174 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. [468] 
and G. pugnax occur together. This was found by Mr. Prudden to be 
the case, both on the marshes bordering West River and on those of 
Mill River near New Haven. They are abundant along both these 
streams. The holes made by this species are much larger than those of 
G. pugnax. Some of them are an inch and a half to two inches in 
diameter. Le 
The “blue crab” or common edible crab, Callinectes hastatus, (p. 367,) 
frequents the brackish streams and estuaries, where it is often taken in 
large quantities for the markets. These are usually brought to market 
early in May, but the ‘soft-shelled” ones, which are more highly es- 
teemed, are taken later. These soft-shelled individuals are merely those 
that have recently shed their old shells, while the new shell has not had 
time to harden. The period of shedding seems to be irregular and long 
continued, for soft-shelled crabs are taken nearly all summer. The young 
and half-grown specimens of this crab may often be found in consider- 
able numbers hiding in the holes and hollows beneath the banks during 
the flood-tide. When disturbed, they swim away quietly into deeper 
water. These small crabs are devoured by many of the larger fishes. 
During flood-tide the large crabs swim up the streams like many fishes, 
and retreat again with the ebb. They feed largely on fishes, and often 
do much damage by eating fishes caught in set-nets, frequently making 
large holes in the nets at the same time. 
The “mud-crabs,” Panopeus Sayi (p. 312) and P. depressus, (Plate I, 
fig. 3,) are very common in all the muddy estuaries and harbors. P. 
Harrisii also occurs in similar places; it is far less common, and appar- 
ently usually lives higher up toward high-water mark, under stones, W&e., 
but it has been found on the salt-marshes at the mouth of Charles River, 
according to Dr. A. A. Gould. 
The Orchestia palustris SMITH, is found on the salt-marshes, where it 
occurs under drift-wood, vegetable débris, &c., extending its range 
nearly or quite up to fresh water, and at times living in places that are 
almost dry, above high-water mark. 
The Squilla empusa (p. 369) burrows in muddy shores and bottoms at 
or below low-water mark. 
The Gebia affinis (p. 368, Plate I, fig. 7) also lives in similar places in 
deep burrows, as described on a previous page. 
The “horseshoe-crab,” Limulus Polyphemus (p. 340,) is also a com- 
mon inhabitant of muddy bottoms, in estuaries, where it grows to great 
size. 
The most common Annelids are partly the same as those given 
above for the sandy shores. The Nereis virens is generally very abun- 
dant; the two species of Rhynchobolus are common; and also Lumbri- 
conereis opalina, (Plate XIII, figs.69, 70;) Cirratulus grandis, (Plate XV, 
figs. 80, $1;) Polycirrus eximius, (p. 320, Plate XVI, fig. 85;) Cheto- 
branchkus sanguineus, (p. 320;) and several other less conspicuous species. 
Among the Gastropods by far the most abundant species is the Ilya- 
