236 POPULAR HISTOllY OF THE AQUAJtlUM. 



of those little, transparent, tender Crabs, which children are 

 so fond of racing upon the sands. 



Cancer pagurus. 



The Greoi Eatable Crah, if not as familiar on the shore 

 as the preceding, is quite as well known in markets and fish- 

 mongers' shops. Its large size and pleasant flavour recom- 

 mend it to notice, and have caused its habits to be observed 

 by those who are commercially interested in its capture. It 

 is known on every part of our coasts, particularly the rocky 

 parts ; but the larger it grows the more it is disposed to 

 retire to deep water. The condition of a soft Crab, or one 

 which has just thrown off its shell, before the new one has 

 had time to harden, has often been described. At that time 

 they get into as retired a hole as they can find ; and the fact 

 often mentioned seems to be pretty welt established, that 

 when the female is in that condition the male is frequently 

 found in her company. 



When full-grown it is of a reddish-brown colour, and the 

 claws, very large, are tipped with black ; but the young are 

 sometimes quite white. Sir J. Dalyell gives an account of 

 a specimen observed in captivity which will be found in- 

 teresting. 



