tliem repeatedly and were fond of tliem. 

 Generally, this source of food is unknown to the masses in tliis state. Yet a dish of 

 crawfishes is not to be despised. It is true, our species never attain the size of tiie 



^'liafiuesqae (1817, p. i2) says of C. limosuo nt Philadelpliia, that il is "good to oat." 



