84 OUR CARCINOLOGICAL FRIENDS. 
the shrimp, etc. (Macrura). An intermediate type 
is represented by the hermit-crabs, with some of 
whose habits we have already become acquainted. 
There are two species of fiddler found on our 
coast, much resembling one another in both color 
and ornamentation. The more common form (Gela- 
simus vocator) has a smooth and shining carapace, 
whereas in the second ( Gelasimus minaz) the carapace 
is minutely granulated and in part tuberculated; 
in both the back appears impressed with a figure 
much like that of the letter H. 
The second species, which appears to be a vege- 
table feeder, is much the larger of the two, and its 
burrows are not infrequently one and a half inches 
across, or even more. It inhabits the estuarine re- 
gion, in immediate proximity to fresh water, rather 
than the tidal flats, and, indeed, it appears to be 
able to get along for weeks, or even months, with- 
out absolutely requiring salt water. 
In excavating, the fiddlers throw or push up the 
pellets of moist earth by means of their anterior 
walking legs, depositing their burden usually at 
some little distance from the mouth of the burrow. 
At the approach of winter they close up the domi- 
ciliary apertures, and pass into a condition of tor- 
pidity until the advent of spring. 
_ Leaviig to their capers the noiseless musicians. 
of the shore, let us examine somewhat more closely 
the forms that nature has fashioned with a little 
nearer approach to symmetry. The ‘regular’ 
crabs, in a general way, look very much alike, dif- 
fering seemingly only in the proportion of parts 
